I was interviewed yesterday for the Age about what I thought about the current initiatives that are being implemented in remote Aboriginal communities, as the community I used to live (Yuendumu) in one of the communities being targeted. Here is some of what I said – pretty exciting if they publish it!
-What was the Indigenous community you went to like?
I had spent time in Papunya when I was 17, so I anticipated some of the conditions there, but you visit a remote community as an adult, your whole perspective on some things changes – I was more acutely aware of the health and educational standards, as well as being much more aware of social and cultural situations. As a non-Indigenous person in a community like Yuendumu, it makes you begin to understand how you are tied into debates on reconciliation. So often, we hear about Aboriginal ‘problems’, when in fact these issues the federal government is currently talking about are not just Indigenous issues, but issues of concern for all Australians.
-What did you do there?
I worked in the school every morning, tutoring the young men (about 14-17) which was a massive challenge. I also spent a bit of time helping out at the night school for young adults, but I mainly spent my time at the school. And hanging out with the kids of course!
-Did you become a role model to any of the young people in the community?
That’s a hard question! No, I don’t think so. I wasn’t there for very long, and so many katria (white people) come and go there that I am sure I didn’t make a huge impression!
-What was your typical day there like?
Wake up early, walk to school in the hot heat (it was usually pretty hot by 8am!) hang out with the other staff and teachers and then head off to class. Tutor with individual students in the morning and the after lunch help out with additional classroom activities or whatever we might be up to that day!
-What was the best thing about volunteering?
Hanging out with the kids! I’ve done a volunteer placement with AVI (Australian Volunteers International) in the Philippines and kids are the same all over the world – we would usually have hordes of kids at our place every day after school and on the weekends where we would be doing drawings, or baking cakes or sharing stories. It was great!
-What were the most difficult challenges you overcame as a volunteer in an indigenous community?
Working with the senior boys at school was hard work – they really needed an older male there to look up to and for discipline as well, but some of the guys I worked with were just great. We eventually stared to communicate a bit better – I would reward them for their good reading and writing activities, so by the end of the term they would fight over who got to come with me for individual tutoring! That was a pretty great feeling.
-What was the funniest thing that happened while you're there?
funniest/scariest thing – getting chased by the wild dogs when we strayed into their part of town – funny now, but at the time I thought I was going to be eaten!
-What do you think of the federal government's intervention in the NT to stop child abuse?
I think it’s a good thing that the issues of poor health conditions as well as lack of basic infrastructure and services is being raised, although I am not so pleased that the government is focusing on the issue of domestic violence as a reason to implement new initiatives. I am also pretty disappointed that there seems to be little Indigenous consultation. On the whole, I guess it does seem like an election move, rather than a genuine move to empower Indigenous communities to make changes for themselves. I find it a bit hard to believe that it is a genuine act of reconciliation, as the current federal government has largely ignored Indigenous communities for the last 11 years.
-Does the community you were in need such an intervention?
No, not intervention. That implies that the community is not equipped to deal with their own problems. Yuendumu, like most Indigenous communities, has the capacity to make changes in their community, but need support from the Territory and Federal governments so make it happen. I think that Yuendumu needs access to more resources and proper funding to make those changes and I think that it is unlikely to come from an increased police presence there.
-How do you think the locals will react?
I’m not sure – I suppose there will be a mix of opinions, just like there would be if a similar intervention occurred in a Melbourne community.
-Did you see any evidence of problems in the community? (eg. alcohol abuse, petrol sniffing)?
Yes of course. Petrol sniffing has been a major issue in Yuendumu, and the community has used its own initiatives to deal with it, resulting in a fantastic program called the Mt Theo Sniffing Program. They have had a high success rate of stopping sniffing and it would be great to see programs like this getting more funding.
-What should the government be doing to best help indigenous communities in the NT?
LISTEN! It’s such a vital part of the reconciliation process. And also recognise that Indigenous people in Australia are not one big homogenous group – and so there is never going to be one simple answer! Be prepared to accept that the community in Canberra might never have the answers and realise that reconciliation is about working together – not one group telling another how to do thing the ‘right’ way.
