In July, NSWNMA Councillor Rebekah Henderson travelled to Kaurareg Country, Waibene (Thursday Island) where 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses, midwives and health professionals discussed putting Indigenous practitioners at the centre of health care delivery to their communities. 

The event was the annual conference of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM).

“The theme of the Regional Congress was The Power of Bringing your Practice Home,” Rebekah says. “It highlighted the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives using their skills to improve the health and wellbeing of Mob.”

CATSINaM and Torres Strait Islander Elder Aunty Professor Doseena Fergie, a registered nurse and midwife who holds a PhD in nursing research, argued for more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives to be elevated to higher positions in health.

Rebekah attended the conference with Keith Wicks, the NSWNMA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Officer, NSWNMA organiser Jo Perdue and members Michelle Cutmore and Jo Burton (a nurse practitioner who also happens to be Rebekah’s mother).

“Keith presented on a panel that explored what a cultural safety looks like in the workplace,” Rebekah says.

“He shared his experience and insights into how cultural safety maybe developed through organisational commitment and willingness and, conversely, the risks presented when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers become isolated in their workplace.”

The NSWNMA and CATSINaM have a long history together

CATSINaM and the NSWNMA have a long association. “CATSINaM had their first meeting at the Association headquarters,” says Rebekah.

“Dr Aunty Sally Goold, who recently passed away, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives founded CATSINaM to have a formal representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.”

“While we spent a lot of time throughout the Congress continuing to develop the NSWNMA relationship with CATSINaM, I have come away feeling there is much to be done in this space,” Rebekah adds.

As well as being a NSWNMA councillor, Rebekah, a dual-registered RN and midwife, works to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members within the NSWNMA as a founding member of the Association’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Member Circle.

All new members who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are automatically included in the Circle. Rebekah says the Circle, which will celebrate a two-year anniversary in January, “is a really important voice within the union”.

“The recent creation of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councillor positions is another important step, but there is always more we can do to make sure that we have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lens not just on Indigenous, but on all issues.”

There are some NSWNMA members who aren’t aware that they can be apart of the circle as well as a member of their local branch.

“We would love to welcome people to come to our meeting and talk about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in nursing and midwifery, ”Rebekah says. “We would love more active members,” Rebekah says of the group, which meets online bimonthly.

The next CATSINaM Congress in 2026 will be held in Alice Springs, NT.

For more information about taking part in the Aboriginal and Torres Island Circle, contact Keith Wicks at the Association.