Armadale Hospital celebrates women for Naidoc Week

ARMADALE Health Service celebrated the significant role Indigenous women play in the community with an early Naidoc Week celebration on Wednesday.

Naidoc Week celebrates the culture and contribution of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and this year’s theme, “because of her, we can”, was encapsulated in Armadale Hospital’s special celebratory event.

As well as a flag raising ceremony involving Torres Strait elder Dorothy Rueben and Boodjari Yorgas Midwifery Group Practice’s Christine Parry, the event also included a welcome to country and a special cultural music performance.

An information display that invited the hospital’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to share stories about their mothers was also set up in recognition of this year’s theme.

Armadale Kalamunda Group Maha Rajagopal said Naidoc Week was a special way to recognise the relationships between the local Indigenous community and Armadale Hospital.

“It is very important for the Armadale Health Service to celebrate Naidoc Week,” she said.

“The health service is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people by providing services in a culturally respectful manner.

“It is our desire to ensure that Aboriginal people can access health services in a culturally safe environment and are treated with respect throughout their journey of care.

“It is also essential for the health service to have a workforce that is culturally sensitive to the values, beliefs, rights and customs of Aboriginal people.”

Naidoc Week is on July 8 to 15.