ABC News (Australia) published this video item, entitled “Aboriginal artworks help make Canberra Hospital welcoming for all patients | ABC News” – below is their description.
Aboriginal artwork will soon be used throughout the Canberra Hospital and other public health facilities in the ACT, in an effort to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feel more comfortable while receiving treatment.
The artwork, designed by Yuin artist Natalie Bateman, includes flowers that hold a special meaning for Indigenous peoples.
“I thought this would be good for people who come to the service to have something that’s from the area and has that peaceful and healing look,” she said.
ABC News (Australia) YouTube Channel
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In This Story: Torres Strait Islander
Torres Strait Islanders are the Indigenous peoples of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. Ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal people of the rest of Australia, they are often grouped with them as Indigenous Australians. Today there are many more Torres Strait Islander people living in mainland Australia (nearly 28,000) than on the Islands (about 4,500).
There are five distinct peoples within broader designation of Torres Strait Islander people, based partly on geographical and cultural divisions. There are two main Indigenous language groups, Kalaw Lagaw Ya and Meriam Mir, and Torres Strait Creole is also widely spoken, as a language of trade and commerce. The core of Island culture is Papuo-Austronesian, and the people traditionally a seafaring nation. There is a strong artistic culture, particularly in sculpture, printmaking and mask-making.