Lisa

Lisafeatured image
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware this story contains details of a Yolŋu woman who has passed away.
  • The family has given permission to share this story.

When Lisa’s mum got sick, there was no doubt in her mind about what she needed to do.

As a proud Yolŋu woman, Lisa fought hard to make sure her mum felt connected to Country, even when she had to be airlifted from Nhulunbuy to Darwin for treatment.

Connection to Country and land is deeply spiritual. It encapsulates a sense of belonging and identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures who, for tens of thousands of years, have relied on the land for sustenance and shelter. Country is like a family member; a living, breathing entity.

So, imagine the complexities when illness forces you away from your Country and into the harsh, sterile environment of a hospital ward.

“All she wanted was to feel the sand beneath her feet,” explained Lisa. “To smell the air, to see the sea.

“One day I caught a mullet, cooked it on the beach and brought it in for mum. Everyone in the ward wanted to taste it!

“Food makes you alive. It’s like medicine for us. It cures us.”

Sadly, Lisa’s mum did not survive her health battle, and after eight months in the Royal Darwin Hospital, she passed away.

Coming home to her mob and passing on the news was incredibly challenging for Lisa. Strict cultural protocol means only certain Aboriginal people can inform the community when someone dies.

When Aboriginal people mourn the loss of a family member they follow Aboriginal death ceremonies, or ‘sorry business’. The whole community gets together and share the sorrow.

“The hardest thing was coming back home and explaining myself to the family,” she said.

“But I just told them straight up: ‘She was ill, and she wanted to have a nice long rest.’”

Lisa, who works as an interpreter, hopes to use her experience as a carer to improve access to culturally appropriate care and encourage health practitioners to recognise the significance of Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and carers.

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