South Australian peak body for Aboriginal health
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
You are invited to attend a traditional Smoking Ceremony launch of the new Aboriginal Health Council of SA Inc. (AHCSA) on 25 March at 3.30pm, 9 King William Road, Unley.
AHCSA Chairperson Yvonne Buza said, “This is a special day as it marks the beginning of a new era for AHCSA – one that allows us to showcase our uniqueness and connectedness.”
The launch will celebrate key milestones in the 28 year history of Aboriginal health governance in South Australia. Following 20 years of government control, AHCSA became a separately incorporated Aboriginal community-controlled organisation in 2001 and has since gone from strength to strength culminating in the move to much larger premises at Unley.
The celebrations will commence with a traditional Welcome to Country followed by speeches from AHCSA Chairperson Yvonne Buza and CEO Mary Buckskin.
The Tal Kin Jeri Dance Group will then perform as an act of welcoming the Hon. John Hill Minister for Health to the podium.
The launch will conclude with a Smoking Ceremony, by Major Sumner in full traditional dress, an ancient custom among Aboriginal people that involves smoldering native plants to produce smoke to cleanse, heal and restore cultural practices. The ceremony will symbolise the strength and survival of Aboriginal cultural practices in South Australia.
AHCSA is South Australia’s peak body for Aboriginal health. As an Aboriginal community controlled organisation, AHCSA is managed and governed by an Aboriginal Board comprising members from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Substance Misuse Services and Aboriginal Health Advisory Committees who represent the interests of the communities through AHCSA at a state and national level. Since its reincorporation in 2001, the AHCSA Secretariat has quadrupled its staff to support new programs and services aimed at closing the gap in Indigenous health equality.
Around 200 people are expected to attend the launch including AHCSA Board Members from around the state, government representatives and other key stakeholders.
