Camping On Country: Empowering Indigenous Men Through Cultural Connection
Photo of members of Yakuway Board along with partners and supporters from Aboriginal Affairs, Regional NSW and NIAA
This NAIDOC Week, Yakuway Indigenous Corporation is thrilled to announce the launch of the "Empowering Indigenous Men" project, thanks to a generous $15,000 grant from NSW Aboriginal Affairs. This initiative is dedicated to enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous men in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region through cultural immersion and support.
Engaging With Community
The Camping on Country initiative aims to address prevalent health and wellbeing concerns among Indigenous communities by supporting cultural engagement and education. We hope that by taking men from the mob out on country, the project will create a safe and respectful environment for open dialogue, learning, and healing. The program is designed to bridge the gap between cultural practices and health services, particularly concerning mental health and substance abuse.
Supporting Our People
Our aims for this initiative are simple to educate participants on the impact of lifestyle factors on their health and introduce available health services to improve outcomes and reconnect Indigenous men with their cultural heritage and support them with the therapeutic benefit of being on country with elders, engaging socially with each other.
Through shared experiences and learning, storytelling and men’s business our workshops reinforce a sense of belonging that is so needed in today’s modern, hectic life. With carefully curated and facilitated discussions on sensitive topics such as mental health, substance abuse, and interpersonal violence, these special initiatives provide a well needed platform for sharing and healing individually and collectively.
"Our 'Empowering Indigenous Men' project is a significant step towards fostering cultural engagement, education, and empowerment among Indigenous men in our community,” said Malcolm Smith, Chair of Yakuway Indigenous Corporation Board.
“This initiative is about reconnecting with our heritage, supporting each other, and strengthening our community bonds. We are grateful for the support from NSW Aboriginal Affairs and look forward to the positive impact this project will have on our men's mental health and wellbeing."
By integrating traditional knowledge with health education and creating a supportive environment for open dialogue, we hope that Yakuway Indigenous Corporation's Camping on Country initiative will make a lasting impact on the lives of our Indigenous communities.