Akeyulerre Healing Centre

The Akeyulerre Healing Centre, most often referred to as Akeyulerre, is a fee-for service health service developed by Arrernte Elders to acknowledge and promote the importance of Indigenous knowledge, practice and expertise in relation to all aspects of well being for the community.^[1] A core part of Akeyulerre's role is the preparation and creation of bush medicines (through their community enterprise Interrentye Body Products),^[2] working with ngangkari's, visits to country, song, dance and smoking ceremonies and the preparation of bush foods.^[3]

The centre is based in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory, and is located at the base of Billy Goat Hill where they welcome all visitors;^[4] they also offer services in Ltyentye Apurte and Amoonguna (Imengkwerne).^[3][5]

Background

Akeyulerre was established in 2000 by Arrernte Elders and community members and was created with the aim of strengthening their community and culture and address their communities serious health and social issues. Many Aboriginal people in Central Australia suffer from the diseases of the third world.^[1]

The three founders of the healing centre are:

• Kathy Abbott
• Jane Vadiveloo
• Myra Hayes

Akeyulerre is run by a committee of management, which incorporates a cultural governance system and a more Western system, to ensure the strength of their organisation.^[1] Akeyulerre and Children's Ground also work closely together as their approaches a consistent and they work together with many of the same Arrernte families.^[2]

Publications

In 2021 Akeyulerre, in conjunction with Alice Springs based publisher Running Water Community Press (formerly Ptilotus Press) published the book: Arelhekenhe Angkentye: Women's Talk by Akeyulerre Healing Centre.^[6]

This book contains poems of lyapirtneme from Arrernte women around Central Australia; lyapirtneme s an Arrernte language word that means 'growing back' or 'returning'.^[7]

References

1. "The Akeyulerre website presents information about Arrernte people's practice and celebration of Aboriginal culture, and their social enterprise". www.akeyulerre.org.au. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
2. "Children's Ground - Akeyulerre". www.childrensground.org.au. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
3. Shrill, Jannat. "Akeyulerre Healing Centre - Traditional Healing - NTCOSS - Northern Territory Council of Social Service". ntcoss.org.au. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
4. "Plan for jobs, income and cultural understanding – Alice Springs News". 30 May 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
5. "Organisations - Promote and practice". Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
6. Drysdale, Penny (2021), Arelhekenhe Angkentye women's talk : poems of Lyapirtneme from Arrernte women in Central Australia (Second ed.), Running Water Community Press, ISBN 978-0-648-06295-0
7. "Arelhekenhe Angkentye - Women's Talk". Running Water Community Press. Retrieved 4 June 2024.

External links

• Official website
• Interrentye Traditional Healing Products