Juniper is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) alongside aged care organisations MercyCare, Bethanie, and Hall and Prior with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and Stolen Generations Advocate, Yokai. The MOU signifies a commitment from the four large, aged care organisations to improve culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal customers.
The signing ceremony was held on Friday, June 21, at Juniper’s Central office, marking a milestone towards reconciliation and strengthened support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Juniper CEO Russell Bricknell said the MOU signing with Yokai aligns perfectly with Juniper’s mission to provide compassionate and inclusive care for all.
“By prioritising cultural safety, we can ensure that our services are responsive, inclusive, and respectful of the diverse cultural backgrounds of our employees and the older people we support. We stand united in our dedication with MercyCare, Bethanie, Hall and Prior,” said Mr Bricknell.
Yokai’s CEO, Jim Morrison, stated, “It’s encouraging to see aged care organisations committing to understanding that caring for older Aboriginal people, especially Stolen Generations Survivors, should focus not only on their clinical needs but also on their cultural needs, such as their connection to Country and lived experience.”
Yokai is a Noongar call to action meaning ‘enough is enough’. It is an initiative developed by the Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) and the WA Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, representing the peak body for Stolen Generation Survivors in Western Australia.
Yokai’s work is based on extensive consultation and research to deliver better outcomes for the Aboriginal community and Stolen Generations Survivors. The MOU signifies a shared commitment to creating a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders feel respected, understood, and supported.
Tony Hansen, Aboriginal Co-Chair of Bringing Them Home WA Inc. and Stolen Generations Survivor highlighted the significance of the MOU.
“I am pleased that Aged Care Service Providers have committed to working with Yokai to ensure that our Elders can receive appropriate care. As a younger Stolen Generations Survivor, I look forward to working with them to fulfil these commitments,” said Mr. Hansen.
“At Juniper, we recognise the importance of acknowledging and addressing the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our commitment to reconciliation and cultural safety is deeply rooted in our values of respect, compassion, and courage,” Mr Bricknell said.
The signing ceremony will be attended by representatives from each organisation. From Yokai, Tony Hansen, Jim Morrison, and Alan Carter will be present, along with two board members, Dallas Phillips and Dorothy Bagshaw. Representing Mercy Care will be Pamela Thorley, Manager of Aboriginal Pathway Strategies, and Phil Martin, Executive Director of Aged Care Services. Roule Jones, CEO of Bethanie, and Graeme Prior, CEO of Hall and Prior, will also attend. Russell Bricknell, CEO of Juniper, will host the event.
This MOU signing ceremony is a testament to the commitment of aged care providers to work collaboratively towards better services for Aboriginal elders. This partnership with Yokai will pave the way for a future where aged care services are not only high in quality but also culturally respectful and inclusive.
Enquire
1300 313 000