aBORIGINAL pLANTS 4 hEALing-wa

INTRODUCTION
I was born and bred in Pilbara, Port Hedland.  Married and mother of 3 adult children with one youngster.  Two grandchildren.   

My fathers father is Karriyarra Yindjibarndi Ngarluma from both his mother and father's side.  My fathers mother is Ngadu Yuet Yamitji from both her mothers parents.  My fathers mother is Yawuru from Broome.

I live in Rural Estate out in the bush with our three dogs, one cat, two chooks and a turkey. 

WHAT HAS LED ME TO WORK IN THE FIELD OF HEALING?
Back in 2006, I completed a Masters thesis on Aboriginal Economic Development combined knowledge from Economics and Social Science Degrees that I had attained at Universities.  The findings were:

1. There is a need for Aboriginal people to start to discuss the last intangible asset available to them, Intellectual and Cultural Property to balance information asymmetry.
2. There was a need for a culturally matched between an economic activity which embraced Aboriginal culture.
3. Natural Capitalism is the key to embracing Aboriginal Economic Development.

As well as a passion for balance, gaining this level of intelligence on topics of economic development, eventually steered me away from the Corporate mining industry into a career where I wanted to become self generating for funds where I could support in my own way natural health and medicines. 

In 2010, began the Biwa company.  While learning about the economy, I still needed to continue my own healing journey.  So in 2014 when the recession took hold of the mining boom, we were forced to go into survival mode to stay afloat.  Not only professionally, but personally as well.  Having no means of income due to downsizing and contracts ending, began my slow decline into depression and anxiety.

While sitting alone in nature during the morning in solitude.  I gave myself the chance to think about how to pick myself up again.  We had invested everything into our dream of Biwa.  Biwa was going to make it big and we would be able to help out in our community.  We couldn't do that now, because we had to focus on us and help ourselves survive the economic recession.

Lasting a year with no income other than what could be generated from selling aromotherapy oils, natural remedy stock, soaps I made at the local Markets.  Finally had given in to needing financial support.

In 2015, I chose to study again.  Fortunately for me, Naturopathy then had allowances for the student assistance scheme.  I applied and was accepted into the Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT).  It was during this course, that I recognised how Aboriginal cultural knowledge and ways was culturally matched in area of 'Traditional Medicines'.  This group of people instead of devaluing, demeaning, diminishing and demoralising Aboriginal people, embraced and respected their cultural knowledge.  It even  brought attention to ethno-botany!

All of this leaves many questions:

• How do ensure Ethno-botany in the further exploration of Aboriginal Cultural and Intellectual Property within the traditional medicines arena here in Australia?
• How do we ensure Aboriginal people who have published their books on Aboriginal Plants for healing are recognised in the Health Industry?
• How do we achieve collaboration and with what community structure?

AP4H-WA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Achieving ethno-botany requires stakeholder collaboration and a Statement of Understanding adopted by ALL stakeholders involved in this economic development activity.  Aboriginal language groups, Australian Traditional Medicine Society, IPHA, Commercial Ventures, Pharmaceutical Industry and Governments.
2. A catalogue of Aboriginal Publications on Medicinal Plants is developed and be made publically available and promoted as the foundation for development.
3. Aboriginal community leaders in the area of Aboriginal Medicinal Plants for Healing self determine and form alliances within their own states to participate in the development of Traditional Medicines.

As an Aboriginal woman that has gained all this knowledge in the area of Traditional Medicines on a global platform, I am taking on the role of cataloguing all my purchased resources of Aboriginal Publications and they will be available on this website.

I consider myself an Aboriginal leader in this field, so I have become a member of the Indigenous Plants for Health Association AND began forming a foundational structure for Aboriginal Plants 4 Healing-WA.  Those who want to join can sign up for patronage.  The funds will go towards employing a full-time coordinator to help establish and facilitate establishing this Foundation.

Gloria Ann Lockyer (M.SS, B.Econ, B.AS, Adv.Nat, Phd Candidate)
FOUNDER AP4H-WA