I’m just a social security cheque now
Domestic violence does not go away until you empower the family unit and its members. When men, whether they’re Yolngu or Balanda, are disempowered, and can’t be the heroes for their families anymore; whether they’re providing for or protecting them,…
Community building – educate first in the creator space
In the midst of the US election, it’s a good time to look at community builders and the secret to strengthening and keeping people moving forward together. President Obama was trained as a community organiser. This is a vital role…
Adopting a Balanda – accepting you as our own
“Very difficult for Aboriginal people if you are not adopted. They do respect that you are coming from another world, but it’s easier if you are living in a community in their world, and engaging into their world, to be…
Avoidance relationships – don’t pick up the baby!
Yolngu have a complicated kinship structure that involves both ‘care’ and ‘avoidance’ relationships between family members that must be adhered to. Avoidance relationships can be with people much older or much younger, and are put in place for reasons of…
Stop people in remote communities smoking – overnight!
For Aboriginal groups in North East Arnhem Land, tobacco was seen as holy, only smoked by Elders three times a day. When cigarettes were later introduced by western culture and promoted as good for young people too, they moved away…
Hitting rock bottom – starved of oxygen, starved of information
“When I was at school this kid came back after the holidays with a chemical sniffing way of getting us all high. This playground practice existed for 2 days before it was picked up by the teachers. We were called…
Dictionaries only for Dominant Culture?
Many Aboriginal people are struggling in mainstream education because they do not speak English as their first language. Some speak an Aboriginal form of English, but this is not mainstream English. Language needs to be taken seriously in order for…
