2019.03.13 Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture ...kalacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kimberley-Aboriginal-Caring-for-Culture... · iv | Page CONTENTS Acknowledgements iii Foreword

Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture Initial

Consultation Report

‘Nyangkarni’ – a collaborative artwork between Penny K Lyons, Rosie King Tarku, Rosie Goodjie, Cory Wakartu Surprise, Nada Rawlins and Purlta Maryanne Downs

KimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProject2019–InitialConsultationReport

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warningThisdocumentmaycontainnamesandpictures

ofpeoplewhohavepassedaway.

©KimberleyAboriginalLawandCulturalCentre(KALACC)2019.


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFundingFundingfortheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProject,includingthisinitialconsultationreport,wasgenerouslyprovidedthroughtheCommonwealthSuicidePreventionTrialprogramandresourcingallocatedtotheWAPrimaryHealthAlliance.FurthercontributionsweremadebyAarnjaLimitedandLotteryWest.

CommissioningThisprojectwascommissionedbytheKimberleyAboriginalLawandCulturalCentre.

CompilationThisKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureInitialConsultationReportwascompiledbyFrankDavey,MerleCarter,MelissaMarshall,WesMorris,KateGolson,PatTorres,MayaHavilandandRowenaO’Byrne-Bowland,with input through community workshops, participant surveys and one-on-one interviews withrepresentatives from the Aboriginal organisations featured in this document. Linguistic assistance wasprovidedbyThomasSaundersandtranscriptionbyLarissaSearle.

ForewordWe would like to sincerely thank June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social JusticeCommissioner,forprovidingtheforewordtothisdocument.

FrontArtwork‘Nyangkarni’ is a collaborativeartworkbyPennyK Lyons,RosieKingTarku,RosieGoodjie,CoryWakartuSurprise,NadaRawlinsandPurltaMaryanneDowns. Itdepicts significantdesert sites from thewomen’sfamilyCountry,includingYataruJila,Parnta,Kurtal,Pirrmal,KulijirtiJumuandJiljithissideofKiriwirri.

UsedwithgenerouspermissionfromMangkajaArtsResourceAgency,‘Nyangkarni’perfectlyencapsulatesoneofthecentralthreadsbehindtheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProject–collaborationandjointendeavourtowardsacommonpurpose.

OtherImagesAllother images reproducedwithin thisdocumentareownedandapprovedbyKALACC.Any imagesnotreproducedbyKALACCareacknowledgedandusedwithkindpermissionfromtheirrespectiveowners.


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CONTENTSAcknowledgements iii

Foreword 1

ExecutiveSummary 2

Introduction 5ProjectPurpose 5ProjectStages 6ProjectObjectives 7

Background 9CultureisKey 9LearningFromtheMessageStick? 10TheNeedforaCollaborativeApproach 11TheSignificanceoftheCaringforCulturePlan 13

Process&Structure 16CommunityConsultation 16MethodsofEngagement 16ConsultationReportStructure 18

CaringforCultureintheKimberley 22WesternTradition(Broome&theDampierPeninsula) 22CentralTradition(Derby,FitzroyCrossing&theFitzroyValley) 37EasternTradition(Kununurra,Warmun,HallsCreek&Surrounds) 61NorthernTradition(Wyndham,Kalumburu&theGibbRiverRoad) 72SouthernTradition(BidyadangathroughtotheTjurabalan) 78RegionalBodies 83

InitialConsultationReportOutcomes 91KeyInitialFindings 91DiscussionoftheKeyInitialFindings 92KeyInformedProjects 95

KeyRecommendationsfromPublishedReports 96KALACC’sCulturalSolutionsPaper:KeyRecommendations 96KeyCoronialRecommendationsRegardingCulture 98KeyMessageStickReportCulture-BasedRecommendations 100

InitialConsultationReportConclusion 102RecommendationsRequireMeaningfulAction 102

References 103

Appendices 106Appendix1:MediaReleasefortheFeb2019Coroner’sReport 106Appendix2:WorkshopFormat 108Appendix3:SurveyTemplate 110


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FOREWORDCultureunderpinsallofwhoweare.Itisbothwhatwelearn,andtheframeworkforhowweliveandengagewitheachotherandoursurrounds.Cultureconstructsoursocietyandidentities,ourstrength,self-worthandresilience,andintimesofgreatsadness–oftrauma,lossandgrief–culturehealsus.TheKimberleyregion ishometo30distinctAboriginalgroupsthatpracticesculture indiverseandvibrantways.OurtraditionsandlanguagesthatconnectustoCountryandeachothercomefromadeeplineageofancestralknowledgeandstrength.

TheKimberleyAboriginalCaring forCulture InitialConsultationReport captures this remarkableheritage.ItreflectsthepowerfulleadershipthathasalwaysbeenpresentintheKimberleyinkeepingour culture alive and protected. In 1984, our people fromdiverse traditions across the KimberleygatheredatNgumpan.Atthishistoricbushmeeting,werecognisedthatalongsideourrightstoourlandwemustprotectandpracticeourLawandculture.WestoodforourrightstobeonCountry,tospeakourlanguages,andtobeincontrolofourknowledgeandresources.Asaresult,weestablishedthe Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre, the Kimberley Language Resource Centre, andMagabalaBooks,thefirstandnowlongestrunningAboriginalpublishinghouseinAustralia.

Sincethen,wehavebeenapartofachievingtheextraordinarylegalmilestoneofNativeTitlewhichdestroyedthemythofTerraNullius,andwehaveestablishedandstrengthenedourmanycommunity-controlledorganisations.TheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureInitialConsultationReportandtheforthcomingKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCulturePlanremindsusoftheseachievementsandthewaysinwhichwecontinuetothreadcultureintoeveryaspectofourlives.

This consultation report provides an overview of over 60 Kimberley community-controlledorganisations thatworkacrossevery sector fromhealth, justiceandeducation toarts, enterprise,women’s supports, childcare, land management and aged care, amongst many others. Theseorganisations,ledbyourpeopleandbuiltonourculturalvaluesandprinciples,delivervitalculturally-basedservicesandprogramsdesignedtomaintain,strengthenandrevitaliseourculture.

TheforthcomingKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCulturePlanisnotfortheshelf.Itwillsitalongsideothermajorreportsandrecommendationswhichacknowledgethatourpeopleonthegroundandourcommunityorganisationshavethesolutions.Centraltooursolutionsiscaringforourculture.

ItistimethatGovernmentsandpolicy-makersworkwithus.Wehavetorespondtothesereportsandthisplansowecaninvestincommunity-ledsolutionsoverthelong-term.Inbeingsupportedtopracticeandcare forourculture ineverythingwedoourdistinct rightsas IndigenousPeoplesarerealised.Whenourcultureisstrong,wearestrong.Wecanmaintainthetransferenceofknowledgetoallourchildren,andrevitalisegenerationalsuccess,healthandwellbeing.

Ourculture,practicedinourhomes,familiesandcommunitiesandsupportedbyourorganisations,bringsaboutthefutureweallwant–afutureself-determinedbyourpeople.

Yaninyja.

Thankyou.

JuneOscarAO,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderSocialJusticeCommissioner


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EXECUTIVESUMMARYWehavetoletculturespeakforitself.

–RachelbinSalleh(MagabalaBooks)

InanareageographicallylargerthanthestateofVictoria,theKimberleyishometotheoldestlivingcontinuouscultureontheplanetandtheprimacyofcultureiscontinuouslyandrepeatedlyassertedbyKimberleyAboriginalPeople.

TheKimberleyAboriginalLawandCulturalCentre(KALACC)hasbeentheKimberley’speakAboriginalbodysincewewereestablishedin1985.Wearemandatedtoprotect,preserveandcelebrateLawandCultureacrosstheregion.

DespiterepeatedcallsforGovernmentaction,a2016MedicalJournalofAustraliaarticlefoundthatthesuiciderateintheKimberleyregionhadnotonlydoubledinfiveyears,butitwasamongthehighestintheworld.

AbouttheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProjectTheKimberleyAboriginalCaring forCultureProject ispartofKALACC’seffort to improve resourcedistribution, fosteracollaborativeapproachbetweenAboriginalstakeholderorganisationsandtheGovernment, and address the broader impact of intergenerational trauma and suicide thatoverwhelminglygripsourregion.

ProjectObjectives• Mapandgapthecurrentserviceprovision• Foster collaboration and cohesion amongst Kimberley Aboriginal Non-Government

Organisation(NGO)serviceproviders• ContributetothedevelopmentofmacroGovernmentpoliciesandstrategies• ContributetoimportantresearchintoandstrategiestowardsimprovingIndigenousoutcomes

ProjectProcessA total of 61 Aboriginal organisations participated in the Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for CultureProject, from a cross-section of key service areas regarding Aboriginal welfare and wellbeing.Organisationsweregiventheoptionofcontributingviasurveys,workshopsorone-on-onemeetingsorworkshops.Severalorganisationschosetoengagewithmorethanoneofthesemethods.

Stage1–InitialConsultationReportThe Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture Initial Consultation Report (KACfC Initial ConsultationReport)istheculminationoftheyear-longconsultationprocessandisintendedto:

• Representthepreliminarycollationandsummationofthematerialsgatheredfrommorethan60Aboriginal-ledorganisations–effectively,aconsultationsummary

• ProvideacollectivevoiceforvariouskeyKimberleyAboriginalorganisations


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• Showcasetheirculturally-basedactivities,partnerships,achievementsandaspirationswithinarangeofsectors

UtilisingtheframeworkoftheKimberley’sfiveculturalblocs,theorganisationalinformationthatwascollectedduringtheconsultationprocessisreportedinthefollowingorder:

• WesternTradition–BroomeandtheDampierPeninsula• CentralTradition–Derby,FitzroyCrossingandsurrounds• EasternTradition–HallsCreek,WarmunandKununurra• NorthernTradition–Wyndham,KalumburuandtheGibbRiverRoad• SouthernTradition–fromBidyadangaacrosstotheTjurabalan• RegionalBodies–organisationsoperatingacrosstheKimberleyregion

Stage2–KimberleyAboriginalCaringforCulturePlanThematerialreportedinthisdocumentwillbefurtherfinessedandanalysedinthefinalKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCulturePlan(KACfCPlan).

TheKACfCPlanissettobepublishedinJune2019andwill:

• ProvideaframeworkforGovernmentandothersupportingorganisationstodevelopfuturepolicies,practicesandstrategiesrelatingtoAboriginalpeopleintheKimberleyregion–onethatensurescultureisatthecore

• Identifyrecommendationsandopportunitiesforenhancedserviceprovision• IncludeadditionalinformationgatheredduringourconsultationwithschoolsintheKimberley

thatofferculturally-basedprogramsandinitiatives• Providea reviewof the relevantacademicandGovernmentpolicy literature regarding the

relationshipbetweenAboriginalcultureandwellbeing

OverviewoftheKeyInitialFindingsUnderlying the cultural components and core activities of each Aboriginal organisation are thefollowingculturally-embeddedprinciples:

• ConnectiontoCountrymustbemaintained• Country,CultureandLanguageareinseparable• Aboriginal advancement and wellbeing can only be achieved through Aboriginal

empowermentandself-determination• SeniorPeoplehavetheauthorityandaretheKnowledgeHolders

Overarchingly, all of the Aboriginal community organisations’ activities are guided by CulturalGovernance; incorporate Cultural Knowledge and practices; and celebrate Culture, Language andCountry.

KeyInformedProjectsDuringtheconsultationprocess,KALACCidentifiedthetwoactivitiesthatwebelievebestfitwithintheKimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrialmandate.Theywerethe:


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• WirnanProject–fundingfortheKimberleyArtCentresCollectivetoimplementtheWirnanProject,which aims to “revitalise cultural connections and creative intersections betweencommunities ensuring the vitality of Kimberley cultures and the maintenance of CulturalKnowledgeandidentityforfuturegenerations”

• Culturally-Based Project Measurement & Evaluation Framework – the development ofmethodandtoolforevaluatingtheoutcomesofculturally-basedprojects,whichcanthenbeappliedtotheWirnanProject

AprojectproposalhasbeensubmittedtotheKimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrialSteeringCommitteeforapprovalattheirnextmeetingon19March2019.AnupdateontheoutcomeofthisproposalwillbeprovidedintheforthcomingKACfCPlan.

MeaningfulActionisDesperatelyNeededCountless recommendations in relation to improving the welfare and prosperity of Aboriginalcommunitieshavebeenpublished innumerous reports todate–manyofwhich theStateand/orFederalGovernmentareyettorespondto. Inthe ‘KeyRecommendationsfromPublishedReports’section,KALACChasoutlinedculturally-relevantrecommendationsfromthreekeydocuments.

Importantly,thisincludescallsforthedevelopmentofaCulturalInvestmentStrategy,inadditiontotheestablishmentofaNationalIndigenousArtsandCulturalAuthority(NIACA).

TheneedtoforsignificantimprovementstoAboriginalwelfareisnow,andthroughtheforthcomingKACfCPlanweseekto informmeaningfulprogressasAustraliamoves intoanewdecade. It isoursinceremissiontoassistStateandFederalGovernmentstoinvestinculturally-embeddedstrategiesandpractices,whichevidenceprovesactuallyworktoreduceAboriginalsuicideandthedevastationcurrentlyexperiencedinourcommunities.

InthewordsoftheKimberleyCulturalBossesonpage6ofKALACC’sCulturalSolutionsPositionPaper:

Tohealourpeople,wemusthealourfamilies.Tohealourfamilies,wemusthealour

communities.

Cultureisthekey.


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INTRODUCTIONWetelltheseladstheirskingroup,that’swhotheyareandhowtheyfittogetherinthecommunity.Languageisimportant.They’vegottoknowthissotheyknowtheircultureand who they are. If they lose language and connection to culture theybecomeanobodyinsideandthat’senoughtoputanyoneovertheedge.

–WalmajarriElderandKALACCCulturalBossMrJoeBrown(p18,TheEldersetal)

CultureisanintrinsicpartofouridentityasAboriginalpeople–itisthefoundationofwhoweareandhowwemake senseof theworld. This iswhyAboriginal organisations across a spectrumofservice areas in the Kimberley embed culture within everything from governance structures toprograms.Simplyput,culturedrivesus.

Often asked to introduce initiatives that align with prescriptive Government policies rather thanprovenculturalprocesses,theKimberleyAboriginalLawandCulturalCentre(KALACC)hasbeentheKimberley’speakAboriginalbodysincewewereestablishedin1985.Wearemandatedtoprotect,preserveandcelebrateLawandCultureacrosstheregion.

KALACC has long lobbied for the meaningful improvement of Government policies and practicesenactedintheKimberley.Inparticular,acknowledgementandrespectthatcultureisfundamentaltoAboriginalwellbeing,andforsignificantsupportforculturally-embeddedprograms.

AprimeexampleofouradvocacyeffortsincludeswritingtopreviousWAStateCoronerAlistairHoperegarding the 11 people who took their lives in Fitzroy Crossing in 2006, which instigated thesubsequent2008inquestintoatotalof22youthsuicidesacrosstheKimberley.

However,despiteCoronerHope’sfindings,therehasbeenlittleprogressinaddressingthiscrisisandithasonlyworsenedsince.In2016,aMedicalJournalofAustraliaarticlefoundthatthesuiciderateinourregionhadnotonlydoubledinfiveyears,butitwasamongthehighestintheworld.

There canbenodoubt thaturgentaction isneeded from theStateandFederalGovernment toimproveAboriginalwellbeingintheKimberley.

PROJECTPURPOSELotofthingstoculture;notjustceremony–it’swiderthanthat…it’sineverything.

–FrankDavey,KALACCChairperson(duringtheKACfCProjectconsultations)

TheKimberleyAboriginalCaring forCultureProject ispartofKALACC’seffort to improve resourcedistribution, fosteracollaborativeapproachbetweenAboriginalstakeholderorganisationsandtheGovernment, and address the broader impact of intergenerational trauma and suicide thatoverwhelminglygripsourregion.

AsnotedbyStateCoronerRosFoglianiinherFebruary2019CoronialInquestFindingsReport,whichinvestigatedthetragicdeathsof13childrenyoungpeopleintheKimberley:

Thereisawideandrespectedbodyofresearchthatestablishestherelevanceofculturalcontinuitytotheformationofaperson’sidentityandtheirowndriveforself-continuity.Inotherwords,itcanhelptopreventsuicide.Itisauniquelyprotectivefactorthatcanassist


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in counterbalancing the social and economic factors giving rise to the vulnerability ofyoungAboriginalpersonsinthepresenceofadversity(p139).

KALACCrecognisesthatagreatmanyAboriginalorganisationsallacrosstheregioncontributetowardspositive community outcomes by keeping culture strong – many of which are underfunded, asrecognised by Coroner Fogliani (p9). Therefore, we have worked with over 60 local and regionalorganisationsforthepastyeartoidentify,articulateanddemonstratethemultitudeofwaysinwhichculturealreadydefinesandbolsterssomuchofwhatwedointheKimberley.

WedosointheacutehopethattheStateandFederalGovernmentwillrecognisehowcrucialcultureistosignificant,sustainablesolutionsandinvestaccordinglyinculturally-embeddedinitiatives.

PROJECTSTAGESTheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProjectiscomprisedoftwostagesthatareoutlinedbelow.

InitialConsultationReportThe Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture Initial Consultation Report (KACfC Initial ConsultationReport)istheculminationoftheyear-longconsultationprocessandisintendedto:

• Representthepreliminarycollationandsummationofthematerialsgatheredfrommorethan60Aboriginal-ledorganisations–effectively,aconsultationsummary

• ProvideacollectivevoiceforvariouskeyKimberleyAboriginalorganisations• Showcasetheirculturally-basedactivities,partnerships,achievementsandaspirationswithin

arangeofsectors

KALACC is innowayattempting todefineordescribewhat culture is forAboriginalpeople in theKimberley. Our recent position paper Cultural Solutions: Shared Pathways for Engagement in theKimberley(CulturalSolutionsPositionPaper)describeswhatthismeansforus.Instead,wearetakingtheopportunitytodemonstratehowcultureisembeddedanddeliveredthroughvariousmechanismsbyparticipatingorganisationsacrosstheKimberleyregion.

FinalPlanThematerialthathasbeenprovidedintheKACfCInitialConsultationReportwillbeanalysedinthefinal Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture Plan (KACfC Plan), and updated regarding furtherorganisationalfeedback.

SettobepublishedinJune2019,theKACfCPlanwill:

• ProvideaframeworkforGovernmentandothersupportingorganisationstodevelopfuturepolicies,practicesandstrategiesrelatingtoAboriginalpeople–onethatensurescultureisatthecore

• Identifyrecommendationsandopportunitiesforenhancedserviceprovision• IncludeadditionalinformationgatheredduringourconsultationwithschoolsintheKimberley

thatofferculturally-basedprogramsandinitiatives• Providea reviewof the relevantacademicandGovernmentpolicy literature regarding the

relationshipbetweenAboriginalcultureandwellbeing


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PROJECTOBJECTIVESThefollowingfourkeyobjectiveshaveguidedtheoverarchingprocessfortheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProject:

1. Mapandgapthecurrentserviceprovision

• Identifyanddescribetheculturally-basedservicesthatarecurrentlyprovidedacross35ormoreserviceprovidersintheKimberley,includingatleast4–6schools

• Identify and describe a range of community interests and the gaps that exist betweencommunityaspirationsandthecurrentsuiteofservicesprovided

• Identifyanddescribeopportunitiesforenhanceddeliveryofculturally-basedservices

2. Foster collaboration and cohesion amongst Kimberley Aboriginal Non-GovernmentOrganisation(NGO)serviceproviders

• Havingmappedthecurrentsuiteofservicesprovided, identifyopportunities forserviceproviderstoworkcollaborativelyinordertomaximisecommunityoutcomes

• Identify opportunities to create networks and consortiums regarding the provision ofculturally-basedservices

• Identify opportunities to create networks and collaborationswith Indigenous and non-Indigenous providers that do not provide specific culturally-based services but holistic,whole-of-community outcomes can best be achieved through such partnerships (e.g.sportsorganisations,rangergroupsandsoon)

3. ContributetothedevelopmentofmacroGovernmentpoliciesandstrategies

• Provideinsights,demonstratedoutcomesandlivedexperiencesthatinformandimproveGovernmentpoliciesandstrategies,includingthe:

• DevelopmentofaNationalFrameworkforevaluatingandmeasuringAboriginalculture,whichiscurrentlybeingledbyAustralianInstituteofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderStudies (AIATSIS) and is resulting in periodic reports to Government on the status ofAboriginalculture

• DevelopmentoftheproposedNational IndigenousCulturalPolicy–recommendedviaajoint initiative between Western Australia’s Department of Aboriginal Affairs andDepartmentofCultureandtheArts

• ClosingtheGapRefresh• Implementationofthe2018iterationoftheNationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

HealthPlan2013–2023• SupportthedevelopmentofaNationalIndigenousArtsandCulturalAuthority(NIACA)• ContributetoimprovingdeliveryoftheRegionalServicesReformUnit(RSRU)• Allocation of Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) funding from the Department of

PrimeMinisterandCabinet(DPMC)

4. InformimportantresearchintoandstrategiestowardsimprovingIndigenousoutcomes

• MayiKuwayu:TheNationalStudyofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderWellbeing(RayLovett,AustralianNationalUniversity)

• LivingCulture:FirstNationsArtsParticipationandWellbeing(AustraliaCouncilfortheArts)


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• 2018ImplementationPlanfortheNationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHealthPlan2013–2023

• Commissioning phase of the Kimberley Suicide Prevention Regional Trial, which isadministeredbytheWAPrimaryHealthAlliance(WAPHA)andledbyaSteeringCommittee

• ResponsestoStateCoronerFogliani’sFebruary2019 Inquest intothedeathsof thirteenchildrenandyoungpersonsintheKimberleyRegion,WesternAustraliafindingsreportbythe Kimberley Suicide Prevention Regional Trial Steering Committee and otherorganisations(inadditiontothosealreadyprovidedbyAarnja,NyambaBuruYawuruandKALACC)

• Collective,collaborativeandunifiedrepresentationofKimberleyAboriginalorganisationsto Government regarding the broad suite of recommendations to be identified in theforthcomingKimberleyAboriginalCaring forCulturePlan (scheduled for release in June2019)

• AIATSISdevelopmentofanationalreportingframeworktoreporttoGovernmentonthestatusofAboriginalculture


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BACKGROUNDThis brief background aims to further contextualise the Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for CultureProject,includingthisKACfCInitialConsultationReport.ThisinformationmaybeaddedtoaspartoftheKACfCPlan.ScheduledforreleaseinJune2019,theplanwillcontainastandaloneliteraturereviewthatcanbeviewedinconjunctionwiththissection.

CULTUREISKEYThe introductorysectionsof theseminalCrocodileHoleReportbytheKimberleyLandCouncilandWarringarriResourceCentrestatethat:

Cultureiswrittenintheland[…]

TheKimberleyAboriginalWorkingGroupmustensuretheprimacyoftheCulturalrightsoftheAboriginalpeopleandembodythefollowingfundamentalprinciplesasanintegralpartofallresearch,traininganddevelopmentactivitiesandtasksintheKimberley:

• CultureiscollectivememoryandtheLaw• Cultureiscontinuity• Cultureisawayoflife• Cultureisbeingtogether• Cultureismaintainingitscontinuity• Cultureisthecareanduseofland• CultureisabondthattiesAboriginalpeopletoCountry• Cultureisaliving,dynamicforcecontinuallyadapting(piii–2)

The 2017 Closing the Gap Refresh Discussion Paper identified the need to support the culturalmaintenance of the world’s oldest living culture by recognising culture as foundational to anystrategiesand/orinitiatives.IntheFebruary2019CoronialInquestFindingsReportregarding13youthsuicides in the Kimberley, State Coroner Fogliani likewise refers to this need as follows inRecommendation42:

TheWesternAustralianGovernmentdevelopastate-wideAboriginalculturalpolicythatrecognisestheimportanceofculturalcontinuityandculturalsecuritytothewellbeingofAboriginalpeopleinthisState(p372)

ThisvitalrealisationiscertainlyreflectiveofwhatthecommunityofFitzroyCrossinghadtosayon29November 2017 during the community consultations undertaken as part of the Closing the GapRefresh:

We should take a strengths based approach – we need to respectfully acknowledgeAboriginalresilience.Weno-longerwanttobeseenandtreatedinthedeficit.

Governmentworkswith individualshoweverAboriginalpeoplearecommunal innatureandpractice–soweneedcommunalapproachtofamilysupportservices.

CultureandplaceinAboriginalsocietyisgroundedinrespect–itmayseemlikelittlethingsbutitisbigbecauseithelpsaddressconflict,issues,problemsolving–wehaveculturaladvisors tomanage issues ourway. Elders need to be validated and included in good


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communitygovernance,andjusticeissues.WithoutcultureAboriginalpeoplecangomad,haveconflictandbechaotic.Weneedtobalanceourcommunitynormsthroughrespectforelders.

WerespectoureldersbutsomeproblemsaresocomplexitcannotbefixedbyKALACCandelders alone.We need towork together and negotiate solutions andways ofworkingtogether.It’snotalwayswhatwedobuthowwechoosetoworktogether.Historytellsusgovernmentlikestoseeusinconflict.Weneedtoriseabovethepastandfixourdifferenceandworkasaunitedcommunitythatrespectseachother’srightsandresponsibilities.Weneedtocomebacktothecampfireandhavelonghealthyconversationsabouthowwemoveforwardtogether.

LEARNINGFROMTHEMESSAGESTICK?TheKimberleyishometotheoldestlivingcontinuouscultureontheplanetandtheprimacyofcultureiscontinuouslyandrepeatedlyassertedbyKimberleyAboriginalpeople.Yetintermsofengagementwiththewiderworld,thesadreality issummarisedbytheWunanFoundationintheirEmpoweredCommunities:EmpoweredPeoplesDesignReportasfollows:

The fundamental challenge faced in every attempt to influence policy, programs andserviceshasbeentheneedtoretrofitKimberleyAboriginalpeople’sideas,plansandgoalsto successive Government priorities […] Culture is at our core. Rarely, if ever, is ourAboriginalcultureconsideredwhengovernmentsdesign,developanddeliverpolicyandservicesfortheWestKimberley(p160–162).

ThistotalandperennialdisjuncturebetweentheneedsandprioritiesofthepeopleandthepoliciesandprioritiesofGovernmentwascharacterisedbyanthropologistMartinPreaudinhis2009doctoralthesisasbeing“adialogueofdeafpeople”(p66).

Afurtherexampleofthisdialoguewasthe14October2017meetingbetweenKALACCandtheHonNigelScullion,MinisterforAboriginalAffairs.HeldinCanberra,theMinisterstatedinthemeetingthattheDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinetdidnotfundculturalmaintenanceandhadnointerestinbackfillingpolicyandfundingresponsibilitiesthathadbeenabrogatedbytheCommonwealthArtsDepartment.AlthoughthisdiscussionwasdirectedatKALACCasanorganisation,itdemonstratesthedisconnectbetweenCanberraandAboriginalAustralia.

To address this gap, recommendations such as those identified within the Western AustralianLegislativeAssemblyEducationandHealthStandingCommittee’s2016Learning fromthemessagestick:ThereportoftheInquiryintoAboriginalyouthsuicideinremoteareas(MessageStickReport)wereproposedtoreconnectFederalandStateGovernmentswithregionalrealitiesandconcerns.Ina recent combined letter to theStateGovernmentofWesternAustralia, theKimberleyAboriginalMedicalService,KALACCandtheCentreofBestPracticeinAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderSuicidePrevention (CBPATSISP) asked for a response to the Message Stick Report, specifically regardingculturally-basedwellbeing,stating:

All44recommendationscontainedintheMessageStickReportareimportant.However,theReportisveryclearthattherearesomeareasthatneedmoreurgentattentionthanothers.TheReportstatesasfollows:


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• Perhapsthemost important,yet leastenacted[recommendationsfromearlierreports],were about the role of Aboriginal culture, both as a primary protective factor buildingresilience in young people, and also ensuring that programs and services are culturallyappropriate.[Chairman’sForeword,pageOne].

• Cultureisthekeyprotectivefactorwhichmustbepresentinallstrategies,programsandservices in which Aboriginal people participate, whether run by governments, non-governmentorganisationsorprivatecompanies.[ExecutiveSummary,ii].

• Finding8,Page57Thereis increasingevidencethatculturally-basedprogramshavethegreatest impact inpreventingsuicide;however, theWAGovernmenthasdemonstratedreluctanceinfundingprogramsofthisnature.

• Recommendation 8, Page 57 That the Western Australian Government set aside anappropriateportionofgrantexpenditureto fundmoreculture-embeddedprogramsforAboriginalyoungpeopleacrossthestate.

• Recommendation13,Page79That theWesternAustralianGovernmentshifts its focusfromgovernmentownedandrunprogramsandservicesforAboriginalpeopletoAboriginalownedandrunprograms.TheCommitteeacknowledgesthatthiswillbeagradualprocess;however,itcanbeginimmediatelybydesigningstrategies,servicesandprogramswiththeaimofempoweringAboriginalcommunities.

InSeptember2018,PremierMcGowanwrotetoKimberleyorganisationsadvisingthatasubstantiveresponsewouldbeforthcomingonceCoronerFogliani’sreportwasreleased.However,thisresponsehasnotyettranspired,resultinginachallengingtimeforAboriginalorganisations,communitiesandindividualsintheregion,asweenterthethirdyearsincetheMessageStickReportwasreleased.

Moreover,CoronerFogliani’sFebruary2019CoronialInquestFindingsReportprovidedafurther42recommendations. This signifies the overwhelming level of improvement required in such a largegeographicspace.Itissimplyunfathomable.AsnotedbyProfessorPatrickSullivaninanInsideStoryarticle:

[…]itisnocoincidencethatthingshavegotworsepsychologicallyforAboriginalpeopleasthey have become better in material terms. The things that bind Aboriginal peopletogetherinsocialsolidarity–sharedlanguage,sacredareas,religiousceremonies,ancientland-relatedvalues–havebeenconsistentlyundermined.Thesearenotpartofthewidersociety’seconomicdevelopmentagenda,orarebelievedtoactivelyundermineit.

THENEEDFORACOLLABORATIVEAPPROACHWhile the role of culture has long been overlooked, Professor Sullivan also importantly identifiesboundlessopportunitiesforacollaborativeapproachbetweenlocalandGovernmentorganisationsthatacknowledgesthecentralrolecultureplaysinAboriginalwellbeingandmeaningfulprogressinthisarea:

Localsupportandpreventionisvital,andculturalsupportessential,butstateinterventionalsoplaysapart.Itcanbeparticularlypowerfulwhenbothworktogether,andarecentjointinitiativeofWesternAustralia’sDepartmentofAboriginalAffairsandDepartmentofCultureandArtshasthatpotential.


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InaproposalputtothestatecabinetinMaybutnotyetreleased,thetwodepartmentsarguedfora“culturalinvestmentstrategy”forthestate’sAboriginalpopulation.Suchastrategywould“usethesupportofculturalactivitiesto improveculturalgrowth,socialcohesion and engagement; and use culturally based activities to improve outcomes inhealth,education,communitysafetyandemployment.”

ItiswithinthisframeworkofapromisedCulturalInvestmentStrategycoalescingthattheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProjecthasbeenfacilitatedbyKALACC.ThroughintertwininginitiativesrepresentedinFigure1below,KALACCarguesthatallsidesofthespectrum–fromWesternthroughHybridtoTraditionalandtheprinciplesconnectingthem–arerequired if improvementsaretoberealised.

Figure1:ResponsivebehaviourstoaddresssuicideandimproveAboriginalwellbeing.

Conceptually, this diagram considers the three elements and their place in the prevention andtreatmentofthoseatriskofself-harm:

1. Western–clinical,individualistic,therapeutic,medicalintervention(knownas‘Indicated’insuicidepreventionjargon)

2. Hybrid–culturally-appropriate,includingtheworkthattheAboriginalMedicalServicesoffer(knownas‘Selected’or‘Targeted’insuicidepreventionjargon)

3. Traditional – this can be labelled as culturally-based or culturally-embedded (known as‘Universal’insuicidepreventionjargon)

AlthoughKALACCisaculturalorganisationthatprovidesandsupportssuccessfulculturally-embeddedinitiativessuchastheYirimanProject,currentGovernmentinvestmentisstillonlyrestrictedtotheWesternandHybridmethods.

Whilstrecognisingthatsuicideismultifactorialandthereforerequiresmultifactorialresponsesacrossall three elements, there is currently next to no level of investment in to Traditional or Culturalmechanisms.Infact,theMay2016InvestinginAboriginalCulture:Theroleofcultureingainingmore


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effectiveoutcomesfromWAStateGovernmentservicesdiscussionpaperidentifiedthat,investmentin“directAboriginalculturalactivitiesinWA”equalledamere“0.72percentoftotalAustralianandStateGovernmentexpenditureinAboriginalservices”(24).

AsarticulatedpowerfullyinarecentpublicationbyIndigenousCanadianjournalistTanyaTalaga:

[…] a community function[ing] proudly, steeped in its culture, heritage, and language,[then]theycouldreducethesuicideratesamongtheyouth(p129).

Wecanthereforerecognisethefluidityanddiversityoftheuseoftheword‘culture’acrossthe61Aboriginalorganisationswhoparticipated in thisproject.WhilenotassertingnorprescribingwhatculturemeansthroughouttheKACfCInitialConsultationReportorforthcomingKACfCPlan,weneedtobeclearthatweoperatewithinthethirdculturally-embeddedTraditionalstream,asillustratedinFigure1.

THESIGNIFICANCEOFTHECARINGFORCULTUREPLANAregionalplanofthisnatureislongoverdueandfrequentattemptsbyGovernmentatalllevelsareoften ill-directed, struggling to meaningfully and sustainably improve services and support forAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesfrompolicydevelopmentthroughtoimplementationandthedeliveryofprograms.

