On March 18th 2021, we were proud to participate in National Close the Gap Day by welcoming Mr. Nathan Moran to campus to help us learn more about this movement!
Closing the Gap acknowledges the ongoing strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in sustaining the world’s oldest living cultures.
The movement aimed at closing the gap is underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. It also recognises that structural change in the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is needed to close the gap.
Led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and supported by mainstream health and advocacy organisations from around the country, we thought there was no better way for our JMC Community to learn more than to invite a guest speaker along.
Mr. Nathan Moran, CEO of Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council came along to campus and spoke with our students about what they as artists can do to help close the gap.
Who is Nathan Moran?
Nathan is a proud Biripi Dhungutti Goori who has worked in both government and non-government with & for Aboriginal communities of NSW for over 20 years.
Previously working with NSW AECG, NSW Department Education, Biripi LALC, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, TAFE NSW and Aboriginal Housing Office NSW, he has served as Director or Board member on a number of identified and mainstream organisations including Mid North Coast Regional Aboriginal Land Council, Association Resource Cooperative Housing, Redfern All Blacks, Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, and Werrin Medical Service.
Nathan is passionate about First Nations Lore, Culture and Heritage, Arts, History Politics and Sport, and is committed to achieving equity in human rights for Australia’s First Nations on par with or better than other First Nations.
What is Close the Gap campaigning for?
Indigenous and non-Indigenous health and community organisations together with nearly 200,000 Australians are calling on governments to take real and measurable action to achieve Indigenous health equality by 2030 by asking for:
- A healthcare system that responds to health needs
- The right to access health care in the location of choice
- Good housing for good health
Now, What can you do?
- SIGN the Close The Gap pledge here
- CONTACT your local Member of Parliament! Find out who your local member is here and know the guidelines behind contacting Parliment members here
- CONTACT Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Ken Wyatt using the email address Minister.Wyatt@ia.pm.gov.au
- CONTACT your local council - Find information on how to contact your council here
- VOTE in your local council election - Find information on when local councils will be holding elections here (126 of NSW’s 128 local councils will be holding elections on Saturday, 4 September 2021. These elections are often won by very narrow margins, so get involved!)
- LEARN more about the campaign through the available resources here
- SHARE your pledge!
JMC is still an Arts Academy, so as part of bringing people together, we also arranged a film screening to cap the day off. Sweet Country is the 2018 AACTA Best Film Award Winner, directed by Kaytetye man Warwick Thornton, giving students the chance to watch a great movie, socialise and have a great time.
Check out @closethegapcampaign to hear from First Nations people about the campaign to achieve parity between indigenous and non-indigenous health outcomes.