ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters across ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. We acknowledge the many Aboriginal nations, their Elders both past and present, and offer our respect to all Aboriginal people.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal people are remarkable stewards of this Land and have been for more than 60,000 years. The principles of stewardship and caring for Country will be critical in developing an environmentally sustainable, climate resilient health system.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led initiatives in climate change adaptation and mitigation strengthens community wellbeing. To that end, all our work seeks to uphold the idea that if we care for Country, it will care for us.

We commit to listening to and learning from Aboriginal people in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø about how we can better reflect Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing in our net zero transition.

The roadmap will build on a strong partnership approach with the Aboriginal community, aligned with the strategic direction of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health Aboriginal Health Plan 2024-2034, as well as Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, including what evidence tells us.

We acknowledge that:

• climate change has a significant impact on people’s health and wellbeing, including their physical health, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing¹
• climate change is disrupting cultural and spiritual connections to Country that are central to health and wellbeing¹
• that all climate and health policy must be informed by Aboriginal leadership, knowledge, and experience.²