Thissituation issummarised inrecentcorrespondencetoKALACCfromtheMinister forAboriginalHealth,theHonKenWyatt,whowrote:

OneconsistentfeatureoftheseconsultationswasthatcultureiscentraltoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderwellbeingandneedstobeembracedandembeddedacrossarangeofAboriginalandTorresStraitandmainstreamservices–bothasaprotectorandenablerof health and wellbeing. The Implementation Plan will be updated in 2018, with astrengthened focuson the socialdeterminantsand culturaldeterminantsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhealth.

CurrentMacroProcessesThoughtherehashistoricallybeenapolicyvoidandvacuumaroundAboriginalculture,anumberofkey processes are currently underway at a national and state level, including policy and strategyreviews.KALACC,withthesupportoftheKimberleycommunity,recognisedthat itwasanoptimaltimetoconducttheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProject,inthehopesthattheoutcomesandrecommendations,asoutlined intheforthcomingKACfCPlan,will informthefollowingmacropoliciesandstrategies:

• Closing the Gap Refresh (Council of Australian Governments 2017; Council of AustralianGovernments2018)

• KimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrial,aspartoftheNationalSuicidePreventionTrial(Hunt2018;Ley2016;Wyatt2017)

• Empowered Communities initiative – including proposed structural changes to theway inwhichCommonwealthIASfundingallocationdecisionsaremade(AarnjaLimited2018)

• FormationofaNationalIndigenousArtsandCulturalAuthority(AustraliaCouncilfortheArts2018)


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• PossibledevelopmentofAustralia’sfirsteverNationalIndigenousCulturalPolicy• 2018ImplementationPlanfortheNationalAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHealthPlan

2013–2023(CommonwealthofAustraliaDepartmentofHealth2018)

Theaboverepresentsarapidlychangingpolicylandscape–oneinwhich,forthefirsttimeinoveradecade,Aboriginalculturecouldactuallybevaluedandthusmeasuredandreportedon.Thiscouldpotentiallysignifythecatalystthatisrequiredtoenactthesubstantial,integralandmeaningfulchangethatissodesperatelyneededinordertoensurethewelfareandprosperityofAboriginalpeopleintheKimberley.

CurrentRegionalProcessesAdditionally,intheshortandmediumterms,thisKACfCInitialConsultationReportandthefinalKACfCPlanwillbeadeliberateandspecificresponsetoelementsoftheOperationalPlanoftheKimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrial,whichincludesthefollowingreferencestocultureandtoculturally-basedprograms:

UNIVERSAL/INDIGENOUSCOMMUNITYWIDE

PrimordialPreventionAddressingcommunitychallenges,poverty,trauma,socialdeterminantsofhealth

Culturalelements–buildingidentity,socialandemotionalwellbeing(SEWB),healing,returntoCountry

Mapculturalelements(existingandgaps)andbuildevidenceImplementotherhealingandSEWBprogramsaspartofcommunityplanningprocess

SELECTIVEATRISKGROUPSChildrenandYoungPeopleMapculturebeingtaughtinschools

IdentifywhatculturalprogramsarebeingtaughtinKimberleyschools,gapsandastrategyforimprovementIfgapsinSEWB,planprojectproposaltoaddressgapsinschools

Youthpeer-to-peermentoring/education/leadership/diversionprograms/(inc.sport)/connectingto

Country,elders,culture/hope

Developyouthspecificprogramsaspartofcommunityplanningprocess

COMMONELEMENTSCommunityLeadership/CulturalFrameworkCommunityempowerment,development,ownership–communityspecificresponses,involvementof

Elders,culturalframework

SupportAboriginalleadershipanddecisionmakingacrossthetrialCulturalsecurityandcultural-basedprogramsbeconsideredacrosseachactivityofthetrial

TheKACfCInitialConsultationReportandforthcomingKACfCPlanwillalsoalignwiththeinterestsofAboriginalregionalbody,AarnjaLimited,andtheAarnjaStrategicPlan,furtherassistingAarnjaintheirtaskofcreatingaKimberleyDevelopmentPlan,whichincludesthefollowinggoals:

• Identifypoliciesandprograms that reallyworkand to collaboratewithGovernment,Non-GovernmentandAboriginalorganisationstoexpandthem

• Bethebackboneorganisationthatsupportsstrong,independentAboriginalorganisationstoworktogetherthroughcoherentandagreedKimberley-widegovernanceandaccountabilities


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Bothdocumentslikewisereferencetheimportanceofculturally-basedyouthprogramsandJuvenileJusticeissues.

Thus,whilstitishopedthattheKACfCInitialConsultationReportandtheforthcomingKACfCPlanwillhaveausefulnessandvaluebeyondthe immediateshort-termcontext, thedevelopmentof thesedocuments is also very much intended to contribute towards the crucial collaborative planningprocessesthatarecurrentlybeingundertakenintheKimberley.

By developing the finalKACfC Plan at this time, we hope to honour and fulfil the vision and theaspirations articulated by the Kimberley leaders since the time of the Noonkanbah stance – thebirthplaceofAboriginalpoliticalrepresentationintheKimberleyandtheKimberleyLandCouncilover40yearsago–andthepoliticalagendaarticulatedforKimberleyAboriginalpeopleatthesubsequentCrocodile Hole meeting in 1991. This symbolic coming-of-age facilitated multiple regional bodiesworkingtogetherforthecommongoalofcohesiveAboriginaladvocacywithintheKimberleyregion.

PlanInfluencesThe KACfC Initial Consultation Report has been informed by a number of critical reports intotransgenerationaltrauma,Aboriginalwelfareandtheimportanceofculture.Thisincludes:

• Learning fromthemessagestick:The reportof the Inquiry intoAboriginalyouthsuicide inremoteareas(referredtoasthe‘MessageStickReport’)–ParliamentofWesternAustraliaLegislativeAssemblyEducationandHealthStandingCommittee,2016

• MyLifeMyLead–Opportunitiesforstrengtheningapproachestothesocialdeterminantsandcultural determinants of Indigenous health: Report on the national consultations –CommonwealthofAustraliaDepartmentofHealth,2017

• TheElders’ReportintoPreventingIndigenousSelf-harmandYouthSuicide–TheEldersetal,2014

• InvestinginAboriginalCulture:TheroleofcultureingainingmoreeffectiveoutcomesfromWAStateGovernmentservices–WADepartmentofCultureandtheArtsandWADepartmentofAboriginalAffairs,2015

• TheNgumpanStatement–KimberleyLandCounciletal,2018• Inquest into the deaths of thirteen children and young persons in the Kimberley Region,

WesternAustraliafindingsreport(referredtoasthe‘CoronialInquestFindingsReport’),StateCoronerRosFolgiani,February2019–withKALACC’sresponsetothisincludedasAppendix1

• CulturalSolutions:SharedPathwaysforEngagementintheKimberleyPositionPaper(referredtoasthe‘CulturalSolutionsPositionPaper’)–KALACC,2017

• SolutionsThatWork:WhattheEvidenceandOurPeopleTellUs(ATSISPEPReport)–UniversityofWesternAustralia,2016

• EmpoweredCommunities:EmpoweredPeoplesDesignReport–WunanFoundation,2015• National Suicide Prevention Conference Keynote Address – Aboriginal and Torres Strait

IslanderSocialJusticeCommissionerJuneOscarAO,2017• Mabuliyan–Ihopeyoufeelgoodinyourheart:Thecoronialinquestinto13suicidesinthe

Kimberley(maidenSenatespeech)–SenatorPatDodson,2017• KimberleyAboriginalCaringforCountryPlan–KimberleyLandCouncil,2010

ThislistofinfluenceswillberevisitedwithinthefinalKACfCPlan.


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PROCESS&STRUCTURECOMMUNITYCONSULTATIONAtotalof61AboriginalorganisationsthroughouttheKimberleyparticipatedinthedevelopmentoftheKACfCInitialConsultationReportandforthcomingKACfCPlan,representingacross-sectionofthefollowingkeyareas(seealsoTable1forthefulllistofthecontributingorganisations):

• CulturalCentres–1• ArtsCentres–6• LanguageCentres–5• Men’sCentres–2• Women’sCentres–3• NativeTitleBodies–1• NativeTitleOrganisations–7

• Rangers&IndigenousProtectedAreas–14• HealthOrganisations&Programs–6• MediaOrganisations–6• OtherServiceProviders–4• OtherCultural,Youth&ArtsOrganisations–

4• SupportingOrganisation&Programs–2

METHODSOFENGAGEMENTAconsultationgroup,ledbyKALACC,wasformedtogatherthenecessaryinformationfortheKACfCInitialConsultationReport.Chosentomaximiseaccessibility,threecomparativemethodswereused–organisationalsurveys,communityworkshops,andone-on-onemeetings.

SurveysThesurveywasdistributedinFebruary2018asanintroductionandinvitationforapproximately60Aboriginalorganisationsandcommunitygroupstoparticipate intheproject (seealsoAppendix3).Themajorityengagedintheconsultationprocessinatleastoneoftheabovethreeoptions,withadozengroupscompletingthesurveys.

One-on-OneMeetingsOrganisationswerealsoabletoparticipatebyattendingone-on-onemeetingswiththeconsultationgroup.Inthemajortownsacrosstheregion,adozenorganisationschosetodothis–someinadditiontoattendingthecommunityworkshopsand/orcompletingthesurvey.

WorkshopsForthosewhopreferred,aseriesofworkshopswereheldthroughouttheKimberleybetweenMarchandJune2018,takingplaceinBroome,FitzroyCrossing,Derby,Kununurra,WarmunandHallsCreek(seealsoFigure2andFigure3below).Over30organisationsattendedtheseworkshops.

An example of the workshop agenda, which focussed on deliberate input in response to theoverarchingprojectobjectives,hasbeenincludedinAppendix2.

In addition to the centralised workshops, the consultation group initially planned to also visitBidyadanga, theDampierPeninsulaand theGibbRiverRoad.However, theorganisations in theselocationsinsteadnominatedtoparticipateviathesurveyoption.


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Figure2:SomeoftheparticipantsattheFitzroyCrossingworkshop,includingPatTorres,FrankDavey,Patrick

Davies,MayaD.andMaryAitken.

Figure3:One-on-onemeetingwithMagabalaBooks,includingFrankDavey,PatTorres(holdingRashidMarshall),RachelbinSallehandWesMorris.

EachworkshopwasopenedbyKALACC’sownCulturalBosses,ourChairpersonFrankDavey (WestKimberley) and ourWomen’s ChairpersonMerle Carter (East Kimberley). They each shared theirperspectivesontheroleculturehasplayedintheirlives:

AddressbyFrankDavey(KALACCChairperson2017–Present)Our experience on Bardi Country is that it has been difficult at times due to somanychangesthathappenthataffectourlives.Butcultureisalwaysthereforus–it’snotjustceremony,itswiderthanthat…it’sineverything.

OurbiggestchallengewassettingupourPBC[PrescribedBodyCorporate].TostartwiththerewasonlyalittlebitofAboriginalprotocolinthere(asitwassetupbylawyers)anditdidn’tworkwell.WegotNativeTitlewhichshouldmeanthatcultureisinthere,butitwasn’t.Iwasthefirstchairandpartofsettingitupandwerecognisedthisproblem.WeweretryingtomakeitworkbutthenwechangedittobringitbacktothePBCwewanted,withmoreofaculturalbaseandaculturalwayofhowtodealwithissues.

Thishelpedinsomanyways,especiallywithourrangers–wetakeeldersoutonCountryandcangiveadvicethere.WehavesupportfromKALACCinthis.WealsohavebeenabletomakeuseoftherangerstogetAboriginalcultureandlanguageintotheschoolmore.WetakekidsonCountry,therangersdothat.OurMen’sShed isalsosupportingthesekindsontripsandtrainingofourkids…Thisiswhatwe’redoingonBardiCountry.WhileI’mnotas involveddirectly, IamstillaCulturalAdvisorout there. Iamresponsible fordriving it alongwith the people and getting younger ones involved. I also support therepatriationworkofKALACC(NeilCarter)andwearesettingupaKeepingPlacethere.WealsodidtheGalwaProject,buildingagalwa[Traditionalcanoe]thatisnowdisplayedattheWAMuseum.

I’malsotheleaderoftheBardiDancers–oneofthemostfamousintheworld!We’retheonly ones to ever dance in Stonehenge; actuallywe’re the firstAboriginal group to bethere.Wedanceour stories thatgowaybackandhavebeenhandeddown.Wedon’tdanceanythingnewbutwhat’sbeenhandeddownthroughthegenerations.WealsohavephotosonFacebookwithYawuruandKarajarri–ournextdoorneighbours.


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AddressbyMerleCarter(KALACCWomen’sChairperson2017–Present)Weliveandbreatheculture.Itiswhoweare.Wegrewupwithit.AstheWomen’sChairoftheKimberleyAboriginalLawandCultureCentre,whichisthepeakbodyforLawandCulture, I have representedmypeople inmeetingswithministersandothers, teachingthemhowyoucan’tseparateculturefromlanguageorfromCountry,abouthowcultureempowersus,abouthowitteachesusrespectforourelders,forourbrothersandsoon.

InMiriwoongandGajirrawoongcountry,andacrosstheKimberley,whilecultureisstrongandpeoplearemakingitstronger,theseniorpeoplearetryingtomakesurethatyoungpeopleareengaged.Wehavetopassontheknowledgeandskills,handthisontothem,aboutplacesoncountry,bushmedicines,language.

When we’re fighting for change, for justice, through our organisations, like the KLC[KimberleyLandCouncil]atNoonkanbah, like thewayyoungpeopleare treated in thejusticesystem,we’refightingforrecognitionofwhoweareandwhatourculturalidentityis.Wearefightingforownershipofwhatisoursandcultureisatthecentreofthis.

CONSULTATIONREPORTSTRUCTUREAs the region’s peak law and culture body, we believe it is culturally-appropriate to present theconsultationdatasummarieswithinthefivekeyculturalblocsidentifiedintheKimberleyLanguageResourceCentre’sKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCountryPlan,ratherthanatown-orcommunity-basedperspective.ComprisedofWesternTradition,NorthernTradition,EasternTradition,CentralTraditionandSouthernTradition,theculturalblocswerecollectivelydescribedas(seealsoFigure4below):

Cultural blocs do not equate with the four different landscape types of saltwater,freshwater, desert and rangelands or cattle country. The distinct nature of theselandscapesaffecthowpeoplerelatetodifferenttypesofCountry,butnothowLawinformsrulesandpracticesforspecificCountry.WhenTO’schoosetomeetintheirculturalblocs,alltherightpeople,fortherightplaceandwiththerightknowledgeaboutthatCountrycanbeconsultedandthebestsolutionsreached.

Cultural blocs are the right fit for decision making and planning over large areasthroughouttheKimberley.Peoplerelatetotheirregionandtothegroupstheyshareacultural identitywith and have responsibilities to.When doing smaller projectswithinCountrythathasbeendeterminedunderNativeTitle,PBCsorindividuallanguagegroups,communities,clansorfamilieswilldirecttheworkthatneedstobedoneintheirownareaofCountryandresponsibility.Theywillalsorespectthelargerculturalblocwhereotherpermissionsareneeded,orwherepeopleneedtobeinformed.

TO’s are refining these ‘boundaries’ to align more closely with cultural governance.ParticipationinmeetingsofculturalblocswillbesomewhatfluiddependingontheissuetobediscussedortheareasofCountrythatmaybeaffected.Forexampledecisionsaboutmatterssuchastheminingofresources,accessacrossCountry,landclearing,sustainableuseofculturalresources,orproposalsfordevelopmentwillbemadebytheappropriategroups.


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Rebuildingaftercolonisationhastakenoveronehundredyears,butthefoundationsofculturalgovernancegofardeeper.Theyarerootedinthousandsofyearsofcultureandmore recently, to decades of Aboriginal community organisations representing andworkingforKimberleyAboriginalpeople(36).

Utilising this framework, theorganisational information thatwascollectedduring theconsultationprocessisreportedinthefollowingorder(seealsoFigure4below):

• WesternTradition–BroomeandtheDampierPeninsula• CentralTradition–Derby,FitzroyCrossingandsurrounds• EasternTradition–HallsCreek,WarmunandKununurra• NorthernTradition–Wyndham,KalumburuandtheGibbRiverRoad• SouthernTradition–fromBidyadangaacrosstotheTjurabalan• RegionalBodies–organisationsoperatingacrosstheKimberleyregion

Figure4:TheKimberley’sfivekeyculturalblocs(KLRCKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCountryPlan,p35).


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WesternTradition

CentralTradition

EasternTradition

NorthernTradition

SouthernTradition

RegionalBodies

CulturalCentres • KimberleyAboriginal

LawandCulturalCentre(KALACC)

ArtsCentres

• MowanjumAboriginalArtandCultureCentre

• MangkajaArtsResourceAgency

• WarmunArtCentre• Waringarri

AboriginalArts• YarliyilArtCentre

• KiraKiroArtCentre

LanguageCentres

• MadjullaIncorporated

• NyikinaIncorporated

• MirimaDawangWoorlab-gerringLanguageandCultureCentre

• KimberleyLanguageResourceCentre(KLRC)

• AboriginalInterpretingWA(AIWA)

Men’sCentres • BroomeMen’sOutreachService • DerbyMen’sShed

Women’sCentres• Babagarra

AboriginalIncorporated

• MarninwarntakuraWomen’sResourceCentre

• GawoolengYawoodeng

NativeTitleBodies • KimberleyLandCouncil(KLC)

NativeTitleOrganisations–PrescribedBodyCorporates(PBCs)

• DambimangariAboriginalCorporation

• WalalakooAboriginalCorporation

• BunubaDawangarriAboriginalCorporation

• MiriuwungGajerrongCorporation

• WunambalGaamberaAboriginalCorporation

• WilingginAboriginalCorporation

• YanunijarraAboriginalCorporation


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WesternTradition

CentralTradition

EasternTradition

NorthernTradition

SouthernTradition

RegionalBodies

Rangers&IndigenousProtectedAreas(IPAs)

• BardiJawiRangers• BardiJawiIPA

• DambimangariRangers

• DambimangariIPA• NyikinaMangala

YimardoowarraRangers

• BunubaRangers

• GijaRangers

• UunguuRangers• WunggurrRangers• WilingginIPA

• KarajarriRangers• KarajarriIPA• NgurraraRangers• NgurraraIPA

HealthOrganisations&Programs

• AliveandKickingGoals

• NindilingarriCulturalHealthServices

• YiraYungiMedicalService

• OrdValleyAboriginalHealthService

• Bidyadanga

TraditionalHealersGroup

• KimberleyAboriginalMedicalService(KAMS)

MediaOrganisations• GoolarriMedia• GoolarriRadio

• 6DBYLarrkardiRadio

• WangkiYupurnanupurruRadio936AM

• 6PRKRadioHallsCreek

• WaringarriMediaAboriginalCorporation6WR

OtherServiceProviders(e.g.

Education,Enterprise&Employment)

• NirrumbukAboriginalCorporation

• WinunNgariAboriginalCorporation

• WinunNgariEmploymentService

• WunanFoundation

OtherYouth,Cultural&ArtsOrganisations

• Marrugeku• MagabalaBooks

• YirimanProject• HallsCreekNAIDOC

WeekOrganisers

SupportingOrganisations&

Programs

• AboriginalTrainingSupport,NorthRegionalTAFE

• EnterprisePartnershipsWA

Total:61 10 20 12 7 6 6

Table1:OrganisationsthatparticipatedintheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProjectconsultationprocess,organisedbyCulturalBloc.

KimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProject2019

–InitialConsultationReport

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CARINGFORCULTUREINTHEKIMBERLEYCultureisacorecomponentofmuchofwhatwedointheKimberley.Whileculturecanmeansomuch

tosomany,whatitmeansforAboriginalpeopleandourorganisationsacrosstheregionunderpinsall

thatweareabletoachieve.

In an area geographically larger than the state of Victoria, the KACfC Initial Consultation Report

showcasesarangeofcommunityorganisationsthathaveparticipatedinthisprocess.Thoughspecific

serviceofferingsanddeliverymayvary,allareguidedbydiverseyetconnectedculturalframeworks

thatensuretheculturalsecurityofAboriginalpeopleacrossthisregion.

Theorganisational informationprovided istheresultoftheconsultationandengagementprocess,

supplementedinsomeinstancesbyadditionalmaterialpublishedonrespectivewebsites.Reported

throughthelensoftheKimberley’sculturalblocs,itoutlineseachorganisation’sCulturalGovernance

structures;currentculturally-foundedprograms,projectsand/orpartnerships;andtheiraspirations.

Importantly,allinformationhasbeenprovidedforreviewandapprovalbyeachsubjectorganisation

priortocompletionoftheKACfCInitialConsultationReportandaheadoftheJune2019releaseofthe

KACfCPlan.

Pleasenote:

Eachblurbiswrittenfromtheperspectiveofthesubjectorganisation.Foreaseofreference:

• Allorganisationsarereferredtobytheirfulltitleatalltimes,exceptintheirownblurb–

theonlyexceptionisKALACC,asthefacilitatingorganisation

• Abbreviationstandardsare‘contained’withineachblurb,soeachorganisationcanberead

bothwithinthecontextoftheKACfCInitialConsultationReportandasstand-alone

information(i.e.abbreviatedconceptsarespelledinfullandfollowedbytheabbreviation

inbracketsinthefirstinstance;thisformatisutilisedforthesameconceptwithinmultiple

blurbs)

• Commonconceptsareabbreviatedusingtheaboveformateveniftheyareonlymentioned

oncewithinablurb,torecognisethatsomecommonconceptsmayprimarilybeknown

onlybytheirabbreviation

• Aboriginallanguagephrasesaredefinedwithineachblurb,eveniftheyappearinmultiple

WESTERNTRADITION(BROOME&THEDAMPIERPENINSULA)Located in the far-west of the region, theWestern Tradition cultural bloc encompasses theWest

Kimberley Saltwater Country and is comprised of the LanguageGroups of the Dampier Peninsula

(includingYawuru)andtheBroomeRegion.

Atotalof10AboriginalorganisationsfromtheWesternTraditionparticipatedinthisproject,namely:

• BroomeMen’sOutreachService

• BabagarraAboriginalIncorporated

• GoolarriMediaandGoolarriRadio(collaborativeresponseprovided)



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• Bardi Jawi Rangers and the Bardi Jawi Indigenous Protected Area (collaborative response

provided)

• NirrumbukAboriginalCorporation

• Marrugeku

• MagabalaBooks

• AliveandKickingGoals

BroomeMen’sOutreachServiceTheMen’sOutreachService (MOS)based inBroomeprovides services that foster resiliencewhile

promoting the wellbeing of men, their families and their communities across the Kimberley.We

deliver a number of programs and projects that incorporatesmedical health, socioeconomic and

culturalserviceprovision.

AllofMOS’servicesaimtoreconnectpeoplewithCountryasmuchaswecanbecausewerecognise

itsimportanceforpeoplefindingandstayingontherightpath.

It is important tobeonCountry– in town they lose trackandunsureofwhatCountry

meanstothem.OnlytohavetoseetheoceanandIknowIfeelcalm.

Alotofkidstodayhavegrownupinfourwalls.Beforeitwaswideopenspaces,underthe

trees.TheyloseidentityandCulturethisway.WegetthemoutonCountryandfromthere

theycanpassmessageontotheirownchildren.

OldKALACCBossesfoundithardtoarticulatethisinkartiya[non-Indigenous]way…don’t

havekatiyatalktodoit.Givesenseofstrength,senseofspirit.Finditmorenoticeablein

guyswhoarefindingitmostdifficult–takethemtoafishingplace,theylightup.Theyfeel

goodandstrong.

–DoolieKing(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

OurprogramshelpmenretunetheirsensesforCountry–toconnectnotjustphysicallybutspiritually

too.ItoftendoesnotmatterwhichCountrybecausejustgettingwayfromdistractionsallowsboys

andmentoreorganisetheirthoughts, identifywhatismissingandre-evaluatetheirownpaths.So

manycountrymenliketogocamping,fishingandhuntingbutmightnotrealisewhy.Gettingouthelps

themtoreconnect,torediscoverthemselvesandwhotheyare,andtobuildresilience.Oncetheygo

thentheywanttokeepgoingbackoutbecauseitmakesthemfeelbetter–theirpassionforCountry

isreignited.

Re-focus–youhavetofocuswhenonCountry–whereyoucanandcan’tgo.Youcan’t

justgoanywherei.e.Wangkatjungkaaskedthatoldman–wherecanwego–onlythat

side–thenyouonlygothatside.Onoceanthesame–don’tfocusyoudrown.Drinking,

suicide,thisiswhatweneedtoclearourheadsof.Walkblindandbumpintotrees,tripon

sticks.Gottobealert.Intownwhenyou’redrinkingyoulosethisalertness,youneedto

refocus.

Manyoftheadultshereintownusingserviceswerelawmenandtheytoohaveforgotten

obligations to youngmen.Need to remind themof this. This is the disconnect. Young

peoplechoosingownpathwaysinlifeandgoingofftracklookingtowrongvideos,wrong



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peopleintown.Needtoreconnectthistosupportyoungpeople.Achallengeforsurebut

weneedtodothis.GettingoutonCountryreignitesthispassion.Criticalofsomepeople

astheyaren’tfulfillingtheirroles.Needtorealignoldandyoungpeopleagain.Middle-

agedmenalsomissingthistoo.Forgottenresponsibilitiesandobligationstotheirfuture

tribe.

ResponsibilityaroundLawlastsalifetime.

–DoolieKing(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

OurPrograms,ProjectsandInitiatives

AliveandKickingGoalsEstablished bymembers of the Broome Saints Football Club and auspiced byMOS, the Alive and

KickingGoals (AKG) programwas created in response to increasing concern about suicide among

youngIndigenousmen.FurtherdetailsonAKGareprovidedinaseparateorganisationalblurbatthe

endoftheWesternTraditionsection.

HeadstoneProjectThe Headstone Project is a grief and loss program in development for Aboriginal men and their

families.ItinvolvesrestoringthegravesoffamilymembersatcemeteriesinBidyadanga,BeagleBay

andOneArmPoint.

ChangemWaysProgramChangemWays is a rehabilitation program for Aboriginalmenwho have been involved in family

violenceintheBroomeareaandwanttoreturntolivewiththeirfamilies.Undertheformationofa

culturalreferencegroup,itisdifferenttopastinitiatives,particularlybecausethepartnersofthemen

arealsoengagedonavoluntarybasisinaparallelprogram.Thisinitiativeutilisesaholisticmodelthat

involvesculturally-strongpeoplesupportingthoseseekinghelp.

MOS finds that a lot of youngermenwho are violent are also disconnected from their roots and

identity.Wetrytosupportthemtoreconnectandfindpeaceintheirliyan(spirit).

BidyadangaandDampierPeninsulaMen’sGroupsMOS supportsMen’s Groups in Bidyadanga and on the Dampier Peninsula, which often includes

culturalcamps.

Drop-InHomelessMen’sServiceWerunadrop-inservicetosupporthomelessmen inBroome,whohaveoftentravelled fromthe

FitzroyValleyandEastKimberley.MOSprimarilyhelpstheseisolatedandlonelymentoaccesshealth

care, although we are not resourced for this service. We currently work in partnership with

Mambulanjin(KullarriPatrol)andtheBroomeRegionalAboriginalMedicalServicetoprovidemore

targetedsupportandprogramsforthesemen.

PrisonReintegrationProgramViaourcontinuity-of-careprogramregardingpost-prisonhealth,MOSprovidessupportforoffenders

leavingprisontomaintaintheirhealthuponreturningtocommunitylife.



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AdditionalActivitiesMOSregularlyconductsnumerousactivitiesthatprovideaplatformforoldpeopletosharestories

withyoungerguys.This includessupporting‘onCountry’tripswiththeYirimanProject;developing

and supporting other Men’s Sheds programs in places like Fitzroy Crossing and Bidyadanga; and

holding‘Fathers/SonsDays’withsupportthroughtheBroomeRegionalAboriginalMedicalService.

Previouslywebeenspecifically fundedtoassistmore in theFitzroyValleyandEastKimberleyand

continuetoseekadditionalresourcestodoso.

OurMen’sBehaviouralChangeProgramaimstoeffectpositivechange,especiallyforthosewhohave

childrenorwhoareyoungerandreplicatingtheirparents’behaviour.Werecognisetheimportance

of working with youth productively and without aggression, and have an overarching Aboriginal

AdvisoryGrouptoprovidesupportwithculturalprotocolsforourprograms,andaCulturalAdvisor

rolethatemploysarespectedlocalEldertoprovideadvicedirectlytoourChiefExecutiveOfficer.

MOSisaMemberoftheKimberleyAboriginalMedicalServices’MentalHealthSub-Committee,and

werecentlyendorsedcultural securityprotocols forhealthservicesacross theKimberley.Wealso

havea‘CookingtoEnrich’servicethatsupportsmen,womenandyouth.

SupportforWomenMOShasalsocreatedprogramstosupportwomenaswenotethatthereisagapinthesetypesof

servicespresently.Thisincludes:

• Aweekly‘Women’sDay’

• ‘HealingSpirit’gardeningprojects

• ChangemWayspartners’program

• On-CountryactivitieswithKullarriPatrol

• Agender-specificDVDtosupportyoungwomenatriskofself-harmandsuicide(viatheAlive

andKickingprogram)

InalloftheseservicesMOSaimstoreconnectpeoplewithCountryasmuchaswecan.

OurPartnerships

Over theyearsMOShasdevelopedanumberofpartnershipsandoftenworkswith theKimberley

AboriginalMedicalService,KullariPatrol,theBroomeRegionalAboriginalMedicalService,andMilliya

RumurraDrugandAlcoholRehabilitation.This typeof collaborationhelpsusaddress thecomplex

needsofourclients.Wealsoadvocateforaculturalapproach,particularlyaroundfamilyviolence,

andrecognisethateveryoneneedstobeinvolvedintheprocess.Anypotentialpartnerorganisation

needstoalsorecognisethedisconnectmenandboysfeelfromCountry.

Weworkwithourclients toshowthemhowtomaintaincorevaluesandwalk inboth

worlds.ItisfortunateintheKimberleywestillhavestories,songs,languageandculture

to share with them. This is why we seek partnerships with other men’s Aboriginal

organisations to deliver culturally-based programs, rather than the retrofitted options

availablefromlargeorganisationssuchasAnglicareorCentacare.

–PeterMitchell(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)



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MOS’ work in this area has been acknowledged in academic spheres through key partnerships

developedwiththeUniversityofWesternAustralia’sSchoolofLaw,whichhascompletedresearch

into crime and justice issues in the Kimberley. We have also supported research out of Deakin

UniversityinAboriginalMen’sHealthandworkwiththeBlackDogInstituteinasuicideprevention

trial that is seeking toprovideevidence throughmeasureableoutcomes regardingwhere livesare

saved.

MOS continuously advocates that culture and culturally-based programs need to be defined by

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleourselves,sothatwearewalkingthetalk.Thisincludes

advocatingforpaidmentorshiptotheFederalGovernment,torecognisethe integralrolementors

haveincreatingconnectionsbetweenoldandyoung.

BabagarraAboriginalIncorporatedBabagarra Aboriginal Incorporated (BAI)was established in Broome to provide social and cultural

servicesforwomen,childrenandtheirfamiliestoensuretheirsocioeconomic,physicalandemotional

wellbeing,whilealsofosteringresilienceinouryoungpeople.

WedothisbypreservingtheCulturalKnowledgeofourheritage,senseofidentityandplace,culture

andmaterialhistoryforfuturegenerations.WeareadvocatesforthecontinuityofAboriginalwaysof

healingandhandingdowninformationandknowledgetothosewhocomeafterus.


Throughfamilysupportservicesandarttherapyworkshops,weprovideservicesinthemedicalhealth,

socioeconomic,artsperformance,heritage, culture, languageareas,aswellas support Law,myth,

ceremonyandsacredservicedelivery.Thisisundertakenthroughanumberofkeyprograms:

• Welcome to Country in Djugan/Yawuru Languages – provided on request for special

Governmentandnon-Governmentevents,includingconferencesandfestivals

• HealingSmokeRituals–usingTraditionalplantmaterialsaspartofaWelcometoCountryfor

programsorevents

• SpiritualCleansingRituals–forlingeringspiritsordeceasedpersonsinhomesatthefamily’s

request,whichwealsoteachtointerestedyouthandwomen

• ArtTherapyWorkshops–usinglocalplantmaterialstogenerateartworksforsaleattheMary

MinyarlCentre,whichsupportsartspractice,wealthcreationandthehealingofwomenin

crisis

• EmergingArtistsProgram–toempowerwomen,youthandmentopracticeAboriginalart

anddesignbycreating jewellery,fabricsandpaintingsusingTraditionalDesignKnowledge,

whichareforsaletotouristsandlocalsandraiseself-esteeminourpeople

OurPartnerships

BAIhasaseriesofstrategicpartnerships,includingonewithKALACC.Weprovideabushtuckerand

bushmedicineworkshopatKALACC’sfestivalsandAnnualGeneralMeeting,whichsupportswomen

who want to be involved in these activities in their communities. Many Aboriginal women have

benefitedbyseeinghowtheycanvalue-addtotheirTraditionalKnowledgeofplantsandbecomea

smallbusinessoperator.



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ThistypeofTraditionalculturalactivityhasmanystrengths, includingcontinuingculturalpractices,

acknowledgingandhonouringElders’knowledgeandskills,andteachingyoungergenerationsskills

withinaculturally-safeenvironment.

