Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies born in Sunshine Coast Health facilities will now receive a custom blanket to embrace their culture in a clinical setting from the moment they’re born.
Sunshine Coast Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Manager Naomi Ford said the project came about as a response from community.
“It’s something they would have liked to have seen to make them feel a little bit more culturally safe when they attend our facilities,” she said.
“As you know having a baby is a wonderful experience and we thought what better way to enhance that than to provide a special little blanket for the newborn babies.”
Two blanket designs have been created by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists Zartisha Davis and Amanda Pitt-Lythgoe.
“We went out to market with an expression of interest to all local artists, and then analysed all of the submissions with panel members to determine what would suit best for what they wanted in maternity,” Ms Ford said.
Zartisha’s artistic piece is titled “Yi’run Djagan”, meaning Women’s Country.
“This artwork depicts all the things that our women did – birthing on country, bleeding on country, our gatherings, stories, but especially our birthing sites,” she said.
“It also has our beautiful river of life running through it, the ancestors watching over all of us who live, work, and play here on Kabi Kabi country,” she said.
Zartisha is a Kabi Kabi woman who also has connections to Butchulla and Cobble Cobble peoples and the South Sea Islands Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
She said she felt honoured to be part of this project.
“Our culture is to share with everybody else so it’s really important to establish those connections and what better way than from birth they get to hear this story and have this blanket with this artwork that’s an ancient story that they’re apart of now,” Zartisha said.
“So many babies are going to be wrapped in this story and it’s with love and care and just like when our mob give our time and our blessings and our art, it’s for everyone to feel comforted in and have that safe passage and safe journey in life.”
Amanda Pitt-Lythgoe is a Kabi Kabi and Wakka Wakka woman who has a strong connection to the Sunshine Coast, its hinterland, and the Mary Valley region through her mother.
Her piece, titled Djaagan (Earth), tells the powerful and enduring spiritual connection between mother and baby.
“It’s about past, present and future, baby coming into the world, the mother giving a water birth,” she said.
“In the background we’ve got the DNA being passed down from mother to baby.
“It’s also inspired by my sister who’s recently had a baby, I think she was 8 months pregnant at the time, coming close to due date so I just saw that and thought that would look beautiful with that background.”
Amanda said she hopes the blanket help other women feel comforted and relaxed, and like they are in a safe and welcoming environment.
“It’s pretty exciting because back when I became a mum, we didn’t have anything like this, so I think it’s a nice gift to go home with.
“Also, it’s special because I am Kabi Kabi and this represents giving birth on Kabi Kabi country here on the Sunshine Coast.”
The blankets are provided as part of Sunshine Coast Health’s dedication to promoting Health Equity and honouring the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.