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In this section you can read about
Background
Congress today
Future
Timeline
Memberships
Accreditations
Awards
Photo Library
Background
How Congress started: The voice of Aboriginal people.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress began at a meeting held on 9 June
1973.
Over one hundred people from town and bush talked
about the need to safeguard and promote the interests of Aboriginal people.
Congress' initial aims were to be a voice for the Aboriginal people of
Central Australia on all matters that concerned them.
Congress' first service was the 'Tent Program', providing shelter to Aboriginal people in town. As time went by, other Aboriginal organisations grew up to take care of issues like housing, education, and land. But health remained a great concern for Aboriginal people, and in 1975, Congress started a Medical Service in a house in Hartley Street. A doctor was employed and transport and welfare services set up.
Congress became the voice of Aboriginal health. Congress moved to its current premises on Gap Rd in 1988. The Congress Alukura opened on its current site south of the Gap in 1994.
Congress works for the health of Aboriginal people
by:
* providing effective,
efficient, and appropriate comprehensive primary health care for Aboriginal
people
* educating Aboriginal
Health Workers
* assisting other
Aboriginal communities to take control of their health matters, and
* being a political
advocate for our people, and speaking out on matters affecting our health.