BAIalsosupportsandhelpstorun:

• Women’sCommunityGroups–suchastheWomen’sCentreatBeagleBay,theBidyadanga

Women’sGroupandtheYirimanProject

• Micro-enterpriseWorkshops–aboutthecollectionanduseofTraditionalseedsandshells

formicro-enterprise,whichstrengthenAboriginalwomen’sknowledge,skillsandwealth

• Culturally-BasedSchoolsPrograms–whichfeaturelanguage,bushfoodsandbushmedicine

• NAIDOCActivities–forNAIDOCWeekintheBroomearea

• SpiritualHealingPrograms–for‘youthatrisk’andparticularlytruants(theseprogramsare

alsoattimesusedbyYouthJusticeProgramsforyouthtocompletecommunityordersina

culturally-safeenvironmentwithsupportandadvicefromElders)

• ProductDevelopment–helpingindividualsintheircommunitiestoestablishbushfoodand

bushmedicineproductsandeventcateringfortouristsaspartofcommunitydevelopment

plans

BAIhavebeeninvolvedinnumerousresearchandcommunityprojectsovertheyears,includingthose

driven by KALACC (such as the Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture Project). We continue to

collaborate with numerous local organisations, including Kimberley Stolen Generations, Men’s

Outreach Service and Milliya Rumurra in the importance of Cultural Knowledge transmission,

strengtheningidentityandfosteringAboriginalwaysofparentingusingnarrativeandarttherapy.

GoolarriMediaandGoolarriRadioGoolarri Media and Goolarri Radio actively (Goolarri) works to preserve Aboriginal Culture and

Languageby:

• Assisting thedevelopment of both Indigenous andnon-Indigenous communications in the

Kimberleyregion

• HelpingtocultivateIndigenousmusiciansthroughoutWesternAustralia

• Creatingandproducingvaluableeventsandactivitiesfortheentirecommunity

• Deliveringnationallyaccreditedtraininginmediaandeventsmanagement

• SharingourCulturalKnowledgeandawarenessthroughvariousformsofmedia,includingfilm,

radioandtheatre(withservicesalsoprovidedforvariousevents)

• ProvidingprogramssuchasourYawuruWordoftheDay

• Facilitatingonline language teachingandstories,whichare recordedandproducedby the

KimberleyLanguageResourceCentre

• Providingtraininginoralhistories

• Operatingradiolicencesat14sitesacrosstheKimberleyviaPilbaraandKimberleyAboriginal

Media(PAKAM),whichsitsunderGoolarriandhas10peoplewhospecificallysupportcultural

recording

Inaddition toensuring there isacultural component to theannualNAIDOCcelebrations,Goolarri

supports other local eventswith cultural content such as Taste of Broome, KimberleyGirl, Aarnja



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LeadershipProgramand theYawuruDancers.Goolarri alsoprovidesproduction support for these

typesofeventsand theAnnualGeneralMeetingsofKALACC, theKimberley LandCouncil and the

KimberleyLanguageResourceCentre.

OurPartnerships

Goolarri is currently working with the Kimberley Land Council on a documentary about the

organisation,hassupportedtheNationalNativeTitleConferencewhenitwasheldinBroomein2018,

and has been involved in research projectswithNulunguResearch Institute (e.g. theAnne Street

ReserveProject).

AdvocatingcontinuouslytopreserveAboriginalpeople’srightsandtheirIntellectualProperty(IP),we

workwithmoviemakerswhentheycometotheregiontoensurethatAboriginalconsentisobtained

where required.We fundamentally supportand facilitatemeaningful interactionbetween the film

industryandlocalpeople.

ManyofourfilmsarebroadcastonlineorthroughtheAustralianBroadcastingCorporation(ABC)or

NationalIndigenousTelevision(NITV),andweadvocateforIndigenousbroadcastingatanationallevel

ontheSBSBoardandFirstNationalbroadcasters.

BardiJawiRangersandtheBardiJawiIndigenousProtectedAreaTheBardiJawiRangersarebasedatArdyaloon(OneArmPoint)CommunityontheDampierPeninsula

andcareforBardiJawiCountry,includingtheBardiJawiIndigenousProtectedArea.Managedbythe

Bardi Jawi Registered Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate (RNTPBC), we receive our funding

through theWorkingonCountryProgramandarepartof theKimberley LandCouncil’sKimberley

RangerNetwork.


Established to assist Bardi Jawi People, we want to conserve and live on our own Country by

maintaininghealthylandandseaCountryandpreservingTraditionalCulturalKnowledgeandpractice

forfuturegenerations.Servicingkeyareasofland,sea,heritageandculture,weprovideanumberof

keyprograms,including:

• CulturalAwarenessPackage–videosand/orPowerPointpresentationsthataredevelopedto

raiseculturalawarenessfortourists,visitingworkers,partnerorganisationsandagencies,and

aredeliveredbyBardiJawirangerstaffandCulturalElders

• On-CountryVisits–toseetheworkandplacesthatareimportantfortheBardiJawiRangers

programandculturally-significant to theBardi JawiPeople, suchasdriving to landsitesor

takingboat trips to coastalplacesand islands/reefsof significance (aspartof theCultural

AwarenessPackage)

• Assistancewith School Culture Programs – at Ardyaloon Remote Community School and

Djarindjin Christ the King, including fish trapmaintenance atMulumb Anchorage,Middle

BeachandGambanan,spear-making,fishpoisoning,campsetupandactivities,andNAIDOC

Weekactivitiesandsupport

• CulturalHeritageManagement–forsignificantplacesandsitesonBardiJawiCountry,under

the direction of our Elders and including historical places like Sunday Islandmission sites,

Bulgin(HunterCreek)Homesteadgravesitesandoldcampingsites



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• TransmissionofTraditionalEcologicalKnowledge–throughrecordingElders’stories

• CulturalMapping–ofimportantsitesinBardiJawiCountryusingavarietyofformats

The Bardi Jawi Rangers work closely with Aboriginal Community Councils in our Native Title

DeterminationAreasastheyholdlandinterestsandweneedtoinformthemofanyactivitiestobe

undertakenonthesectionsofland.TheKimberleyLandCouncilalsoauspicesourfundingfromState,

FederalandcorporateareasandcontinuestooffertechnicalsupportaroundrangerandPrescribed

Body Corporate (PBC) capacity building as a cultural natural resource management entity, while

workingunderthedirectionofourPBCandElders.

WeareguidedinallofourworkbyourCulturalBossesandourHealthyCountryPlanwhichinturn

informsourrangerswiththeirannualWorkPlan.Allofthishasaculturalbase–thefoundationupon

whichwework.Wetargetsevenareasprimarily,whichare:

• Marnany(FringingReefs)

• Aarli(Fish)

• Odorr(Dugong)andGoorlil(Turtle)

• SignificantSites

• Language,LawandCulture

• TraditionalOola(Water)Places

• IndigenousPlantResources

Aspartofour IndigenousProtectedAreaWorkProgram(IPAWorkProgram),wededicatetimeto

supportspecificLawandCultureactivities.Aminimumoftwoweeksisputasideeachyearforthe

rangerstohelpprepareforBardiJawiLawandCulture.Therangers(mostlyculturallytrainedmen)

haveaccess to reliable vehicles andwellmaintainedequipment toupgradeLawTime camps, and

createartefactsandotherinfrastructuretofacilitateLawBusinesswhentheCulturalBossescallforit.

OurkeySeniorCulturalRangerpositionfacilitatesthenecessarywork,asdirectedbytheLawBosses,

withtheyoungerrangersandmenhelpingwithpreparation.

Therangersundertakeotherculturalactivitiesthroughouttheprogramandareentitledtofivedays’

culturalleaveasspecifiedbytheKLCEnterpriseAgreementandthatwestronglyendorse.Thistimeis

usedforfamilyobligationsthatrelatetoLawandCulture.

OurPartnerships

TheBardiJawiRangersbelieveourimpactisevidentinthenumberofpartnersandserviceproviders

thatworkwithusandlooktousforleadershipinvariousareasofourIPAWorkProgram.Thisincludes

supporting our local schools with NAIDOCWeek,WA Police, Department of Fire and Emergency

Services (DFES), community councils, outstations, and tourism ventures on fire management

strategiesandprograms.

Furthermore, the fact that the IPAWorkProgram is fundeduntil2023and the IndigenousRanger

Programisfundeduntil2021recognisesthevalueoftheseprogramstothenationallandscapeand

thecommunitiestheybelongin.

ThenumberofjobssincetheprogrambeganundertheformerCommunityDevelopmentEmployment

Program(CDEP)in2006hasalsoincreased.WeoriginallyhadsixCDEPrangerson17hoursperweek

andonefull-timecoordinator–7total.In2019,wehave15staffforBardiJawiCountry–afull-time



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IPAcoordinator,afull-timeMen’sRangerCoordinator,a0.9FullTimeEmployment(FTE)Women’s

Coordinator,afull-timeSeniorCulturalRanger,threefull-timeMen’sRangers,three0.8FTEMen’s

Rangers,three0.8FTEWomen’sRangersanda0.6FTEAdminAssistant.

NirrumbukAboriginalCorporationLocated in Broome, the Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) provides services in the health,

educationandemploymentsectors,deliveringprogramsandprojects thatalignwiththe following

mission:

ForServiceMembers,MemberCommunities,andindigenouspeoplewithintheKimberley:

we assistwith cultural development, employment, training, sustainable environmental

health,andsocialandeconomicopportunities.Weaimtoachieveself-sufficiency, self-

management,andabetterstandardofliving.


NACisabletofulfilourcorebusinessthroughanumberofactivities,whichareoutlinedbelow.

EnvironmentalHealthProgramNAC has partneredwith theWestern Australian Department of Health to offer an Environmental

HealthProgram,whicheducatestheKimberley’scommunitiesaboutenvironmentalhealthissuesand

promotessustainableenvironmentalhealthpractices.Servicesaretailoredtomeettherequirements

ofeachlocationthroughcommunityEnvironmentalHealthActionPlans.

SupportandTenancyEducationProgram(STEP)Nirrumbuk Environmental and Health Services, in partnership with the Department of Housing,

deliverstheSupportandTenancyEducationProgram(STEP)totheKimberleyregion.ThroughSTEP,

eligibletenantsreceiveeducationandcasemanagementtoimprovetheirlivingskills,independently

managetheirtenancies,andreducethelikelihoodofhomelessness.

YouthServicesThroughourAboriginalCounsellingService,Pinakarra,NACassistsyouthswiththeirissuesandneeds

thattheymaybefacingintoday’ssociety.Webelievesmallstepsmakebigchanges.Workingone-on-

onewith individuals from all backgrounds, Pinakarra develops a casemanagement plan for their

specificneeds.Wesupportandcoachyoungpeoplethroughthestepsneededtohelpthemmake

positivechangesforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.

DjaringoDjaringo is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that provides training and education

opportunitiesintheKimberleyregiontohelpindividualsandcommunitiesbuildabetterfuture.Asa

divisionofNAC,wearemanagedandownedbyAboriginalmemberswithaBoardof11Indigenous

peoplefromBroomeandtheDampierPeninsula.Weofferarangeofnationallyaccreditedcourses

forAboriginalandnon-Aboriginalpeople.

NirrumbukGroupTrainingandLabourHireNirrumbukGroupTrainingandLabourHireofferstraineeshipsandapprenticeshipsforlocalAboriginal

people.Todothiseffectively,wemanageadatabaseofskilledlabourandemployees.Oursupport



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and mentorship for trainees, apprentices and labour hire employees, combined with our strong

relationshipswithlocalemployersprovidessolidfoundationsforrealemploymentoutcomes.

OtherSupportNAC also offersmember support through environmental health services and financial support for

culturalactivities.

OurPartnerships

NAC’skeypartnersareNirrumbukEnvironmentalHealth,KimberleyEmploymentServices,Broome

ElectricalServices,KullarriBuilding,NirrumbukGroupTrainingandNudjPlumbing.Fosteringa‘one

stopshop’capability,thesepartnershipssupportNAC’sprimaryobjectivetobuildthecapacityofthe

local Aboriginal community by offering culturally-appropriate and culturally-sensitive education,

trainingandemploymentopportunities.

NACalsoworkswithKimberleyLandCouncil,PoliceandCommunityYouthCentres,Jawanandlocal

employerssuchastheBroomeShire.WearemembersofpeakFederalandStateGovernmentbodies.

During discussions with Ministers and senior Government staff, NAC continuously advocates for

cultureasafoundationforallofouroperationsandamajorcontributingfactortothesuccessofour

programs.

Additionally,wehavedeveloped researchpartnershipswithTelehealth, TelethonKidsandvarious

universities. Statistical analyses from this research show the impact of Nirrumbuk Environmental

Health’sbestpracticestrategiesinprovidingessentialservicesandsecuremeaningfuloutcomesfor

individuals and communities. This is further evidenced by requests from Government and non-

Governmentorganisationsforassistancewiththeirownserviceandprogramdelivery.

MarrugekuMarrugekupursuespowerfulnew formsofCulturalKnowledgeand the survival, preservationand

growthofIndigenousstory,danceandlanguagethroughthemakingofnewinterculturalperformance

works.

An unparalleled presence in Australia today, Marrugeku is dedicated to Indigenous and non-

IndigenousAustraliansworkingtogethertodevelopnewdancelanguages.Webuildbridgesandbreak

downwallsbetweenurbanandremotedancecommunities,betweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenous

artistsandbetweenlocalandglobalsituations.Ourworksarecreatedoutofurgentandinsurgent

reciprocities,believing,onourwatch,wefacemajorchangeinIndigenousAustraliaandthattelling

storiestogetherisoneofthesimplestandhardestthingswecando.

Marrugekuisledbyco-ArtisticDirectors:DalisaPigram(choreographeranddance)andRachaelSwain

(directoranddramaturg).Workingtogetherfor24years,theyco-conceiveandfacilitateMarrugeku’s

productionsandresearchlaboratories,introducingaudiencestotheuniqueandpotentstructuresof

Indigenous Knowledge systems and the compelling experience of intercultural performance.

Marrugeku’sperformerscomefromdiversebackgroundsanddisciplines,collaboratingtoco-create

eachproduction.OurpatronisYawuruLawManandnationalreconciliationadvocatePatrickDodson.



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Harnessingthedynamicofperformanceexchangedrawnfromremote,urban,interculturalandtrans-

Indigenousapproaches,Marrugekuexpandsthepossibilitiesofcontemporarydance.Ourproductions

tour throughout remoteAustralia, includingMowanjum, Ardyaloon, Bidyadanga in the Kimberley;

regionalandcapitalcityvenuesacrossAustralia;andtootherIndigenousandnon-Indigenouscontexts

throughouttheworld.

MimiMarrugekubeganwiththeprojectMimi,whichwascommissionedbyPerthFestival topremiere in

1996.NamedafterancestralspiritsinArnhemLandthatoftenfeatureinlocalrockart,theproduction

wasmadeinGunbalanya,WesternArnhemLand.ItisbasedonthestoriesofKunwinjkupainterand

storymanThompsonYulidjirri,andtheKarrparrasongcycleofKunwinjkusongmanBruceNabegeyo,

from an original concept byKamilaroi/Mandandanji choreographerMichael Leslie in collaboration

withStalkerTheatre.

CryingBabyMimiwas followed in 2002 byCrying Baby,which was alsodeveloped during long residencies in

GunbalanyaandpremieredatthePerthFestival.In2003MarrugekushifteditsbasetoBroome–the

homeofseveralfoundingcompanymembers.

BurningDaylightBurningDaylight,thecompany’sfirstBroome-basedproductionin2006,wasbornefromfollowing

culturalprotocol,talkingtoElderstohearoftheirconcernsfortheyouthlosingconnectiontotheir

rich,culturalhistory.BurningDaylighttourednationallytowideacclaimin2009.

BuruMarrugeku’ssubsequentwork,BuruexploredtheexperiencesofBroome’sIndigenousyoungpeople

livingintheiruniqueenvironment.Withanamemeaning‘Country’or‘land’,thepiecewasstructured

aroundtheYawuruseasonsandtheDreamingstoriesofferedbyEldersinthecommunitywhocould

speak for those stories.Buru incorporated dance on stilts, video,and songs and rap performed in

YawuruandEnglish,touringthroughouttheKimberleyin2011andCanadaandtheUnitedStatesin

2012.

GudirrGudirrGudirrGudirr,asolopieceforDalisaPigram,exploredthechallengesofdecolonisingthemindsofour

people,identityandthedevastatingratesofsuicideinourregionforourpeople.Thenamerefersto

a small Guwayi (snipe shorebird). Premiering in 2013, Gudirr Gudirr has toured nationally and

internationallysincethenuntilthelatesttourtotheSydneyOperaHousein2018.

OtherProductionsCuttheSkypremieredin2015andsincethenhastouredallmainlandstatesaswellastoBelgium,

Germany,Luxembourg,NewCaledonia,theUnitedStatesandCanada.In2018,Marrugekupremiered

a triple bill, Burrbgaja Yalirra (‘dancing forward’), in Broome and following season Perth. Also

premiering in 2018 in Sydney was Le Dernier Appel (‘the last cry’), an intercultural and trans-

IndigenousproductionwithdancersofFirstNations,immigrantandsettlerdescentfromAustraliaand

NewCaledonia,withtouringfollowedtoNewCaledonia,FranceandBelgium.



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OurPartnerships

Marrugekuhasdevelopedanumberofcollaborativepartnerships intheKimberlyregion, including

AliveandKickingGoals,seniorhighschooldanceprogramsandtheinitiativesthatareoutlinedbelow.

TouringtoRemoteCommunitiesSeeingthepotentialofreturningandfurthercultivatingtheconnectionswehavemadeovertheyears,

Marrugekuisdevelopingasmalltouringcircuitwithremotecommunitiesinourregion,inthehopes

of growing audiences for contemporary dance and storytelling in these locations. Our Cultural

AdvisoryCommitteesupportsandadvisesthecompanytoensureculturalrespectismaintainedand

thatwefollowculturalprotocolswhenworkingwithandindifferentIndigenouscommunities.

SupportingEmergingArtistsMarrugekubelieveitisimportanttosupportemergingartistsandencouragethemtoholdontotheir

ownCulturalKnowledgeandexperiencewhileattendingtraininginstitutesoutsideoftheKimberley.

Asperformers,theabilitytocontributeourownculturalexperiencestoaninterculturalprocessand

contemporary storytellingoffers a chance to expandour andothers’ ideasofwhat contemporary

Indigenous dance can be. Through dance theatre we can give voice to issues that might not be

expressedotherwiseonstagesfromIndigenouspointsofview.

Marrugeku not onlymakes internationally renowned productions that have toured extensively to

regional,remote,urbanandinternationalvenues–wealsoinvestindevelopingopportunitiesthrough

ourdancelaboratories,workshopseries,masterclassesandmentorshipprogramsthatconnectartists

toourprocess.

Additionally, wheneverwe have visiting artists ‘in Country’ we invest in connecting them to that

CountrythroughlearningfromtheFirstPeoples’perspectiveofthatland.

MagabalaBooksBasedinBroome,MagabalaBooksisAustralia'sleadingIndigenouspublisherandcelebratesthetalent

anddiversityofAboriginalandTorresStrait Islander (ATSI)voicesbyproducingquality Indigenous

Australianliterature.

Magabala Books has releasedmore than 200 titles from a range of genres and received various

prestigious literary and national achievement awards since our incorporation in 1990. Our first

publishedtitlesincludedMayi(food),Jagala,StoryofCrowandDonotgoaroundtheedges.

Atthistime,MagabalaBookspublishedtheworksthatcametous.Wenowcommissionworksand

haveanationalfocus,andareparticularlyinterestedinthereflectionofwhatAboriginalpeoplethink

cultureisatthattime.


As published byMowaljarlai with his book Yorro Yorro, we like to say that humanity came from

KimberleyBasin.WedefinitelyleadthewayforAustraliaintermsofcultureandthepublicationof

culturalcontent–thinkingandshapingthingsbothnationallyandinternationally.



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CulturalKnowledgeandLanguageMagabalaBooksseekstoaddressthegapsinCulturalKnowledge,therelayingofhistoricinformation,

the sharing of Cultural Languages and so on. We are committed to the meaningful cultural

representationanddialoguethathasnotbeenpartofAustralianhistory,whilealsorecognisingthat

cultureisnotstaticandisindicativeofthetime.

Wehavetoletculturespeakforitself.

–RachelbinSalleh(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

ChildLiteracyProgramsIt is important that this type of cultural material is delivered to children from a young age and

educationshouldbeseenasthecornerstonetothis–weneedliteracyinthisworldandweneedto

helpourkids.

MagabalaBooks’hasaprogramcalled‘Bigseeds, littleseeds’,whichpairsourseniorauthorswith

youngerpeopletoworkalongsidethemanddeveloptheirliteraryskills.Our‘MagabalaBooksforLittle

Hands’programisaphilanthropicprojectthatpairschildreninneedwithdonatedbookstoincrease

childliteracy.Wearealsoseekingfurtherfundingtodevelopadditionalearlyliteracyprograms.

ATSIBooksforEducationProgramsMagabalaBooks is looking for a partnership to introduceATSI books into all educationprograms,

bilingualorotherwise.OurprimarygoalsareforATSIauthorstoberecognisedalongsidetheirpeers

andtoeducatethecommunityonATSIresourcesthatareinvaluableforallchildrenintheirrespective

learningenvironments.

Tothisend,MagabalaBookstriestogatherculturalstoriesforpublication,includingeverythingfrom

Dreamtimestoriesto50peopletalkingabouthuntingonCountry.Thepurposeisnottomakemoney,

buttoensureculturalstoriesaresharedwithourPeople.

YoungAuthors’AwardAspartofourcommitmenttogroomyoungauthors,wehaverecentlyestablishedayoungauthors’

award–theDaisyUtemorrahAward.Namedafteroneofouroriginalauthors,weareinvestinginour

youngpeopletosharestorieswiththeirpeers.Notonlyisthisimportantforreflectingtheircultural

identitybacktothem,butalsoinreceivingbroaderculturalrecognitionforATSIvoices.Thebook‘Are

youAustralian?Na’hasattemptedtoaddressthisinsomeways.

CommissionedWorksRecognising the cultural richness and inspiration in the Kimberley, Magabala Books is now

commissioningliteracyworksthatspecificallyreflectculture.OurHeroseriesisanexampleofthis,

whichfeatureslocalpeoplewhoareimportanttoourmob.Thisisnotdecidedexternally–Magabala

Booksidentifiesthesepeopleourselves.

AboriginalStaffEmploymentAs an Aboriginal organisation that recognises the importance of cultural visibility and voices, we

prioritisetheemploymentofAboriginalpeopleatMagabalaBooks.Wemakesurethatthefirstperson

customersseeisanAboriginalstaffmember.WealsoencourageandupskillAboriginalpeopleinto

higherpositionssuchaseditors.



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AdvocacyMagabalaBooksalsoadvocatesthatATSIwritersshouldnothavetoonlywriteaboutATSIculture.

We find that we are fighting barriers such as this all of the time. However, we seek a non-

confrontationalwayofeducatingeveryoneandrepresentingcultureinallforms.

OurPartnerships

OvertheyearsMagabalaBookshascollaboratedwithanumberoforganisationsandcommunitiesto

createbooksbytheirlocalcommunityfortheirCountry.ThishasincludedcreatingtheBardiJawibook

thathassincebecomeatemplateforotherculturalgroups,aswellassimilarprojectsinManingrida,

BalgoandNorthQueenslandtonameafew.Wehavefoundthatthechildrenlovetocreateartwork

andstoriesaspartofthisprocessthatbecomeinsightsforrestoftheirCountry

Wepartnerwithvariousartsorganisationsandattimescommissionstoriesaboutartworksand/or

artists,orillustrationsforstories.Forexample,ourKimberleyArtsProgrampartnershipthatinvolves

the five regional Aboriginal Art Centres, whereby the artists are paid on commission for their

illustrationsandnarratives.Theyalsoreceiveroyaltiesfrombooksales.

MagabalaBooksensuresthatculturalprotocolsareembeddedwithintheprocessandcopyrightstays

withthestoryteller,artistandanyoneelsewhocollaboratesonthebook.WhileIntellectualProperty

(IP) and copyright is sometimes shared with outsiders, it must always stay with the Aboriginal

contributor(s).Wedonotengagewithprojectsthatareunwillingtodothis.

AliveandKickingGoalsAliveandKickingGoals(AKG)wasestablishedin2008bymembersoftheBroomeSaintsFootballClub

(theAKGSteeringGroup)inresponsetoincreasingconcernaboutsuicideamongyoungIndigenous

men.In2009,theSteeringGroupchosetopartnerwiththeMen’sOutreachService(MOS)inBroome,

toauspicethefundingandmanagementoftheprogram.

Sincethen,theprogramhasgrownandnowseekstoempowerKimberleyyouthtorecognisethevalue

oftheirlives,takeownershipoftheirlivesandchoices,andseeksupport.


Operatingintheareaofmentalhealth,suicidepreventionandcommunityempowerment,wework

primarilyacrosstheWestKimberleyandareengagedbytheEastKimberleyoninvitation.Wedeliver

anumberofkeyprogramsandresources,including:

• EducationalAlcoholandDrugWorkshops– foryoungAboriginalpeople in theKimberley,

deliveredbylocalAboriginalstaff

• Suicide Prevention Awareness Workshops – that are delivered by Aboriginal staff, with

versionsspecificallyformales,femalesandunder15-year-olds

• IndividualandSchool-basedMentoring–frommaleandfemaleAboriginalworkers

• ‘On-Country’Workshops–forgroupsincommunitiesaroundtheWestKimberley

• DVDs–forouryoungmenandwomen,aspartofoursuicidepreventionprograms(currently

worksinprogress)



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OurPartnerships

Throughout this process, AKG has developed a number of collaborative partnerships with

organisations such as the Kimberley AboriginalMedical Service, Garnduwa, Nirrumbuk Aboriginal

Corporation, Clontarf, Girls Academy, OurMob (StMary’s Playgroup), Beagle Bay School and the

KimberleyLandCouncilRangerProgram.

Weareactiveintheresearchspace,presentingatnationalandstateconferences,andcontributingto

theearlymeetingsof theNationalCriticalResponseTeam,BlankPageSummitsanddraft regional

CulturalSecurityProtocols.AKGhasalsodeliveredpilotprogramsforBlackDogInstitute(I-Bobbly)

and‘Footprintsforbetterhealth’.



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CENTRALTRADITION(DERBY,FITZROYCROSSING&THEFITZROYVALLEY)The Central Tradition cultural bloc encompasses the Fitzroy River (Marawarra/Mardoowarra) and

surroundingFitzroyValley,asitflowswestfromthecentralKimberleytoitsmouthintheKingSound

(atMooroolMoorool).ItincludestheWangkatjungka,Walmajarri,Gooniyandi,Bunuba,Walmajarri

andNyikinaMangalaLanguageGroups,aswellasthelargertownsofDerbyandFitzroyCrossing.

Atotalof20AboriginalorganisationsfromtheCentralTraditionparticipatedinthisproject,namely:

• Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre (Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina

AboriginalCorporation)

• MangkajaArtsResourceAgency

• MadjullaIncorporated

• NyikinaIncorporated

• MarninwarntikuraWomen’sResourceCentre

• 6DBYLarrkardiRadio

• WangkiYupurnanupurruRadio936AM

• Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation, Dambimangari Rangers and the Dambimangari

IndigenousProtectedArea(collaborativeresponseprovided)

• Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation and Nyikina Mangala Rangers (collaborative response

provided)

• Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation and Bunuba Rangers (collaborative response

provided)

• Winun Ngari Aboriginal Corporation,Winun Ngari Employment Services and DerbyMen’s

Shed(collaborativeresponseprovided)

• YirimanProject

• NindilingarriCulturalHealthServices

• AboriginalUnit,NorthRegionalTAFE

MowanjumAboriginalArtandCultureCentre(MowanjumArtistsSpiritoftheWandjinaAboriginalCorporation)Run by the Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation, the Mowanjum

AboriginalArtandCultureCentre(MowanjumArts)isbasedintheMowanjumAboriginalCommunity

ontheoutskirtsofDerby.

Mowanjum Arts is the creative hub for the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal tribes, whose

TraditionalLandsareinthecentralandnorthpartsoftheregion.Broughttogethertothiscommunity

duringhistorictimes,thethreegroupsareinterconnectedthroughtheWanjina-Wunggurrandunited

bytheirbeliefintheWandjinaasasacredspiritualforceandthecreatorsoftheland.Thesethree

LanguageGroupsarethecustodiansofWandjinaLawandiconographyandthisisrepresentedinthe

artworksproducedhere.

Ultimately,MowanjumArtsisheretosupportculturalpracticesandweareguidedinallwedobyour

CulturalBoard.Engagingoldandyoungintheproductionofartandperformance,wekeepculture

strongforall.



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MowanjumArtshasagalleryandstudiospace,oftenhostingexhibitions,workshopsandcommunity

projects,aswellas theannualMowanjumFestival–oneofAustralia's longest running Indigenous

culturalfestivals.

Criticaltooursuccesshasbeenourrelationshipwiththecommunity–weareanintegralpartofit.

WehaveastronggroupofCulturalLeadersasourBoard,whoknowwhattheyhavetodotokeep

peoplestrong.Oftenoutsidersandoutsideorganisationscomein,meaningwell,buttheydonotknow

thepeopleortheplace,andoftencostmorethandirectinvestmentincommunitypeoplewould.

DolordMindiCommunityArchiveInaddition toourartsandculturalcelebrations,MowanjumArtshasacommunityarchivewecall

DolordMindi.Thenamemeansa‘deepcave’andiswherepeoplewouldtraditionallyshelterandstore

thingsforsafekeeping.ArtcanbefoundintheDolordMindi,aswellasstoriesandLanguagethat

echothroughthespace.Thisknowledgeresonateswiththosewhoarelisteningandthosewhocarry

itoutontotheland.

Manyofourculturalprojectsstarthereandthearchivehelpstobothfacilitatetheseprojectsand

store their outcomes. The archive includes cultural mapping programs on-Country that are then

representedinour‘cave’,whichshowcasesourculturally-embeddedactivities.

ThroughDolordMindiweareabletocelebrateourCulturewithournextgenerationsthroughourart

and performance. This is part of an important process aswe prepare for ourMowanjum Festival

programeachyear.

ArtandArtefactCollectionsMowanjumArts’comprehensivecollectionofartandartefactsaretheheartofourartscentre–it

feedsintoeverything.Agreatexampleistheresurgenceofoldimagesandaudiovisualmaterialthat

ofteninspirethenextgeneration–providingaculturalbridgebetweenoldandyoung,andhelpingto

reviveandrevitaliseourTraditionalpractices.

JunbaProjectThistypeofintergenerationaltransferofCulturalKnowledgeisalsoembeddedwithinourJunba(song

anddance)Project,anAboriginalperformanceprogramthatweundertakeincollaborationwiththe

UniversityofMelbourne.

MowanjumArtsiscommittedtosupportingthetransferenceofsongs,Language,danceandbodyart

associatedwith Junba.We have young people learning singing from Elders, and then performing

togetherattheMowanjumFestival.Werecordtheseexperiencesandsharethemthroughsensory

meansattheartscentre.Wearealsointheprocessofintroducingmoreinteractivematerial.

BodyPaintingThisinvestmentinourownyoungpeopleiscriticalandrightnowwehaveyoungpeopleinparticular

whoare interested in learningmoreaboutthespecificsofbodypainting.Unfortunately,therehas

beenabreak intheknowledgetransferassociatedwithbodypainting–theprocessandwhatthe

symbolsmean.



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Inpartnershipwith theDambimangariRangers,weare researching thisart-form,with localyoung

peopleworkingwith theEldersand thearchives simultaneously.The researchwillproduceanew

collectionofresourcesforthearchive,providingmultimediatrainingandcapacitybuildingofthose

youngpeopleastheycreatetherecordsthemselves.AllofthesecontributetoDolordMindiandare

housedinourStorylinesdatabase.

PhotographyandScreen-PrintingAnother contemporarymedium that is utilised atMowanjumArts is photography, the outputs of

whichleadtothescreen-printingofdesigns.

CulturalGovernanceCommunityCulturalGovernanceisjustasimportantforthesetypesofinitiativesandMowanjumArts

makessurethatourCulturalBossesarepaidfortheirexpertise.Weareinvestigatingfurtherwaysthis

canhappen, suchas engagingwith the touristmarketmoreandprovidingeducational services in

culturalprotocolson-Country.

RockArtEducationMowanjumArtsisinterestedindoingmorearoundeducationrelatingtorockartsites–thatis,letting

peopleknowthat thereareculturalprocesses to followandhowtoapproachsites inaculturally-

securemanner.

One way we could do this is through interpretative touch screens in Dolord Mindi that provide

informationonthesiteofNamarali,whichislocatedonWorroraCountry.Namaralihasbeenrecorded

in3DincollaborationwiththeUniversityofWesternAustralia(UWA).Whilethereisalotofinterest

inthesite,itisalsosacred,sowehavesoughttoprovideasatisfactoryexperiencewithoutrevealing

thelocationoranysensitivematerial.

CulturalAwarenessandCross-CulturalSafetySoonaguidedtourwillbeshownutilisingarchivalfilms,tosharemoreinformationaboutculturally-

safebehaviouron-Country.Examplesincludetheneedtoleaveculturalmaterial,suchaspaperbark

parcelsandgrindingstones,wheretheyarefound.

ThisisculturallyimportantandhelpstolookafterCountryandkeepithealthy.Whenthingsaretaken

it often leaves people sick. Therefore, in the spirit of the return of ‘sorry rocks’ at Uluru (ones

previouslytakenassouvenirs),wewanttodiscouragenegativebehaviourlikethisfortheKimberley.

OurPartnerships

Ourartistswork inourstudiospaceand,unlikeotherAboriginalartcentres,mostdonotwant to

engagedirectlywith tourists. So that theartistsarenotmade to feel likeexhibits themselves,we

showcasetheirpaintingsandculturalmaterialinthegallery,wheresalesarethenmade.

Onceartistshavebeenpaid,salesprofitsandGovernmentfundingprovideourprimaryresources.

Thoughwe invest inourarchiveandcommunityculturalprograms,wedonot raise revenue from

these activities. Rather,we struggle tomaintain administrative support positions and find, like so

manyintheregion,weareboundbyonesmall,short-termfundingagreementafteranother.

Despitethis,wehaveforgednumerouscollaborativepartnershipsovertheyears,includingwithDerby

District High School, the Derby Youth Centre, the Kimberley Language Resource Centre, Nulungu



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Research Institute (University of Notre Dame). KALACC continues to be a key partner, working

togetherparticularlyontherepatriationofmaterialtoWanjina-WunggurrCountry.

