Cultural Lore and Domestic Violence Seminars

at Coledale Community Centre on 31st May/1st June 2006

Min Mia (Maureen Smith) a teacher of Indigenous Lore and Stories from the Waradgeri people in central NSW was invited to deliver a 2 day workshop which included the retelling of Aboriginal stories with their underlying messages 'about who and what we are' with a focus on dealing with domestic violence in Indigenous communities. This workshop was open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.

Min discussed the emotional effects of the colonisation of Australia and of the taking of children, on the aboriginal people over successive generations.  The group learned much from the retelling of very different personal stories of two members of the stolen generation.

The second day focused on the way the accumulated anger over what has happened to their people can be triggered by many situations for Aboriginal people. This anger can be passed down the generations.  It is often turned in upon loved family members.

Min discussed what the women can do now about the physical and sexual violence in Aboriginal communities.  She stressed that there was a role for each age of women to take in dealing with this problem and that they couldn't wait for DOCS or the Police to solve the problem.  The younger women need to challenge the behaviour of their men and educate the children about the wrong behaviour, teaching them to call for help.  They should be supported by the older women when they do this.

In all her teaching Min stressed that the people need to let the past go and not hang onto old grudges so children are not fighting their mothers' wars.  Min's philosophy can be summed up as greeting each day as an opportunity to do something good for someone.  She stressed that although she was not from this region all the stories were the same or very similar as were the messages embedded in them.

The Anglican Counselling Service funded Min's travel from Morouya and 3 nights accommodation in Tamworth as well as the hire of the venue and the refreshments for the day.  Kate Green, the Indigenous Liaison Worker for ACS, typed a record of the teachings of the two days which included the results of the discussions in the focus groups.

There were 30 people in attendance over the course of the first day.  There were 15 participants in the focus groups on  the second which drew up a plan for their community to tackle the problems they see in it.

There is a plan for Min to return in November to conduct a further workshop which will include more teaching of Indigenous Lore and women's coming of age ceremonies.

Mrs Jenny Regan

Principal, LRCCS

Counsellor for ACS at the Coledale Community Centre, Tamworth

See LRCCS contacts page for general enquiries.

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Last modified: 03-Sep-2008