WBHHS have celebrated a significant milestone in fostering cultural safety when two of our nurses, Melanie Pope and Angie Randall, attended the prestigious CATSINaM National Conference in Fremantle, WA.
The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) is Australia’s peak national body advocating for First Nations nursing and midwifery workforce development and cultural safety in healthcare.
For Melanie and Angie, the conference provided invaluable learning experiences.
Melanie reflected on the importance of integrating cultural safety into daily nursing practice. "Attending the conference was profoundly enriching," Melanie said.
"The smoking ceremony was a powerful reminder of the rich cultural heritage of First Nations people, grounding the conference in the importance of connection to land and community."
Angie, currently completing her second year of a Bachelor of Nursing, attended the Student Leadership Workshop.
“During the session we were asked lots of questions to get us thinking about ourselves and what our goals are,” she said.
“It really made me reflect about being a leader and that we all are leaders in different ways.”
She highlighted the support she received, including a $5,000 CATSINaM scholarship.
“This opportunity was life-changing," Angie said.
"I really was able to use it to gain new connections to others who are experiencing the same thing as me.
The conference explored ways to address systemic racism, empower Indigenous voices in healthcare, and support culturally safe practices.
Both nurses emphasised their commitment to applying these learnings in their work.
"The sessions reinforced my dedication to fostering inclusivity and advocating for better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Melanie added.
Wide Bay Nursing Director Fiona Sewell commended their reflections.
"It’s inspiring to see how this experience has shaped understanding of cultural safety and the positive impact it will have on the care we provide."
CATSINaM membership is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare workers and allies, offering scholarships, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.
Paul Weir, Wide Bay’s Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, encourages staff to explore membership to strengthen their commitment to culturally safe care.
For more information, visit the https://www.catsinam.org.au.