We also partner with other art centres in the region, such as Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency,

WarringarriAboriginalArtsandWarmunArtCentre.WetrytoworkwithKiraKiro,theartscentrein

Kalumburuaswellbut,aswithmostorganisations,thiscanbedifficultattimesduetodistance.Recent

fundingthroughtheIndigenousLanguageandArtsProgramhasassistedtofacilitatethisprocess.

MowanjumArtsalsohascrucialpartnershipswiththeArtGalleryofWesternAustralia(e.g.theDesert

River Sea: Portraits of the Kimberley exhibition), University ofWestern Australia (particularly the

Centre for Rock Art Research andManagement), state and national museums, and theWanjina-

Wunggurr Aboriginal Corporations (Wilinggin, Dambimangari and Wunambal Gaambera). The

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and Indigenous

CommunityTelevision(ICTV)assistwiththearchiveandbroadcastingofourvideos,particularlyofthe

MowanjumFestivalevents.

Links with language organisations like the Kimberley Language Resource Centre and Batchelor

InstituteofIndigenousTertiaryEducationhavebeenimportantandwehavespentmuchtimeoflate

nurturingtheserelationships.

MangkajaArtsResourceAgencyMangkajaArtsdevelopedinresponsetoalocalinitiativeoftheformerKarrajiliAdultEducationCentre

in1981.Ledbythelocalmen,theinitiativeprovidedaplacewherepeoplecouldstudyandpainttheir

personalstories,bushtripsandhistories.

By1993,MangkajaArtsResourceAgency(MangkajaArts)wasestablishedinourownrightandwe

arenowinourthirdhome,whichislocatedinFitzroyCrossingtowncentre.Weobtainedthename

MangkajafromaWalmajarriwordforthewetweathershelterstheWalmajarripeopleintheGreat

SandyDeserterectedduringthewetseason.NamedbyoneofMangkajaArts’foundingmembers,

KumanjayiSkipper(deceased),theechidnainourlogowashistotem.

MangkajaArts is steeredby a BoardofDirectors that is elected each year at ourAnnualGeneral

Meetingandmeetsregularlytodiscussdecisionsaffectingthedevelopmentoftheartcentre.This

decision-makingprocessistakenseriously.


Today,MangkajaArtsfunctionsasafineartgallery,specialtystore,andstudiospacefortheartiststo

paintandmakeculturalartefacts.WearefundedthrougharangeofGovernmentagenciesandour

otheroperationalincomeisderivedfromcommissionsandsales.

CulturalImmersionandBack-to-CountryTripsProvidingadualservicethatfacilitatesback-to-Countrytripsforculturalengagementandimmersion,

welikewisecatertothetourismmarket.MangkajaArtsisabletodoboththroughourcollaborative

partnershipswithrangerteams,whereweprovideculturalguidancefortherangersandtheyconduct

CaringforCountryactivitieswhileonthetrips,includingfiremanagement.



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Theseprogramsalsohelpgettingthekidsoutoftown;wecantakethem,theycanwalk,

theycandance,gothatoldroadcomingdown,takethemoutthere,somethinglikethat.

Weneedcontinuingsupportforthis.

–MervynStreet(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

OuroldpeoplearegoinggoodwithpaintinghereatMangkajaArts.TheypaintCountryandtripsare

important for them to go andpaint there. Telling their story thisway is an important part of the

creativeprocess.Thetipsalsogiveusthechancetoteachtheyoungpeoplestoriesandaboutbush

plants,whichwesharewiththerangerswhoarestilllearningtoo.Wetellthemtheyhavetospeak

Languageon-Country.Thisway they learn their identity,andabout their relationships todifferent

peopleanddifferentplaces.

Can’tseparateartandculture.Noculture,noart.Noart,noculture.

–JuneDavis(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

OtherCulturalPracticesForsomeofouroldpeople,eventhesebushtripsarehardandtheyfind itdifficulttogetouton-

Country,sotheypaintCountryinstead.Thishelpsthemfeelstronginthemselvestoo.Culturemakes

usstrongandsodooursonglines (sacredDreamingtracksthatcharttheAustralian landscapeand

informAboriginalculture)–knowingthisiseverything.

SometimeswewonderhowwewillteachourCultureifourLandisnotaccessible–manycompanies

comeinandwantitall,whichwillpotentiallyleavethenextgenerationwithmoneybutnoCulture,

noLanguage,noLand.

Toreducethechancesofthis,MangkajaArtsinvestsinreignitingotherculturalpracticesandfocusses

notjusthowtocreatethingsbuthowtoaccessandharvestthematerialsneededtomakethem.This

includesTraditionalformsofartforcontemporaryaudiences,likehairweaving,forexample.

LikethisNESP[NationalEnvironmentalScienceProgram]project.Wegottateachourkids

so theyknowso thatminingpeoplewon’tbeable to takeCountry.That irrigationget

biggerwegottateachthem–won’tbeabletoswimwithchemicals–Margaretandthe

FitzroyRiver.NotjustCulture,wegottateachbutabouttherivertoo.

–LynleyNargoodah(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

CommunityCulturalEducationMangkajaArtsisintheprocessofcreatingatravellingexhibitionabouttheFitzroyRiver,whichwill

startinPerth.Wealsooccasionallyholdfilmnightstoprovideculturaleducationopportunitiesforthe

community.

YouthProgramsSometimesMangkajaArtsvisitsthelocalschools, includingWesleyYiramalayStudioSchoolandits

parentschoolofWesleyCollege(Melbourne),toteachaboutCountryandCulture.Workingwiththe

students,wehaveintroduceddigitalanimationintoourcontemporarymediumsandaretriallingthis

technique inMilijideeandYakanarra.Asa result, studentsareengagingmorewithculturalarts in

theselocationsthaneverbefore.



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WetrytofocusonprovidingactivitiestothetownkidsratherthanjustthoseinthebroaderFitzroy

Valley – the community kids have more access to cultural activities so Mangkaja Arts feels it is

importanttoprovidetheseavenuesforthetownkidstoo.

CulturalKnowledgeandStorySharingMangkajaArtsworkshardtosharestoriesincontemporaryways.Theseareculture-basednarratives

aboutCountryratherthanfighting(asweseeinsomanyappstoday),withmanyusingtechnologies

to reinstate thisCulturalKnowledge.We find thatwehavemore than30yearsof storieshereon

canvasaspartofMangkaja’sartcollection.Thisisoneofthewaysthatwehavebeenworkingtomake

theculturalstoriesthatarerepresentedintheartworksaccessibleforeveryonetoengagewith.

Assisted by our Cultural Governance framework that provides representation and guidance from

membersofourfiveLanguageGroups,wespeaktorepresentativesofeachoftheLanguageGroups

fortherespectiveon-Countrybeforetrips,aswellasrelevantarchivematerial.TheBoardalsoassists

andencouragesustorecordthestoriestokeepthemalive.

OurPartnerships

MangkajaArtshasamultitudeofcreativeculturally-embeddedinitiativesandstrategiccollaborations

withkeyorganisationstoachievefurthersuccess.

InitiativesandlinkswithKimberley-basedartscentreshavemeantthattogetherwehavebeenable

to showcase Kimberley art.Mangkaja Arts is also engaged for public artworks in broader Fitzroy

Crossingtown.CollaboratingwithJuvenileJustice(DepartmentofJustice),theShireofDerby/West

Kimberley(SDWK)andGarnduwa,wehaveproducedthemostappropriateworksforourlocalCountry

inanumberofpublicspaces.

Our strong connections with other local organisations, such as the Marninwarntikura Women’s

ResourceCentre,NindilingarriCulturalHealthServicesandtheWAPolice,haveresultedincollective

resourcesthatenablegreateraccesstoCountry.

MangkajaArtsevenconnectedwiththeKarajarrimoblastyearandhadsupportforouroldpeople

throughJuniperGuwardiNgaduResidentalCare.Researchishappeninginthisspace–intherolethat

theEldersandelderlyplayinourartscentres–andhopefullyrecognitionwillfollowforourartists.

MangkajaArtsalsotriestosupportotheractivitiesintheLoomaandJimbalakudunjcommunities,who

havebeenmakingscarvesinpartnershipwiththeMarninwarntikuraWomen’sResourceCentre.

GarnduwaandMentalHealth(throughNindilingarriCulturalHealthServices)providesupportforour

youngerandemergingartists,thoughwearelimitedinourstaffingresources.Therefore,aspartofa

jointinitiativeGarnduwaandMentalHealthareassistinguswithadditionalstaff,whichwillhaveflow-

oneffectsforotherinitiatives.Forexample,ourschoolpartnershipsforNAIDOCWeekactivitiesat

Bayulu,schoolvisits toMangkajaArts,anddisabilityservices thatassiststudents toget toremote

schools.

MangkajaArtsprovidespathwaystoassistjobseekers,including:

• Oralhistoryrecording

• Developingthetextandillustrationsforlanguagebooks,incollaborationwithalinguistand

theKimberleyLanguageResourceCentre(e.g.aGooniyandibook,andacollaborationwith



43|P a g e

Kimberley-based Aboriginal artists about early station life that was published by ABC

KimberleyandisavailablethroughMagabalaBooks)

• DanceperformersviaourrelationshipwithKALACC

MadjullaIncorporatedMadjulla Incorporated (Madjulla Inc) was established to support the social developmentof our

membersinallways–buildingtrustandfriendshipbetweenourselvesandotherpeopleinthe

sharingofouruniqueIndigenousculture,knowledgeandpracticeasoriginalAustraliansfroma

globallyunique region.Wearebased in the communityofBalginjirr (Lower Liveringa)on the

banksoftheFitzroyRiverandalsooperateoutofBroomeandDerbyonNyikinaCountry.

Withafocusonresearch,education,evaluationandculturaltourism,allwedoisunderpinnedbya

culturalframeworkthatisreflectedinthesixprinciplesofourConstitution:

• To support the education, training, research, evaluation of human resource and

communityservicesandsupport,workandhousingforourmembers

• To help and encourage our members to keep and renew their affairs upon the

custodianshipoftheirownlands

• Tohelpandencourageourmemberstokeepand renewtheirTraditional Culture and

spiritualvalues

• TomakeeveryeffortasAustralianTraditionalOwnersandcustodianstoachieveecological

sustainability for the planet Earth by doing all things designed to protect the natural

environmentbothinAustraliaandelsewhere

• To generally take such action as we consider necessary or appropriate in the interest of

promotingconservation

• Tofostercustodianshipoftheearth'snaturalresourcesinamannerthatmaximisesoptions

forcurrentandfuturegenerations


CulturalDevelopmentProgramsNyikinaCultureisthefoundationforgroundingourphilosophyandpractice.MadjullaInchasworked

inclosepartnershipoverthepast15yearswithNyikinaIncorporatedandseniorCulturalEldersfrom

acrosstheWestKimberleyincommunityculturaldevelopmentwork.

Wehavebeenabletoworkwithawiderangeofnationalandinternationaluniversitiestosupportour

culturalmappingandrecordingofculturewithinourculturallandscape.Withthisknowledgewehave

beenabletoincorporateTraditionalCulturalKnowledge(Indigenousscience)withWesternscience

tooverlayCulturalandEnvironmentalKnowledgethatshowcasestheMardoowarra(FitzroyRiver)as

agloballyuniquegeo-heritageculturallandscape.

IncomeandEmploymentOpportunitiesWithinourmembershipMadjullaIncalsohasseveraltalentedartists,painters,pottersandsculptors

whohaveallbeenabletoselltheirproductsathigh-endmarkets.Wehavebuiltacatalogueoftheir

pieces,andtheseexamplesareusedtosupportopportunitiestopromoteandmarketourserviceson-

Country.



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SeveralAboriginalpeople intheregionhavebeenemployedasaresultofourcommunitycultural

developmentknowledgeandpracticeoverthepast15years.Thiseconomicinvestmenthashelped

strengthen theircapacity to takeupotheremploymentandeconomicopportunities in the region.

Manyhavegoneontoworkinthecultureandartsindustriesnationally.

MajalaWildernessCentreAdditionally,overthepast10yearsMadjullaInchasbeenbuildingtheMajalaWildernessCentrein

our remote community. It will become ourmajor economic investment andwe have applied for

fundingsupporttooperationalisethisfacilityin2019.

TheMajalaWildernessCentrewillalsobeavailableforotherinstitutionsandagenciestopurchase

accommodation,meals, venue usage and support services for other purposes, such as residential

trainingandeducationprograms,staffdevelopmentworkshopsandretreats.Itwillalsobearetreat

for familieswanting to connectandhave timeon the riverCountry to strengthen their social and

culturaltimewiththeirfamilies.

MardoowarraInstituteandMardoowarraCollegeIn 2019 we are also looking to partner with Nyikina Incorporated to develop the concept of a

Mardoowarra InstituteandMardoowarraCollege. Foundedonprinciplesof reintegrating thearts,

science, culture and nature and of practices of connecting people to Culture and Country, it is

visualised as an innovation hub and centre for excellence in sustainability and liveability for the

tropicalsavannah.

It will promote health, education and empowered development initiatives that focus on creating

transformative futures.Most importantly, it is a social andeconomicendeavour for targeting and

investinginyoungIndigenouspeoplethroughouttheWestKimberley.

ArtsPerformanceMadjullaInchassuccessfullysecuredfundingtodevelopseveralartperformancesthatincorporate

paintings,poetry,danceandlivetheatre.Inpartneringwithprofessionalarts-basedorganisations,as

well as local and international artists, these performances have toured regionally, nationally and

internationally. We are currently planning to take our most recent performance, Song for the

Mardoowarra,toFranceinSeptember2019.

OurorganisationhasseveraltalentedNyikinamenwhoworknationallyinthearts,theatre,mediaand

musicspaces.Acoregroupofthesemendevelopedtheirdance,musicandsongabilitiestoformthe

‘LiyanDancers’andarekeentoreturntotheKimberleyforspecificartperformanceevents.

MadjullaIncbelievestheMajalaWildernessCentrewillbecomeaninvitingspacetodevelopandhost

liveperformancewithinthenexttwoyears,aswellaspotentiallytoprovideotherartisticexperiences

andworkshops.Welookforwardtosharingthespacewithothers.

HeritageOurNyikinaheritage is groundedalong the riverCountry.Heritage includesplace-based songlines

(sacredDreamingtracksthatcharttheAustralianlandscapeandinformAboriginalculture),whichare

groundedinourbloodline.AsNyikinaPeople,wehavefamilymembersburiedatYeeda,Pandanus

Park, Balginjirr, Mt Anderson through to Nookanbah – our grandmothers’ Country. We have

developedourculturalheritagewithafocusonourmother’sCountryatBalginjirrcommunity.



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By extensively culturally mapping the heritage sites located around our community, we have

generatedanextensiveculturalheritagedatabasethatdocumentsmaps,songs,stories,photosand

plants. This process has enabled us to record a new heritage site, which was listed with the

DepartmentofIndigenousAffairsin2017.

Ouruniversitypartnershipshavegivenus theopportunity tousedrones tomapavastamountof

heritage, including the medicine and food sources around Balginjirr community. This has been

extendedtoaeriallymapregisteredsitesaswellasnewheritagesites.

EcologicalGuardianshipandSustainabilityAsoriginalAustralianTraditionalOwnersandcustodianswhocareaboutecologicalsustainabilityfor

ourregion,nationandplanetEarth,MadjullaInciscommittedtomakingeveryefforttoprotectthe

naturalenvironment.Ouradvocacyfosterscustodianshipoftheearth'snaturalresourcesinamanner

thatmaximisesoptionsforcurrentandfuturegenerations.Thissupportstheprinciplesofdonoharm

topeople,theenvironmentor,mostimportantly,MardoowarraCountry.

We believe theMardoowarra is a living ancestral being with the right to life and we have been

published in legal and scientific journals to influence public opinion and policy in this field. As

custodiansandguardiansoftheMardoowarrawebelievetheRiverownsusanditisamajorcultural,

environmentalandspiritualassetforsustainingthe livesofallpeoplewhoshareand livealong its

livingwatersystems.

OurPartnerships

UniversitiesandResearchersMadjulla Incmostlycollaborateswithuniversitiesand independent researchers, scientistand legal

entities.Ourmanagementteamareexperiencedprofessionalpeoplewithagreatdealofexperience

inmanagingprojectswithAboriginalcommunity,universityandGovernmentagencies.

As recognised senior academics,Madjulla Inc continues to partnerwith universities in developing

curriculum and teaching pilot courses, conducting research projects, publishing academic journal

articles, serving on committees and supervising post-graduate students. We offer our research,

trainingandevaluationskillsonafee-for-servicebasistosupportourorganisation.

Wewillcontinuetostrengthenthesecollaborationsintothefuture.

DreamWorldOurculturalprogramsandknowledgehavecreatedalong-termrelationshipwithDreamWorldonthe

GoldCoastandourphotos,storiesandimagesareonpublicdisplaytoshowcaseourwork.

InDecember2017seniorwomenwereabletosharetheirsongsandstorieswithDreamworldand

incorporatethemintotwonewpublicexhibitionsthatopenedinearly2018ontheGoldCoast.These

storiesarenowpartofthepermanentexhibitiontitled‘Corrobboree’ (meaning ‘danceceremony’)

thataccompaniesthelargeKimberleyExhibitontheFitzroyRiverandtheRainbowSerpent.Wehave

documentedthispartnershipinfilmandwrittenreports,whichareavailableonrequest.



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NyikinaIncorporatedMadjulla Inc has successfully secured Federal Government operational and workforce funding to

developanddelivercommunityculturaldevelopmentandprojectsandprogramsinpartnershipwith

NyikinaIncorporated.

NyikinaLanguageandcultureprojectsincludetheNyikinadictionaryinelectronicandtextformats,

andproducingNyikinaLanguageteachingmaterialsandresourcesinfilm,textandbilingualchildren’s

audio picture books. Intended to educate about the globally unique biodiverse landscapes of the

FitzroyRivervalley,theseresourceswillbeavailableforsale.Wearecurrentlycompletingaseriesof

animations,buthavenowtransitionedawayfromthelanguageworkandadvocatedtotheFederal

GovernmentthatanyfutureinvestmentinthisareashouldbedirectedtowardsNyikinaInc.

GovernmentPolicyInputAs professional researchers and evaluators, we collaborate with others to evaluate a range of

Governmentcommunitydevelopment,culturalandtheartspoliciesandpractices.Muchofthiswork

regardscritiquinganddocumentingsystemicracismandstructuralviolence.MadjullaInccontinues

touseourcapacitytocreatereportsandfilmstoriesfromindividualsandcommunitiesasameansfor

advocatingchangeandsustainableculturaldevelopment.

MadjullaInc’smostcontemporaryworkandpublicationsinvolvebuildingasoundbodyofevidence

toshiftpolicyand investmenttowardstherecognitionthat,asAboriginalpeople,weare inapost

NativeTitleDeterminationphase–andmustthereforethinkstrategicallyabouthowweframeour

culturalrightsaroundFirstLaw,CustomaryLaw,andourhumanrighttoreachourfullpotentialas

uniqueIndigenousPeoples.Weneedtostrengthenourcapacityandensurewehavebothsustainable

livesandsustainabledevelopmentonourriverCountry.

TourismInmorerecenttimes,MadjullaInchasbeenpublishedininternationaljournalsandbooksregarding

theuniqueculturalexperiencesandlandscapeasaglobaldestination.Thisinformationissharedwith

otherorganisations,suchastheWesternAustralianIndigenousTourismOperatorsCouncil(WAITOC),

toshowcasetheircapacityinsupportingculturaltourismexperiencesintheregion.

On-CountryEducationMuchofwhatwedo and share is reflected in theMajalaWilderness Centre. Stemming from the

experienceBalginjirrcommunitymembershadpioneeringblock-mode(intensive,fast-trackedcourse

delivery) university and community education and training programs in the 1980s, these intense

experienceson-Countryproducedoutstandingresults,particularlyforIndigenousstudents.

While there are many university courses that teach Indigenous studies ‘from a text book’ in a

classroom,atMajalaWildernessCentreweprovideanopportunityforstudentswhoareinterestedin

Indigenousstudies,theenvironment,history,geologyorotherdisciplinestogaincomfortable,safe

andguidedfieldaccesstopristinewilderness.

NyikinaIncorporatedOfficiallynamed theNyikinaAssociation,Nyikina Incorporated (Nyikina Inc)was setupbyNyikina

Elders in the township of Derby to look after Language, Culture, Country and Community in



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partnership with Nyikina People. The following three core principles reflect our cultural

underpinnings:

• Tobringabouttheself-supportandadvocacyofourmembersandtheirextendedfamiliesand

communities through the development of culture, conservation, heritage and science

economies

• Tohelpandencourageourmembers,aswellastheirextendedfamiliesandcommunities,to

keepandrenewtheiraffairsuponthecustodianshipandguardianshipofourownlandsand

livingwaters,inclusiveoftheLowerregionoftheMardoowarra(FitzroyRiver)

• Tohelpandencourageourmembers,aswellastheirextendedfamiliesandcommunities,to

keepandstrengthenourTraditionalcultureandspiritualvalues.

CultureisthecapitalforconnectingusasauniquepeopletotheKimberleyandbeyondtotheworld.

WeshareFirstLawandCustomaryLawwithallourneighbours,extending fromtheMardoowarra

(riverCountry)andthehillCountrytothesea.

NyikinaPeopleareconnectedbykinship,bloodlinesandsonglines(sacredDreamingtracksthatchart

theAustralian landscapeand informAboriginalculture)viaceremony,tradeandculturalexchange

throughouttheregionandintobroaderAustralia.Weareconnectedthroughculturethroughasetof

rules,FirstLaw,thatpromotestherighttolifeforalllivingthings.


MardoowarraHeritageRecognitionNyikina People’s identity is constructed around our deep relationship withMardoowarra (Fitzroy

River)Country.Thisriverisgloballyuniqueandnotfoundanywhereelseontheplanet.Asguardians

andcustodiansfromthemouthofMardoowarratoMijirrikan,fromthebeginningoftimewehavea

duty of care to protect the heritage of the river Country for human and non-human beings for

generationstocome.

Our cultural stories and connection to the Mardoowarra is recognised as a major cultural and

environmentalasset,whichisrecognisedinbothaWAAboriginalHeritageSiteListingandNational

HeritageListing(2011),forthewholeriverasoneintactsystem.Thisstronglinkbetweenpeople,place

andheritage is seen in theKimberleyCaring forCountryPlan’s landmanagementvision: “Healthy

country,healthypeople”(Griffiths&Kinnane2011).

NyikinaCulturalCentre,LanguageDatabaseandLanguageResourcesWehavebeenworkingonrefurbishingthehistoricHolmanHouse inDerbyastheNyikinaCultural

Centreforanumberofyearsandthisprojectwillberealisedin2019–2020.DuringthistimeNyikina

Inchasworkedtirelesslytodevelopextensivelanguageandculturalcontent,whichwouldnothave

beenpossiblewithoutourNyikinaElders,whohavechampionedtheneedtoensureourown‘cultural

solutions’.

OuraccessibleNyikinaLanguageresourcesincludefilms,books,CDs,podcasts,aplantdatabase,songs

andculturalmapsthathavebeenproducedbytwoofourfluentNyikinaLanguagespeakers,sisters

LucyMarshallandJeannieWarbie.NyikinaInchasusedthisworktoproduceaNyikinadictionaryand

CDwithaudioofpeoplespeaking,asalanguageresourceofworld’sbestpracticestandard.



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WehavealsohadtheopportunitytoshareNyikinaLanguageinpublicliveperformancesregionally,

nationallyandglobally.

NyikinaLanguageAppHowever, Nyikina Language remains critically endangered. We need to advocate for additional

resourcestocontinuethisvitalwork,sowecanfindnewwaysforourcommunitytolearnandapply

NyikinaLanguageineverydayuse.Tothisend,weareseekingtodevelopthedatabaseintoaNyikina

Appsopeoplecanhear,learnandsayLanguagewherevertheyare.

OurPartnerships

NyikinaInc’sstrategicculturalactionsandsolutionsstrengthenourcapacitytohelppeopletoreach

their full potential as human beings who are Nyikina. This relationship is deeply connected and

investedwiththeMardoowarra–asacredancestralbeingwitharight to lifebecause itgivesand

supportslife.Thislifeforceisthespiritualessenceofourculture.

We have been fortunate in working withmany Nyikina People to strengthen our capacity in the

maintenance and survival of our Nyikina Language. Nyikina Inc also recognises and values the

contributionmade by the Kimberley Language Resource Centre to the preservation of Kimberley

AboriginalLanguages,includingNyikina.

However, the culturalmaterials generatedover thepast 14 years havebeendone so despite the

competitive yet often unsuccessful grant applications submitted, which reflects a major gap and

failurebyGovernmentpolicy,practiceandinvestmentinAboriginalLanguages.Itiscriticallyevident

that State and Federal Governments need to shift away from one-year grant funding cycles for

organisations that can demonstrate value, transparency and accountability for public monies

received.

Instead,triennialfundingmodelswouldallowuscontinuethevitalworkgeneratedbyNyikinaIncto

dateandsustainitintothefuture.FederalandStateGovernmentsneedtoworktogethertoseriously

investinandsupportAboriginalorganisations

LikemanyotherAboriginalorganisations in theKimberley regionandacrossAustralia,Nyikina Inc

urgentlyneedsfundingbecausewithinthenextfiveyears,weareunlikelytohavefluentspeakersof

highculturaldegreesharingtheirculture,knowledgeandpractice.Australiacannotaffordtoallow

thelossoftheremainingAboriginalLanguages.

MarninwarntikuraWomen’sResourceCentreMarninwarntikuraWomen’sResourceCentre(MWRC)isacentreofinspirationthatprovideswomen

andtheirfamiliesaplaceforpositivechangeandleadership.MarninwarntikuraisaWalmajarriword

–Marninmeans'women',Wantimeans'bigmobsofwomen',andKurameans'belongingto'.When

saidtogether, itmeansthatthewomenwhobelongtothisregion,thesecountriesandeachother

havecometogether.

MWRC’s vision is to “strengthen the power ofwomen and their families to create culturally rich,

engaged and healthy lives for Indigenous peoples living in the Fitzroy Valley and beyond”.

Underpinningthisvisionisthefollowingsetofcorevalues:



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• Wevalueandrespecteveryperson,operatewithfeelingandsensitivityandembracecultural

diversity

• Weencourageandsupportpersonalgrowth,prideandleadership

• Weworkcollaboratively

• Weareaccountabletothecommunity

Ourgoalsforourorganisation,ourcommunityandourfamiliesare:

• Nurturingchildrenandyoungpeopletoreachtheirfullpotential

• Strengtheningfamiliesthroughthe journeyofhealingfromintergenerationalandearly life

trauma,griefandloss

• Buildingasustainableandenablingorganisation

• Facilitatingparticipationineconomiesandactivitiesthatenhancewellbeing


Todothis,MWRChasbeenengagedinnumerousprogramsandprojects,allofwhichareculturally-

driven responses to supportourcommunity.Ourwork isdirectedbyourBoard,whichconsistsof

representativesfromeachofthefiveLanguageGroupsoftheFitzroyValley,whoeachcontributeto

ourCulturalGovernancestructures.ThisenablesMWRCtoworkinaculturally-safeplaceandfacilitate

socialandemotionalwellbeing(SEWB)outcomesforallinvolved.

SocialEnterpriseMuchoftheworkMWRCdoesisintheareaofsocialenterprise,including:

• Culture and Story Sharing – to generate income that helps families living on-Country and

facilitatestheintergenerationaltransferofCulturalKnowledges

• Therapeutic Spaces – to deal with trauma and intergenerational trauma through art

enterprises

• TripstoCountry–collectingbushmaterialsandvisitingplacesthatwomenwanttoreturnto

• ‘LearningYouMob’–transferofknowledgeandskillsbetweengenerations(whilespecific

fundingforthisprogramhasceased,wecontinuetopursueresourcesasthereisacontinuous

callforthisprogramfromthecommunity)

• Women from Fitzroy Valley Communities – women who come to work and bring home

resources,orselltheircrafts

OurPartnerships

PreviouslyMWRCfacilitatedtheFitzroyValleyWomen’sBushMeetings,whichprovidedaforumfor

localwomentocometogethertoshareCulturalKnowledgewithbushtucker,medicineandhealing

sessions. This initiative also offered support on various other topics, including Foetal Alcohol

SyndromeDisorder(FASD).

Funding for these importantmeetings has not been available in recent times, with the last bush

meetingbeingfiveyearsagoatMimbi.WewouldlikeinvestmentsoMWRCcanrevitaliseandfacilitate

thisimportantcomingtogetherofwomeninourlocalcommunity.



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6DBYLarrkardiRadioDerbyMediaAboriginalCorporationcommencedradiobroadcastingin2003onfrequency97.9FMto

thetownshipofDerbyandnearbyAboriginalcommunities, includingMowanjum.Knownlocallyas

Larrkardi Radio, we have won six national Community Broadcasting Australia Association (CBAA)

awardstodateinourshorthistory.


Duringthistime,LarrkardiRadiohasalsoaddedarecordingstudioandtrainingareatoourexisting

studiossowecouldbetterprovideforourlocalmusicianstomeetandrecordtheirmusic.

Weare committed toourAboriginal community andundertake anumberof projects topublicise

culturalcontent,including:

• Culturalstories–recordingstoriesaboutNgarinyinCountry,aswellaschildren’sstoriesand

familyinterviews

• Community Facebook page – creating and maintaining a Facebook page that contains

communitypromotionsinLanguage(e.g.abouthealth)

• Language–broadcastingNyikinawordsandphrasesinourradioprograms

• Events–doingliveNAIDOCWeekbroadcastsandparticipatingintheBoabFestivalCommittee

• Localmusic–recordinglocalbandsandmusicians

• Advertising–producingradioadvertisementsforlocalorganisations

Inthefuture,weaimtoincreaseourconnectionswithtown-basedyouththroughfilmprojects.

OurPartnerships

LarrkardiRadiodevelopsfurtherlanguageproductsincollaborationwithlocalcommunities,suchas

audioandfilmrecordingsofDreamtimestorieswiththeLoomaandJarlmadangahBurrucommunities.

Wealsoprovidemediatrainingopportunitiesatthelocalprison.ThisincludesworkwithPilbaraand

KimberleyAboriginalMedia(PAKAM)thatisstreamedliveforanhouronWednesdaysandFridays

beforebeingreplayednationallyonthefollowingMonday

WealsoarelookingtoexpandonexistingskillsinmediacertificatesthroughTAFEandtheCommunity

BroadcastingAssociationofAustralia(CBAA),andencouragethenextgenerationtoengageinthese

typesofculturalinteractions.

WangkiYupurnanupurruRadio936AMWangkiYupurnanupurruRadio936AM(WangkiRadio)wasdevelopedinthelate1980sbyEldersand

ourcommunity,whocametogetheratKarrayilliAdultEducationCentreandtravelledalloverAustralia

tolobbyforaradiostation.Theyenvisagedawaytoservicetheneedsofourlocalpeoplebypassing

onCulture,maintainingLanguage,andsharingthestories,newsandmusicthatwelikeintheFitzroy

Valley.

CommencinginitiallyasasegmentonABCKimberley,WangkiRadiosoonbecameastationinourown

right andwe nowbroadcast to over 40 communities from at least six LanguageGroups: Bunuba,

Gooniyandi,Walmajarri,NyikinaMangala,EnglishandKriol.Weactuallyhavea400kmwidelistening



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diameter,stretchingallthewayfromtheErskineRangestoHallsCreek,upalongtheGibbRiverRoad,

intothePeninsula,southtoBililuna,andsometimesasfarasBalgoorLombadina.


Currently,uptosixemployeesinadditiontovolunteersfromourlocalcommunitieshelpustosupport

arangeofprograms,including:

• Providingnews,storiesandmusictothegeneralcommunityaboutlocalAboriginalculture

• RecordingandbroadcastingElderstellingstoriesandoralhistoriesinthelocallanguages

• Broadcastingthemusic,projectsandeventsoflocalmusicians

• Gatheringandbroadcastinglocalnews,informationandcurrentissuesthatsupportourlocal

communitymembers

• ProvidingaccesstoourbroadcastingforallFitzroyCrossingcommunitymembers

OurPartnerships

WangkiRadioprovidesrelevancetothecommunity,broadcastingnewdevelopmentsinGovernment

policyandengagementinitiatives.Byprovidingaccesstobroadcastingtoallcommunitygroupsand

interestedindividuals,wepromotethevalueofculturalprograms.

Someofourpartnershipsinclude:

• Localschools–providingaccesstolocalschoolsviayouthbroadcastsandmediadevelopment

opportunities,whichdevelopsrelevanceamongstouryouthwhowillsoonbeadults

• Sportscoverage–supportingsportsorganisationsliketheCentralKimberleyFootballLeague

(CKFL)andGarnduwabycoveringthegamesforlistenersacrosstheValley

• Localpolice–conductingoccasionalinterviewswiththeofficerincharge,whichfostersbetter

relationshipsbetweenpoliceandcommunitymembers

• FitzroyValleyMen'sShed–encouragingparticipationintheirprogramsandothermeansof

support

• Healthorganisations–enablingthemtoutiliseourbroadcastingservicetoengagewiththeir

clientsandthegeneralcommunity

Other local organisations who are given access to our broadcasting include Marra Worra Worra

AboriginalCorporation,MangkajaArtsResourceAgency,andtheRemoteSchoolAttendanceStrategy

(RSAS)program.

DambimangariAboriginalCorporation,DambimangariRangersand theDambimangariIndigenousProtectedAreaTheDambimangariPeople(fromdambeemameaning‘homelands’andngarimeaning‘belongto’)live

in and around the township of Derby and community of Mowanjum. Although dislocated from

Traditional Country by Government policy and history, Dambimangari People have clear sense of

identityandtradition.

