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Walking with Worlds: Dr. Rosemary Friend's Journey in Indigenous Health, Art and Empowerment
Walking with Worlds: Dr. Rosemary Friend's Journey in Indigenous Health, Art and Empowerment

Walking with Worlds: Dr. Rosemary Friend's Journey in Indigenous Health, Art and Empowerment

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In 2022, we had the honour of interviewing Dr. Rosemary Friend, a trailblazer in the field of Australian indigenous health and community empowerment. Dr. Friend's journey is nothing short of inspiring, spanning over three decades of providing medical services to diverse communities in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.Although WBW is no longer an active project, the insights shared by Dr. Friend during her interview remain timeless. Dr. Friend's tangible commitment to the cause is evident through her remarkable contribution of purchasing and donating over 80 indigenous artworks, underscoring her unwavering support for indigenous artists. From Healing Hands to Empowering HeartsDr. Friend's story begins with her instrumental role in developing the first Aboriginal and Islander Health Center in Mackay, Queensland, post her medical training. It's here that she cultivated a profound interest in addiction medicine, later complemented by training in psychotherapy. Her expertise became pivotal in managing the intricate challenges of dual diagnoses prevalent in those navigating dependency issues.With a rich tapestry of experiences providing general practitioner and health-related services, Dr. Friend has witnessed the resilience, integrity, and wisdom of the individuals she's had the privilege to serve. Her commitment to health extends beyond geographic boundaries, reaching urban, rural, and remote communities worldwide.Walking with Worlds: Navigating Indigenous Empowerment in the Digital AgeIn the podcast, Dr. Friend touched upon a groundbreaking initiative she was involved in — "Walking with Worlds" (WBW). In a world grappling with crises, WBW's mission was to empower global indigenous communities by amplifying First Nations' influential voices through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).The core of WBW's approach was the development of a community-based platform that accelerates the empowerment of indigenous communities. Four Pillars of Indigenous EmpowermentThe WBW concept revolved around four core pillars:* Collaboration Engine: Facilitating skill-sharing through collaborations.* Online Digital Education: Enhancing digital skills to bridge the technological divide.* Curated Global Indigenous Galleries: Establishing presence in leading Metaverse environments and beyond.Art Investors Support: Creating structures to support global indigenous talent.In the face of contemporary challenges, such as the rise of AI-generated art and the constitutional vote for the Australian voice to Parliament for indigenous people, Dr. Friend's advocacy for indigenous self-determination and autonomy holds even greater significance. While the digital platform may no longer be active, Dr. Friend's enduring impact and wisdom continue to resonate, offering a poignant and enduring guidepost in the ongoing conversation around indigenous empowerment.NFT projects may come and go, yet indigenous Australian art, being some of the oldest art in the world, persists and stands as a testament to the enduring strength, creativity and connection of indigenous cultures.Learn more about WBW here https://www.walkingbetweenworlds.net/https://twitter.com/WBWNFTs Get full access to Future of W3rk at futureofwerk.substack.com/subscribe

Walking with Worlds: Dr. Rosemary Friend's Journey in Indigenous Health, Art and Empowerment

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