Engaging with Aboriginal Communities

Program details

Session 1: Culture

If you are going to liaise effectively with Aboriginal families and communities you need to develop your understanding of culture. In this session you will learn about the Aboriginal cultures of NSW, which are founded on spiritual systems of knowledge that define identity and the day-to-day dynamics of family and community.

Session 2: Family

Learning about culture is a first step toward developing your understanding of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW. To further your understanding you need to gain insight into the multi-generational consequences of colonisation, paternalism and the welfare system in the lives of Aboriginal peoples of NSW. In this session you will learn how colonisation, protectionism and welfare have negatively impacted Aboriginal family.

Session 3: Community

Culture and family are the backbone of community. The Aboriginal communities of NSW will not function to their fullest potential if culture and Country are not healthy. Strengthening families and communities through culture in NSW is not straightforward. In this session you will learn about the cultural issues that Aboriginal families and communities face, and how this impacts day-to-day community life and identity.

Session 4: Communication

Once you have developed a sense of interconnection between culture, family, community and identity you will be well positioned to offer positive input into the lives of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW. To ensure that you are effective you will also need to develop your understanding of cultural communication. In this session you will learn about the verbal and non-verbal intricacies of Aboriginal English and the integral role Aboriginal English has as the language of community.