The Tarrn-doon-nonin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Project Award is one of the most prestigious awards given by the Lowitja Institute.
Tarrn-doon-nonin is the Woiwurrung word meaning “trust”, which vital in research partnerships. The Tarrn-doon-nonin award acknowledges a research project in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing that demonstrates research that is conducted to an exemplary standard, in line with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ethical principles and practices.
This award recognises the teams’ research achievements in Indigenous health and wellbeing research and celebrates their leadership and excellence.
About the Bigiswun Kid Project
The Bigiswun Kid (Kimberley Kriol for adolescents) Project provides information on longitudinal outcomes for adolescents in the remote Fitzroy Valley region. In 2020-2022, the project followed up 89% of the Lililwan Project cohort at age 17-19 years.
The Lililwan project was a population-based prevalence study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) conducted in 2010-2011. Ninety-five percent of all eligible children aged 7-9 years living in the Fitzroy Valley region at that time participated in this project.
The Bigiswun Kid project research aimed to identify the need of young people and build knowledge to inform services to improve the health and well-being of adolescents.
Following community consultation, the project team interviewed nearly 200 parents/carers and adolescents about their health and wellbeing.
“We wanted to hear the voices of youth and their parents” said Dr Rice.
“Using data collected in both Lililwan and Bigiswun Kid projects and data linkage we were able to identify childhood predictors of positive adolescent outcomes.”
The partnership also heard what child, adolescent and young adult services are needed to promote health and well-being.
“Young people aged 17-19 years living in the remote Fitzroy Valley in Western Australia clearly identified the supports and services they need to thrive in adulthood,” said Professor Elliott.
“They told us they need a social and emotional well-being service; supported work programs; housing; mental health services; help to access birth certification, Medicare cards and NDIS; and on-going opportunities to spend time on-Country.”