What about cultural determinants of health?

Editors note: This is a personal reflection of the author's lived experience.

We know the ‘Social Determinants of Health’ are important for everyone, especially those of us that live in the bush. But the story I would like to share is about my journey as an Aboriginal person and the topic of my cultural determinants of health. The importance of cultural connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is often misunderstood or overlooked by non-Indigenous Australia. But it isn’t new to us.

However, the concept of cultural connection as a protective health factor is as diverse as our many different nations of peoples are. But I suggest the common thread for all our mob is we feel a special connection to country and kin, and the rich tapestry of story, place, rituals and practices that make up our unique identities. I suggest our cultural connection is just as important as the other typical domains and determinants of our health and wellbeing.

I grew up at a time when it wasn’t socially accepted or popular to be a Murri or Koori, with a conservative state government and prolific racial targeting by those in authority. There was no NAIDOC week to celebrate at my school. I just recall protest and advocacy led by our songmen and artists, independent media, scholars and a few non-Indigenous allies.

What I have learned over the last half of my life is what I missed out on, only growing up with mainstream working class culture (which I am grateful for). I didn’t learn much about my traditional Aboriginal culture on my father’s side. Having grown up off-country and without learning our unique ways of ‘knowing, being and doing,’ you don’t know what you don’t know.

So how can my connection to culture be a determinant of my health?  I have begun to learn about this over the past 2 decades. I have been honoured to have elders accept me, teach me and guide me in my journey to reconnect with my traditional culture. To earn and learn stories, rituals, dances, knowledge about special sites and traditional foods and medicines and  some of our ‘native language.’ I continue my journey humbly and with cultural privilege.

An example of how my cultural connection maintains my health and wellbeing is the simple act of fishing. I was brought up as a saltwater person and still live within half hour of the coast. Whilst I regularly surf, I occasionally make time to fish in the adjoining estuary. My grandmother was amazing for many reasons including her ability to fish with a hand line as she did as a young person. Fishing this way without the conventional  rod and reel maintains my connection with her and my Aboriginal ancestry. It keeps me feeling strong spiritually, mentally and physically. This is why:

I spend time on the bila (river) listening to the gentle shoreline lap of water (bathu). This soothes my senses, grounds me and I feel both energised and relaxed simultaneously. I sun myself with the warmth of djuukan (the sun). This helps my body produce Vitamin D. I move around chasing the currents and casting and retrieving line. I warra (stand), yalawa (sit) and yan (walk). This keeps me active. I catch makurr (fish) to dhanyigi (eat) - or if I don’t, I buy from the Seafood Co-Op on the way home! This gives me nourishment, my Omega 3s. I return from fishing feeling a sense of strength in my spirit, mind and body.

I continue to grow my cultural connection to maintain my wellbeing. I am privileged to have strong elders in my life to grow my cultural learnings, like Uncle Paul Callaghan Uncle Paul Gordon who have authored books to share some of this knowledge and connection with non-Indigenous Australia. I also learn from my peers and colleagues who I work with on the WellMob website that links to online health and wellbeing resources for our mob, immersing me in cultural content every workday.

Connection to culture is as important to consider as the social determinants of health, and what form that takes is as diverse as our people. I share this so our allies who work in health settings can consider the cultural protective factors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring their programs and services support our mob stay connected and mentally and physically strong. Its these things we can lean into to keep strong or to lift our spirit and keep us healthy as we ride the bumpy waters of life