About Weenthunga Health Network 
Weenthunga creates First Nations-led spaces that contribute to health equity and justice for First Nations people in Victoria. We do this by:

• Growing and nourishing the First Nations health, wellbeing and healing workforce
• Advocating for anti-racism and decolonising within the health and education sectors
• Embedding and valuing First Nations' knowledge and practice, and
• Ensuring better understanding and practice of health professionals to improve experiences, care and outcomes for First Nations people and communities.

Weenthunga [ween-tunga] means ‘hear/understand’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. We value "two-way" collaboration that centres First Nations knowledge and voice. Our work is guided by our 4R's: relationship, respect, reciprocity and responsibility. 

With future funding uncertainty, Weenthunga is calling out to our Members and supporters to redistribute wealth and back the critical work we're doing across health and education spaces. 
 
Our Work and Impact 

Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie Space: Backing First Nations young womxn aspiring for health, wellbeing and healing careers; a journey through senior secondary school and beyond. 

Weenthunga facilitates a Network around First Nations young womxn to support their journeys through school, university and into the workforce as First Nations health professionals. Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie means 'hear within' in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. We nurture young womxn to be strong in their identity and culture, and guide them on a journey which entails deep listening to Ancestors, Country and self.  
 
VAHENonline: Encouraging and supporting collaboration between health academics and disciplines across Victorian Universities. Working to address absent, inadequate and/or racist curriculum content about First Nations people.

VAHENonline is a vibrant, virtual platform for collaboration, discussion and sharing resources, approaches and ideas. VAHENonline contributors include community members, academics and health professionals. VAHENonline also offers users the opportunity to engage in online monthly reflective sessions. Sessions bring together university academics and professional staff across disciplines and institutions to discuss topics, such as: success for First Nations peoples within the institution, delivering content as a Settler-Australian lecturer, identity formation, white fragility and privilege.   
 
Aunty’s Voice: Acknowledging the wisdom and knowledge of senior Aboriginal womxn and ensuring Aunty’s voice is amplified in health and education spaces.

Weenthunga greatly values the role of Aunties in the Aboriginal community and wider community. Weenthunga has established a formal Aunty role to shape and implement Weenthunga’s way; that of working in a cross-cultural space and of keeping closely connected to culture. Weenthunga’s Aunty brings leadership, honesty and wisdom, grounded in culture, within our organisation and network.

Our inargural Aunty is Aunty Steff Armstrong. In 2019, Aunty Steff founded Baagii Maliyaa. Baagii Maliyaa means 'Grandmothers friends' in the language of the Gamilaraay people. Baagii Maliyaa at its heart is about backing First Nations young womxn in early health careers: “these womxn face enormous pressures and yet their strength and reciprocity see them stepping up to share and support their families and community ... It is about dreams and visions to keep culture strong within young leaders and to hold space for their voices".
 
Cultural Safety and Critical Consciousness Workshops: Transforming the understanding and practice of individuals and organisations through unpacking discomfort, power, privilege, racism, justice, decolonising and working two-way. A personal, professional, and organisational development opportunity.

Weenthunga offers training, workshops and consulting services aim to support learning, reflection and growth at an individual and organisational level. Improving the understanding and practice of Settler-Australian health professionals working with First Nations people, as well as recruiting and retaining First Nations health professionals, are critical to achieving equity in health. This requires mainstream health organisations to identify and challenge the way institutional racism shapes their interactions with First Nations staff and patients.