July 15, 2015
A University of Western Australian program which aims to help Aboriginal communities shape a more positive future has been operating at Cherbourg for almost two years.
The National Empowerment Project focusses on identity, family and well-being.
NEP Queensland Co-ordinator Glenis Grogan said the training program made a difference as it “comes from Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people and is often actually delivered by Aboriginal people”.
“I’ve seen it. It actually does make a big difference,” she said.
“It’s an empowering program. It gives people the tools and the skills to be able to address situations.
“When you know who you are that makes you stronger in yourself, so you become a strong, empowered and proud Aboriginal person.
“It’s about their own self-realisation and knowing their responsibility and their family and their community, and what they can do to change it, but having the understanding on how they can change it, like drugs and alcohol.”
Cherbourg NEP consultant Bronwyn Murray said there were “hard yarns” happening about family and community issues.
“They’re working on family. They’re setting rules in family and boundaries, and building stronger foundations, better communication with the family,” she said.
Mrs Grogan and Mrs Murray, and Kuranda community member Mr Walter Brim, have talked about their experience in a film clip:
