PURPOSE:
The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) is the peak national body for Indigenous nurses, midwives, and students in Australia. The purpose of this presentation is to share about CATSINaM and its representation, advocacy and support to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwifery workforce.

DISCUSSION:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies have been born in Australia for over 60,000 years, supported by senior women with expertise in cultural practices that foster physical, social and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Colonisation has disrupted cultural practises, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women report poor experiences and have poor outcomes in contemporary maternity care. Community-led, culturally safe, continuity of midwifery care models (‘Birthing on Country’ models) significantly improve experiences and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies. There are national calls for widespread implementation and scale up of these models, however a critical shortfall in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander midwives is a major barrier to achieving this goal. This is due to policies that have excluded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from educational pathways for generations, resulting in entrenched intergenerational disadvantage.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
CATSINaM was established over 25 years ago by pioneering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives committed to improving health care for Indigenous communities. Governance includes an Elders Circle, a diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander board, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategic and operational leadership. Key objectives include advocacy and engagement to drive national change; cultural safety training; leadership programs; advisory groups; and scholarships.

KEY MESSAGE:
Community-led strategies to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce are critical to ensure successful implementation of culturally safe, community led and governed midwifery continuity of care or ‘Birthing on Country’ models. Midwife autonomy (including three-minute presentation competition)