For Resthaven Registered Nurse and proud Kaurna woman Kim Long, NAIDOC Week (7-14 July) is a chance for everyone to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Kim is part of the team at Resthaven Marion Community Services and says supporting clients to continue living independently in their own homes, while being aware of differing cultural needs, is very fulfilling.
‘Being an Aboriginal nurse on Kaurna land gives me the opportunity to help support older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s to safely stay at home and to ensure my colleagues are aware of our client’s cultural needs,’ Kim says. ‘My work with all clients, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, has always been centred around the promotion of self-determination, participation in decision-making, respect for and protection of culture, equality, and non-discrimination.’
Resthaven sites will participate in NAIDOC Week celebrations, with events to be held and displays on show.
‘NAIDOC week is important to me because it highlights and showcases the importance of understanding and celebrating our Indigenous culture across Australia,’ Kim says. ‘I also strongly believe knowledge is power and the more informed people are about our history, the more chances we have of being understood and truly reconciling as a nation.’
‘With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses as part of the care team for culturally diverse clients, Resthaven helps facilitate positive relationships and provides our clients with an advocate who has a deeper understanding of their cultural needs and care requirements,’ Kim says. ‘As a proud Kaurna woman, I think it’s fantastic that NAIDOC Week allows all Australians to be a part of and help celebrate such a rich, diverse, and long-standing culture.’
