SAHMRI Indigenous Collective

The SAHMRI Indigenous Collective was established in 2014. It is the mechanism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students within SAHMRI to discuss cultural issues, research strategy, community engagement, leadership and workforce development in a culturally safe space.

The Collective provide guidance and leadership to develop a sector leading organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, professional development, and mentoring of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous staff working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

A key role of the Collective has been to provide strategic guidance and cultural advice to the SAHMRI Executive and Management teams on the development of SAHMRI-wide policies and to assist SAHMRI and collaborating partners in designing and delivering research that is accountable to the Aboriginal communities in South Australia.

Some of the foundational members of the SAHMRI Collective

The SAHMRI Indigenous Collective developed these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols to guide and support SAHMRI in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationally.

These Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols are a resource providing advice and guidance for staff when conducting business at SAHMRI. It is envisaged that these protocols will assist SAHMRI staff across the institute in addressing matters of cultural and relational significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The protocols address communication processes, relationships and activities to support the ‘right way’ of carrying out research and business with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This set of protocols will assist SAHMRI in becoming a culturally competent and respectful working environment for Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff and students, guests and visitors to SAHMRI. They are a collection of live protocols rather than static and this collection will grow over time.

View SAHMRI's Protocols document

SAHMRI’s Indigenous Collective and Executive believe that providing for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament within Australia’s Constitution, as called for by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, is strongly aligned with our vision:

• To Improve health equity in Australia and Beyond

• Be translational to deliver impact

• Deliver the right interventions, to the right people, at the right time in their lives to optimise health

Click here to learn more about the proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

January 26 is known to many as 'Australia Day' but is not a day of celebration for all Australians. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people it marks the beginning of the invasion and dispossession of their land and brings memories of violence, massacres and genocide. That is why the day is often called ‘Invasion Day’, ‘Day of Mourning’, ‘Survival Day’ or ‘Aboriginal Sovereignty Day’.

SAHMRI's Indigenous Collective, on behalf of the entire SAHMRI community, has prepared a statement that encapsulates our institute's position when it comes to selecting a date to celebrate the past, present and future of this country.

SAHMRI stands alongside our Indigenous Collective’s call to celebrate Australia's Day on a date that is inclusive and representative of the diversity of cultures that have made Australia the nation it is today.