Wednesday 14th May 2025 10:39 am

We are excited to announce that NCIG has launched a suite of culturally safe and appropriate genomic resources our collaborator Associate Professor Azure Hermes has led development of since 2023.

These resources include storytelling through animations, plain language definitions, interviews with genetic counsellors, a map of genetic services nationally and other materials that reflect community voice, values and knowledge, and are designed to better support the First Nations rare disease community, empowering families with the information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare.

NCIG worked closely with community organisations across Australia throughout the project - Building Knowledge of Genomics in Partnership – which comprised three key stages: listening, co-designing and sharing.

“ Early collaborative workshops laid the foundation for the project, creating space for communities, researchers, health workers and creative teams to come together and begin the co-design process. These early conversations highlighted the need for clear and timely information, the value of visual storytelling, and the importance of moving beyond just pamphlets and posters.”

While these resources have been developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, they will also be useful for genetic health service staff and the wider Australian community, so please forward these to your networks as appropriate.

This ambitious program wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable support of the below community partners.

• Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, Yarrabah

• Yalu Aboriginal Corporation in Galiwin’ku

• A genomic advisory group from the Tiwi Islands

• The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and

• The Machado Joseph Disease Foundation based, Groote Eylandt