Transforming the Coloniality of Occupation and Health: Reflections Based on the Uluru Statement from the Heart

The Uluru Statement from the Heart provides a unique opportunity for transforming the coloniality of occupation and health in the Australian context. The article calls for critical consciousness of ways in which the coloniality of occupation is hidden in plain sight, leading to detrimental impacts on human and environmental health. A transformative, complementarity based perspective of occupation and health, is proposed. This perspective interprets the interrelated concepts of doing, being, becoming and belonging - which are the basis for the Occupational Perspective of Health (OPH) of Ann Wilcock - through the lens of The Uluru Statement from the Heart. It also draws upon thoughts concerning Aboriginal worldviews, including the custodial ethics of ‘caring for Country', as explained by Aboriginal philosopher, Mary Graham. The perspective has applicability in multiple contexts involving First Nations and settler people in their relationships with each other and the Land.