One of the latest initiatives is creating a Homeland studio model for remote communities so artists can produce works that merge old ways and new ways. The project is called InDigiMatha – the ‘Indigenous digital tongue’.
Artist Djambawa Maraili – who works with Goŋ Wanhurr – described the ‘Indigenous tongue’ as the land being complete.
Several years ago, the Tumbarumba local council met about converting an old rail trail through Ngarigo Country. This gave the Ngarigo Elders a chance to propose something they’d been thinking of for a while: a Ngarigo Culture Reserve.
Called Jungarni for short, the team of 17 provides services to residents of the shire of Halls Creek, which covers 143,030 km2 of the Kimberley between Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing. During wet season, which goes for around 3 to 4 months, the town is cut off by flooding and movement is restricted.
Being able to access essential services online, like banking and mygov, helps people living in communities like Halls Creek stay connected. But it’s also thrown some new challenges into the mix, which Jungarni is cleverly responding to.
PAMS teams understand and consider the spiritual, social, economic and cultural wellbeing in overall health. This personal approach to healthcare assists with client treatment while also supporting everything surrounding getting treatment, whether it’s travel, health education or family support.
In 2022–23, PAMS provided 42,000 services and supported the health of nearly 4,500 Aboriginal people in the East Pilbara region, including in the communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji and Newman.
The Newman Clinic and Admin team
The corporation was founded on a collective desire to make a space for Aboriginal people facing challenges, particularly children and young people at risk. Its founding Elders envisioned a platform that would empower children and young people, help them grow, and build a strong sense of community.
MNYPA’s doing this through strong cultural identity and governance incorporating community voices from every generation, with young voices shining through at its centre.
MYICCJ has come a long way in the past 2 years. From being on the brink of folding in 2021, the board, including one community Elder and people who work in a variety of areas, worked with ORIC to get MYICCJ back up and running to thriving – where it is today.
They now have a strong board, a new office and have been approved for a grant to deliver their flagship gambay bay-m (together come/follow) – Rites of Passage program.
Committed to making big dreams happen
In January 2020 a group of caring and concerned people met to yarn about the barriers Aboriginal men face when they leave prison. This group evolved into Warrigunya, a not-for-profit corporation based on Gunaikurnai land (Gippsland region) in Victoria with committed directors and members who strongly believe in ‘a hand up, not a handout’.
‘The system doesn’t work for our mob and it’s up to us to lead the change,’ says board member and driving force behind the project, Uncle Alan Coe.
From mental health to brain health and healing
Sheryl’s career shifted into community services. There, she was trained by neuroplasticity scientists and began to think about how this breakthrough could work for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
If the brain changes in response to life events, then with the right approaches, it could change to heal itself and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.
Eric dedicated many years to supporting First Nations young people on the mid-north coast of NSW. He’s a local surfing legend who competed at the international level. The first year of the event marked 20 years since Eric’s passing.
Connecting with ocean and each other for better mental health
This special and stunning tree grows in south-west Western Australia, including Esperance, where Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), like its namesake, is a guide and support for community strength. Every one of MAC’s roles centres on bringing people together. It does this through cultural education and preservation, with popular programs immersing people in Nyungar art, language, stories and Country.
Set up to share, learn and move forward together
