Yandamanjang undertakes First Nations health research at the Kirby Institute. Yandamanjang means ‘we are all walking together’ in Dharawal, the language of First Nations people on the Bidiagal lands where the Kirby Institute is located 1. We are driven by the philosophy that by walking together we can achieve positive outcomes in infectious diseases, health and wellbeing for Australia’s First Nations communities.
In Yandamanjang , we walk together with First Nations communities and services to close the gap in health disparity between First Nations and non-Indigenous people in Australia to achieve health equity.
Our research enhances the capacity of First Nations communities to respond to infectious diseases. We collaborate and work with local communities to improve health outcomes for First Nations people in Australia by conducting rigorous, ethical, timely and culturally appropriate research.
We have four main strategies to improve outcomes of infectious diseases within First Nations communities.
- Our First Nations research is led by First Nations researchers.
- We co-design research in partnership with affected First Nations communities.
- We support existing disease monitoring activities and identify innovative new areas and methods of surveillance that will benefit First Nations communities.
- We collaborate with existing health services to enhance the capacity of systems and workforces and identify pathways to sustainability in the areas of service delivery, research and surveillance.
We have formed effective relationships with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services sector that are built on trust and respect to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of First Nations communities.
The artwork for Yandamanjang was created by First Nations artist, Daniel Evans, and symbolises ‘connection through unity’. Creating unity begins with fostering genuine connections—listening to First Nations voices, understanding their health practices, and respecting their knowledge.