TheDambimangariAboriginalCorporation(DAC)iscommittedtoself-determinationforourmembers.

Oneofthekeyobjectivesofthegroup’sworkisthedevelopmentofanewgenerationofleadersto

preserve their Language and Culture while building a successful future for their families and

community.



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AspartofDAC’swork supportingour communitymembers,Aboriginal leadersand socialworkers

implementvariousprograms,including:

• Youthsuicideprevention

• Subsidisedmedicalandhealthservices

• Employmentandtraininginitiatives

• Educationsupportandcollaborationwithtertiaryeducationinstitutes

• Paymentofsocialbenefits

• Fundingforhardshiprelief

DambimangariFutureGenerationsProjectAs part of our commitment to self-determination, the Dambimangari Future Generations project

involvesworkingwitholdpeopleand researchers toprepare languagematerials, culturalheritage

maps, databases and family trees, as well as publishing BarddabarddaWodjenangorddee: We’re

TellingAllofYou–abookaboutDambimangarihistory,Countryandculturethatwas launched in

2018;withasecondbook(inconjunctionwithWunambalGaamberaAboriginalCorporation)launched

in2019entitledNyaraparikalaniragu(gaambera):gadawarangyaran-gada(wunambal):inganinja

gubadjoongana(woddordda):wearecomingtoseeyou.

Thisfour-yearprojectisseenasakeytopreservingheritageandidentityandhelpingyoungpeople

understandtheirCountryandancestry.

Back-to-CountryTripsandCulturalKnowledgePart of our success has also been the development of our Dambimangari Rangers team and

establishment of our Dambimangari Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) off the coast of Derby. We

facilitateback-to-Countrytripsforsocialandemotionalwellbeing,whichinvolvetakingyoungpeople

outwiththeEldersandrangers.

ThesetripsenableustoengageinTraditionallearningsofsongs,storiesand‘talkingtoCountry’.DAC

alsosupportsmediatrainingsowecanrecordthesetripstoCountryforournextgenerations.

OurDambimangariRangersleadourculturalimmersionprogramson-Countryandadditionalstories

areincorporatedintobooksforbushwalksandtours.Sixyoungpeoplearelearningculturaldance

andarepartofacollaborativeprojectwithNgarinyinPeopletorecordthedancesandkeepthemin

theSonglinesarchive.Wearealsolearningmoreaboutbodypaintingandwhatitrepresents.

OurPartnerships

InpartnershipwiththeWesternAustralianMuseum,ourWandjinaProjectillustratesrespectfulways

tovisitCountry.WehavealsocollaboratedwithMowanjumAboriginalArtandCultureCentreandthe

UniversityofMelbournetocreateourJunbaProject,whichisaboutTraditionalstorytellingthrough

songanddance.

Inthefuture,DACwantstodomoreon-Countrywork,recordingthevisualswhileexploringourfamily

roots.WealsowanttoimplementaVisitorPassthatisbasedontheUunguuRangers’model,tomake

surepeopleareculturally-safeandcontributetocaringforDambimangariCountry.



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WalalakooAboriginalCorporationandNyinkinaMangalaYimardoowarraRangersWalalakoo means ‘a big mob of people together’ and the Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation

(Walalakoo)wasestablishedasthekeypolitical,socialandeconomicbodythatrepresentstheNyikina

MangalaPeopleoftheKimberleyregion.

BasedinDerby,WalalakoolooksafteranumberofexistinginterestsonourCountry.Theseinclude

miningandpastoralinterests,whichweareinvolvedinasawaytocreateeconomicopportunitiesfor

NyikinaMangalaPeopleandalsotoensureourCountryandculturalheritageareprotected.

Walalakoo’s vision is to be a self-sufficient organisation that adopts the world's best practice in

environmentalandagriculturalsustainability,whileprovidingsocialandmaterialprosperitytoNyikina

Mangalacommunities.WeaimtopreserveCulture,provide Indigenousemploymentopportunities

andoperateasaninfluentialorganisationwithstronginternalandexternalcommunicationchannels.

WeareguidedbyCulturalGovernancestructuresthatallowustorepresentmembersofourremote

communitiesacrossNyikinaMangalaCountry.OverseenbyagroupofCulturalAdvisors,wemanage

the Nyikina Mangala Yimardoowarra Rangers, and are in the process of finalising an Indigenous

ProtectedArea(IPA)onourCountry.


Recently implementingaHealthyCountryPlantocareforourCountry,Walalakooalsoundertakes

threeprimaryprograms,whichareoutlinedbelow.

LandandSeaThe Nyikina Mangala Yimardoowarra Ranger program is funded by the Federal Government.

DeliveringlandmanagementactivitiesonprimarilyNativeTitleLands,theprogramalsohasastrong

focus on back-to-Country trips that allow Traditional Owners to visit their Country, which due to

remotenessandresourcesarenormallydifficulttoaccess.

SocioeconomicWemanageamembers’benefitspolicythatseekstoaddresssomeofthesocioeconomicissuesfaced

by theNyikinaMangalaCommunity.Thepolicyprovidessmallamountsof funding tomembers to

underthecategoriesofeducation,arts,LawandCulture,funeralassistanceandemergencymedical

assistance.

KimberleyAgricultureandPastoralCompanyWalalakoomaintainsamajorityshareintheKimberleyAgricultureandPastoralCompany(KAPCO),

having provided the initial seed funding to start the company. KAPCO is a social enterprise that

focussesondeliveringsocialoutcomes,mainlyintheformofemployment.Netrevenuegenerated

throughthebusinessisusedtodeliverfurthersocialoutcomes.

OurPartnerships

To undertake these interests and fulfil the requirements of our community, Walalakoo also has

strategic partnerships with both the Kimberley Land Council and Kimberley Regional Economic

Development(KRED)Enterprises.



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BunubaDawangarriAboriginalCorporationandBunubaRangersTheBunubaDawangarriAboriginalCorporation(BDAC)wasestablishedtolookaftertheinterestsof

BunubaPeopleonourNativeTitleLands.ThisincludesmuchoftheareaaroundFitzroyCrossingand

thesectionsoftheFitzroyRiver,extendingtotheOscar,NapierandErskineRanges.Togetherwestand

withthefollowingunitedvision:

Thirriliwarawarayarrangngumuwayi(Westandstrongforourcountry).

Bunubapeople,countryandculturearepowerful,proudandeverlasting.Wecarry the

spirit of Jandamarra.Our Junba, cultureandour country keepus strong. Togetherour

JalangurruMuwayiwillcreatepathways,partnershipsandopportunitiesforsustainable

livelihoods for Bunuba so that our future generations are empowered to protect and

manageallourlandsandgaruwa(water)

DirectedthroughaCulturalGovernancestructurethatensuresrepresentationonourBoardforallof

themuwayi(clanareas),theseculturalprotocolsincludewhoiseligibleforselectionineachinstance.

We utilise this structure further to address disputes, and all on-Country activities are done so in

consultationwiththosewhospeakforthatplace.


SomeofBDAC’sgeneralactivitiesincludeperformingsmokingceremoniesandWelcometoCountry,

providingculturalsecurityadvice,andsharingandteachingourBunubaCulturewiththelocalschools

–inparticular,WesleyYiramalayStudioSchool.

BunubaRangersandOn-CountryProgramsBDACandtheBunubaRangersspendalotoftimeon-Country,lookingaftersites,andstrengthening

knowledgeandstories.SomeofourpeopleweregreatlyimpactedasStolenGenerationandwehave

investedalotoftimeinsupportingthemtoreconnectwithplace.

LanguageandDanceBDACwantstoseemoreBunubaLanguageanddancepracticedaspartofoureverydaylives.Wealso

seeeconomicsustainabilityas thekey togettingouton-Countrymoreandare investing timeand

resourcesintodevelopinganumberoftheseculturally-basedopportunities.

BunubaGenealogyDatabaseProjectWearecurrentlyrepatriatingourowninformation,whichwascollectedpriortoandduringtheNative

Titleprocessthroughsurveysandanthropologicalorarchaeologicalstudies.Thisinformationwillbe

heldintheBunubaGenealogyDatabase,withsecurityprotocolsinplace.Audiolanguageresources

willassistwithlanguageknowledgetransferandthewholeprojectwillprovideopportunitiesforus

toteachchildrenagain.

OurBunubadictionaryisalsobeingconnectedtotheBunubaGenealogyDatabaseaswell,withan

onlineversiondueforreleaseinthenearfuture.

CulturalCompetencyTrainingBDACisdevelopinginformalculturalcompetencytraining,toensurepeoplecanliveandworkinour

communityinaculturally-safeandculturally-secureway.



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OurPartnerships

BunubaCulturalCaretakersProjectWecreatedtheBunubaCulturalCaretakersProject inpartnershipwithNulunguResearch Institute

(UniversityofNotreDameAustralia)specificallyto lookaftersiteson-Countryusingbothscientific

andculturalmechanisms.Intergenerationaltransferofknowledgeisinterwovenintothisprojectand

weareintheprocessofdevelopingadatabasetoholdthisinformation.

LanguageIn the past we have undertaken numerous language projects in partnership with the Kimberley

Language Resource Centre, Karrayili Adult Education Centre and Marninwarntikura Women’s

ResourceCentre.

On-CountryEnvironsKimberleyhasworkedwithourrangersandElderstorecordbushmedicineandbushtucker

on Bunuba Country, along with Bush Heritage Australia and theWA Department of Biodiversity,

ConservationandAttractions(DBCA)–whichcontainstheKimberleyDistrictoftheParksandWildlife

Service(alsoknownasDPaW).

ItisthroughthisresourcingofourBunubaRangersthatweareabletospecificallyemploypeopleto

lookafterCulturalandDreamingSites,rockart,burialsandceremonialsites,fromDarngkutoDimond

Gorge(wheretheproposednewNationalParkwillstart).Thisinvolvesnotonlythemenbutalsoa

dedicated teamofWomen’sRangers.As part of thiswe takemulti-day guided tours on the Twin

Gorgeswalkacoupleoftimesayear,sharingourCulturalKnowledgewiththosewhoattend.

KALACCBDAC has a strong relationship with KALACC, which is evident through the Fitzroy Crossing Old

(Pioneer)CemeteryProject.Involvingtherelocationofalmost100peoplefromtheoldcemeteryto

thenewone,Bunubapeoplewereinvolvedintheprojectfromthebeginning.

Additionally,wehavesupportedKALACCthroughtheirrepatriationprogramsandduringLawTime.

This is reciprocated with support for our on-Country programs during school holidays. Language

immersion is important and the generations spend time together learning, teaching, fishing and

camping–likeoldpeopleusedtodo.

WinunNgariAboriginalCorporation,WinunNgariEmploymentServiceandDerbyMen’sShedWinun Ngari Aboriginal Corporation (WNAC) is the largest community development provider for

remoteAboriginalcommunitiesintheWestKimberley.WeservicecommunitiesinandaroundDerby,

severalremotecommunitieslocatedalongtheGibbRiverRoadandriversidecommunitiesonNyikina

MangalaCountryneartheFitzroyRiver.

WNACisdedicatedtoensureIndigenouscommunities intheWestKimberleycontinuetohavethe

strengthandabilitytocelebratetheirCulture,managetheirownCountryandgrowtheirownfutures.

As an organisation, WNAC’s values are focussed around five key areas: staff, governance,

communications,costefficienciesandrelationships.



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The support WNAC provides differs from community to community. However, services include

enterprise and business development, employment and training, health and wellbeing support,

governanceandadministration.

Weprovide theWinunNgariEmploymentService toassist jobseekers inourcommunityandalso

support the DerbyMen’s Shed. Some of the programswe run that have a cultural input or base

include:

• WorkfortheDole–artactivitiesthatincludetheuseofbushmedicineandknowledge,which

feedsintothetourismsectorinDerbyandbeyondandofteninvolvesMowanjumArtists

• Job Seeker Placements – often delivered to non-vocational areas, including cultural and

mentalhealth,withorganisationssuchastheDerbyAboriginalHealthService(DAHS)

• Workshops–heldonrelevantissuessuchascounsellingandcross-culturalprotocols

• Mentoring–Aboriginalculturalmentoringandcommunicationforinternalstaffandprovided

toexternalorganisationsonrequest

• CommunityDevelopmentProgram(CDP)–bothtown-basedandregionalprojects

• BalginjirrCommunityProgram –a specific culturally-basedprogramthat is runby staffat

BalginjirrCommunity

• Men’s Shed – assistance with NAIDOC Week and the delivery of social and emotional

wellbeingprogramsthatinvolveeverythingfromaquaculturetoprovisionoffencingservices

We also support aquaculture initiatives and hold information workshops of relevance for our

members.Workingwitheachindividual,weprovidejob-readypre-workopportunitiestobuildself-

esteem.

OurPartnerships

InthefutureWNACwouldliketosee:

• OwnershipandleadershipofprogramsandprojectsbyAboriginalorganisations

• Maintainedcommitmenttotheprojects,ideasandpartnershipsofAboriginalorganisations

frominvestors,suchasStateandFederalGovernments

• Resourcingofsupportandreferralsfromappropriateagencies

• Thedevelopmentofcommunity-basedprojectssuchasculturaltourism

Additionally,staffareinterestedinsupportingindividualsandcommunitieswiththedevelopmentof

languagebooksandotherculturalproducts(suchasbushmedicine).

YirimanProjectAuspicedbyKALACC,theYirimanProjectisaninitiativeoffourIndigenousLanguageGroupsofthe

Kimberleyregion:Nyikina,Mangala,KarajarriandWalmajarri.SeniorEldersfromthesegroupscame

togethercloseto20yearsagotorequestassistancefromKALACCtosupportouryoungpeopletodeal

withcontemporaryissueswithinculturalframeworks.

‘Buildingstoriesinouryoungpeople’istheYirimanProject’sphilosophyandwehavebeenrecognised

nationallyforourresilienceandCulturalGovernancestructures.



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ThespecificMen’sProgramsandWomen’sProgramsbothfocusontheintergenerationalexchange

andstrengtheningofCulturalKnowledges.Utilisingthe‘back-to-Country’method,youngpeopleand

Eldersundertakecampson-Countryfromafewdaysuptoacoupleofweeks.

Duringthisprocess,weoftenfindthatourYirimanProjectrangersbecomementors,assistingwith

Cultural Knowledges, literacy and numeracy. Digital media plays a large role as well, including

capturingtripactivitiesonfilm.

SocialEnterpriseDevelopmentTheWomen’sPrograminparticularplacesalargefocusonsocialenterprisedevelopmentbasedon

TraditionalEcologicalKnowledges.Productscreatedduringtheseactivitiesarevalue-addedforsale

atthelocalmarkets.

Cross-CulturalTourismWeengageincross-culturaltourismthroughanumberofopportunities,whichwehavefoundallows

us to combine Traditional Knowledge with economic return. We invest in these opportunities

regularly, growing the relationships and creating pathways for our young people to follow. The

connectionsremainintactbothon-Countryandintown.

CulturalHealthTheYirimanwomenhaverunprofessionaldevelopmentworkshopsformidwivesandpalliativecare

workersandare increasinglyapproachedby individualsandorganisations toprovide suchcultural

healthproducts.

While tourism has often been the focus of the Karajarri Rangers andNyikinaMangalawomen at

Jarlmadangah, theWalmajarriwomenare leadinga focusonhealth andwellbeing,withpractices

sharedandutilised inthecontemporarycross-culturalhealthspace.This isgrowing interest inthe

space for the women from all of the Language Groups and the Yiriman Project is strategically

progressingthis.

OurPartnerships

Wehavestronglinkswithourrespectiverangerteams(NyikinaMangala,KarajarriandNgurrara),as

well as other Aboriginal organisations such as the Kimberley Land Council, Kimberley Language

Resource Centre, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency,

NindilingarriCulturalHealthServices,andanumberofuniversities.Attimesourpartnersattendour

on-Countrytrips.

TheYirimanProjecthasalsospenttimedevelopingabusinessplanwithIndigenousLandCorporation

(ILC)support,whichisencouragingustostrategicallyundertakefurtherbushproductdevelopment.

Weareparticularlyinterestedinreconciliatorycross-culturalprogramsthatfosterAboriginalandnon-

AboriginalAustraliansjourneyingtogetherintothefuture.

NindilingarriCulturalHealthServicesNindilingarri Cultural Health Services (NCHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health

Organisation(ACCHO).Commencingin1995followingwide-reachingcommunityconsultation,NCHS



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wasestablishedinpartnershipwiththeFitzroyValleyHealthServiceasthetypeofhealthservicethe

localcommunitywanted.

TheclearmessagefromthecommunityconsultationwasthattheysoughtanACCHOservicethat:

• Isholistic,culturally-appropriateandrecognisestheimpactofAboriginalLaw,Culture,Spirit

andLandissuesoncommunityhealth

• Focussesondiseasepreventionandhealthpromotion

• WorkstogetherwiththeexistingState-runhospitalprogramstoavoidserviceduplicationand

improveservicequalityforourlocalpeople

Fulfillingtheaboverequirements,NCHShasthreemaindivisions–HealthPromotion,HealthServices

andCommunityServices.Additionally,wealsoprovideculturally-secureservices forbothpatients,

staffandthoseattheWAPrimaryHealthAlliance(WAPHA).Weexplainthatculturalboundariesneed

to be recognised and understood, as health outbreaks do not follow kartiya (non-Indigenous)

boundariesandculturalinformationcanhelppredictwhereoutbreaksmayspread.

EverythingwedoisunderpinnedbyCulturalGovernancestructures–althoughwehavefoundthat

theyarenotalwaysvaluedbyfundingbodies,areattimesseeninoppositiontomainstreammodels,

andoftenresultinpressurefromresourcesagenciesthatopposethesestructures.

In light of this, we advocate for respectful engagement of all Language Groups and an inclusive

process. Our approach involves sharing health information in Language, providing appropriate

resources for meetings that are often larger than streamlined governance processes, and giving

flexible or extended timeframes that allow for Cultural Business, Sorry Business andwet seasons

(includingfloods).


NCHS’advocacyallowsustosuccessfullydeliveranumberofculturally-basedprograms,whichare

outlinedbelow.

SpiritualHealthProgramOurSpiritualHealthProgramrecordswhatisimportanttopeople,whichallservicesinFitzroyValley

canutiliseandbenefitfrom.ItalsomeansNCHScansupportLawBusiness,AboriginalandTorresStrait

Islander(ATSI)staff,criminalmattersthataredealtwithinternallyorinpartnershipwithKALACC,and

evennutritionintheformofhealthytuckercookbooksvianutritionists.

A longstanding initiative, the Spiritual Health Program incorporates talking with Elders, recording

storiesandsongsinLanguage,andworkingwithyoungpeopleintohealthservices.Thishasbeendone

for generations andhasbeenhelpful for the five LanguageGroupsof theValley– for example, if

someonewouldratherengagewithanEldertoaddressissuesratherthanacounsellor.

MentalHealthProgramNCHS’ Mental Health Program is holistic and delivers culturally-appropriate services that are

respectful of Language Group differences. Our approach centres around the Aboriginal view that

everythingislinked,providingforholisticpreventativecareratherthanreactiveresponsestocritical

self-reactionthatcanmanifestas,forexample,suicidaltendencies.



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OtherPrograms• BushMedicine–amalestaffmemberwhohasastrongrelationshipwithcommunitiesleads

thisprogram,andalsoworkswithwomenon-Countryattimestomakeoils,creamsandsoaps

• HomeandCommunityCare–wesupportfamilybothathomeandintakingthemon-Country,

withgender-specific services that followculturalprotocolsandaredeliveredbyAboriginal

staffmembers

• HealthPromotion–primarilyaboutsexualhealthandisdeliveredgender-specifically

OurPartnerships

AspartofourSpiritualHealthProgram,NCHSlinkswithpartnerssuchastheYirimanProjectandthe

NgurraraRangerstotalktopeopleon-Country.

ACulturally-DevelopedFamilyApproachModelHavingundertakenaprevalencestudyregardingchronic illness intheFitzroyValleythat lookedat

poormedicationcompliance,wehaveidentifiedasignificantgapinthemodelscurrentlyapplied.

Rather than a solely individual focus,we are developing a family approachmodel around chronic

disease.Thismodelisnotjustaboutsupportingtheindividual(e.g.totaketheirmedication),butalso

engagingwithandsupporting their families toencourage lifestylechanges for the familyunit (e.g.

improvingnutritionforthewholefamily).Toensuresuccess,ongoingassistanceisadditionallyneeded

throughageneralpractitionerwhocanhavearelationshipwiththefamiliesandcommunityforthe

long-term.

In short, theexistingmodels arenotworkingandNCHS is seeking funding forourownculturally-

developedmodelthatwouldalignwiththe improvementsthataresoughtthroughtheClosingthe

Gapinitiative.Furthermore,ifyoucompareoutcomesbetweenAboriginalhealthorganisationsand

thoseinthemainstream,itisevidentthatweareprovidingbetter,longer-termoutcomes.

ATSIReportingImprovementsWealsoneedtoworktoimprovereportingandacquittalregimesforATSIorganisations–thereisa

burdenonorganisationslikeNCHSthatisnotexperiencedinbymainstreamorganisations.Thisneeds

tobeaddressedinthefuture.

AboriginalTrainingSupport,NorthRegionalTAFENorthRegionalTAFE(NRTAFE)isthelargestprovideroftrainingandvocationalservicesinthenorth

ofWesternAustralia,operatingacrossaregionthatexceeds1,000,000km2.NRThas11campuses,

fromWyndham in the north toNewman in the south, and our three largest delivery centres are

locatedinBroome,KarrathaandPundulmurra(SouthHedland).


NRTAFEhasadesignatedAboriginalTrainingSupportTeam(ATSTeam).Allmembersoftheteamare

Aboriginal and are dedicated to Aboriginal advancement towards equity with the broader

Kimberley/Pilbaracommunity.

Ourthreekeyguidingprinciplethemesof‘Attraction’,‘Retention’and‘Completion’bothsummarise

theATSTeamasa collectiveand themodelweaim toachieve forour currentandpotentialATSI

students.



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TheATSTeamhasidentifiedvariousstrategiesandactionswithinthe2019AboriginalTrainingPlan,

with the intentionofmaintaining theongoing continuity of qualityATSI student support services,

whilealsoensuringthatculturally-appropriatetrainingservicedeliveryneedsarebeingconsistently

metanddeliveredforIndigenousclientelethroughouttheKimberley/PilbaraRegion.

OurmissionistoensurebestpracticestudenttrainingandemploymentsupportservicestoAboriginal

peopleofallageswhoaspiretoimprovedlifecircumstanceforthemselves,theirfamiliesandtheir

communitythrougheducation,trainingandparticipationintheworkforceoftheKimberly/Pilbaraand

beyond.

TheATSTeamstrivestoachieveandexcelin:

• Aboriginalconsultation,representationandleadershipinthestrategicplanningandservice

deliverymodellingofNRTAFE’sATSTeam

• Continuous improvement in ATS support program delivery,with ATS staff engaged in the

development and implementation of collaborative work practices required to achieve an

‘employmentoutcome’VocationalEducationandTraining(VET)servicedeliverymodel

• Collaboration within NRTAFE to continuously improve staff cultural competency and the

overall attractiveness and accessibility of NRTAFE campuses and learning facilities to

Aboriginalstudents

• Increasing the level of Aboriginal participation in the NRTAFE regional workforce through

apprenticeships, traineeships and collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal communities,

Governmentagencies,non-governmentserviceproviders,industriesandemployergroups

• IncreasingthenumberofAboriginalstudentscompletingtheirexistingcourseofstudyand

choosing to transition into further training, higher education (Australian Qualifications

Framework Certificate III and above) and/or engagement in the NRTAFE service area

workforce

• Engagementorre-engagementofAboriginalyouthineducation,trainingandworkexperience

tobuild individualmotivation foractiveparticipation incontinuingeducation,VET training

andemploymentintheNRTAFEserviceareaworkforce

OurPartnerships

InDerby,NRTAFErunsworkshopswithNyikinaLanguagespeakersandengageswithotherservice

providers to share culturally-appropriateways ofworking, including the Shire of Derby andWest

Kimberleypoliceforces,prisonsandhospitals.

Inthefuturewewouldliketodevelopafour-houron-CountrycoursewithNyikinaMangalaPeople

thatprovidesamixtureoffreshwaterandsaltwaterCulturalKnowledgeforthosewhoareinterested

inthistypeofadvancedcourse.

Additionally,NRTAFEiscommittedtoeducatingthewiderpopulationaboutNyikinahistory,culture

andstories,whileillustratingthediversityofourNyikinaPeople.

WehopetoachievetheseaspirationssoonaswehaveguaranteedresourcesfortheATSTeamand

arelookingforwardtosolidifyingourrelationshipwithKALACCthroughcollaborativeactivitiesinto

thefuture.



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EASTERNTRADITION(KUNUNURRA,WARMUN,HALLSCREEK&SURROUNDS)TheEasternTraditionculturalbloc includes theMiriwoongGajirrawoong,Gija/Kija,Malarngowem,

MalnginandKukatjaLanguageGroups.Additionally,thelargertownsofKununurra,WarmunandHalls

Creekarelocatedhere.

Atotalof12AboriginalorganisationsfromtheEasternTraditionparticipatedinthisproject,namely:

• MirimaDawangWoorlab-gerringLanguageandCultureCentre

• WarmunArtsCentre

• WaringarriAboriginalArts

• YarliyilArtCentre

• GawoolengYawoodeng

• 6PRKRadioHallsCreek

• WarringarriMediaAboriginalCorporation6WR

• GijaRangers

• MiriuwungGajerrongCorporation

• YuraYungiMedicalService

• OrdValleyHealthService

• HallsCreekNAIDOCWeekOrganisers

MirimaDawangWoorlab-gerringLanguageandCultureCentreAttheMirimaDawangWoorlab-gerringLanguageandCultureCentre(MDWg),whichisincorporated

asMirimaCouncil,wework todocument, revitaliseandmaintainMiriwoong (and to someextent

Gajirrawoong)LanguageandCulture.Wedeliverarangeofprogramsandotheractivitiestoachieve

this,buildingonourdocumentationandarchivingactivitiestoenableMiriwoongpeopletolearnand

engagewiththeirLanguageandCulture.

MDWgwasincorporatedin1986toservicetheMiriwoongcommunityandourCulturalGovernance

consistsofaBoardofMiriwoongElders.

Ourgovernanceisdrivenbytheoldpeople.Theyneedtoapprovetheinformation.Their

knowledgeisinareasoflanguage,dance,Traditionalskillsandancientstories.Wedepend

onthemtoteachusandtopassontheirwisdomtoyoungergenerations.Theinformation

and insights gained from Elders form the basis of all our other activities and helps us

progresstowardsourgoalof‘SavingMiriwoong’.

–MDWgrepresentative(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)


Underpinningallofouractivities,theMiriwoongKnowledgeCyclebringsourSeniorPeopletogether

withyounger languagelearnersandMDWglinguiststodiscuss,consultandreceiveadviceabouta

varietyofdifferentaspects.Forexample,howtobestteachyoungergenerations,documentstories

andshareknowledgeofCountry,aswellasotherinsights,culturaladviceandleadership.



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Everythingcomesdownfromouroldpeople,theyaretheauthority.TheydriveLanguage

Centreactivities.


DocumentingandArchivingLanguageOn-CountryAspartofourcommitmenttodocumentandarchiveourLanguage,wego‘outbush’onfieldtripsto

significantplaceson-Country,wherewe immerseourselves intheviews,soundsandsmellsofour

Country.

MiriwoongResourcesandPublicationsMDWg’s ‘Let’s LearnMiriwoong’ resources helpmake language learning possible for children and

adultsanywhere,ineventheremotepartsofMiriwoongCountry.Theybringthestories,lessons,and

wisdomofourancientLanguageandCultureintothemodernworld.

Additionally, we produce radio shows, write bilingual books with audio support, record videos,

undertake language consultancies, develop interpretive signage and have created a Miriwoong

languageapp.

LanguageEducationMDWg has built a strong team ofMiriwoong Language engagement officers and other language

workersbytrainingyoungerpeoplewhohavelearnttheirLanguageandareteachingitinschoolsin

thearea,orwhoareintheprocessoflearningthemselves.

MDWgalsorunsanearlychildhoodlanguagelearningprogram(theMiriwoongLanguageNest).The

aim is to increase the knowledgeanduseofMiriwoong in the community, especiallywithinearly

childhood.

DanceandCulturalPerformancesMDWgreceivesrequestsforTraditionaldanceperformancesandotherkindsofculturalinvolvement

forarangeofeventsthroughouttheyear,includingNAIDOCWeekandattheOrdValleyMuster.We

alsoregularlyorganiseCorroborees(danceceremonies)duringthecoolermonths,andassistinfinding

speakersfor‘WelcometoCountry’ateventsinMiriwoongCountry.

OurPartnerships

MDWgworks inpartnershipwithotherorganisations, includingWaringarriAboriginalArtsandthe

MiriuwungGajerrongrangerprogram.

Elders go with the rangers to teach them Language, Culture and bush skills. That’s

intergenerationalteaching.Therangersneedtoknowhowandwhattolookafter.


By teaching cultural awareness to local organisations and agencies, we are building respect for

Miriwoongculture.

WarmunArtCentreWarmunArtCentre(WarmunArts)existstocelebrateandencouragetheexpressionofGijaCulture

throughthearts,andtosupportthecontinueddevelopmentofinnovativecontemporaryartbyboth



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established and emerging Warmun artists. Striving to do this by developing and maintaining a

commerciallyviableartsenterprise,WarmunArtsprovidesadiverserangeofculturalandeconomic

opportunitiesforindividualsandthecommunityasawhole.

Incorporatedin2005,WarmunArtsissituatedintheWarmunAboriginalCommunityinthecentral

eastKimberley,andworkswithourPeopleinthecommunityandsurroundingGijalands.

Ourprimarygoalsaretoconserveculturallyandsociallysignificantobjectsandknowledgesystems,

andfostertheproductionofartasameansofculturalcontinuity,transmissionandinnovation.

Weareanartandculturecentre.Therearealotmorelayersthanjusttheartthatpeople

buy.Youcan’tseparateart,Language,Culture,dance,songandstory.

–WarmunArtsrepresentative(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)


WarmunArtsStudioThestudioatWarmunArts iswhere ideasemerge,storiesaresharedandart ismade,andwhere

peoplecomeeverydaytodrinknalija(tea),cookmangarri(food)andjarrag(chat).Manyofthelong-

termartandculturalprojectsthatbecometouringexhibitions,publicationsandvideosunfoldhere.

In the studio, artworks are photographed and catalogued, and bodies of work are selected for

exhibitionsandfreightedacrossAustraliaandoverseas. Inthisplacemanythingsoccur–different

techniquesofcrushing,cookingandmixingochre,woodbeingcutanddriedforcarvingandcanvas

beingstretched,aswellasalotofconceptualdevelopmentaroundartisticandculturalideastaking

shape.

WarmunArtsGalleryAtourpeak,wehavereceivedover10,000visitorsannuallywhocometoengagewithGijaArtand

Culture.Ourgallery spacedisplays contemporaryworks, is a significantattraction for visitors, and

generatesconsiderableeconomicbenefitforthecommunity.

JoonbaProgramWarmunArtshasaJoonbaprogram.Joonbaarecyclesofsonganddancethatincorporatepainting,

theatre,storyandhistory.Theyare learnedfromchildhoodandpractisedthroughout life,andare

intrinsictoAboriginalartandculturalpracticeacrosstheKimberley.

On-CountryTripsBushtripstoCountryensurethatourCulturalandArtisticKnowledgeandtechniquesarepassedon

to the younger generations. This includes knowledge related to song, dance, Language,mangarri

(food) and artisticmaterials, such as ochre, garliwoony (tree sap) andwood for carving. The on-

CountrytripsalsoenableourseniorspeakerstopassonGijasong,storyandoralLanguagepractices.

WarmunArtsdirectorsaredrawnfromabroadagerangewithinthecommunity.

Furthermore,thesebushtripsdirectlybenefittheseniorandemergingartistsofWarmunArtsandour

widercommunity,throughculturalmaintenanceandintergenerationalknowledgetransferthat,ina

sense, canbe viewedas cultural professional developmentopportunities. Teachingshave adirect

impactondeepeningthequalityofartbyincreasingtheknowledgeofemergingartistsandbuilding

respectandprideinculturalidentity.



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OurPartnerships

WarmumArtshasproposalsandpendingfundingapplicationsforvariousactivities,including:

• On-CountryTrips–nineor10on-CountrytripsovertwoyearswiththeGijaRangersandthe

youthprogram,withourEldersdetermininghowthesetripswillunfold,suchaswhatthey

wanttoteachandachieve(e.g.thelocationofthetripandculturalactivitieswhileon-Country,

withartproductionbeingapotentialby-productofthetrip)

• Gija Language Revitalisation – language revitalisation through film, which promotes

storytelling, allows people to take on acting roles, creates jobs and uses humour (in

collaborationwithAlisonPageandthePilbaraandKimberleyAboriginalMedia(PAKAM))

• ArtConservation–apilotprogramininterculturaltertiaryeducationandtrainingpathways

inartconservationforremoteartcentreworkers(incollaborationwithArnhemNorthernand

KimberleyArtists(ANKA)andtheUniversityofMelbourne)

MediaLabandPAKAMPartnershipOneofthemostimportantactivitieswehaveidentifiedistheopportunityforouryoungpeopleto

workcontinuouslywiththeElderstolearnLanguageandstories.ThisiswhyweestablishedaMedia

Lab–sotheolderpeoplecanteachandnurturetheyoungerones,whoseknowledgewealsovalue

andwhocanuseanddeveloptheirskillsinmediatofindrelevantwaysofkeepingourCulturealive

andstrong.

TheMediaLab,whichiscoordinatedbyPAKAM,aimstoprovidejobsandtrainingforAboriginalarts

workers. However, we are currently struggling because continuousmanagement is not available.

Therefore,WarmunArtsisworkingwithPAKAMtoreorientthisprogramtofocusonasmallerproject

thatwillreactivatethelab.

WaringarriAboriginalArtsWaringarri Aboriginal Arts (WAA) was established in the late 1970s in Kununurra, the heart of

Miriwoong country, and incorporated in 1999.Weare a living, growingart centre that celebrates

Miriwoong cultural identity and the importance of our Country while supporting financial

independenceforAboriginalartistsandtheircommunity.

AsthefirstwhollyIndigenousownedartcentreestablishedintheregion,WAAisoneoftheoldest

continuously operating art centres in Australia. We support more than 100 participating artists,

performersandcommunitymemberswithartsdevelopment,socialandculturalwellbeingactivities,

andeconomicparticipationinthecreativeandculturalindustries.CentredaroundKununurra,wealso

workwiththeartistsofKalumburuviatheKiraKiroArtCentre.

WAA’soverarchingvisionistobuildasustainableenterprisethatprovidescreativeopportunitieswith

social,culturalandeconomicbenefitsforourartistsandcommunity.


CulturalKnowledgeandEngagementWAAplays a central role inmaintaining Cultural Knowledge and nurturing the social and cultural

wellbeingofourlocalcommunitybyproviding:



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• Anopenandwelcomingenvironmentforalllocalpeopleandvisitorsthatsubstantiallyhelps

fostersocialconnectednessandreconciliationwithinthebroadercommunity

• Regularcommunitynights,weeklyschoolvisitsandworkshops,Miriwoongculturaltoursand

otherinterculturalopportunities,whichpromotesocialandculturalengagement

DawangLinawoongNgoondengig-gerringStudioProgramDawangLinawoongNgoondengig-gerring(DLNg),isanartsdevelopmentstudioprogramthatfocusses

onmaintainingCulturalKnowledge,enablingcreativityandpromotingsustainableartspractices in

ordertosupportthenextgenerationofartspractitioners.

Supportedbyseniorartistsandculturalleaderswhomentoryoungandemergingartists,DLNgmeans

‘placewhereideasaremadegood’inMiriwoong.Itdescribesthecreativitythathappensdailyinthe

WAAstudios.

Return-to-CountryProgramIntegraltoourwork,WAAsupportsartistsandtheirfamiliestoreturntoCountryandhuntforbush

foods,visitsitesofsignificanceandlearnCulturalKnowledgefromtheElders.

ArtandCultureProgramsWAAprovideregularculturalperformances,suchastheWaringarriDancerscelebratingCountryand

Culturethroughtheirperformancesatvariousfestivalsandartfairs.Additionally,WAAoffersarange

ofartandculturetourswithMiriwoongguideswhosharetheirskills,knowledgeandstoriesoftheir

Culture,CountryandartatlocationsthatarespecialtoMiriwoongPeople.

WaringarriTextilesGrowingoutoftheDLNgProgram,WaringarriTextilesallowsartiststoexperimentwithdesignsof

bushplantsandculturalstories.Inturn,thishelpsmaintainCulturalKnowledge.

Senior artists mentor artists of all ages who are developing skills in stamp and screen-printing

techniques. In partnership with designers, textiles are being produced as fashion and interior

homewareproducts.

YarliyilArtCentreDrivenbythedesireofour localartiststopracticeandexpressculturethroughthevisualarts,the

YarliyilArtCentre(YarliyilArts)wasformedin1998andislocatedinthetownofHallsCreek.

Afterafive-yearperiodwhenwedidnotoperateduetolackoffunding,thecentreofficiallyreopened

inNovember2010.ThenameYarliyilmeans‘smallpaperbarktree’.Walmajarri,JaruandKijaarethe

prominentLanguageGroupsofartistsworkinghere.

YarliyilArtsisaspaceforculturalexpressionandtheproductionandsaleofAboriginalart.Working

acrossa rangeofstylesandpainting inavarietyofmediums,wedepictstoriesofourhistoryand

people,aswellastheCountryanditsculturalsignificance.

YarliyilArtssupportsculturebymaintaining,documentingandsharingTraditionalCulturalKnowledge

andactivitieswhileprovidingemploymentandtrainingopportunitiesforlocalAboriginalpeople.

Whenwe’reworkingonourcanvases,we’reexpressingourculturethroughourart.Our

paintingsshowoursideandtheyoungeroneswhatitistobeAboriginal.Iseenmymum



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paintingwiththeoldpeople, Iwasmeanttobecomelikethem,myinterestcamefrom

growinguparoundtheolderpeoplewhowerepaintingoldtimestories.

–YarliyilArtsrepresentative(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)


GalleryOurartists,whohavealways includedpeoplefromthedesertcommunitiesofRingersSoak,Balgo,

BillilunaandMulan,haveworkedoutofvariousbuildingsinHallsCreekovertheyears.Somepainted

fromhomeandmanyofusenrolledatTAFEsowecouldhaveaspaceandsupportfromacoordinator.

In2015,YarliyilArts’newbuildingopenedandwenowhaveadedicatedgalleryandartists’studio.It

wasourhopethattheseniorartistswouldusethestudiosoyoungerpeoplecanlearnfromthem,and

thisishappeningmoreandmorefrequently.

TownBeautificationYarliyilArtshasbeenengagedandcommissionedforvariousfunctionalanddecorativeartworksby

theShireofHallsCreek.

Overthepasttwoyears,oneofourmaincommunityprojectshasbeenpaintingthebinsinHallsCreek

withboldandstrikingculturalimages.ThishasbeenachangeforourmainlyAboriginaltown,where

therearestillfewsignsofCultureandheritagevisible.

OurartistsalsopaintedaseriesofartworksonoldcarbonnetsfortheShirein2018.Theywereused

for signage in and around Halls Creek, including Caroline Pool, Sawpit Gorge and Old Town.

Additionally,YarliyilArtspaintedanumberofbigsignageboardsforthenewShirebuildingstoprovide

informationtolocalsandvisitors.

Wewouldliketodomoreofthesetypesofcollectiveandcommunityprojectsinthefuture,inaddition

toourindividualworks.

GawoolengYawoodengGawoolengYawoodengisanAboriginalownedandcontrolledorganisationinKununurra.Weprovide

crisis accommodationandother support services forwomen inneed. LedbyCulturalGovernance

structures,ourBoardismadeupoftheMiriwoongWomen’sLawBosses.


LawGroundWithLawandCulturerunningthroughthearea,MiriwoongGajirrawoongwomenpreviouslysetupa

LawGroundwithinfrastructureandequipmenttosupportthisprocess.ThenLawstoppedforafew

yearsbecauseofthelossofoldpeople,andduringthistimetheLawGroundwasbrokenintoand

vandalised.WenowkeepoursecretandsacredculturalmaterialforWomen’sLawTimeatoursafe-

house.

A central priorityofGawoolengYawoodeng’sBoard is to re-establish the LawGround so that the

sacred objects can be returned and stored safely there. Our Board also wants to secure enough

fundingfortheWomen’sGrouptobeabletoorganiseLawBusinesseachyear,includingtobeableto

runabusfromtowntoandfromthesite.



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OurPartnerships

Familyiscentralforusculturally,andGawoolengYawoodengintendstowalkhand-in-handwiththe

Men’s Group that has just started in Kununurra, to ensure our mutual continued strength and

resilience.

6PRKRadioHallsCreek6PRKRadio(6PRK)wasfoundedin1990inHallsCreek.PartofthePilbaraandKimberleyAboriginal

Media(PAKAM)RadioNetworkthatisbasedinBroome,wearepartoftheregionalservicedelivery

that includes the sharing of news, information, special broadcast events, music and stories by

Aboriginalstationsinalltheregionaltownsandmanyremotecommunities.

Broadcasting in theHalls Creek Shire area 24 hours a day, seven days aweek, 6PRK has amusic

recordingstudioandprovidesservicesinoutdoorbroadcast,videoproduction,andCD/DVDcopying,

printingandduplication.WealsohaveaDJsetwithlightsandasmokemachine,andoutdoorcinema

facilities.


MediaTrainingOvertheyears,thestationhastrainedinterestedlocalsinmediaandentertainment,suchashowto

talkonradioandpresenttheirownshows,producemusic,DJ,andproducevideos.Thisincludesthe

KijaandJaruLanguagestories thatarebroadcasteveryWednesdayby languageworkers fromthe


OurPartnerships

6PRKwouldliketoproducemorelocalculturalcontentandweareseekingpartnershipswithother

Aboriginalorganisationsforthispurpose.Thisincludesprojectssuchasprofilingartistswhoworkat

theYarliyilArtCentreandvisuallyrecordingstoriesandactivities,includingmakingfilms.

WearecurrentlyfundedbymusicianAlanPigram(oneofthePigramBrothers)andtheDepartment

ofPrimeMinisterandCabinet(DPMC)toshowcasesixAboriginalbandsinaliveshowrecording.At

themoment,thisisourfocus.

Overarchingly, 6PRKwants to broaden our impact in this area. There is an opportunity to greatly

strengthen cultural activities and promotion using media such as broadcasting and film-making.

However,alackoffundingisholdingthingsbackandwewanttoseemoresupportforourcultural

programsinthefuture.

WarringarriMediaAboriginalCorporation6WRWaringarriMediaAboriginalCorporation6WR(WaringarriMedia)hasoperatedintheEastKimberley

regionforover30yearsasanot-for-profitorganisation.Wellknownforourslogan,“TheAboriginal

voice of the East Kimberley”, our services include the localWaringarri Radio,which broadcasts in

Kununurra(693AM),Wyndham(102.1FM),Warmun(102.1FM),Kulumburru(103.1FM),ArgyleMine

(104.3FM)andTouristRadio(87.6FM).Ourfootprintalsospreadsacrosstoremotecommunitiesin

theNorthEastKimberleyandtheNorthernTerritory.



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WaringarriMediaalsooperatesvideoproductionsservices,outdoorbroadcasting,graphicdesigning

andsocialmediamarketing.


WaringarriMediawasestablishedtosupporttheCulture,TraditionsandLanguageofthelocalarea.

WeprovidequalityradioprogramstotheAboriginalcommunityofKununurraandsurroundingareas,

andaccesstootherformsofmedia,suchastelevision.

OurkeyobjectivesaretoreinforceIndigenousculturalidentity,promotetrustandfriendshipamong

Aboriginal people and the wider Australian community, and provide training and employment in

variousaspectsofmediatoAboriginalpeople.

OurPartnerships

CollaborationsalsoallowWaringarriMediatoactivelypromoteAboriginalcultureandtradition–for

example, partnering with the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre to

producethe‘Let’sTalkMiriwoong’program.

GijaRangersBasedinWarmun,theGijaRangerswereformedin2012tolookafterandmanageGijaCountryusing

acombinationofTraditionalKnowledge,Westernscienceandmoderntechnologies.Wearealsoa

memberoftheKimberleyRangerNetworkthroughtheKimberleyLandCouncil.


In2017,wehadsevenemployees.However,withtheclosureofakeyfundingprogramonlytwofull-

timerangersremain.TheyaresupportedbyamixtureofWorkingOnCountryProgramfundsandfee-

for-serviceworkintheWarmunarea.

Beforethesechanges, theGijaRangerswereabletoworkmorecloselywithourSeniorPeopleon

mappingCountry,goingoutwiththekidswhowerelearningdanceandbushskills,andsoon.Westill

workwithschoolkids,butunfortunatelywearenotabletotakeonasmuchaswedidbefore.

OurPartnerships

OurcollaborationwiththeWarmunArtCentrehasbeenstrongovertheyears.Inthepast,theGija

RangerswereabletohelpWarmunArtCentrelookafterimportantsitestheycouldnotlookafterby

themselves.WhileWarmunArtCentreisabletopayustogoonbushtripswithElders,withonlytwo

rangersithasbeenveryhardtodoallthatisneeded.

TheGijaRangersalsofindweneedtoprioritisefee-for-serviceworkattheexpenseofundertaking

the cultural activities that should be our focus. Additional resources would allow us to avoid

predicamentslikethis.

Following the Native Title determination in 2019, the possibility of establishing an Indigenous

ProtectedArea(IPA)onourCountrymayleadtofundingformorerangersonceagain.Wecontinue

toinvestigateotherfundingaswell.



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MiriuwungGajerrongCorporationMiriuwungGajerrongCorporation (MGCorp)was established in 2006 as aRegisteredNative Title

PrescribedBodyCorporate (RNTPBC).Werepresent the interestsof theMiriuwungandGajerrong

People,whoaretheNativeTitleHoldersoftheTraditionalLandsthatspanlargeareasinthenorth

eastKimberley.

InadditiontomanagingthebenefitsreceivedinanagreementwiththeStateGovernment,MGCorp

protects,preservesandenhancesMiriuwungandGajerrongHeritageandCulture.Ourmissionisto

buildastrongsocial,culturalandeconomicandsocialbasethatachieveswellbeingforourPeople.


MGCorpdoesmany things that incorporateculture, soat times it ishard tocategorise individual

culturalelementswithinourorganisationwhensomanyoverlap.However,hereareafewexamples:

HeritageSurveysTogetherwiththeDepartmentofParksandWildlife,wemanagetheMiriuwungGajerrongRangers.

Their activities include coordinating heritage surveys and other heritagematters on behalf of our

TraditionalOwners.

CulturalLawandActivitiesAdditionally,andimportantly,MGCorpprovidessupportforMen’sandWomen’sCulturalLaw,and

cultureactivitiesandevents.In2018,weheldourfirstceremonyinthisareatore-burytherepatriated

bonesofMiriuwungandGajerrongPeoplewhoweretakenfromtheirCountryyearsago.

Ourgovernanceanddecision-making isbasedonTraditionalCulturalStructures, includingdawang

(estate groups) and theGarralyel – the Traditional authority for Law andCulture.Miriuwung and

GajerrongElderswhoholdTraditionalKnowledgeofCountrysitontheGarralyeltoguideandadvise

ourPrescribedBodyCorporates(PBCs)onNativeTitle,Country,Culture,LawandLanguage.

The Dawang Land Trust holds the titles to our Traditional Lands, including areas of cultural and

historicalsignificance.

OurPartnerships

MGCorpworkswithmostoftheotherAboriginalorganisationsintheareatobenefitofourmembers,

other Aboriginal people and the wider East Kimberley community. We maintain an integrated

communitydevelopmentapproachtosupportournetworks.

Any requests to provide cultural awareness are referred to theMirima DawangWoorlab-gerring

Language and Culture Centre and we work collaboratively with the organisation to deliver the

material.

Throughfundingwereceiveunder theNativeTitleAgreement,MGCorphasbeenable toprovide

additionalresourcesforculturalactivitiestootherlocalAboriginalorganisations,includingWaringarri

AboriginalArtsandtheMirimaDawangWoorlab-gerringLanguageandCultureCentre.



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YuraYungiMedicalServiceYuraYungiMedical Service (YYMS)wasestablished in1987 to service theneedsof theAboriginal

people of the town of Halls Creek and surrounds.We are amember of the Kimberley Aboriginal

MedicalService,whichismanagedandcontrolledbyKimberleyAboriginalpeople.

AligningwiththeKimberleyAboriginalMedicalServicemission,YYMSaimstobelocallyandnationally

recognisedasaneffectiveadvocate for theKimberleyAboriginalhealthsectorandtoprovideand

supporttheprovisionofeffectiveholisticandculturally-appropriateprimaryhealthcareservicesfor

AboriginalpeopleintheKimberley.


SocialandEmotionalWellbeingServicesIn addition to primary health services such as general practice clinics, YYMS delivers Social and

EmotionalWellbeing(SEWB)Servicestorestorethephysical,spiritual,cultural,environmentaland

socialfactorsnecessarytosustainresilience,strengthandoverallwellbeinginourAboriginalpeople.

Consistingofavarietyof staff includingAboriginalcounsellors, theactivitiesofourSEWBServices

teamarediverse.Theyincludecounselling,suicidepreventionandsupportfortheStolenGenerations

togotoCountrytoassistinaddressingintergenerationaltrauma.

OurPartnerships

Importantly, YYMS’ SEWB team is further supported by the KimberleyAboriginalMedical Service,

whichprovidesavarietyoftraininginmentalhealthandsuicideintervention,aswellasstaffsupport

andmentoring.

Wearelocal,ourprogramsareculturally-appropriate,wespeakLanguageandareaware

ofskinnames.Wearethevoiceforourpeoplewhodon’thaveoneoranunderstanding

ofthesystemsandwaysofdoingthings.

It is a two-way process, we are cultural brokers andmediators for grief and loss, for

substanceabuse.

–YYMSrepresentative(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

OrdValleyAboriginalHealthServiceTheOrdValleyAboriginalHealthService(OVAHS)isacommunity-controlledAboriginalHealthService

withaBoardofDirectorsthatisdrawnfromthelocalMiriuwungGajerrongcommunity.Incorporated

in 1984 and operating from Kununurra, we provide clinics at Doon Doon community and the

outstationatGlenHill.

Ourmissionistoworkwithcommunitiestoimprovehealthandlifestyles,andbuildanew,healthier

generation. Similarly, OVAHS’ vision to provide culturally-appropriate health care through

professionalism,clearcommunicationandawelcomingenvironment.



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OVAHS’mainactivitiesareclinicalservices,mentalhealthservices,healthpromotionandeducation

programs in the areasof FoetalAlcohol SpectrumDisorder (FASD)prevention, smoking cessation,

chronicdiseaseprevention,childhoodhealthpromotionandsexualhealth.

WewerepreviouslyfundedtodelivertheSEWBProgram.However,in2017thispassedovertothe

KununurraWaringarriAboriginalCorporation.Thistransitionwasundertakenbecausemanyidentified

itwasabetterfitforalocalAboriginalcommunityorganisationthatworkscloselywithcommunity

membersacrossarangeofareas.

OurPartnerships

OVAHScontinuestosupportlocaleventsandfestivalssuchasNAIDOCWeek.

HallsCreekNAIDOCWeekOrganisersTheHallsCreekNationalAboriginalandIslandersDayObservanceCommittee(NAIDOC)Weekisan

important event on our town’s annual calendar. Every July,we celebrate the history, culture and

achievementsofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesbothfromourareaandnationwide.

NAIDOCWeekinHallsCreekisoneoftheonlytimes–ifnottheonlyone–whereTraditionaldance

andsong isperformedforthetownspeopleandthereareopportunities foreveryoneto learnand

participateintheperformances.

Wewant to seemore dancing andmore people doing it. The Stolen Generations, we

missedoutonthisknowledge.Iwouldn’tmindjoiningin.

–HallsCreekNAIDOCWeekOrganisersrepresentative

(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

OurPartnerships

All of the Aboriginal community-based organisations – namely, the Kimberley Language Resource

Centre,YarliyilArtsCentre,6PRKRadioHallsCreek,YuraYungiMedicalServiceandJungarniJutiya

AlcoholCentre–aswellastheWunanFoundationandShireofHallsCreek,cometogethertosupport

thecommunityandeachotherintheholdingofNAIDOCWeekevents.

ThesecollectiveeffortsandcontributionsmeanthattheHallsCreekNAIDOCWeekOrganiserscan

focusonsecuringfundingforouropeningceremony,whichincludesdancersandthosewhocanteach

othershowtodance.

TheKimberleyLanguageResourceCentretakestheleadincoordinatingtheperformers,withStewart

MoretonandValmaBanksteachingtheyoungerdancers.



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NORTHERNTRADITION(WYNDHAM,KALUMBURU&THEGIBBRIVERROAD)Featuring the larger towns of Wyndham and Kalumburu, the Northern Tradition cultural bloc

encompassesthe:

• WestKimberleySaltwaterCountrythatisnorthofDerbyandalongtheGibbRiverRoad,with

theWorrorra,WunumbalGaamberaandNgarinyinLanguageGroups

• North Kimberley Saltwater andMitchell PlateauCountry,with the EasternDambimangari,

WunambulGaambera,SouthernBalanggarraandNyarinyinLanguageGroups,andtouching

theNyikina,BunubaandGooniyandiLanguageGroups

Atotalofseven(7)AboriginalorganisationsfromtheNorthernTraditionparticipatedinthisproject,

namely:

• KiraKiroArtCentre

• WunambalGaamberaAboriginalCorporationandUunguuRangers (collaborative response

provided)

• WilingginAboriginalCorporation,WunggurrRangersandtheWilingginIndigenousProtected

Area(collaborativeresponseprovided)

• EnterprisePartnershipsWA

KiraKiroArtCentreKiraKiroArtCentre(KiraKiroArts)islocatedatKalumburuinthenorthernKimberley.KiraKiroorKirri

KirriareKwiniorGwionspiritualfiguresthatarefeaturedintherockartgalleriesaroundKalumburu

andbelievedtohavebeenpaintedbythebeakoftheSandstoneStrikeThrushwithbloodfromthe

tipsofitswings.

ArtisticpracticehasalwaysplayedaculturalandeconomicroleinKalumburu,andin2009KiraKiro

ArtswasestablishedwithassistancefromWaringarriAboriginalArtsinKununurra.


KiraKiroArtsProjectManagedbybothWaringarriAboriginalArtsandKalumburu-basedartsworkers, theKiraKiroArts

Project provides enterprise opportunities for artists to develop arts practice skills and cultural

traditions,whilepromotingethicalsalestocollectorsandprovidingvisualartspacestocreateworks

fornationalandinternationalmarkets.

TheprojectemphasisesthesupportofTraditionalskillssuchasbarkharvestingandpaintingandthe

collectionoflocalolmal(whiteochre),aswellastheproductionofculturalartefactsandstorytelling

throughcontemporaryworks.

Artpracticeinourareaisgroundedintherockarttradition,inparticulartheWandjina(rainmaker

spirit)andKiraKiroorGwionGwion figures–thehelpersoftheWandjina.Contemporarypractice

includes secular themes of land animals, sea life and seasonal flora, and artists have developed

botanicalthemedworksthatincludebushfoods,medicinalplants,andfreshwaterandaquaticplants.



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Artists paint with natural ochre pigments on canvas, paper and bark and are skilled boab nut

engravers.

WunambalGaamberaAboriginalCorporationandtheUunguuRangersLocated inthefarnorthoftheKimberleyregion,theWunambalGaamberaAboriginalCorporation

(WGAC) isbased inKalumburu.WGACsupports theUunguuRangersand isguidedbyourHealthy

CountryPlan,whichcontainsa10-yearvisionthatincludes:

• LookafterourCountryinthewayofourWanjinaWunggurrLaw

• LiveonandmakebusinessfromourCountry

• ProtectandshareourculturalplacesasourTraditionalLawsays

• UseourTraditionalKnowledgeandWesternsciencetocareforourCountrysothatnoplants

andanimalsarelost

• BerespectedastheproperownersandmanagersofWunambalGaamberaCountry

• Haverangerstationson-CountrytohelpuslookafterCountry

• HavetheCulturalKnowledgeofourElders–bothusandourfuturegenerations

• BegivenahealthylifebyourCountry–bothusandourfuturegenerations

SupportingTraditionalOwnersfromtheWanjinaWunggurrUunguuNativeTitleDeterminationArea

(WunambalGaambera),mostpeopleliveinKalumburu,MowanjumandKandiwal.


Wefocusonanumberofareaswithinaculturalframework,includingthesocioeconomic,landand

sea,heritage,Culture,Language,aswellasLaw,myth,ceremonyandsacred,whichfeatureinmany

oftheprogramswedeliver.

CulturalKnowledgeWGAC’s Cultural Knowledge Program focusses on recording Cultural Knowledge with Elders and

passingthisinformationontoyoungpeople.Twoimportantculturebookshavebeencompletedasa

resultofthisprogram–UunguuPlantsandAnimals:AboriginalBiologicalKnowledgefromWunambal

GaamberaCountryintheNorth-westKimberley,Australia(ethno-ecology)andNyaraparikalaniragu

(gaambera):gadawarangyaran-gada (wunambal): inganinjagubadjoongana (woddordda):weare

comingtoseeyou”(aTraditionalOwnerperspectiveonWanjinaWunggurrcultureandrockart).All

landandseaworkalsoaimstouseandpassonCulturalKnowledgewhileprovidingopportunitiesfor

TraditionalOwnerstogetouton-Country.

CulturalEducationWiththelonger-termintentofcreatingaformallearningprogram,theinitialeffortsofourCultural

EducationProgramhavecentredonLanguageandJunba(Traditionalstorytellingviasonganddance)

workshops.TheUunguuRangersalsosupportschool-basedculturecamps.

CulturalSiteManagementThisprogramisaboutmanagingCulturalSitesbyrecording,monitoringandmanagingthreatssuchas

visitation,cattle,fire,climatechange,andlossofTraditionalorCulturalKnowledges.



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VisitorManagementUsedbyapproximately15,000 touristsannually, theUunguuVisitorPass (UVP)ensuresvisitors to

Country have permission from Traditional Owners and visit in a culturally-appropriate way. This

includesaccessingthecoastoncruisevesselsorvisitingMitchellPlateaubyroad.

TheUVPprovidessignificantopportunitiesforbothWGACandtheUunguuRangerstosharecultural

storieswithvisitorsandoffersopportunitiesforTraditionalOwnerstoparticipateintheindustry.

Additionally, generated funds are used tomanage Cultural Sites that are open to visitation; train

rangersandguidesinhowtotellstoriesandwelcomevisitorstoCountry;anddevelopinterpretive

materialstomakesurevisitorsaregettingtheright(correct)storyforCountry.

GettingBacktoCountryWGACsupportsTraditionalOwnersto liveonortovisitCountrythroughprojectworksotheycan

maintaintheirconnectiontoCountryandmaintainCulturalKnowledgeandpractice.

OurPartnerships

Our primary partnership is with the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation and the Dambimangari

Aboriginal Corporation. Collectively, our three corporations combine within the broaderWanjina

WunggurrPrescribedBodyCorporate(PBC)andsharethesameLawandCulture.

PartnersforWGAC’son-CountryprogramsincludeBushHeritageAustralia,KimberleyLandCouncil

(ranger program support), Department of Parks and Wildlife, Parks Australia and the Federal

Government.

Ourculturalprogramshavebeensupportedbyvariouspartners,including:

• Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education – language projects via expertise in

languagelearningandtraining(e.g.twoworkshopsin2018)

• NulunguResearch Institute (University ofNotreDameAustralia) – previous Cultural Site

workandupcomingresearch

• MowanjumAboriginalArt&CultureCentre–Junbaprojects

Considered a national and international leader in Healthy Country Planning,WGAC has academic

publications toourcredit thatoutlinehowHealthyCountryPlanscanbeusedtomeetTraditional

Owners’visionforlookingafterCountryandCulture(Austinetal;Moorcroftetal).

WGAC is also supporting Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation and Balanggarra Aboriginal

CorporationtoextentthevisitorpassmodeltotheirCountries.

WilingginAboriginalCorporation,WunggurrRangersandtheWilingginIndigenousProtectedAreaTheWilingginAboriginal Corporation (WAC)was established to support the interests ofNgarinyin

TraditionalOwnersontheWanjinaWunggurrWilingginTraditionalLands.BasedinDerby,wesupport

TraditionalOwnerswithinourfourclanestatesintheCentralKimberleyalongtheGibbRiverRoad.

MuchofthisCountryfallswithintheWilingginIndigenousProtectedArea(IPA)andiscaredforbyour

rangerteam,theWunggurrRangers,whoarebasedintheNgullagundaAboriginalCommunity(Gibb

RiverStation).



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OurvisionforourCountry,asstatedintheWilingginHealthyCountryPlan(HCP), isthatNgarinyin

communitiescanworktogether inourhomelands,keepingLanguage,CultureandCountryhealthy

whilebeingsupportedbyTraditionalandWesterneducation.


WACdeliversaseriesofculturally-basedprogramsandprojectsthatfocusonsocioeconomic, land

andsea,heritage,CultureandLanguageoutcomes,including:

• BacktoCountry–annualtripstodifferent locationsinWilingginCountryeachyear,which

focusonpassingCulturalKnowledgeandpracticesfromoldertoyoungergenerations

• Ngarinyin Language – recordingNgarinyin Language for topics related tohealthyCountry;

developing tools to support the Wunggurr Rangers to incorporate the use of Ngarinyin

language into their day-to-day work; and supporting younger generations to learn and

practiceNgarinyinLanguage.

• Cultural Site Database – developing a database of Cultural Sites, which will be used to

prioritisetheWunggurrRangers’workinmonitoringandprotectingthesites

• Traditional FireManagement – reinvigorating Traditional firemanagement practices on a

landscapescaleusingnewtechnology(e.g.helicopters,aerial,incendiaries)andundertaking

more Traditional fire walks across Country, which generate an income for WAC that is

reinvestedactivitiesthatpromotethehealthofNgarinyinCultureandWilingginCountry

• ClanGroups–supportingpeopleintheirrespectiveclangroupstomaintainconnectionwith

theirCountrythroughthedevelopmentofplansandstrategiestoliveandworkon-Country

WACadvocatesforculturalelementstobeincorporatedintoalloftheworkwedoandensuresthisis

reflectedintheWorkPlanswesubmittofundingbodies,including:

• IncorporatingsoundCulturalGovernanceintoWilinggin’sHCP,suchasengagingwiththeright

clangroupsforeachareaofCountryandmakingdecisionsatappropriatelevels

• Contributing to research and advocacy about the broader social, cultural and economic

benefitsofIndigenouslandmanagement,includingthe‘CountryNeedsPeople’campaign

Finally,theprogramguidedbytheWilingginHealthyCountryPlan(HCP)isintheprocessofdeveloping

aMonitoring,Evaluation,ReportingandImprovement(MERI)Planthatwillspecifykeyindicatorsand

resultchains.

OurPartnerships

To deliver our culturally-based programs and others, WAC has developed strong and strategic

partnerships,including:

• MowanjumAboriginalArt&CultureCentre–collaborativeannualback-to-Countrytripsand

the development of the Wunnan Storylines database (an accessible online, password-

protected database of cultural and natural heritage recordings managed by the Wanjina

Wunggurrgroups)

• YirimanProject–conductingannualback-to-Countrytripsthatfocusonbushmedicine

• Nulungu Research Institute (University of Notre Dame Australia) – cultural heritage

management



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• Kimberley Land Council – cultural and natural resource management issues, and sharing

knowledgeandexperienceacrosstheKimberleyRangerNetwork(KRN)

EnterprisePartnershipsWAEnterprise Partnerships WA (EPWA)’s model is based on successful not-for-

profitorganisationEnterprise Learning Projects(ELP), whichlaunched in the Northern Territory in

2010andhassupportedWesternAustralianactivitiesundertheELPbannersince2015.EPWAand

ELP nowwork together at astrategic level to drive sector-wide initiatives and enable grassroots

enterprise development across remote Australia, while maintaining separate legal entities and

governanceprocesses.

EPWAisanot-for-profitsocialenterprisethatworkswithremoteAboriginalcommunitymembersto

fosterlocalmicro-businessdevelopmentandengageinthewidereconomy.Ourapproachistohelp

localpeopletobuildtheircapacityasentrepreneursandinenterprisedevelopment(i.e.theirskills,

knowledge,confidenceandnetworks).This includestheareasofgovernanceanddecision-making,

financial literacy, creative thinking and problem solving, and the self-assurance to explore

opportunitiesandtakemeasuredbusinessrisks.


EPWAworkscloselywiththeKalumburucommunityandwillexpandourworktootherEastKimberley

communities in 2019. Our initiatives focus on how enterprise activities can contribute to health,

wellbeing and suicide prevention by supporting meaningful engagement in culturally-based

enterprises.

TheKalumburucommunitybelievesthatstrongculturalidentityisfundamentaltotheirhealthand

socialandemotionalwellbeing,aswellasbeingapowerfulsuicidepreventiontool.Theywanttocurb

thehighratesofyouthsubstanceabuseand in thecriminal justicesystembyexploringenterprise

opportunitiesthatrevivetheseandotherTraditionalpractices.

TramallaStrongWomen’sGroupandEnterpriseLearningIn2015,theleadersoftheTramallaStrongWomen’sGroup(Tramalla)inKalumburuinvitedEPWAto

work with them and the Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation to develop local enterprises that can

becomevehiclesforeconomicandsocialchange,includingculturalenterprises.Theaimistocreate

jobs,toreconnectyoungpeoplewithCountry,tocreateprideinthecommunity,andtooffertheir

culturetothemarket.

So far, the emerging opportunities being explored include pandanusweaving, Traditional carving,

photographyandtourism,withafocusonstrengtheningthegovernanceofTramallaandfostering

leadershipforwomentobeabletodetermineandcontroltheirownfutures.

Over 60 community members are currently participating in these enterprise learning and

development activities. EPWAalso supports communities to develop a supportive ecosystem that

helpsestablishthepartnershipsrequiredforsuccessfulremoteenterprises.

PhotographyTheKalumburu PhotographyCollectivemicro-enterprise has created local economic opportunities

and products for the tourism market. The young participants identified digital photography as a



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pathwaytomicro-enterprise,andbegantakingphotos for the local schooland foragencies in the

community,aswellastoselltovisitorstotheirCountry.

In2017and2018,Tramallaparticipatedinworkshopswithaprofessionalphotographertolearnabout

howphotoscanbeusedtorecordculture,exhibitedintheircommunityanddevelopedassaleable

products.Overthelong-termthewomenareseekingtoacquiretheskills,knowledgeandconfidence

tosuccessfullymanagephotography-basedenterprises.

CarvingInitiatedbytheolderwomen,TramallaandEPWAarerunningacarvingprojectforElderstomentor

andshareTraditionalskillswithyoungerwomentostayconnectedtoCountryandtokeepculture

strong.Kalumburumenareassistingwiththeproject,whichhasbeenchallengingduetothelackofa

Men’sSpaceinthecommunity.Despitethis,weareachievingresults.

PandanusWeavingAnotherprojectthatthewomeninKalumburuarepursuingisrevivingpandanusweavingpractices.

Thelonger-termplanistocreateasustainableenterprisethatisbasedonseniorWunambalGaambera

womensharingtheirTraditionalEcologicalKnowledge.

