Aboriginal Birthing in Aboriginal Hands
The Journey of AMIC in South Australia
For 20 years, the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care (AMIC) specialisation has supported Aboriginal women through pregnancy, birth, and early parenting with culturally safe, community-led care.
The ‘Aboriginal Birthing in Aboriginal Hands’ film is a story of strength, self-determination, and better futures for families across South Australia. It captures two decades of culturally safe education and training that has strengthened maternal and infant health outcomes for Aboriginal women, families, and communities across South Australia.
Developed in close consultation with the AMIC committee, the film serves as both a celebration and a lasting record of a program that continues to shape and support a culturally strong health workforce.
Full Library of Resources will be available on the 14th of August
AHCSA would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners of the country in which this was filmed. We recognise and respect their cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional connection with their land. We pay respect to Elders past and present, their spirit and their legacy. These foundations laid give strength, inspiration and courage to our future generations. We acknowledge the countless generations of women who have birthed on their traditional lands, and seek to learn, work and walk together with current and future AMIC carers to create better birthing outcomes for future generations.
AHCSA also acknowledges the partnership between Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations and the SA Health Aboriginal Family Birthing Programs and recognises their continued collaboration in training AMIC Practitioners over the past 20 years. We also acknowledge Pika Wiya Health Service, Anangu Bibi Birthing Program and Port Augusta community members for their role in developing the original concept of the AMIC Partnership with midwives, supporting the reclamation of Aboriginal birthing practices into Aboriginal hands.
This resource showcases the importance of self-determination, culturally safe care, and the ongoing work to close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities. The AMIC specialisation has continued to grow and strengthen our workforce capability. It brings importance to reclaim practices, knowledge, and connection through Grandmothers Law and Birthing on Country practices.
These video resources can be utilised to:
The AMIC Specialisation enables graduates who are registered Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners to extend their scope of practice to include culturally safe antenatal and postnatal care, support for childbirth within registered birthing organisations, and sexual health support for women. AMIC Practitioners work collaboratively with midwives, medical practitioners, and health teams to deliver maternal, infant and family centred care.
Produced by Stepney Studios
