The Strong Women's, Strong Babies, Strong Culture Project has been the culmination of many years of sharing
between Darwin and Nhulunbuy based Dietitians, and Aboriginal Health Workers and other Aboriginal women in remote communities. Though this report will define and chart the process primarily in terms of this particular funded programme, it is important to recognise the processes that have occurred prior to this project being implemented.
There has been a remarkable stability among the Dietitians employed by HACS who provide services to remote communities. Over many years they have sought to establish relationships with Aboriginal women, particularly those whose traditional standing placed them in a position of influence within their own community. It became evident as the depth of these relationships increased that the concerns health professionals had in relation to small and sick new-born babies staying in hospital for long periods of time, were also of great concern to older Aboriginal women.