First Nations members seek representation

The NSWNMA has embarked on a path towards representation and leadership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members within the Association.

NSWNMA Council has voted to support the formation of a statewide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander branch of the union.

Council also voted to create two dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions on Council, one each for a nurse and a midwife.

Both proposals will be put to a vote at the union’s annual conference in August.

The proposals came from the first meeting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (also known as First Nations) members of the Association in February.

First Nations members at the meeting included Jo Burton, a primary healthcare nurse practitioner for Justice Health.

She said the inaugural meeting of Indigenous members was initiated by General Secretary, Shaye Candish, and Assistant General Secretary, Michael Whaites, after they took over leadership of the union in mid-2022.

“The new leadership team wanted to find out what we wanted and how they could help us achieve it,” Jo said.

“Our group came up with some important ideas on developing the leadership skills of First Nations members.

“We agreed the best format would be to create a branch for Indigenous members with similar interests and needs to discuss issues separate from those a normal branch would deal with.”

Overcoming Prejudice

She said Indigenous members “carry an extra load taking on responsibility for ATSI patients and the health and wellbeing of our community”.

“First Nations members have a unique experience of the systemic, entrenched racism in society that occurs on a daily basis.

“It’s not necessarily malicious, and a lot of non-Indigenous people would not even recognise or understand it.

“However, as an Indigenous workforce we need to address it.

“We need a forum to discuss and act on issues specific to the experiences of First Nations nurses and midwives.

“By having a platform within the union, we will be able to represent

On the agenda

Issues discussed at the inaugural meeting of First Nations NSWNMA members included:

• cultural safety

• creating opportunities for members to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

• empowering First Nations members

• advocating for better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients

• staffing issues

• industrial entitlements around culturally specific issues such as “sorry business” and the Yes for Voice campaign. n

First Nations members in a way that reflects their cultural needs.”

As an example, Jo cited the need for industrial awards to recognise ‘sorry business’ – Indigenous cultural practices and obligations associated with grief and mourning.

“Our award allows for family leave but not necessarily in the context that First Nations people define and experience family.

“It is cultural practice for many Aboriginal people to be raised by their grandmother or auntie – but if they die, nurses and midwives can’t normally get bereavement leave.”

Jo said the existence of a branch for Indigenous members would make the union “more relatable and relevant” to Indigenous nurses and midwives.

“I think a lot of members joined the union before they had the option of identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander on the membership form.

“A branch specifically for Indigenous members will give people an opportunity to identify and embrace their culture in a more supported way.” n