Close the Gap is Australia's largest ever campaign to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Close the Gap campaign was launched in 2006 and seeks:

1. implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive National Action Plan (developed in partnership with Indigenous communities and health organisations)
2.  meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and health services
3.  improvements to Indigenous participation, control and delivery of health services
4. a commitment to provide adequate and long-term financial resources including strengthening of the Indigenous health workforce
5. a way to address critical social issues that impact Indigenous health (including poor housing, nutrition, employment and education)

The campaign's goal is to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. The campaign is built on evidence that shows that significant improvements in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be achieved within short time frames.

It seems hard to believe, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are still dying 10 to 17 years younger than other Australians.  The poorer health of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when compared to the non-Indigenous population is no secret – and something can be done about it. 

By joining our efforts we can make sure that by 2030 every Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child born in this country has the same opportunity as other Australian children to live a long, healthy and happy life.

Everyone can make a difference.  One way of making a difference is through supporting Aboriginal Enterprises within the Fair Trade Shop.  

You can also sign Oxfam’s pledge; https://act.oxfam.org/australia/close-the-gap-pledge

For more information: https://www.oxfam.org.au/what-we-do/indigenous-australia/national-close-the-gap-day/

or 

http://www.australianstogether.org.au/stories/detail/the-gap-indigenous-disadvantage-in-australia

Ngurra-ngu Walalja women’s group of Halls Creek

Our very first order from the Gecko Gallery has arrived and the cards are simply beautiful, we are sure that you will love them too. Here is some information form the website:-

An initiative of the Yanan Ngurra-ngu Walalja women’s group of Halls Creek to show Australia their community in a positive light. The project was funded by the Department of Health through the Government of Western Australia.

Project Co-ordinator Valma Banks said; ‘Aboriginal people in Halls Creek had traditional ways and stories they wanted to share’...’the profit from these cards will help support healthy families in our town’. ‘We are very proud of what we have achieved and members of the group are learning new skills along the way.’

With the objective to promote and improve awareness of healthy families in remote Indigenous Communities, Gecko Gallery as a distributor and wholesaler for the Yanan Ngurra-ngu Walalja Groupinitiative is committed to supporting this initiative. There are 12 blank cards; 11 depicting aspects of traditional family culture and 1 card depicting each image as shown in the examples.