HealingandSkills-basedBushCampsHealingcampsandskills-basedbushcampsheldin2017and2018linkedculturalenterpriseactivities

tocommercialopportunities.ThepurposeofthecampswastoshareTraditionalKnowledgeandskills

withtheyoungergenerationstoincreaseresilience,developlocalnetworksofstrengthandhealing,

andexposethemtoenterpriseopportunities.

Community-runOpShopTramalla is intheprocessofestablishingacommunity-runopshop,whereprofitsfromthesaleof

donated clothingwill be used as seed funding for cultural enterprise activities that preserve and

revitaliseTraditionalKnowledgeandpractices.TheWomen’sGroupiscurrentlynegotiatingalease

spacewithKalumburuAboriginalCorporationandtheAboriginalLandsTrust.

TextilesIn2018,EPWAfacilitatedanopportunity for theKalumburucommunitytobe involved inadesign

workshopthatwasrunbyELP-supportedsocialenterpriseMagpieGoose–anemergingfashionsocial

enterprisethathighlightsthemarketdemandforIndigenousdesignedandprintedtextiles.

WiththeirfocusoffosteringcapacityandbuildingopportunitieswithAboriginalcommunities,Magpie

GooselicensedthedesignsofwomenfromtheKalumburuStrongWomen’sCentrewhoparticipated

intheworkshop.



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SOUTHERNTRADITION(BIDYADANGATHROUGHTOTHETJURABALAN)The Southern Tradition cultural bloc spans from the Pilbara through the southern Kimberley and

includestheKarajarri,Yawuru,Nyikina-Mangala,Walmajarri, JaruandKukatjaLanguageGroups. It

alsofeaturesthelargertownofBidyadangaandtheTjurabalanNativeTitleLands.

A total of six (6)Aboriginal organisations from the Southern Traditionparticipated in this project,

namely:

• Karajarri Rangers and the Karajarri Indigenous Protected Area (collaborative response

provided)

• YanunijarraAboriginalCorporation,NgurraraRangersandtheNgurraraIndigenousProtected

Area(collaborativeresponseprovided)

• BidyadangaTraditionalHealersGroup

KarajarriRangersandtheKarajarriIndigenousProtectedAreaSituatedapproximately200kmsouthofBroomeistheAboriginalcommunityofBidyadangaonthe

KarajarriTraditionalLands.Coveringapproximately32,000km2,theKarajarriRangerslookaftermuch

ofthisCountry,whichalsofallswithintheKarajarriIndigenousProtectedArea(IPA).Ourrangersare

mandatedto:

Improvethe livesofourmembersthroughmaintainingstrong livingculture,protecting

Country,drivingprojectsthatcreatejobsandincome,andfulfillingaspirationstosustain

ourfutureson-Country.


TheKarajarriRangersprimarilydeliverculturally-underpinnedland,seaandheritageprogramsthat

areoutlinedbelow.

HealthyCountryPlan–LookingAfterCountryWe have eight full-time rangers and three coordinators, as well as the equipment, resources,

partnershipsandknowledgeto implementtheKarajarriHealthyCountryPlan(HCP)–thestrategic

documentthatguidesland,seaandculturalmanagementforallKarajarriCountryandPeople.Aspart

of lookingafterCountry, theKarajarriRangersand IPAWorkProgramundertakeactivities suchas

CulturalSitemanagement,IndigenousKnowledgetransfer,repatriationofknowledgeanddocuments,

andsoon.

TheWanjira-NangkyrinCulturalArmThe Wanjira-Nangkyrin cultural arm of the Karajarri Traditional Lands Association (KTLA), the

PrescribedBodyCorporate(PBC)ofKarajarriPeople.Wanjira-NangkyrinisfacilitatedbytheKarajarri

IPAWorkProgram,withthepurposeofsupportingKarajarriLawandCulture.Supportingboththe

maintenance of Law and culture activities associated with ceremony time and funerals, the arm

additionally looks after cultural places, protocols and processes. Wanjira-Nangkyrin is rapidly

becomingakeyfocusforourgroup.



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KarajarriEnterpriseDevelopmentBoththeKarajarriRangersandIPAProgramsupporttheYirimanwomenandtheKarajarriTraditional

Lands Association (KTLA) to undertake enterprise development that is centred on land, sea and

cultural management. This includes cultural tourism, bush medicines, product development and

IndigenousKnowledgetransfer.

OurPartnershipsTo complete these programs, the Karajarri Rangers have cultivated a series of collaborative

partnerships,including:

• Australian Institute ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) – access to

archives,institutionsandprojectsupportforrepatriationprojects

• Nulungu Research Institute (University of Notre Dame Australia) – access to experts in

archaeologyandIndigenousstudiesforculturalheritagemanagement

• IndigenousLandCorporation(ILC)accesstograntsandfinancialsupportforlandacquisition

andmanagement

• WADepartmentofParksandWildlife(DPaW)–jointmanagementofconservationestates

heldinreservebythestate,aswellasIndigenouslandmanagement

• EnvironsKimberley–scientifictechnicalsupportandprojectdevelopmentadvice

• KimberleyLandCouncil–contractmanagementandprojectmanagementsupportgroup

WealsoworkcloselywithourneighbouringNgurrara,Yawuru,Nyangumarta,andNyikinaMangala.

TheKarajarriRangershavea longhistoryofadvocatingthe importanceofculturalrevitalisationto

externalregional,state,nationalandglobalaudiencesand/orforums,suchasour:

• CanadianstudytourandculturalexchangetoCanada

• ParticipationintheWorldYouthForumaspartoftheInternationalUnionforConservationof

Nature(IUCN)conference

• ParticipationintheAustralianYouthParliament

• RangerexchangetonorthQueensland

Withdirectemploymentandtrainingformorethan10rangers,thisnumberhassteadilyrisenover

thepastfiveyearsandhasseengreaterinvolvementandengagementofbothyouthandElders.The

KarajarriRangersnowalsoactivelyworkwiththelocalschoolandemploytwoschool-basedtrainees

aspartofouron-Countryworkprograms.

Additionally, the Karajarri Rangers have implemented a Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and

Improvement (MERI) Program that indicates progress towards implementing our HCP and

improvementaveragesforthehealthoftargets(which,asidentifiedinourHCP,includelookingafter

cultural sites, doing fire management the right way, using Language and so on), as well as the

reduction of threats that impede our ability to meet our Healthy Country targets.We have also

developedaresearchprotocolwiththeIndigenousSaltwaterAdvisoryGroup(ISWAG)network.



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YanunijarraAboriginalCorporation,NgurraraRangersandtheNgurraraIndigenousProtectedAreaYanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) looks after Ngurrara Country in the Kimberley region of

WesternAustralia.TheNgurraraRangerswereestablishedtomanageapproximately77,595km2of

exclusivepossessionNativeTitleLand.


YACstrivestodeveloparangeofbusinessinitiativesforNgurrarapeople.Inadditiontomanaginga

teamofrangerswhocarryoutconservationandlandmanagementwork,wearecurrentlydeveloping

aTourismManagementStrategyfortheCanningStockRouteandcontinuallycreateopportunitiesfor

ourpeopletoworkon-Country,lookafterCountryandteachaboutCountry.

On-CountryProgramsAspartofYAC’scommitmenttotakingpeopleouton-Country,wehavedevelopedaspecificyouth

program.Throughallofouron-Countryprogramswesupportpeoples’Liyan(spirit)–whichhelpswith

theirsenseof identitybysharingknowledgeaboutwhereourancestorscomefromandhoweach

youngpersonbelongs. This also inspires youth interest in landmanagement, asbeingon-Country

ofteninvolvesactivitiessuchaswatermonitoringandclimatechangemonitoring.

MixingWesternandAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander(ATSI)knowledgestopresentinformation

and learn land management skills helps us to increase youth engagement while on-Country. For

example,usingatabletdevicetoassistwithourWorkPlanswhilelisteningtoTraditionalKnowledge.

Wegobeyondmerelybeingalandmanagementorganisation.

YouthJusticeProgramYACaddressesyouthjusticeissuesthroughcollaborativepartnershipswiththeYirimanProjectand

thecourts,whereweencourageyoungpeopletomakepositivechoices.Inourexperience,thereare

nowadaysnotenoughprogramsfortheyoungpeopletoengagewithandtohelpkeepthemoutof

trouble.Wewould liketobeabletobringbacksomeof theoldculturally-focussedprogramsthat

workedwithcommunityinmoreappropriateways.

CulturalDatabaseTo align with our dedication to continuously improving our programs and operations, we have

developedaculturaldatabasewithgender-basedandself-managedSorryBusinesspracticestoensure

thatwe inherentlyapplyourculturalprotocols toall thatwedo.Thedatabase ismanagedby the

Ngurrara Rangers and is utilised by researchers who use the same specific identifiers for cross-

referencing.WealsoassertourIntellectualProperty(IP)rightsandmakesureappropriateconsentis

obtainediftheresearcherswishtouseourdata.

YanunijarraStrategicPlanAnongoingissueforourselvesandallRegisteredNativeTitlePrescribedBodyCorporates(RNTPBCs)

isthelimitedresourcesthatwehave.Toobtainindependencefromrepresentativebodies,weneed

largeresourcesforadministration,whichisattimesunfeasible.

InresponsetotakingoverresponsibilityforourNgurraraRangers,YAChasdevelopedpoliciesand

procedurestosecuretherangerteamcontractwiththeFederalGovernment,holdourowninsurance

andsoon.Wealsorecognisethatthisisanimportantstrategyforfosteringyouthparticipationinthe



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longer-term.Therefore,weareinthemidstofdevelopingaStrategicPlanforYACthatwillhelpour

administrativestaffmanagetheNgurraraRangers.

OurPartnerships

Culture and Cultural Governance are important central elements for YAC and we deliver cultural

awarenesssessionstominersandCanningStockRoutetourists.ThroughapartnershipwithShell,we

runculturally-basedprogramswithourlocalschoolsandareabouttocelebrateamilestoneforthe

‘NgurraraCanvas’,whichourartistsmadewithsupportfromMangkajaArtsResourceAgencyduring

ourNativeTitleprocess.

Yanunijarracontinuallysourcesfurtherbusinessandpartnershipopportunities.Forexample,wetalk

topastoralistsaboutworkingonthingslikefiremanagement,includingGogoandCherubinStations,

theWADepartmentofParksandWildlife(DPaW)andtheDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinet

(DPMC).Additionally,wecollaboratedwithKarajarripeopletosecurefurtherjointfundingsomore

rangerscouldundertakeTraditionalburningon thewesternedgeofourestate,nearDragonTree

Soak.

BidyadangaTraditionalHealersGroupA new initiative of the Karajarri Law Bosses and the Yiriman Project, the Bidyadanga Traditional

HealersGroupwasrecentlyformedinresponsetothegrowinginterestinusingAboriginalTraditional

medicinealongsidetheestablishedhealthprofession.

Thereisunfortunatelyverylittlepolicyorsupportinthisspacecurrently.Forexample,theFederal

Governmenthasnotpreviouslyenacted legislation,andthere isno legalrecognition,regulationor

financing forAboriginalTraditionalmedicinenortheAboriginalhealersassociatedwithTraditional

healingpractices.


BushKnowledgeandBusinessDevelopmentPlanDespitethelackofsupportandfunding,theYirimanProjectwomen’scommunityhaverecentlyputa

greatdealofeffortintoaBushKnowledgeandBusinessDevelopmentPlan,whichhasidentifiedfour

priorityareas:

1. BushHealthCareProductRange

2. CulturalHealthService

3. CulturalExperiences

4. ArtandDesign

CulturalHealthServiceLinking specifically with the second priority, the Bidyadanga Traditional Healers Group has been

fashionedtoalignwiththeCulturalHealthServicethatisalreadyindevelopment.Wearenowseeking

resourcestofullyimplementapilotprojectthroughtheKimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrial

thatisledbytheWesternAustralianPrimaryHealthAlliance(WAPHA).

ElderYirimanwomenhaveawealthofknowledgeandasolidcoregroupofyoungerwomenwhoare

keentolearn.TheyhavealreadysuccessfullydeliveredworkshopsinTraditionalmaternityhealthcare

andbeensoughtafterfortheirCulturalKnowledge.Supportedbybusinessplandevelopmentfrom



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StepwiseHeritageandTourismand financial planningby Impact Seed, theBidyadangaTraditional

HealersGroupwillbeabletointroduceaCulturalHealthServiceinitsentirety.

Aspartofthisinitiative,attentionwillbegiventocreatingyoungmothersupportprograms,mental

health support programs and on-Country healing programs that are designed around Traditional

Knowledge.Capacitywillbebuilttoassistinthetreatmentofpatientsinconjunctionwithhealthcare

professionalsthatoperatewithinWesternmedicalpractices.

Whileyettobefullyrealised,thekeyelementsoftheCulturalHealthServiceinclude:

• StrongsupportfromKALACC’sDirectorsforboththeYirimanwomenleadingtheprogramand

theprogramitself

• AproposedtrialsiteofBidyadangaduetoitsconnectiontotheYirimanwomen

• Thedevelopmentofameasurementandevaluationframeworktoguidetheprocess

• AProjectOfficerwhowillberesponsibleforcoordinationandlogistics

OurPartnerships

AttheKALACCDirectorsMeetinginDecember2018,YirimanwomanTinaWatsongaveastand-out

presentationtoinformtheDirectorsofourculturalbusinessinitiatives(i.e.ourBushKnowledgeand

BusinessDevelopmentPlan,CulturalHealthServiceandourgroup),whichwasverywellreceived.

TheYirimanwomenwerethen invitedtobepartof theKALACCWomenDirectorsMeetingwhere

many shared concerns were discussed, including suicide, substance abuse and intergenerational

trauma. It was also agreed that Traditional healing practices and medicinal products represent

significantmethodsforhelpingtoaddresstheseissues.

Movingforward,thefocusoftheBidyadangaTraditionalHealersGroupwillbeto:

• SourceapartnershipwiththecommunityclinicfortheTraditionalhealingpracticesandbush

medicinalproductstobereadilyavailable • CollaboratewithAlliedHealthServiceprofessionals

• Developameasurementandevaluationframework(asnotedabove)

• Cultivate partnershipswith NPYWomen’s Council and their Ngangkari Traditional Healers

Program and/or Aṉangu Ngangkaṟi Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (ANTAC) to develop a

WorkingGroupTermsofReferencethatpotentiallyservesasasupportmechanismoverthe

lifeoftheCulturalHealthServicespilotproject



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REGIONALBODIESInadditiontotheorganisationsthatarelocatedwithinthefivediscreteculturalblocs,anumberof

representative bodies operate across the whole Kimberley region. Five (5) such regional bodies

participatedintheKimberleyAboriginalCaringforCultureProjectconsultationprocess,namely:

• KimberleyLanguageResourceCentre

• AboriginalInterpretingWesternAustralia

• KimberleyLandCouncil

• WunanFoundation

• KimberleyAboriginalMedicalService

KimberleyLanguageResourceCentreTheKimberleyLanguageResourceCentre(KLRC)wasthefirstregionallanguagecentreestablishedin

Australia.Setupin1984andincorporatedin1985,itisthepeakrepresentativebodyforAboriginal

LanguagesintheKimberley.TogetherwiththeKimberleyLandCouncilandKALACC,theKLRCprotects

theheritageofKimberleyAboriginalpeople.

BasedonafoundationofLand,Law,LanguageandCulture,theKLRC’smissionisto:

• AdvocateforKimberleyLanguagesonalllevels

• Promote recognition that diversity in languages is central to Kimberley Culture, land and

identity,andthatAboriginalLanguageshavevalueintoday’sworld

• WorkinpartnershipwiththediverseKimberleylanguagecommunities

• EnsureKimberleyLanguagesarepassedontoourchildren


Overthelast25years,manyKLRCprojectshavebeendocumentationorcommunityresourceprojects.

In1996,theKLRCsetupanarchivetomaintainandprovideaccesstothelanguagematerials,including

audio,visualandwrittenitems,thathavebeencollectedbylinguists,researchers,languageworkers

andotherssincethe1980s.

Therearetaperecordingsofoldsingingandwewanttoteachyoungpeoplethese.There

ismuchotherculturalinformationheldsuchasphotosfromMoolaBullatimes.

–KLRCrepresentative(duringourKACfCProjectconsultation)

HallsCreekChildrenandFamilyCentreInmorerecentyears,theKLRChassupportedprojectsthatcommunitieshavethemselvesdeveloped,

KLRClinguisticandotherexpertisebeingprovidedasthecommunityrequests.

Such projects include working with the Halls Creek Children and Family Centre’s early childhood

programs,wherethecollaboratingorganisationshavetakenchildrenontripstoOldTown,ChinaWall

andRedHillwithEldersandparents.Onthesetrips,SeniorPeopletalkabouttheculturalsignificance

oftheseplacestotheJaruandKijaPeopleoftheareaandpassonknowledgeaboutthebushfoods,

animalsandplantsinLanguage.



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OurPartnerships

TeachingOnCountryAmongthepriorityareasthatKLRChasidentifiedforseekingfundingand/orpartnersupportforare

‘TeachingonCountry’activities,whereKLRCcommunitycoordinatorsfacilitatetripstoCountrywith

allagegroups.Thecentralgoalislanguagetransmission,buthealingandstrengtheningfamiliesare

alsoabigpartofthisprocess.

PartneringKimberleyrangergroupswithNaturalResourceManagement(NRM)activitiesisseenasa

potentialwayofCaringforCountrywhilealsotransmittingknowledgeandlanguage.

JulurruSongandLanguageProjectAnexampleofhowthis isbeingundertakencurrently istheStateGovernment’s investmentinthe

supportofTraditionalLanguagesintheKimberleyviatheJulurruSongandLanguageProject,whichis

apartnershipbetweenKLRCandKALACC.

The Julurru, a shared junba (Traditional storytelling via song and dance) between the northern

AboriginalLanguageGroupsoftheKimberleyandPilbara,wasaseminalculturalphenomenoninthese

areas.ThiswasthefirstjunbathatspreadthroughthewholeKimberleyandintothePilbara,andthe

onlyknown junbatobesharedandperformedbyalloftheKimberley’sculturallyandlinguistically

diverse communities. This project is supporting the artistic resurgenceof the junba as an artform

celebratedwithpublicperformancesonregionalandnationalstages.

KLRCareakeyprojectpartner,assistingKALACCtoidentifylinguistsinthecommunitieswhereJulurru

workshop activities, which include learning the songs and dance with Cultural Bosses from the

respectiveLanguageGroups,aretakingplace.Wethenworkwiththeartistsandperformerswithin

eachcommunitytodocumentandrecordthesongsandstoriesassociatedwiththisregionalcultural

performance.

InternationalYearofIndigenousLanguagesThistypeofactivityisofparticularimportancein2019asitisthe‘InternationalYearofIndigenous

Languages’.TheKLRCandKALACCareactivelyexploringopportunitiestosupportlanguageactivities

and practices throughout the year, including developing potential projects with the Australian

InstituteofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderStudies(AIATSIS).

AboriginalInterpretingWesternAustraliaAboriginalInterpretingWesternAustraliaAboriginalCorporation(AIWA)isacommunityorganisation

thatprovidesover100qualified,accredited interpreters formorethan40AboriginalLanguages.A

memberoftheAustralianInstituteofInterpretersandTranslators(AUSIT),wemaintainclosetieswith

theWesternAustralianInstituteofTranslatorsandInterpreters(WAITI),theNationalAccreditation

AuthorityforTranslatorsandInterpreters(NAATI),andtheAboriginalInterpreterService(AIS)inthe

NorthernTerritory.

AIWAoperatesonafee-for-servicebasis,althoughwereceiveorganisationalfundingfromtheState

andFederalGovernments.Initially,AIWAwasestablishedasabusinessunitoftheMirimaCounciland

we became the Kimberley Interpreting Service (KIS) in our own right in 2012. In 2018, our scope

broadenedbeyond the region to theentiretyofWesternAustralia. Itwas inMarch2018 thatwe

officiallybecameAIWA.



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Withourmission“todoall that is required toensure that language isnotabarrier forAboriginal

people”, AIWA’s interpreters are often found in the health and justice sectors providing

communicationandengagementservicesforAboriginalpeople.

Governed by a Board that is comprised of Language and Cultural Leaders from across Western

Australia,we ensure all of our operations are run froma cultural perspective that recognises the

intrinsiclinkbeyondlanguageandculture.ThisculturalfocusisreflectedintheserviceAIWAprovides,

wherewematchthemostculturally-andlinguistically-appropriateinterpretertothepersonrequiring

assistance.


AIWAisavailable24/7onsiteorviaphoneorvideo-linktoassistallGovernmentdepartmentsand

communityorganisationswithanyengagementtheyhavewithAboriginalLanguagespeakers.Indeed,

we are engaged to provide standby interpreters in Kimberley hospitals every day (including the

Broome Mental Health Ward), as well as various courthouses on circuit across the state, and

Centrelinkoffices.WealsorespondtoindividualclientbookingsfortheWAPoliceandsoon.

CulturalContinuationandEqualAccessEnablingpeopletoconverseintheirownlanguagethroughinterpreters:

• AssiststhecontinuationofLanguageandCulture

• Ensuresappropriateunderstandingbetweenlanguagespeakersandserviceproviders

• Enablesequalaccesstohealthandjustice

Therearemanymentalhealthbenefitsforthoseprovidedwithinterpreters–nottomentionthelegal,

medicalandfinancialbenefits.ThiswasevidentinStateCoronerRosFogliani’sinquestfindingsinto

thedeathof13childrenandyoungpersonsintheKimberley,whichhighlightedthevalueoflanguage

andculturalcontinuityforhealthandwellbeing.

CulturalInsightsWe recruit, train and support a growing Western Australian workforce of Aboriginal Language

interpreters,whoworkacrossallareasoflifeandparticularlywherekeyGovernmentagenciesnow

accepttheimportantroleinterpretersplayinsecuringunderstanding.

Importantly,culturalcontextisoftenexplainedthroughinterpreters.Forexample,LegalAidengaged

an AIWA interpreter in Balgo to represent an Elder who was charged for shouting and being

threateningwhileholdinga‘weapon’.Throughourinterpreter,itwasrevealedthatnotonlywasthe

Elderpracticinghis cultural rightand responsibility toholda talking stick (a culturalobject that is

understoodasasignofculturalauthority)–hewasactuallytellingpeopletoceasefighting.

IncreasingAwarenessandProvidingTrainingAllowing people to understand and be understood in their first language is a basic human right.

ThoughAIWAcurrentlyprovidemoreinterpretersinlocationsacrossthestatethaneverbefore,not

allGovernmentservicesappreciatetheimpactofengaginginterpretationservices.Forexample,even

CoronerFogliani’sFebruary2019deliveryofherinquestfindingswasgiveninhighEnglishalone,after

rejectingAIWA’sofferofaninterpretertositwithherandspeakinKriol–anaccessiblelanguagefor

AboriginalcommunitymemberstohaveunderstoodasshevideolinkedfromPerthtotheKimberley

courthouses.



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AIWAaspirestoseeanincreaseinthenumberofinterpretersusedbyAboriginalorganisations,other

communityorganisations,andallGovernmentdepartments.Animportantcomponenttowardsthis

goalistoraiseawarenessofouravailabilityandtherighttoaccessourservices.

Aspartofthiscommitment,AIWAtrainsserviceprovidersintheuseofinterpreters,appropriateways

ofworkingwithAboriginalpeople,andtheintegralroleinterpreterscanplayinmanyprocessesand

services,aswellasensuringpeopleareaffordedtheirbasicculturalandlinguisticrights.

OurPartnerships

AIWAworkscloselywithanyagencythatprovidesservicestoAboriginalpeoplewhereunderstanding

isimportant.Weadvocateforinclusionandunderstandingateveryopportunity,andwhenwelearn

ofapotentialneedforinterpreterswecallserviceprovidersandadvisethem.

Workingdirectlywithpolicymakersandthepoliticalprocesstoraiseunderstandingandtoarguefor

changeandprogress,AIWAhasbeeninvolvedinnational,stateandindividualagencydevelopments.

Wehavecampaignedforworkforcedevelopmentandhavecontributedto interpretertrainingand

accreditationthroughouttheKimberleyandbroaderWesternAustralia.

AIWA advocates that effective communication is key to self-determination, and this is clearly

demonstratedthroughourwork.Forexample,wheninterpretersareusedinhealthservicesclinicians

understandtheirpatientsandtheirpatientsleaveinformedabouttheirconditionsandwhattheyneed

to do about them.When interpreters are used in the administration of justice, justice happens.

Throughthisprocess,Aboriginalpeopleunderstandwhattheyarebeingtoldbecausetheinformation

shared by their counterparts, local Aboriginal people acting as interpreters, and they therefore

understandwhatisbeingsaidtothem.

KimberleyLandCouncilKimberley Aboriginal people have undergone rapid and significant changes since European

colonisationbutwehaveresisted,survivedandadapted.

TheKimberleyLandCouncil(KLC)wasformedin1978byKimberleyAboriginalpeopleasapolitical

land rights organisation for the benefit of our communities. One of the region’s peak Indigenous

bodies,weworkwithabout25NativeTitlegroupsto:

• SecureNativeTitlerecognition

• Protectandenhancethehighbiodiversityvaluesoftheregion

• Conductconservationandlandmanagementactivities

• Developculturalbusinessenterprises

• Improveoursocioeconomiccircumstances

TheKimberleyisknownforitsstrongandsignificantAboriginalcultureandheritage,anditisKLC’s

aimtoensurethatourLand,Law,LanguageandCulturelivesonandcontinuestobevibrantandlong-

lasting.WedothisbygettingbackourCountry,lookingafterourCountryandsecuringourfuture.



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CulturalArchiveOvertheyears,agreatdealofenergyandresourceshavebeenputintoNativeTitleresearchand,

untilrecently,thatiswherethebulkofourfundingwassourced.Apositiveby-productofthisprocess

is that theKLChas collecteda greatdealof cultural information, aswell asdevelopingnumerous

resources.Theresultisasubstantialculturalarchive.

OncetheNativeTitleprocesseshavebeendetermined,theKLCisnowfacilitatingthereturnofthis

informationtoeachoftheNativeTitlegroups–oftenthroughtheirrespectiveRegisteredNativeTitle

PrescribedBodyCorporates(RNTPBCs).

Wearealsoworkingwithgroupstoidentifyhowtheywouldliketousethisculturalmaterialinthe

future,suchaspersonalstatements,reports,genealogies,sitemapsandsoon.Thoughitisoftena

complicated, this process can produce great cultural research for today’s generations, containing

muchinformationthatwassharedfromouroldpeoplewhoarenolongerwithus.

WorkingonCountryRangerProgramsHistorically,theNativeTitleprocessoftenfacilitatedgettingpeoplebackouton-Countryinareasthat

werepreviouslyinaccessiblewithoutsubstantialresources.TheDesertisagreatexampleofthis.

Nowadays,ourWorkingonCountryrangerprogramscontinuetofosterthisprocess.Whetheritisto

developIndigenousProtectedAreas(IPAs)orcreatevisionaryHealthyCountryPlans(HCPs),ongoing

culturalmaintenanceisembeddedintheseinitiatives.

ATSIEmploymentKLC employs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) staff at all levels and we have specific

Indigenousleadershipprogramsforstafftomoveintoseniormanagement.WealsoemployCultural

AdvisorsforallNativeTitlemeetings,withinterpretersalsooftenbeingengaged.

LandandSeaManagementUnitManyofourculturalprogramstendtobedonethroughourLandandSeaManagementUnit(LSMU),

which houses the Kimberley Ranger Network (KRN).With each Native Title group having its own

Cultural Governance, the KLC is also able to provide pathways for young people into land

management.Thisalsoincludesourcarbonabatementprograms,allofwhicharedeliveredthrough

processesdictatedbytherelevantCulturalBosses.

CulturalAwarenessTrainingAdditionally, cultural awareness training ismandatory for all KLC staff.Wewould like to see this

extendedtosupportAboriginalcommunitiessothatallAboriginalpeople livingon-Countrycanbe

assuredstaffmembersfromtheirrespectivecommunityorganisations(whoareoftensourcedfrom

outsidetheregion)havehadtheappropriateleveloftraininginculturalawareness.

TheKLCrecentlyprovidedculturalawarenessinformationtotheGreyNomad’sGuidebookfortourists

toourregion.However,opportunities forustodelivercross-cultural trainingtominingcompanies

continue tobemissedbecause,despiteKLC’s insistence, theyareat times reluctant toworkwith

CulturalAdvisorstorespectculturalsites.



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ResearchEthicsAdvisoryCommitteeToguideourresearchprocess,theKLChasaResearchEthicsAdvisoryCommittee(REAC)that:

• EnsuresappropriateconductforresearcherswhenengagingwithAboriginalcommunitiesand

PrescribedBodyCorporates(PBCs)

• Helpstoinformbestpracticeforcommunities,whichincludesensuringthatthereisfree,prior

andinformedconsenttoresearchthroughaprocessthatisunderstandableforcommunity

participantstoengagewith

• Facilitateswhotoengagewithandhowineachinstance

WealsoadviseonthestrictguidelinesandstatementsrelatingtoIntellectualProperty(IP).

OurPartnerships

Therearealsobroaderviewsregardingwhereculturefitsinacrossourorganisation.KLC’srangersare

fundamentaltothis,someofwhomareworkingwithSocialVenturesAustralia(SVA)towriteareport

ontheimportanceofrangersincommunities,inparticularthestaturetheyhavewithyoungpeople.

Thisimportantworkneedstobecomemoreintegratedacrosstheregion.

Additionally, KLC wants to provide RNTPBCs with additional support and policies around Cultural

Governanceandoperations.Whilewehavebeenabletodeliverthisoccasionallyinthepast,wewould

liketoimproveonoureffortscollaborativelywithKALACCinthefuture.Closingthisgapwillsupport

RNTPBCs tomake free and informed decisionswith prior consentwhen deliberating requests for

mininganddevelopmentontheirrespectiveCountry.

WunanFoundationTheWunanFoundation(Wunan)isanAboriginaldevelopmentorganisationthatfocussesonfamily

empowerment,andakeyorganisationintheEmpoweredCommunitiesinitiative.Ourpurposeisto

drivelong-termsocioeconomicchangeforAboriginalpeopleby:

• Providingrealopportunities

• Investinginpeople’sabilities

• Encouragingandrewardingaspirationandself-responsibility

• Buildingcapacity

• Supportingindividuals,familiesandcommunityorganisations

Establishedin1997,WunanisbasedinKununurraandoperatesintheEastKimberley.Wehavebuilt

astrongassetbasethatincludescommercialinvestmentsandallowsustoinvestinandfacilitatelong-

term, independent strategies for change. We are committed to creating functional families and

recogniseculturaldevelopmentasacentralpartofthisprocess.

OurPrograms,InitiativesandPartnerships

We are culturally staffed and deliver programs and policies in alternative ways to support our

Aboriginalcommunitywithmainstreamservicesandcareerdevelopment.Wunanspecificallyengages

in children’s and family services within the education and care sectors because they are vital to

supportingsocioeconomicgrowthintheKimberley.



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KununurraChildandParentCentreIn partnership with theWA Department of Education,Wunanmanages the Kununurra Child and

ParentCentre (CPC)whereoneof theMiriwoongLanguagenests is run,alongwithother cultural

programsandperformances.Languagelearningisapriorityformanypeopleandshouldbeavailable

toall,buttherearelargegapsinaccessingthese,evenprivately.

KimberleyEducationExcellenceProgramAspartofourchildren’sservicesengagement,WunanhascreatedtheKimberleyEducationExcellence

Program(KEEP)–ascholarshipprogramthatprovidessome60–70kidsfromtheEastKimberleywith

theopportunity to receiveahigh-qualityeducation inPerth, SydneyandMelbourne.Additionally,

Wunanrecognisestheimportanceofthehouse-parentsinboardingschoolsbeingAboriginal,inorder

tomaintainthestudents’culturalconnectionsandidentity.

SwimmingtheRiverProgramWunan’s ‘Swimming the River’ program builds the capacity of individuals to thrive and become

independentfromwelfareassistance.ItrecognisestheimpactofEuropeansettlement,thedifficulties

facedbymanyAboriginalpeopleintryingtoadapttothechangingenvironment,andtheresulting

damagetopeopleandculture.

TheSwimmingtheRiveralsoproposesasolution–LivingChange–wherebyAboriginalpeopleaccept

responsibilityfortheirfuture,capitaliseontheirabilitiesand,withhelp,learnto‘swimtheriver’and

prosperfromtheopportunitiesthatexistacrosstheKimberleyregionandbeyond.

NAIDOCWeekWunanalsorecognisestheimportanceofNAIDOCWeekforculturalstrengthinKununurraandother

towns,aswellastheneedfortheseeventstobeongoingratherthanonlyonce-a-year.

KimberleyAboriginalMedicalServiceTheKimberleyAboriginalMedicalService(KAMS)operatesacrosstheKimberleyregion,facilitating

accesstohealthservicesinourcommunitiesandtowns.Establishedin1986,KAMSisamembership

based regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) that supports and

representstheinterestsofsevenindependentACCHOsintheKimberley,whicharememberservices.

KAMSdeliversourservicesthroughthefollowingsetofcorevalues:

• AccountabilityandResponsibility–Wesetgoalsandweholdourselvestoaccount

• Sustainability–Wearehereforthelong-term,andweseektominimiseourimpactonthe

environmentandleaveapositivelegacyforfuturegenerations

• Leadership–Westriveforexcellenceandencourageourstafftoachievegreatresults

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement –We seek to push the boundaries, we do not

acceptmediocrityandweactivelylearnfromourmistakes

• AboriginalCommunityControl–WeareanorganisationofAboriginalpeople,forAboriginal

people,controlledbyAboriginalpeople

• Caring–Wecareaboutourpatients,ourstaffandourstakeholders

• Culture–WerespectthediversityofAboriginalpeopleandendeavourtoembed,promote

andprotecttheculturalvaluesandpracticesofallKimberleyAboriginalpeople

• Integrity–Wearetransparent,honestandwedowhatwesaywewilldo



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• Respect–Wearefairandwetreateachother,ourclientsandourstakeholderswithdignity


GuidedbyaBoardofAboriginalrepresentativesfromacrosstheKimberley,KAMSdeliversarangeof

programsandprojectsintheregion.

