The document summarizes information about the Anwernekenhe (ANA): 1) The ANA is an Aboriginal organization that began as conferences in 1994 addressing HIV/AIDS in the Aboriginal community. 2) It was incorporated in 2008 and became a full organization in 2011, with the goal of providing culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS services and advocacy. 3) Current priorities include establishing their operations, securing funding, and implementing their strategic plan through partnerships with Aboriginal health organizations.

2. Acknowledgement
I acknowledge the Wurundjeri
people of the of the
Kulin Nation as the
custodians of this land.
I also pay my respects to the
Elders past and present

3. WHO IS THE ANA
 ANA is the abbreviation for Anwernekenhe
 Anwernekenhe translates as ‘Us Mob Meeting in this Place’
 Anwernekenhe terminology as given by the Elders to participants of the first
gathering in 1994 (Gay & Sistergirl HIV/Sexual Health Conference)
 Anwernekenhe gatherings – 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2011
 Conferences broadened to ‘whole of community’ in 2006
 Incorporated in 2008
 Commenced as an organisation in late 2011
 Board of 11/ Staff of 1

4. HOW DOES THE ANA WORK
Anwernekenhe
Conferences
ANA
A&TSI Secretariat
Community
Collaborating ANA Strategic
Partners & Work plans

5. CURRENT ANA PRIORITIES
 Establishing our Secretariat
 Securing Funding
 Building on our partnership with AFAO and its membership
 Building a working partnership with NACCHO and its members
 Implementing our Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015

6. PRIORITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Anwernekenhe 5 - Key Themes
 Good HIV-related care and support is available for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people, especially those living with HIV or who are
marginalised because of sexuality, transgender status, because they are
engaged in sex work or inject drugs
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have problems with
drugs and alcohol have access to culturally appropriate prevention, care
and support services
Culturally appropriate and relevant research is conducted so that our
constituents’ needs are understood and inform service planning
 HIV risks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not made
worse by incarceration

7. PRIORITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Anwernekenhe 5 - Key Themes
 Agencies collaborate effectively to build a stronger health sector
capable of meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people affected by HIV
 There is continued focus on the stigma and discrimination experienced
by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by HIV
 There are culturally appropriate sexual health education programs and
resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities affected
by HIV

8. BARRIERS TO AN EFFECTIVE
RESPONSE
Commonwealth government funding
 People resources
 Denial in some communities of some issues (IDU, Gay & Sistergirl)
 Higher population of younger people ( 15- 30)
 High rates of STI’s
 Mobile & Transient communities
 Northern Territory Intervention

9. WHAT HAS BEN ACHIEVED
 A collaborative consistent response for over 18 years
 lower rates of HIV in Indigenous communities compared to other
countries
 Culturally appropriate HIV prevention support and programs
 Early identification of sexual abuse within our communities
 Early identification of increasing rates of IDU - 1998/2002
 Moving to a ‘whole of community’ response
 4/5 yearly national gatherings
 The establishment of our own organisation

10. THANKYOU
www.ana.org.au