Decolonising Implementation: Rethinking How Change Happens
Description
The Lowitja Learning Summit continues on Thursday 3 September, 10:30–11:45am AEST when Donald Warne MD, MPH delivers their 'Decolonising Implementation: Rethinking How Change Happens' webinar.
Implementation science (IS) has the potential to bridge the gap between theory and practice, therefore improving health and wellbeing for communities. However, IS is grounded in Western thinking and understanding of the world. Indigenous Knowledges, Practices and Cultural Authority has been overlooked.
This webinar explores what it means to re-imagine and re-interpret implementation science by centring Indigenous knowledges, practices and leadership, resulting in self-determination, and community priorities seen throughout the implementation process.
Drawing on Donald Warne's experience in Indigenous health and implementation, participants will examine how culturally grounded, relationship-based approaches can strengthen implementation efforts and lead to more equitable, sustainable outcomes.
The webinar will reflect on shared lessons across Indigenous contexts, including the United States and Australia, and consider practical strategies for embedding Indigenous governance, knowledge systems, and strengths into implementation planning, partnerships, evaluation, policy and systems change.
When: Thursday 3 September 2026
10:30–11:45am AEST
10:00–11:15am ACST
8:30–9:45am AWST
Location: Online event – a link will be sent to you closer to the event date.
This event is open to Members and friends of Lowitja Institute. Not a member or friend yet? Join our vibrant Members Community by applying here: https://www.lowitja.org.au/members/individual-members/
If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to us at members@lowitja.org.au
Presenter
Donald Warne, MD, MPH (Oglala Lakota)
Donald Warne, MD, MPH (Oglala Lakota) serves as the Co-Director of the Center for Indigenous Health and as a tenured, Full-Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Warne is also the Senior Policy Advisor to the Great Plains Tribal Leader’s Health Board in Rapid City, SD. Dr. Warne is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe from Pine Ridge, SD and comes from a long line of traditional healers and medicine men. Donald Warne received his MD from Stanford University School of Medicine in 1995 and his MPH from Harvard School of Public Health in 2002. His work experience includes: primary care physician with the Gila River Health Care Corporation in Arizona; Staff Clinician with the National Institutes of Health; Indian Legal Program Faculty with the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University; Health Policy Research Director for Inter Tribal Council of Arizona; Executive Director of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board; Chair of the Department of Public Health at North Dakota State University; and Chair of the Department of Indigenous Health and Associate Dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Warne is also a member of the Stanford University Alumni Hall of Fame.
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