Kanyini Documentary Analysis

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A Film Exploration into the effects of governmental policies on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people. Kanyini is a film directed by Melanie Hogan and explores how colonisation has contributed to the health gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The historical context of the film gives insight into the health related issues that are endured by Aborigines. Linguistics and cultural differences are guiding the miscommunications and interpretations that are contributing to the health communication and health service delivery gap. The importance in understanding the social, emotional and cultural health factors pertaining to Indigenous health become evident in Randall’s account of colonisation. Therefore these…show more content…
His voice narrates the entire film and gives its shape and substance. Bob explains Kanyini as comprising of four interconnected parts: tjukurrpa, belief system; ngura, the land; walytja, family and kurunpa, spirituality. Whilst explaining how each part of Kanyini was cut one by one, photos and footage of pre-colonisation are used for visual comparison to present times. Randall describes the people as beautiful, they looked good because they were connected but “today is a different story”. Today Aborigines are suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, kidney ailments and early death. Policy writers need to consider the social and emotional wellbeing of Australian Aborigines in context. In order for the voices of Aboriginal people to be an integral part of policy planning they need to be heard and…show more content…
(2007). Beyond Bandaids: Exploring the Underlying Social Determinants of Aboriginal Health – Papers from the Social Determinants of Aboriginal Health Workshop. Darwin: Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health. Clyne, M. (1994). Intercultural Communication at Work. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory (CAO) (2007). A Proposed Emergency Response and Development Plan to protect Aboriginal Children in the Northern Territory – A Preliminary Response to the Australian Government’s Proposals. Retrieved August 9th, 2011 from www.snaicc.asn.au/news/NTAboriginalOrgsResponse.html. Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government (2009). Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. Retrieved August 10th, 2011 from www. responseability.org. Hinkson, M. (2007). In the name of the child. Melbourne: Arena Publications. Hogan, M. (Executive Producer)(2006). Kanyini [DVD]. Victoria: Reverb Media. Lowell, A. (1998). Communication and Cultural Knowledge in Aboriginal Health Care: A Review of two subprograms of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal And Tropical Health. Retrieved August 8th, 2011 from

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