Walking in Two Worlds: Decolonising Practices in Clinical Spaces on Tarntanyungga, Kaurna Yarta. Our starting approach for truth telling, change and action.
1
Central Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service, SA Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
First Nations Peoples in Australia experience disproportionate levels of kidney disease. We are five times more likely to develop kidney disease, four times more likely to die from kidney disease and less likely to receive a kidney transplant1 Significant work is underway to improve these inequities, with South Australia leading the way with Purdita Muna Pirku (Kaurna) ’Kidney Dream Team’, a multidisciplinary team including Nephrologists, Nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and First Nations Patient Navigators with lived experience. The ‘Walking in Two Worlds: Decolonising Practices in Clinical Spaces’ course was created at the request Purdita Purruna Wangkanthi ’Talking Kidney Health’ Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) 2,3, 4.
METHODS:
Place based, Indigenous methodologies is used to focus on Kaurna Yarta culture and significant places connecting to country. It was developed by a registered nurse and cultural advisor with input, review and endorsement from the IRG5,6. Renal staff were invited to weekly, one-hour, face-to-face sessions in an environmentally inviting space with group protocols agreed on before each session.
RESULTS:
Of 311 attendees, 97% reported that they learned something new from each module. 100% saw the importance of Aboriginal Health Professionals as part of multi-disciplinary teams. Our CALHN (Central Adelaide Local Health Network) team within CNARTS (Central and Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service) was nominated in the 2025 Quality and Improvement Awards, as well as a SA Health Awards finalist for Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Health.
CONCLUSIONS:
During extensive yarning consultations, First Nations clients consistently requested that non-Indigenous renal staff improve the cultural safety of their clinical practice. ‘Walking in Two Worlds’ has been developed as a direct response to this request. Building culture change, awareness and understanding within the renal department takes time. We intend to continue face-to-face delivery ongoing, complemented by an online learning.
First Nations Peoples in Australia experience disproportionate levels of kidney disease. We are five times more likely to develop kidney disease, four times more likely to die from kidney disease and less likely to receive a kidney transplant1 Significant work is underway to improve these inequities, with South Australia leading the way with Purdita Muna Pirku (Kaurna) ’Kidney Dream Team’, a multidisciplinary team including Nephrologists, Nurses, Aboriginal Health Practitioners and First Nations Patient Navigators with lived experience. The ‘Walking in Two Worlds: Decolonising Practices in Clinical Spaces’ course was created at the request Purdita Purruna Wangkanthi ’Talking Kidney Health’ Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) 2,3, 4.
METHODS:
Place based, Indigenous methodologies is used to focus on Kaurna Yarta culture and significant places connecting to country. It was developed by a registered nurse and cultural advisor with input, review and endorsement from the IRG5,6. Renal staff were invited to weekly, one-hour, face-to-face sessions in an environmentally inviting space with group protocols agreed on before each session.
RESULTS:
Of 311 attendees, 97% reported that they learned something new from each module. 100% saw the importance of Aboriginal Health Professionals as part of multi-disciplinary teams. Our CALHN (Central Adelaide Local Health Network) team within CNARTS (Central and Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service) was nominated in the 2025 Quality and Improvement Awards, as well as a SA Health Awards finalist for Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Health.
CONCLUSIONS:
During extensive yarning consultations, First Nations clients consistently requested that non-Indigenous renal staff improve the cultural safety of their clinical practice. ‘Walking in Two Worlds’ has been developed as a direct response to this request. Building culture change, awareness and understanding within the renal department takes time. We intend to continue face-to-face delivery ongoing, complemented by an online learning.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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