Traditional languages are a key element of Indigenous peoples’ identity, cultural expression, autonomy, spiritual and intellectual sovereignty, and wellbeing. While the links between Indigenous language loss and poor mental health have been demonstrated in several settings, little research has sought to identify the potential psychological benefits that may derive from language reclamation. The revival of the Barngarla language on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, offers a unique opportunity to examine whether improvements in mental health and social and emotional wellbeing can occur during and following the language reclamation process. This paper presents findings from 16 semi-structured interviews conducted with Barngarla community members describing their own experienced or observed mental health and wellbeing impacts of language reclamation activities. Aligning with a social and emotional wellbeing framework from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective, key themes included connection to spirituality and ancestors; connection to Country; connection to culture; connection to community; connection to family and kinship; connection to mind and emotions; and impacts upon identity and cultural pride at an individual level. These themes will form the foundation of assessment of the impacts of language reclamation in future stages of the project.

Re-defining the way in which care is delivered, to reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ needs and values, is essential for improving the accessibility of primary healthcare. This study focused on developing a Framework to support the quality of care and quality of life of, as well as treatment for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with chronic disease. A team of researchers, including thirteen experienced Aboriginal healthcare professionals, came together to undertake this important work. Using a Participatory Action Approach, this study actively engaged people with local knowledge to ensure that the Framework was developed by and for Aboriginal people. The final Wellbeing Framework consists of two core values and four elements, each supported by four principles. Importantly, the Framework also includes practical examples of how the principles could be applied. National Reference Group members, including community representatives, policy makers and healthcare providers, reviewed and approved the final Framework. The outcome of this collaborative effort is a Framework to guide primary healthcare services to develop locally relevant, flexible approaches to care which can respond to communities’ and individuals’ varied understandings of wellbeing.

Issues Addressed: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people in South Australia are overburdened by cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium (Consortium) was established in June 2017 as a collaborative partnership to lead the implementation of three state‐wide chronic disease plans using a strategic approach to identifying key priority areas for action.Methods: In 2017–2018, the Consortium Coordinating Centre facilitated a priority setting process, which involved extensive consultation, including a prioritisation survey and stakeholder workshops. The Consortium's Aboriginal Community Reference Group was instrumental in leading the identification of priorities for action.Results: The Consortium RoadMap for Action identified seven across‐plan priorities and six condition‐specific priorities. It acknowledged that: strengthening social and emotional well‐being is central to improving health outcomes; prevention and early detection, acute management and ongoing management are all components of the continuum of care; and improving access to services, strengthening the workforce, and monitoring and evaluation are required across the continuum of care.Conclusion: Widespread implementation failure in the past across the health system and health services implementation and research translation highlights the value of the Consortium approach and its commitment to implementing the state‐wide chronic disease plans in a collaborative manner. The Consortium relies on and fosters cross‐sectoral alignment, with all key players including all public, private and Aboriginal Community Controlled health services, to progress its priorities and aspirations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people using evidence‐based strategies.So What?: Rigorous and transparent priority setting processes that bring together research, clinical practice, health services operations, policy and community perspectives can foster intersectoral collaboration and partnership and support the implementation of shared priorities.