HOW WE HELPED
Aboriginal Services
This year 3049 of our clients identified as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage .
We continued to deliver culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups this year , as well as partnered and engaged with numerous communities and organisations in our regions to meet identified needs .
One of our new programs is Sista 2 Sista . Interrelate partners with Ghinni Ghinni Youth and Culture Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the program , which supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women between 13-25 years of age who have come to the attention of community elders , police , Juvenile Justice , government or non-government agencies in the Taree and Kempsey areas . These young women are at risk of domestic violence , crime , disengagement from education , substance abuse or poor parenting practices . Sista 2 Sista uses art therapy as a base to deliver culturally appropriate and holistic education programs that incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values , traditions and customs .
Through Sista 2 Sista , women are empowered to work on processing traumatic experiences through art , while having greater access to vital services such as counselling and family support . The sessions are led by community elders and invited guest speakers from community service organisations . During the art sessions each week , topics such as wellness , parenting , anger management and drugs and alcohol are discussed . Women are also encouraged to develop skills through exhibiting and selling their artwork .
The outcomes of Sista 2 Sista include the broader community objectives of lowering the rates of child protection notifications , reducing domestic violence incidents and mental health referrals .
To celebrate the official launch of Connect , a Family Mental Health Support Service in Coonamble in Central West NSW , Interrelate , in collaboration with Milan Dhiiyaan ( local Wailwaan Artists ) developed Yulawana Dhawuga , a cultural program to help support Coonamble ’ s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to connect with culture .
Yulawana Dhawuga ( Dancing on Country ) is a six-week program where local Aboriginal children and their families are given the opportunity to gather together to learn more about local Wailwaan and Gamilaraay culture , through dance and stories .
The program ran from 15 January – 15 February 2016 and culminated in a community Corroboree , held on the banks of Eurimie Creek , where participants were given the opportunity to perform and feel proud of their cultural identity .
Program facilitators were local Wailwaan or Gamilaraay people , or had relevant cultural knowledge , and had been nominated by Wailwaan and Gamilaraay people who are part of the Native Title claim on the lands of Coonamble and surrounds . In developing this program , consultation took place with local community Elders , the Community Working Party Chairperson and the Coonamble Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson who all supported the program . Interrelate and local cultural custodians believe that the benefits of cultural development through programs like this can be far reaching and can include increased wellbeing , resilience and community cohesion for Aboriginal people .
A total of 67 people participated in the program , which included volunteer support from the community . Feedback indicates that participants experienced a deeper connection to country , culture and the community , which increased levels of wellbeing , identity and kinship . Comments received have indicated how much the community support the program and would like it to continue .
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