Aboriginal Male Health Summit 2008 --- "Inteyerrkwe Statement" [2008] IndigLawB 26; (2008) 7(7) Indigenous Law Bulletin 2

The Inteyerrkwe Statement

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Aboriginal Male Health Summit.

From 30 June to 3 July 2008, the first Aboriginal Male Health Summit, Taking Care of our Children, Taking the Next Steps, was held at Ross River outside Alice Springs. The Summit, initiated by the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, allowed nearly 400 men to discuss different strategies to assist Aboriginal men to resume their role as protectors of the family and the broader community.

Reflecting the important connection between men’s health, community wellbeing and social relationships, the participating men presented the following apology, the Inteyerrkwe Statement, to Aboriginal women and children:

‘We the Aboriginal males from Central Australia and our visitor brothers from around Australia gathered at Inteyerrkwe in July 2008 to develop strategies to ensure our future roles as grandfathers, fathers, uncles, nephews, brothers, grandsons, and sons in caring for our children in a safe family environment that will lead to a happier, longer life that reflects opportunities experienced by the wider community.

‘We acknowledge and say sorry for the hurt, pain and suffering caused by Aboriginal males to our wives, to our children, to our mothers, to our grandmothers, to our granddaughters, to our aunties, to our nieces and to our sisters.

‘We also acknowledge that we need the love and support of our Aboriginal women to help us move forward.’