Weaving is a cultural practice shared among many indigenous groups and this month it will be used as a theme of an injury prevention conference to symbolise the coming together of multiple knowledge systems to create something new, strong, and connected.

The 15th Australasian Injury Prevention Network will be held from  March 11-13 at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre in Rotorua.

The theme for the event is ‘Weaving knowledge for injury prevention and safety promotion, creating a new way together’.

Tane Cassidy (Ngāpuhi), the ACC deputy chief executive of prevention and partnerships, says the conference presents a unique opportunity to share knowledge and build greater connections.

“The conference will be coming from a strengths-based perspective,” says Tane, who is one of the keynote speakers in Rotorua.

“When it comes to Indigenous peoples and injury, the focus is often on inequity and how the statistics show disparity.  

“But we want to use this opportunity to look to promote the strengths of indigenous people – who love to build good relationships that are reciprocal.”

Northland touch rugby. Tane Cassidy says they want to use the Australasian Injury Prevention Network (AIPN) conference to promote the strengths of indigenous people. Photo: Supplied.

“When we are talking about injury, we also need to consider the spiritual, emotional, and cultural aspects of harm," says Tane.

Tane was previously Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive) at Te Hiringa Hauora – Health Promotion Agency, where he championed a prevention first approach to health and wellbeing.

He says there are lessons for the health sector to consider and aspire towards in redefining how we approach injury prevention and safety promotion.

“We as indigenous people prioritise ways of thinking, knowing, and doing that go beyond a responsibility to ourselves but also to our communities and to our country,” he says.

“If we want to address inequities, we must acknowledge the underlying social and cultural factors that have an impact upon health and wellbeing.”  

The organisers invite people from all backgrounds and disciplines across government portfolios - clinicians, practitioners, industry, researchers, and communities - to come together. 

More than 150 delegates from around Australia, Aotearoa, and the Asia Pacific - including health professionals; researchers; local, state, and federal government officers; students; professionals; and practitioners - are expected to attend.

The conference will also provide a space for indigenous knowledges to be integrated meaningfully with themes that may explore Indigenous approaches to safety, safe practices, storytelling, holistic health and wellbeing. 

Tane says injuries should not be seen as just the physical harm caused by an external event.

“When we are talking about injury, we also need to consider the spiritual, emotional, and cultural aspects of harm,” says Tane.

“This conference is all about building our knowledge and supporting each other so we can advance injury prevention in a meaningful way together.” 

Australasian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference 2024 with theme ‘Weaving knowledge for injury prevention and safety promotion; creating a new way together’.

When: March 11-13 2024, at Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Rotorua. For more information:  https://www.aipn.com.au/conference