Living in Harmony Community Grants 1999

Victoria

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative Limited (Bairnsdale)

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Meerindoo Integrated Life Skills program: Wilderness program

$50,000 Awarded

| Aims | Activities | Outcomes |

Aims

This project, now completed, aimed to:

  • create positive relationships between young Koori and non-Koori youth

  • change community attitudes, fears and misconceptions and work towards Reconciliation

  • relay aspects of Koori culture to young people

  • create positive changes in young people’s self image

  • increase young people’s opportunities at school and in employment

Activities

The project:

  • built on:

    • the organisation’s existing camping and recreational program for Koori and non-Koori young people

    • broad support in the region from community health providers, schools, police, welfare authorities and Aboriginal organisations

  • held regionally-based camps for mixed groups of Koori and (urban) non-Koori young people:

    • involving some 200 young people

    • with a strong emphasis on Reconciliation, cultural heritage, sports and traditional crafts and skills

  • ran the camps with both Koori and non-Koori staff, assisting in the forming of positive relationships between participants

  • involved (youthful) Koori elders to relay aspects of Koori culture to the young people

  • had mainstream individuals, include health professionals, police and educators and organisations assisting in the camps

  • continually sought feedback from participants and staff as to camp progress and participants’ needs, and kept program flexible enough to allow for changes of focus

Outcomes

The project found that:

  • the Victorian Police Service is much committed to the program, with members (male and female) attending

  • the involvement of Aboriginal Elders to exchange information on cultural enlightenment, spiritual healing and aspects of Aboriginal Law

  • many non-Koori participants gained a lot of respect for their Koori camp mates, especially as they saw them "come into their own" in the wilderness environment

  • feelings of self worth, especially amidst Koori participants, were greatly increased

  • the cultural information shared by the Koori elders who were involved with the program helped participants break down stereotypes built up by fear and ignorance