Yugul Mangi’s social programs branch – of which Meigim Kriol Strongbala is part – is funded through the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities for Children Fund, which allows the Yugul Mangi Board to use the funds to support their own vision for children, young people and families in Ngukurr.
Stock photo
Mad Mob started as an art group with art classes, which then became a corporation and registered with ORIC in 2017.
‘It took a couple of months to figure out exactly what the community wanted and what was most important to do first,’ says Vicki. ‘The Elders wanted to create an organisation and a space to make them feel safe and where they’re heard and where they can carry on cultural practices. After a lot of yarning and a lot of coffees, we had the ground rules.
The community came together at the SCMSAC open day
The open day included unveiling a new cultural installation and history timeline display. ‘It was an emotional day as we celebrated 40 years of hard work and service of so many. We honoured the struggle, pain and sorrow of the courageous leaders that have come before us and we are so very grateful,’ said Chairperson Jannice Luland.
A small part of the installation honouring those who worked hard to establish and continue the SMCSAC
Community groups and safe spaces
‘Our organisation wouldn’t be strong without community supporting us. We survive by making everyone welcome and showing respect and care for each other. Every year we get stronger and stronger,’ says Daisy Barker, one of Baabayn’s directors.
‘Everyone likes coming to our groups because it’s a place where you can relax. People respect you here and no-one judges you. No matter who you are or what you do, you are welcome and there is no judgement,’ says Daisy.
Redfern, NSW: Caring for a group of people who are overcoming an onslaught of barriers is central to the work of BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation. The corporation was established in 2019 in response to the need to strengthen the visibility of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ community and in that time has grown from a small to a medium-sized corporation with a variety of programs and activities.
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia: Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre Aboriginal Corporation (GALCAC) is the peak body for studying and sustaining the recording, linguistic analysis and preservation of the Aboriginal languages of the Goldfields region of Western Australia. Incorporated with ORIC in early 2020, it started as a project in 2011 to work on just 2 languages—Ngalia and Tjupan. Additional funding enabled it to expand its scope to all Aboriginal languages of the Goldfields, which—depending on how you count them—is between 14 and 16.
Alice Springs, Northern Territory: Wanta Aboriginal Corporation works in 9 remote Northern Territory communities to ‘engage, empower and develop young people to fulfill their fullest potential’. It’s grown into a thriving network of programs and activities for young people, to support them to excel at school and to be healthy, personally, socially and culturally.
Perth, Western Australia: June 2022 was a hugely affirming month for Wungening Aboriginal Corporation. It won gongs for its governance and for its excellence in social housing. Then its chair, Danny Ford, was appointed to the Order of Australia for his service to the Noongar community.
Sydney, New South Wales: Forget Facebook. For young Indigenous people in Australia and young marginalised people around the world, there’s a far better way to engage with peers and the world beyond school.
Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience Indigenous Corporation (AIME) registered in 2008 with a clear ambition, to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in terms of school, vocational and tertiary education. Since its establishment, AIME’s objectives have reflected its aspiration to:
Bunya Mountains, southern Queensland: 250 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, Bunya Mountains—or Booburrgan Ngmmunge as this Country has always been known to Aboriginal people—hosts the world’s largest stand of bunya pines (Araucaria bidwillii) as well as natural grasslands, wet and dry rainforests, and many rare and threatened plants and animals. For Aboriginal people from near and far, it’s a sacred, nourishing place.
Bunya Mountain from the air
