Guunu-maana
The George Institute acknowledges First Peoples and the Traditional Custodians of the many lands upon which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and thank them for ongoing custodianship of waters, lands and skies.
Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a core priority at The George Institute. The Guunu-maana (Heal), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program is dedicated to driving ethical, strengths-based research and advocacy to create meaningful change for First Nations peoples and communities.
Led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing, Guunu-maana centres Indigenous knowledges, integrating physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of health. The program fosters self-determination and transparency while focusing on community-driven priorities that promote empowerment and healing.
Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a core priority at The George Institute. The Guunu-maana (Heal), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program is dedicated to driving ethical, strengths-based research and advocacy to create meaningful change for First Nations peoples and communities.
Led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing, Guunu-maana centres Indigenous knowledges, integrating physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of health. The program fosters self-determination and transparency while focusing on community-driven priorities that promote empowerment and healing.
statistics on Guunu-maana
- AU$30million
secured in research funding
- 3million
episodes of care were provided by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
- 40%
iNCREASE IN SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS in the last decade
- 75-85%
of health professionals feel more confident engaging with Indigenous patients after cultural safety training
Strengthening the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Guunu-maana (Heal) Program drives meaningful, community-led health research. Rooted in cultural integrity and self-determination, the Program addresses inequities and delivers lasting impact focusing on social and cultural determinants of health, health systems and healthcare delivery and community driven priorities.
- Strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and a commitment to using strengths-based approaches
- Capacity building for the next generation of researchers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and for non-Indigenous researchers to enable collaborative approaches to conducting high quality, ethically sound research in partnership with First Nations organisations, communities and individuals
- Genuine engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, other First Nations peoples and communities with research determined by community priorities
- Research integrity that is underpinned by equity, transparency and self-determination and maintains an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander paradigm of health and healing- physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual elements of health
Our Projects
Latest NEWS and MEDIA
News and media releases
Funds for innovative program using dance to connect Aboriginal children to culture to improve health and wellbeing
Date published: News Type: Media release
Aboriginal organisations demand action: Walgett drinking water health threat
Date published: News Type: Media release
The George Institute to conduct the 'Australian Eye and Ear Health Survey' with partners
Date published: News Type: Media release
Three researchers from The George Institute among list of winners of new funding award
Date published: News Type: Media release
Improving the aftercare journey of First Nations children and their families following burn injury
Date published: News Type: Media release
Celebrating First Nations Knowledge and Community: Reflections from the Lowitja Institute’s 3rd International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference
Date published: News Type: News
