Deadly Dreaming: Rethinking Ageing and Dementia Care
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience dementia at much higher rates than other Australians, but they're also the least likely to get the care and support they need.
Deadly Dreaming is about changing that story.
Not your typical health project
Most ageing and dementia programs are built around a Western medical model, and they were never designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in mind. Deadly Dreaming is Indigenous-led, community-driven, and grounded on Country, blending cultural knowledge that's been carried for generations with modern neuroscience and digital tools.
Elders aren't treated as patients waiting to be looked after. They're cultural authorities and co-researchers, guiding the work from the inside. Our approach to care reflects the relational, spiritual, and cultural sides of health that other programs miss.
Who's behind it
Deadly Dreaming is a partnership brought together by an Elders Advisory Group, the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Yakuway Indigenous Corporation, and Hunter Primary Care (HPC).
It's Indigenous-led - five of the Chief Investigators identify as Indigenous and are steering the direction of the research, with non-Indigenous colleagues supporting in technical roles to keep things scientifically solid as well as culturally grounded.
Yakuway's role is all about community. We work closely with local communities and Elders to shape how this project is delivered, and we lead the design of culturally safe health services in the Westlake's region. Hunter Primary Care helps connect the work into local health services, our trusted facilitator and board member AJ keeps cross-cultural collaboration strong, and the University's Wollotuka Institute, through Aunty Cheryl, brings intergenerational connection, educational leadership, and oversight of cultural safety and data sovereignty.
Why it matters
Even though we know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face higher risks of illness and dementia, service uptake stays low. Mistrust, cultural disconnection, and a lack of culturally safe options all get in the way.
Deadly Dreaming starts somewhere different: with cultural immersion and reconnection to Country, building trust first. From there, it explores how communities themselves understand health and dementia, and works to identify the real barriers (cultural, structural, and systemic) standing in the way of better care.
This model is built on cultural safety and community strength, with the potential to make a difference not just here, but as an example for similar communities nationally and globally.
Deadly Dreaming is a partnership between the Elders Advisory Group, the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Yakuway Indigenous Corporation, and Hunter Primary Care.