Honouring our co-patron, Yankunytjatjara woman, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, our 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference brought mob together from 16–19 June 2025 on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, South Australia.
Wow! What a month June was. From the opening of the Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG exhibition, LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy, to Lowitja Institute’s International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference (both held on Kaurna Country in Adelaide), the sense of excitement is still with me. Or maybe I’m a bit sleep-deprived after this busy time? What I do know for sure is I’ve received a lot of positive and heartfelt feedback following our conference.
This event is more than just a conference, it brings our communities together to share knowledge, to laugh, to celebrate and to sometimes cry. While our dedicated Lowitja Institute team lays the foundation for creating something special, it's the attendees who make it truly memorable and ensure it exceeds expectations.
We had 1,377 people join us from around the world, with the conference packed with 230-plus engaging presentations showcasing leadership, insights and innovation in the Indigenous health and wellbeing space.
I particularly enjoyed hearing from our well-travelled keynote speakers, including Professor Rauna Kuokkanen (Ohcejohka/Utsjoki, Sápmi) from Finland’s University of Lapland and Professor Sheryl Lightfoot (Anishinaabe, Lake Superior Band) from Canada’s University of Toronto. Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, a leading Māori scholar, also delivered a profound and powerful poem she wrote exclusively for the conference’s closing statement.
I also wish to give a big shout-out to all of our Lowitja projects, our higher degree student and our deadly Certificate IV students who attended.
From my perspective, witnessing what happened beyond the stages and lecterns of the Adelaide Convention Centre was just as important. Seeing people connecting and yarning in a positive, strengths-based environment was incredibly rewarding. The conference theme, Strong, Fearless, Together, truly resonated throughout our week on Kaurna Yarta.
As the largest Indigenous health and wellbeing conference in the Southern Hemisphere, I’m proud the Lowitja Conference is also one of the best. Our 2025 event has set a high benchmark for the future, and we’re already making initial plans for Lowitja Institute’s 5th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference in 2027. Catch up on some sleep while you can!
ngun-godjin
(thank you)
Paul Stewart
CEO
(From left) Paul Stewart, the Hon Mark Butler, NACCHO Chair Donnella Mills, Lowitja Institute Board Chair Craig Ritchie, and Head of the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation Deb Edwards.
Lowitja Institute conference places First Nations voices and Blak excellence at the forefront
Honouring our co-patron, Yankunytjatjara woman, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG, our 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference brought mob together from 16–19 June 2025 on Kaurna Country, Adelaide, South Australia.
During the conference week, 1,377 delegates engaged with renowned experts and leading voices in Indigenous health and wellbeing research from across Australia and internationally. Delegates heard from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and researchers, alongside international guests from Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada, and the Arctic.
The conference theme, ‘Strong, Fearless, Together’, was embedded throughout a program that includes presentations, workshops, panels, and poster presentations, spanning four thematic streams – Sovereignty and Self-Determination, Leadership and Workforce, Country and Climate, and Knowledges, Methodologies and Traditions. The program included three panel discussions on: Racism and health, Enhancing resilience to climate change and protecting Country and culture, and Advancing global Indigenous health and wellbeing data.
The 2025 Lowitja Institute Awards were celebrated on Wednesday 18 June during a gala event, with entertainment from local Adelaide band Sound Factory and a surprise performance by special guest Yorta Yorta rapper, Briggs. Congratulations to each of the award recipients.
We have so many amazing photos, videos and presentations, which we will soon share with you. Stay tuned! A selection will also be published on our conference website.
Apply for a GLOWS Seeding Research Grant
Applications are currently open for the GLOWS Seeding Research Grant Round 2025.In partnership with Gilead Sciences, we’re excited to offer grants to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers at all career stages (community, emerging/early years, mid-career, and established). This funding will contribute to bringing together key stakeholders and partners to develop a research project ready to be undertaken.
The objective of the Guiding Local Opportunities for Wellbeing (GLOWS) Grant Program is to support research aimed at improving unacceptable health inequities in areas of HIV and viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV and HDV) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Indigenous-led Rights-based Approaches to Climate Litigation: a discussion paper
Our new climate change paper examines the intersection between Indigenous rights, human rights, environmental rights, and climate action. This scoping review seeks to synthesise existing literature on how Indigenous peoples globally are drawing on national and international law to take a human rights-based approach to climate change litigation. More broadly, the report aims to analyse Indigenous-led climate litigation and to consider implications, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Australian legal context.
