Aunty Val game for a challenge

It’s something few realise, according to Moree elder Aunty Val Dahlstrom.

It was these gaps in historical knowledge that inspired her to create a new app, Solitaire Explore, to help younger generations understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history since colonisation.

Users play a game of solitaire on the app, but every time they place a card, a historical fact pops up.

Aunty Val came up with the idea at the airport.

“Everyone was staring at their phones, at their apps,” she said. “I thought, why not use it to pack on a bit of history?”

So the 73-year-old set about designing the game, despite having no idea how to create one.

She had plenty of offers of help. “You don’t have to do it all yourself.”

Aunty Val works as an Aboriginal liaison officer for GP Synergy, an organisation dedicated to training medical practitioners about Indigenous health issues.

“GP Synergy provided all the tech because I have no idea how to do it.”

She said she’d like to tickle people’s interest in combined history.

“They don’t have to remember it all, just little bits and pieces.”

The app isn’t just for Indigenous people. Aunty Val said everyone can learn from it.

“Australian history belongs to all of us, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people alike.

“People tend not to look at it as a combined history, more us or them. But that went out years ago.

“I want something to get everybody’s interest.”

Aunty Val hopes a greater understanding of Indigenous culture and history can help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, particularly when it comes to health.

“Every resource that helps raise awareness of Aboriginal health needs is a step closer to closing the gap.”

The app was launched at the 2017 Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association conference held in the NSW Hunter Valley.