Murra Mullangari — Pathways Alive and Well

The Murra Mullangari — Pathways Alive and Well program is an initiative of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) in partnership with other peak Indigenous organisations. Using culture and identity as a strength, the program was developed with the aims of building the aspirations and capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior high school students to remain in the academic pipeline and pursue careers in health.

In the language of the Ngambri people, upon whose lands the inaugural program was held, Murra is the path and Mullangari is health and wellbeing coming from the ceremonies, including the Bogong Moth Ceremony.

The program was informed by the Patty Iron Cloud National Native American Youth Initiative, run in Washington DC each year by AIDA’s peer organisation — the Association of American Indian Physicians. After attending the program in 2010, three senior members of AIDA returned committed to establishing a similar program across all health careers, rather than just medicine and biomedical research. After almost 2 years of seeking financial support for an Australian program, commitment was given by the Australian Government to establish a pilot program in June 2012.

The students visited local and national institutions such as the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Australian Institute of Sport. Participants took part in interactive workshops at the Australian National University Medical School and University of Canberra Faculty of Health, as well as learning about university entry pathways and support at the Tjabal and Ngunnawal Indigenous Higher Education Centres. The program also featured workshops led by current health professionals in the disciplines of medicine, exercise science, nutrition, Aboriginal health work, psychology and nursing.

Murra Mullangari Facilitator Gregory Phillips encouraged participants to express themselves and their aspirations through painting. This artwork is a combination of the reflections of all 30 participants along with the program staff, facilitator and group leaders, on culture, the Murra Mullangari experience and their continuing personal goals.

Murra Mullangari partners continue to seek funding support to run further programs and would welcome contact from any MJA readers.