In tribal groupings across Australia, individuals are traditionally designated stewards of distinct aspects of tribal life. DOG PEOPLE are those that tend the lore, management and health of the dog in the community.

Useful links

Programme

Contact us

Make a contribution

News

Vanstone launches conference

The end of surgical speying?

Stimulating programme

Keynote speakers

“To help raise the health standards of Indigenous communities by improving the health of companion animals in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities”

AMRRIC mission statement

Across Australia... around the world

In Australia, DOG PEOPLE are members of remote Indigenous communities; they are Vets working with these communities; they are community development officers and health and social workers. DOG PEOPLE are, in fact, to be found in remote Indigenous communities right around the world. Their backgrounds are varied, their wisdom is different and often complimentary, but they all share in the one task; stewardship of the dog.

A (better) Dog’s Life

The links between healthy dogs and healthy communities are well documented and operate on many levels; physical, emotional, sociological and metaphysical.

Our last international conference effectively established a beach-head in this field, bringing together practitioners, academics and Indigenous representatives covering a wide spectrum of thought and practice. Dog People built on the success of this last conference, enhancing theory and practice around the world and encouraging interaction and excellence in the field.

The dhudi dawu

An Environmental Health Officer in East Arnhem tells of being introduced to the 'bottom story', the dhudi dawu. A health worker at Galiwin’ku explained:

“See that tree over there? I know everything about that tree. I know its flower, when it flowers, when it’s wilting, when it’s sick, when it’s healthy. I know what’s under there, what food I can get from that tree. I know everything about it. But that other tree over there, I don’t know about that. It’s a missionary tree; they brought that tree here. It’s got a pretty flower, it’s got leaves, but I don’t know the dhudi dawu. I don’t have the bottom story; the deep story.”

The concept of dhudi dawu goes both ways. Creating sustainable dog programmes means sharing wisdom between cultures; engaging in creative dialogue that makes the most of the bottom story, the deep understanding that both parties bring with them.

We are grateful to our sponsors for their help in making this conference possible

Dog People is an initiative of AMRRIC and we acknowledge the continuing support of the following:
The Honourable Mal Brough, federal minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Nigel Scullion, Senator for the Northern Territory