Four of Western Australia's largest aged care providers - Juniper, MercyCare, Bethanie, and Hall and Prior - have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aboriginal-community-controlled organisation and Stolen Generations advocate, Yokai, to improve culturally appropriate services for First Nations customers.

The MOU represents a shared commitment to creating a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders feel respected, understood, and supported.

A ceremony was held last week at Juniper’s Head Office to mark the event.

"It's encouraging to see aged care organisations committing to understanding that caring for older Aboriginal people, especially Stolen Generations Survivors, should focus not only on their clinical needs but also on their cultural needs, such as their connection to Country and lived experience, said Jim Morrison, CEO Yokai.

The MOU aligns with Juniper’s mission to provide compassionate and inclusive care for all, said Russell Bricknell, CEO Juniper.

“By prioritising cultural safety, we can ensure that our services are responsive, inclusive, and respectful of the diverse cultural backgrounds of our employees and the older people we support," he said.

Yokai is a Noongar word meaning ‘enough is enough’. The Yokai initiative was developed by the Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) and the WA Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, the peak body for Stolen Generation Survivors in Western Australia.