Authors: Francis Nona (Dhoeybaw clan), Associate Professor Veronica Matthews (Quandamooka), Associate Professor Nina Lansbury, Kristina Vine, and Lillian Ireland (Melukerdee).
Our conference included the session, ‘Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change and Protecting Country and Culture’, featuring Francis, Coreen Parker and Johnell Parker (Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation), and climate activists, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu Elder Mike Smith and Hinekaa Mako (Taranaki Whānui, Whanganui nui tonu).
Keeping Research on Track? Paper on ethical conduct in health and medical research
This new discussion paper reports on an evaluation of ethical practices and systems in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and medical research. Led by Felicity Collis (Gomeroi) and Michelle Kennedy (Wiradjuri), this work upholds Indigenous methodologies and methods to offer truth-telling and calls to action from Aboriginal communities to improve the implementation and conduct of culturally safe, respectful and beneficial research to improve the health and wellbeing of the First Peoples of this land.
The paper was prepared for Lowitja Institute in partnership with the Aboriginal communities who have invested their time and expert knowledges to the continual advocacy and collective drive towards improved outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
During our conference, Felicity and Michelle led the panel session ‘My mob is my ethics’: community calls to action on their rights to best practice ethical research. This panel also featured Ashley Councillor (Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance); June Councillor (Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation); Dot Bagshaw (Edith Cowan University); Jackie Oakley (Wungening Aboriginal Corporation); and Mary Kyle, Kayleen Jackson, and Sheanah Ludwick (Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation).
Together, these panellists explored their experiences of health and medical research and how they are being operationalised in communities, as well as their calls to action on how research systems can transform into the future to safeguard Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in research.
Co-design Versus Faux-designof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Policy
Valuing and centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, perspectives and priorities is critical to developing more effective policies. Our new position paper critically reviews current approaches to co-designing and faux-designing health policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides an overview of key concepts, principles and benefits of the co-design methodology; highlights concerns with contemporary practices; and outlines critical issues to address to achieve effective co-designed health policies.
In late 2024, Lowitja Institute commissioned Yardhura Walani, the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research at the Australian National University, to undertake this critical review and provide a summary and critical comment on current thinking and practices in co-designing health policy with, and for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Case studies are included to illustrate aspects of best practice, and the paper poses questions to spark debate and shape the future of co-designing policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue’s remarkable life and lasting impact is currently being remembered and honoured in an inaugural exhibition portraying her most iconic, triumphant, and heartbreaking moments from childhood, a career in health, Indigenous activism, high-profile leadership, and stellar career in Australian Aboriginal Affairs.
The exhibition titled LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy ends 25 July at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery managed by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia in Adelaide. It's proudly presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, in partnership with the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation and Lowitja Institute, with the support of principal sponsor, the Government of South Australia and supporting partner, Adelaide Airport, and The Healing Foundation.
WHEN: tillFriday 25 July 2025
WHERE: Kerry Packer Civic Gallery The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, Kaurna Country, Adelaide
HOURS: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Entry for individuals is FREE. Bookings are open now for a very limited number of group guided tours hosted by Head of the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation, Deb Edwards (pictured left).
Peer reviewing for First Nations Health and Wellbeing: the Lowitja Journal
Part of The Lowitja Journal webinar series, our next webinar will take place on 16 July 2025 (10–11pm AEST).
In this webinar, Professor Karen Adams (Senior Editor) and Professor Catherine Chamberlain (co-Editor-In-Chief) will discuss the contemporary context for peer review of Indigenous health research and the complexities Indigenous and non-Indigenous peer reviewers can experience at the cultural interface. The presentation will include: an overview of The Lowitja Journal and author guidelines; role of peer reviewers; benefits of reviewing; key steps in the reviewing process; examples of helpful and not so helpful reviews; specific considerations for The Lowitja Journal; and links to further training.
Ahead of applications opening for Lowitja Institute's 2025 Seeding Grant round, our Research & Knowledge Translation team is hosting the second of two information sessions for those interested in submitting an application for grant funding.
2025 Seeding Grants: Q&A session #2
This session will provide details of the 2025 Seeding Grant round, including information on application opening and closing dates, and support mechanisms.
Social Media Can Make You Feel No Good (resource available available in Arrernte, Warlpiri, Pitjantjatjara, Pintubi-Luritja and English), Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA)