MentalHealthKAMSisinvolvedintheKimberleyAboriginalMentalHealthPlanningandwehavedonethisforalong

time.Previouslytherewerenoprotocolsandwehavenowbeenabletointroduceculturalawareness

trainingacrosstheregion.

KAMSalsosupports thementalhealthneedsof individualsandorganisations,aswellasproviding

guidanceregardingAboriginalprotocolsincommunities.

CulturalAwarenessAspartofourcommitmenttocreatingaculturally-appropriateandculturally-secureenvironment,

we:

• EnsureallKAMSstaffmemberscompletemandatoryface-to-faceculturalsecuritytrainingas

partoftheirrecruitment

• Havedevelopedculturalsecurityguidelines,whichhavenowbeenimplementedacrossKAMS’

policiesandprocedures to supportengagementwithourclientsand thepresentationand

arrangementofourworkenvironment

• Assureclientsthattheyareinaculturally-securespacebyensuresthatthefirstthingpeople

seewhentheyarriveisAboriginalStaff,artworkandflags

• Provide appropriate, culturally-sensitive support for all of our associate Aboriginal

organisations,whichweareabletodothisbecauseweknowhowtoengagewithcommunity

andsolveourissueson-the-ground

SuicidePreventionKAMShas recently recruiteda localSuicidePreventionCoordinatorwho is specificallyavailable to

providesupportandadvocacywithinboththehealthandmentalhealthservices.Taskedwithbuilding

capacity across community, the responsibilities of this position also include empowerment and

healing.

OtherinitiativesAdditionally, KAMS provides women’s cultural health programs and health promotions. As a

RegisteredTrainingOrganisation(RTO),wealsofacilitatetrainingandeducation–particularlyforthe

AboriginalHealthWorkerCertificates(II-IV).

OurPartnerships

AswellasthesupportandrepresentationthatKAMSprovidestothesevenindependentKimberley-

based ACCHOs, we provide representatives to state and national health Boards across Australia,

includingtheWAPrimaryHealthAlliance(WAPHA).



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INITIALCONSULTATIONREPORTOUTCOMESKEYINITIALFINDINGSAs evident from the information provided during the consultation phase, the culturally-based

organisationsoftheKimberleyaredistinctive,foundedbothintheirowntraditionsandhistoriesas

wellasthosetheyshare.

Belowaresomeinitialfindingsanddiscussionsbasedonthegatheredmaterial,whichwillbefurther

analysed,exploredandaddedtointhefinalKACfCPlan(dueforreleaseinJune2019).

Culturally-EmbeddedPrinciplesUnderlying the cultural components and core activities of each Aboriginal organisation are the

followingculturally-embeddedprinciples:

• ConnectiontoCountrymustbemaintained

• Country,cultureandlanguageareinseparable

• Aboriginal advancement and wellbeing can only be achieved through Aboriginal

empowermentandself-determination

• SeniorpeoplehavetheauthorityandaretheKnowledgeHolders

Culturally-EmbeddedComponents&PracticesCommontoalloftheAboriginalcommunityorganisationsarethefollowingoverarchingculturally-

embeddedcomponentsandpractices:

• Cultural Governance, which connects members and constituents of these organisations

culturallyandsocially,whether it isNativeTitle,familygroup,peoplewithsharedhistories

andsoon

o Aboriginalempowermentandownershipofinitiatives,servicesandprograms

o EmploymentandretentionofAboriginalstaffacrossallorganisationallevels

• Cultural Knowledge and Practices, with foundations in Country, Language, art-making,

storytelling,song,danceand/orperformance

o Aboriginalwaysofsharingknowledgeandworkingtogether,whichconsiderkinship

andcomplexrelationshipsystemsandinclude:

§ Intergenerationaltransferofknowledge

§ Sharedculturaland/orsocialidentityamongmembers

• CelebrationofCulture,LanguageandCountry,whichfacilitatesthesharingofandimmersion

inCulturalKnowledgestothewiderpublic

o Productionofculturalmaterials

o Culturalelementsbeingpartofthephysicalsetting(includingartworksondisplay)

Culturally-EmbeddedActivitiesAssociatedwith one ormore of these overarching components are the core culturally-embedded

activitiesthattheAboriginalcommunityorganisationsengageinand/ordeliver:

• Goingandbeing‘on-Country’(e.g.‘back-to-Country’trips)



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• Maintaining and teaching bush knowledge and skills (e.g. hunting, bush tucker and bush

medicine)

• Enablingyoungpeopletoparticipateinculturalactivities

• UsingAboriginalLanguagesandarttoconveyinformation

• Documenting,storing,archivingandsharingCulturalKnowledgeandactivities

• PromotingAboriginalCulture,Language,artandKnowledge

• Participatinginculturalfestivals,eventsandperformances

• Giving‘WelcometoCountry’talksandacknowledgementsofTraditionalOwners

• Mandatingculturalawarenesstrainingforstaff

• UtilisingTraditionalculturalhealingmethods

DISCUSSIONOFTHEKEYINITIALFINDINGSIdentificationandexplorationofthesekeyculturalcomponentswillassistgovernmenttounderstand

notonlythecomplexityofculturebutalsothatculturally-embeddedstrategiesmustbedeveloped

andcontrolledfromwithinAboriginalcommunityorganisations.Thoughexternalorganisationshave

aroletoplayinstrategiesconcerningAboriginalwelfare,successwillonlybeensurediftheyinvestin

andfollowus,ratherthantryingtocurtailorleadus.

Inthissectionwespecificallyconsiderthesekeyculturalcomponentsinisolation,inordertofostera

broadercomprehensionofthecomplexityandcrucialnatureofculturallyunderpinnedandembedded

programs. Please note that the below forms an initial discussion following the organisational

informationprovidedherein,whichwillberevisedandaddedtointheforthcomingKACfCPlan.

CulturalGovernanceCultural governance is fundamental to the roots of many of our local organisations, whereby

ownershipforthedevelopmentanddeliveryofourrespectiveservicesandprogramsisheldbyour

ownpeople.Culturalgovernanceensuresthatwedeliverculturallysecuresolutions,ratherthanonly

culturallyappropriateandculturallysafeinitiatives.

As described by Coffin, “cultural awareness and cultural safety are important foundations for the

attainmentofculturalsecurity.Thefirsttwolevelsmustbeaddressedinordertoprogresstothenext

level”.Withinahealthcontext,sheutilisesthisexample:

Anotherpracticalapplicationofthethreelevelscanbeseeninaddressinghowtoorganise

waitingrooms.AwarenesscouldsimplyberecognisingthatAboriginalmenandwomen

do notwish to be grouped together in the same room. Safety is where two exits are

providedand twodifferent roomsare utilised for suchpurposes. In a culturally secure

service, male and female doctors and appropriate staff also utilise two rooms for

treatmentofpatients.Inotherwords,withouttheestablishmentofsomeawarenessina

healthcontext.itishardtoappreciatewhatsafetyandsecurityinaculturalsensewould

looklike…(p22–23)

Securityislikenedtothehighestattainmentlevel.Itisthehardesttoachievebut.likeahouseifthe

foundationsaregood.itwillstaystrongandbeeasytomaintainformanyyearstocome.



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WhatweasAboriginalorganisationsdocannotbereplicatedthroughengagementofnorconsultation

byexternalorganisations. InvolvingAboriginalpeopleonaBoard,SteeringCommitteeorWorking

Grouptoguideor implementprocesses inmerelyculturally-appropriateways issimply insufficient

towardsmeaningfuloutcomes.TheapplicationofCulturalGovernanceprocessesensuresthatcultural

securityisprovidedtoourpeople–wherebyculturalprotocolsandprocesses,includingkinshipand

familialconsiderations,areincorporatedintotheorganisationalstructuresandinternaloperations.

SuccessfulGovernanceStructures

ExamplesofsuccessfulgovernancestructuresincludepeakregionalAboriginalorganisationssuchas

KALACC,theKimberleyLandCouncil,theKimberleyLanguageResourceCentreandAarnjaLimited.

Additionally, smaller organisations implement structures that are relevant to the groups they

represent, such as those forWalalakooAboriginal Corporation (Nyikina andMangala People) and

WilingginAboriginalCorporation(tolookaftertheinterestsofNgarinyinPeople).

KALACChasalsoundertakenourownresearchinthisareawiththeassistanceoftheNulunguResearch

InstituteattheUniversityofNotreDameAustralia,whichhasculminatedinanextensivereporton

the intricacies of Cultural Governance by Professor Patrick Sullivan and Adjunct Research Fellow

StephenKinnanetitledAnevaluationoftheKimberleyAboriginalLawandCultureCentre(KALACC)

CulturalGovernanceProgramme2013–2015.Theoverarchingsentimentbehindthisevaluationreport

isthat,since2006,GovernmentpolicyregardingIndigenousAffairshasbeendrivenbyamainstream,

Westernised, corporatisedand commercialised ‘servicedelivery’paradigm that is antithetic to the

interestsofAboriginalCulturalGovernanceandculturally-basedinitiatives–andthereforelong-term

Aboriginalwelfareandprosperity.

AboriginalEmployment

TheYawuruCommunityWellbeingProject,asoutlinedbyYapandYu,providesapositiveapproachto

themeasurementofYawuruwellbeing.Essentially,itreflectsthestrengthsandcapabilitiesofYawuru

People,isinformedbyYawurucultureandiscontextualisedbythehistoricalchallengesfacedbythe

Yawurucommunity.

Thisprojectexemplifiestheempowermentandownershipofinitiatives,servicesandprogramsthatis

integralforIndigenousAustralians.Aftercountlessfailedexternalpoliciesandprograms,realisation

thatchangeisrequiredfromwithingovernmentitselfhasstartedtooccur,tobegintoaddressthe

shortcomingsthathavebeenrifesincethedawnofcolonisationinAustralia.Thisisaddressedthrough

theemploymentofAboriginal staffwhoarenotmerely includedmarginallyon theperipheriesof

organisations, but who are attracted, developed, retained and advanced or promoted across all

operationallevelsand,inparticular,inseniormanagement.

CulturalKnowledgeTheutilisationofCulturalKnowledgeandpracticesisinherentandevidentwithinallareasofoutput

fromourAboriginalcommunityorganisations.AboriginalLanguages,art-making,storytelling,song,

danceand/orperformancearefundamentalelementsofanyserviceorprogram.

Importantly,allofthesemechanismsareguidednotjustbyancientTraditionalKnowledgespassed

downthroughthegenerations,butintricatelywovenintoourfabricanddeliveredthroughcomplex



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kinshipsystemsandfamilialrelationships,whichalsodictatewhocanworktogetherandinwhatways.

ThisistheAboriginalwayofsharingknowledgeandcollaborating.

EldersasKnowledgeHolders

IntheWesternsphere,theelderlyarefrequentlyshiftedtothemargins.However,thisisnotsofor

our Indigenous communities – the knowledge of ‘who’ and ‘how’ is obtained through decades of

culturallivedexperience,anditisourSeniorPeoplewhoteachthenextgenerations.

AsillustratedintheKALACClogo,theelderlyareourculturalcore.OurSeniorPeople,CulturalAdvisors

and Law Bosses are respected Elders in our community. They are the Knowledge Holders and

authoritativefigureheadswhoensuretheculturalsecurityofourpeople.Withoutthem,thesystem

erodesandlosesshape.Respecting,recognisingandreferringtoourSeniorPeopleiscrucialforthe

intergenerational transfer of knowledge and delivery of all services and programs across the

Kimberley.

CulturalIdentity&Kinship

ThissharingbetweengenerationslikewisefacilitatestheinterchangeofAboriginalculturalandsocial

identities, each intertwined within our own complex kinship networks and familial structures.

Aboriginal relationships cannot be understood in terms of Western ideals of family or even

community.Itisanintricatewebthatgovernshoweveryindividualinteractswitheachother,with

cultureandwithCountry. The importanceandmagnitudeof thesebonds cannotbeoverlooked–

particularlywhenitcomestothesocialandemotionalwellbeingofourpeople.

ThisintimateknowingleadstoMabuLiyan(‘goodspirit’),asdeterminedbytheYawurupeople,which

is a key contributor to improvements in mental health (Yap and Yu). These links will be further

examinedintheKACfCPlan.

CulturalCelebrationOncetheelementsofCulturalGovernanceandCulturalKnowledgearerealised,thecelebrationof

Culture,LanguageandCountrybecomesintrinsicwithineverythingthatwedo.Culturalmaterialsare

producedatalllevelsandarepartofthephysicalsettingofourorganisations,adorningourwallswith

Aboriginalartsandimagerywhilecelebratingtheresilienceandstrengthofourpeople.

It isthenthatweareabletofacilitateareturntoCountry,aspartofback-to-Countrytripsforthe

maintenance and teaching of bush knowledge and skills (such as hunting, bush tucker and bush

medicine)aspartofourcorebusiness.Thispracticelikewiseinvolvesandfacilitatesengagementand

enabling youngpeople toparticipate in various cultural activities.Doing soon-Country, guidedby

seniorKnowledgeHolders,issomethingthatcanonlybesharedthroughtheintricaciesofAboriginal

Languagesandwiththeinformationalsorepresentedandconveyedinourart.

Embracingdigital technologies andmultimediahasmeant thatwearenotonly able todocument

these cultural experiences and interactions, but also store and archive them to sharewith future

generations. In turn, thematerial can be used to promote Aboriginal Culture, Language, art and

Indigenous Traditional Knowledges, which are also showcased through participation in cultural

festivals, events and performance, as well as the provision of ‘Welcome to Country’ talks and

acknowledgements of Traditional Owners at various meetings, conferences, events and festivals

acrossAustralia.



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WhilstwehavesummarisedAboriginalculturalcomplexities intoahandfulofparagraphs,manyof

theorganisationsfeaturedintheKACfCInitialConsultationReportalsosharethis informationwith

externalpartiesviaculturalawarenessandcross-culturaltraining.Infact,organisationssuchasthe

KimberleyAboriginalMedicalServiceandKimberleyLandCouncilhavemandateditforallstaff.This

isanimportantstepinattainingculturalsecurity,aspreviouslydiscussed.

KEYINFORMEDPROJECTSDuringtheconsultationprocess,KALACCidentifiedthetwoactivitiesthatwebelievebestfitwithin

theKimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrialmandate.Theywerethe:

• WirnanProject–fundingfortheKimberleyArtCentresCollectivetoimplementtheWirnan

Project,which aims to “revitalise cultural connections and creative intersections between

communities ensuring the vitality of Kimberley cultures and the maintenance of Cultural

Knowledgeandidentityforfuturegenerations”

• Culturally-Based Project Measurement & Evaluation Framework – the development of

methodandtoolforevaluatingtheoutcomesofculturally-basedprojects,whichcanthenbe

appliedtotheWirnanProject

AprojectproposalhasbeensubmittedtotheKimberleySuicidePreventionRegionalTrialSteering

Committeeforapprovalattheirnextmeetingon19March2019.Anupdateontheoutcomeofthis

proposalwillbeprovidedintheforthcomingKACfCPlan.

Additionally,KALACCrecognisesthatBinarri-BinyjaYarrawoo(BBY)–thebackboneorganisationfor

theEmpoweredCommunitiesinitiativeintheEastKimberley–isholdingamajorworkshopforEast

Kimberley cultural organisations on 1 May 2019. The purpose of this workshop is to develop a

reportingtoolthatcanbeusedtomeasureandevaluatethecommunityoutcomesfromculturally-

basedprograms.This, inturn,willbecometheframeworkthat isusedtoassessandreportonthe

WirnanProjectactivities.



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KEYRECOMMENDATIONSFROMPUBLISHEDREPORTSCountless recommendations regarding improving the welfare and prosperity of Aboriginal

communities have been published in numerous reports to date – many of which are yet to be

respondedtobytheStateand/orFederalGovernment.Thefollowingthreekeydocumentsrepresent

thespectrumofrecommendationsthathavebeenmade(andoftenrepeatedmultipletimes),which

areoutlinedinthissubsection:

• KALACC’sCulturalSolutionsPositionPaper

• CoronerFogliani’sFebruary2019CoronialInquestFindingsReport

• WALegislativeAssemblyEducationandHealthStandingCommittee’sMessageStickReport

Additionally,theKACfCPlanthatisscheduledforreleaseinJune2019willincludealiteraryreviewof

the associated academic and Government publications and documents regarding the relationship

betweenAboriginalcultureandwellbeing.

KALACC’SCULTURALSOLUTIONSPAPER:KEYRECOMMENDATIONSKimberleyAboriginalCulturalBossesrecentlyreleasedtheCulturalSolutionsPaperviaKALACC,which

includes their definition of culture and how to implement programs of change through self-

empowerment.Init,KALACCidentifiedanumberofkeyprinciplesregardingculturalsolutions,which

areeachrelevanttotheKACfCInitialConsultationReportandforthcomingKACfCPlan:

1. CulturalsolutionsarecrucialtoempowerKimberleyAboriginalcommunities,families

andindividualstohealtheculturalandsocialtraumathathastakenholdformany

ofourpeople.

2. Ouryoungpeopleareourfuture.Buildingstoriesinouryoungpeople,connectingto

Country,familyandcommunityishowwebuildtheirfuture.

3. Investing in cultural solutions on Country prevents young people from becoming

trapped in the criminal justice system, setting them on the right path instead of

spendingmillionsofdollarslockingthemup.

4. Culturalsolutionshavethegreatest impact inpreventingyouthsuicideutilisingan

‘upstreammethodology’toengageyoungpeoplebyculture,Countryandcommunity.

5. Cultural leadership is based on cultural authority. Cultural authority is respected,

empowering and effective in delivering real cultural and social change that our

communitiesneedandvalue.

6. Ouryoungpeopleneedtobestrongintwoworlds–culture,languageandeducation

gohandinhand.

7. Cultural governance, when respected and supported, upholds cultural and social

valuesandincreasescommunityresponsibilityandeffectiveness.

8. KimberleyAboriginalcommunitiesare foundedonrespect for family,Law,culture,

languageandCountry.



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9. Remote communities are the lifeblood of Kimberley Aboriginal community;

supportingculture,language,education,connectiontoCountry,belonging,identity

andresponsibility.

10. Cultural economies empower Aboriginal families to build on cultural assets of

Country,language,culture,andIndigenousKnowledgetocreatedirectemployment

andwellbeing(p7).

Within the Cultural Solutions Position Paper, KALACC also identified a series of 15 key

recommendations“acrossfivekeythemesinformedbyevidence-basedanalysis”(p6),mostofwhich

relatetoculture,asfollows:

1. ConsolidateandresourcetheYirimanProject toexpandthemodelKimberley-wide

andoverthelongertermtosupportKimberleyAboriginalyouthatrisk.

2. Ensure resources allocated to the Kimberley Suicide Prevention Trial engage and

resource Indigenous community based organisations that aremost able to effect

changeatthecommunitylevelbasedonculturalsolutionsthatareeffectiveforour

people.

3. ResourcetheAgentsofChangeProgramtotransmitknowledgeanddevelopcultural

authorityinouryoungmenandwomen,identifyingandsupportingemergingleaders.

4. Target support for Aboriginal Women’s Law and cultural practice to match the

growthofmaleleadersthroughdedicatedculturalmaintenancefunding.

5. Commonwealth and Western Australian State Governments to collaborate with

KALACC,theKLC,KLRCandthroughKimberleyFutures,andthroughAarnjaandthe

EmpoweredCommunitiesModel.

6. Transferdecisionmakingandfinancialresourceallocationforprogramssupporting

culture, healingandwellbeing to Kimberley regional governancebodies, including

KALACC,theKLC,theKLRCthroughKimberleyFuturesandAarnja.

7. Resourceandexpandsuccessfulrepatriationprogramaspartofculturalhealing.

8. Invest in the long planned and well developed KALACC Cultural Centre in Fitzroy

Crossing to uphold cultural foundations, healing programs and development of

culturalenterprise.

9. Developa long-termcultural festivals investmentplanandprogramofsupport for

the triennial KALACC Festival, and re-establish the nationally successful Stomp’Em

GroundFestivalaspartofshowcasingKimberleyAboriginalculturalperformanceand

investmentinculturalenterprise.

10. The WA Government to collaborate with KALACC and key Aboriginal community

culturalorganisations topracticallyandtangibly implementanAboriginalCultural

InvestmentStrategy.



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11. BuildaclosepartnershipwithKALACCandAarnjatodevelopaKimberleyRegional

Cultural Investment Strategy that builds on current development of cultural

performance,festivalprograms,Aboriginalartandculturaltourism.

12. EmpowertheAboriginalcommunitytoownanddeliverculturalenterpriseprograms

through community based cultural organisations supporting cultural economy

pathwaysandsmall-scalebusinessdevelopment.

13. TheWesternAustralianGovernmenttodirectlyengagewithKimberleyFuturesand

Aarnja (Empowered Communities) to review all aspects of the RSRU based on

communityconsultationsandthroughtheKimberleyLeadership.

14. Collaborate with Kimberley regional Aboriginal organisations in identifying and

supportingremotecommunitybasedneedsandopportunitiesassessments.

15. Resource Aarnja, Kimberley Futures and related regional Kimberley Aboriginal

organisations to undertake the work of the Remote Services Reform Unit (RSRU)

reportingtotheMinisterforLocalGovernment:Heritage,CultureandTheArts(WA)

(p8).

KEYCORONIALRECOMMENDATIONSREGARDINGCULTUREThe February 2019 Coronial Inquest Findings Report released by Coroner Ros Fogliani includes

numerousrecommendations,thoughthefollowingrecommendationsareofparticularimportancein

thecontextofsupportingculturally-embeddedAboriginalorganisationsintheKimberley:

Recommendation16–ExpansionofYirimanProject(p299–305)

ThattheYirimanProjectoramodelakintotheYirimanProjectbeextendedacrossthe

Kimberley,andthatconsiderationbegiventothefollowingmattersinconnectionwiththe

extension:

a. ThattheWesternAustraliangovernmentthroughitsvarioushealthand

justicebranchesshouldexploreopportunitiesfortheimplementationof

models akin to the Yiriman Project in other remote parts of Western

AustraliawithprioritygiventothoseareaswithhighratesofAboriginal

youthsuicide.

b. ThatfundingprovidersfortheYirimanProjectandotherprogramsakinto

the Yiriman Project should acknowledge the need for key performance

indicators that are flexible and reflect the difficulty such organisations

have in providing quantitative and qualitative data on the success of

individualinterventionswithat-riskclients.

c. That the Western Australian government should consider guaranteed

fundingfortheYirimanProjectonalongertermbasis,whetherthrough

funding provided by the Department for Corrective Services for

diversionaryprograms,throughATSIPEPfunding,orthroughfundingco-

ordinatedthroughtheMentalHealthCommission.



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Recommendation17–ConsultationwithAboriginalcommunities(p305–308)

ThattheGovernmentanditsserviceproviderscontinuetoensurethatthestrategiesfor

addressing Aboriginal suicide be implemented in consultation with appropriate

representatives from the Aboriginal community, that the representatives which are

appropriatetoconsultareidentifiedonanongoingbasis,andthatsuchrepresentatives

beprovidedwithanopportunityforinvolvementintheco-designofsuchstrategies.

Recommendation24–Traditionalculturalhealingandmentalhealth(p329–332)

ThatmentalhealthtreatmentplansforAboriginalpersonsoffertheoptionoftheinclusion

oftraditionalculturalhealing,andwherethatoptionisaccepted,thatalleffortsbemade

toworkcollaborativelyforthebenefitofthepatient.

Recommendation25–Developmentofculturalhealingprojects(p332–334)

ThattherebefundingbyGovernmentforthedevelopmentofculturalhealingprojectsin

theKimberleyRegionsuchastheonebeingdevelopedbytheNyambaBuruYawuruCentre

inBroome.

Recommendation33–ExpansionofElders’ReferenceGroup(p349–351)

ThattheEldersReferenceGrouppresentlyinoperationinHallsCreekbeextendedtoother

KimberleytownsitesandthatthisworkbeCDPrecognised,andthatcurrentpoliceefforts

continueandbesupported.

Recommendation39–YirimanProjectlinkedtoschools(p363–364)

ThattheYirimanProjectoramodelakintotheYirimanProjectbelinkedtoschoolswithin

theKimberleyRegion.

Recommendation42–Mutuallyagreedoutcomes(p370–372)

Irecommendthat:

Theprinciplesofself-determinationandempowermentbegivenemphasis in initiatives,

policies and programs relating to Aboriginal people inWestern Australia and that the

Western Australian Government introduce measures to enable Aboriginal people and

organisations to be involved in setting and formulating policy that affects their

communities;

Thatindevelopingsuchmeasures,considerationbegiventonegotiatingmutuallyagreed

outcomes, with service delivery responsibilities as between the Western Australian

GovernmentandAboriginalpeopleandorganisations;and

TheWesternAustralianGovernmentdevelopastate-wideAboriginalculturalpolicythat

recognisestheimportanceofculturalcontinuityandculturalsecuritytothewellbeingof

AboriginalpeopleinthisState.

However,itshouldbenotedthattheCoroner’sfindingsarebynomeans‘news’.Recommendations

frequentlymade by inquiries, inquests and reports that examineAboriginal health,wellbeing and

suiciderepeatedlyincludethefollowing:



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• Policymakersshouldfocusonimmediateandunderlyingissues–clinical interventionsare

necessarybutitiscrucialtoconcurrentlyaddresscultural,emotionalandsocialfactors(i.e.

‘upstream’initiativesaswellas‘downstream’ones)

• Programsshouldbeculturally-based–designedtohelpAboriginalpeopletodevelopastrong

senseofculturalidentityandconnectiontoplacethatbuildsresilienceandwellbeing

• Programsshouldbeculturally-appropriate–applyingknowledgeoflocalAboriginalculture,

customs and resources to service delivery, including a whole-of-community approach in

remoteareasandworkingwithextendedfamilygroups(i.e.notmerelytheimmediatefamily)

• Policymakers should empower Aboriginal communities – by involving Aboriginal

communitiesinthedesignofprograms,supportingcommunity-runinitiatives,anddeveloping

thecapacityofcommunitymembers

• CoordinationofservicedeliverytoAboriginalpeopleneedstobeimproved–specificallyto

addressthelackofinter-agencycollaborationandcoordination,whichrestrictseffectiveness

• Policymakersandserviceprovidersshouldrecognisetrauma–that is,besensitivetoand

worktoaddressthedevastatingandpervasiveeffectsofintergenerational,communityand

individualtraumas

KALACChaslongadvocatedforchange.ThishasincludedwritingtopreviousWAStateCoronerAlistair

Hoperegardingthe11peoplewhotooktheirlivesinFitzroyCrossingin2006,whichinstigatedthe

subsequent2008inquestintoatotalof22youthsuicidesacrosstheKimberley.

However,despiteCoronerHope’sfindings,therehasbeennegligibleprogressinaddressingthiscrisis

andithasonlyworsenedsince.In2016,aMedicalJournalofAustraliaarticlefoundthatthesuicide

rateintheKimberleyhaddoubledin5years.Recommendationssuchastheseneedtobeurgently

addressed.Fogliani’sfinalrecommendationmayprovidethekeytothis,intheformofaWAAboriginal

CulturalPolicy:

TheWesternAustralianGovernmentdevelopastate-wideAboriginalculturalpolicythat

recognisestheimportanceofculturalcontinuityandculturalsecuritytothewellbeingof

AboriginalpeopleinthisState(p372).

KEYMESSAGESTICKREPORTCULTURE-BASEDRECOMMENDATIONSTheNovember2016MessageStickReportidentifiessome40reportsover15yearsthathadnotbeen

meaningfullyrespondedto.Thefollowingfindingsareofparticularimportancetotheoverarchinggoal

ofaddressingandreducingtheimpactofsuicideacrosstheKimberley:

Finding1: TheWAGovernmenthas failed toadequately respond to recommendations

madebypreviousinquiriesformorethan15years(p13).

Finding 2: TheWAGovernment’s failure to respond to previous recommendations has

contributed to the currentpoor stateof thewellbeingofAboriginalpeople inWestern

Australia,inparticulartothecrisislevelsofAboriginalyouthsuicide(p13).

Finding8:Thereisincreasingevidencethatculturally-basedprogramshavethegreatest

impactinpreventingsuicide;however,theWAGovernmenthasdemonstratedreluctance

infundingprogramsofthisnature(p57).



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Finding9: By their verynature, culturally-basedprogramsmustbe tailored to suit the

particularcommunitythatwillbeusingtheprogram(p57).

Finding13:EmpoweringAboriginalcommunitiesisfundamentaltoreducingthehighrates

ofAboriginalyouthsuicide(p77).

Finding 15: Aboriginal people should be fully engaged and involved in every facet of

creatingstrategiesanddevelopingprogramsandserviceswhicharerelevanttothem.This

is not a new concept, with inquiries recommending increasing engagement with and

involvementofAboriginalpeopleconsistentlyformorethan15years(p85).

Finding16:TheWAGovernmenthasdemonstratedasignificantlackofvisionbyfailingto

engageAboriginalpeople inmakingdecisionsanddevelopingstrategies,programsand

serviceswhichaffectthem(p85).

Finding21: EmpoweringAboriginal communities requiresWAGovernmentagencies to

relinquishtheirpowerwhensettingandimplementingpoliciesforAboriginalpeopleand

undertakeafundamentalshiftinthewaygovernmentdoesbusiness(p104).

Finding 23: Suicide Prevention 2020: Together we can save lives is a generic suicide

prevention strategy which does not specifically address the needs of Aboriginal

communities(p120).

Finding42:VerylittleRoyaltiesforRegionsfundinghasbeendirectedtowardsAboriginal-

specificoryouth-specificsuicidepreventionorpost-ventioninitiatives(p206).

Moreover,therecommendationsprovidedintheMessageStickReportareyettoberespondedto

andarenowherenearbeingrealised.Asthereportpertinentlynotes:

Perhapsthemostimportant,yetleastenacted,wereabouttheroleofAboriginalculture,

bothasaprimaryprotectivefactorbuildingresilienceinyoungpeople,andalsoensuring

thatprogramsandservicesareculturallyappropriate(Chairman’sForeword).

[…]

Aboriginal culture and identity has been degraded by colonisation and discrimination.

Restoring this culture and sense of identity has been consistently identified as a key

protective factor. Previous reports and inquiries have recommended that this can be

achievedthroughvariousmeans,primaryofwhichisculturally-basedprograms,suchas

on-countrycampsandactivities(pii).



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INITIALCONSULTATIONREPORTCONCLUSIONTheneedtoforsignificantimprovementstoAboriginalwelfareisnow,andthroughtheforthcoming

KACfCPlanweseekto informmeaningfulprogressasAustraliamoves intoanewdecade. It isour

sinceremissiontoassistStateandFederalGovernmentstoinvestinculturally-embeddedstrategies

andpractices,whichevidenceprovesactuallyworktoreduceAboriginalsuicide.

RECOMMENDATIONSREQUIREMEANINGFULACTIONInadisplayof solidarity,more than60KimberleyAboriginalorganisationscametogether toshare

theirknowledgeandvisionforaculturally-secureKimberley–oneinwhichournextgenerationsnot

onlysurvivebutthrive.Allofthepreviouslyidentifiedrecommendationscanbeaddressedthrough

reasonable, responsible State and Federal Government funding for the culturally-embedded

componentsandactivitiesthatareoutlinedintheKACfCInitialConsultationReport.

Our culturally-embedded initiatives are not short-term quick fixes. They are not predicated upon

rescuingonesoulatatime.Rather,theyproposeawholesalechangethatiscontingentuponinvesting

intheempowermentofAboriginalpeople–thatis,astrengths-basedagendathatplacesculturefirmly

andintentionallyatthecentreofanystrategies.

Fromapositionofculturalstrength,ourAboriginalorganisationshavethedemonstratedabilityto

create,manageanddelivertheseinitiatives.Wehavethecapacitytopositivelyandprofoundlyimpact

ourcommunitiesandenactreal,sustainablechange.Wejustneedtobeheardandinvestedin.

Fundamentaltothesuccessofanyeffortswillbetherespect,recognitionandunwaveringsupport

fromGovernmentatalllevelsofourfourunderlyingculturalprinciples,aspreviouslyidentified:

• ConnectiontoCountrymustbemaintained

• Country,CultureandLanguageareinseparable

• Aboriginal advancement and wellbeing can only be achieved through Aboriginal

empowermentandself-determination

• SeniorPeoplehavetheauthorityandaretheKnowledgeHolders

Withthisinmind,weechothewordsoftheKimberleyCulturalBossesonpage6ofKALACC’sCultural

SolutionsPositionPaper,forthesewordsremainsaspertinentnowastheyweretwoyearsago:

WecallontheCommonwealthandWesternAustralianGovernmenttoworkwithusto

design and deliver a Cultural Investment Strategy to create pathways to sustainable,

healthy,andprosperouscommunitiesbasedonculturalsolutionsthatworkforourpeople.

Solutionsdonotcomefromoutsideourcommunities.Solutionsthatworkforourpeople

have always come from our Cultural leaders and have been driven by our own

organisations.

Nowisthetimetocutthroughandtobuildonthenicewords,promisesofchangeand

short-term, fragmented and piecemeal program approach that governments and

communitieshavebeenburdenedwithfortoolong.Realchangemeansworkingfromthe

culturalstrengththathasbeenthekeytooursurvival.Tohealourpeople,wemustheal

ourfamilies.Tohealourfamilies,wemusthealourcommunities.

Cultureisthekey.



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APPENDICESAPPENDIX1:MEDIARELEASEFORTHEFEB2019CORONER’SREPORT



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APPENDIX2:WORKSHOPFORMAT



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APPENDIX3:SURVEYTEMPLATE



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Documents

2019.03.13 Kimberley Aboriginal Caring for Culture ...kalacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kimberley-Aboriginal-Caring-for-Culture... · iv | Page CONTENTS Acknowledgements iii Foreword