Cultural knowledge in the digital space: Aboriginal Elders guiding online dementia education

<p>The Australian Government recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the right to culturally safe and responsible health care, free of racism and inequity with culture recognised as the centre of care (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan [Health Plan], 2021, Figure 3, p.17). For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the importance of culture is reflected in connection to Country, Indigenous language, cultural expression and continuity, family, kinship and community, self-determination, and Indigenous beliefs and knowledges. Recognising and responding to the distinctive characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in health care is central to providing culturally safe care. The Health Plan affirms that “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health and wellbeing is the whole community’s responsibility. This means collaboration and coordination is needed across all services and aspects of health care delivery” (Health Plan, p. 8). Thus, mainstream health services and non-Indigenous health care providers play a vital role in contributing to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing.</p>