Nykina Cultural Leadership Camp
In consultation with local stakeholders and community elders Rona Charles and Gordon Marshall, Garnduwa coordinated our first Cultural Leadership Camp for young male descendants of the Nykina clan. From the 1st – 5th of September, a group of young men at risk of alcohol/substance abuse had the opportunity to connect with their culture and family ties on country. Peter Ljubic from NSW TAFE and Santana Rose from Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service were instrumental in delivering a safe, holistic and challenging leadership camp.
The hike began at Langi Langi Crossing, stretching all the way to Jinarree camp on Nyul Nyul country, following the tracks of our ancestors trading route, stopping through traditional water points. The hike was heavily supported by Outdoor Education Coordinator Peter Ljubic from NSW TAFE, who has worked with the Yiriman project before to run cultural immersion camps.
In consultation Mr Anthony Watson, Gordan Marshall and Ms Rona Charles, the young men hiked for a whopping 60km of the route. The team faced a few hiccups and obstacles on the way, including a fire that prevented them from completing an extra 30km of their track. The support crew consisted of 5 volunteer field officers, who were there to greet participants at each checkpoint and campsite.
In preparation for the hike, participants were required to undergo a 5-8 week physical endurance course facilitated by Garnduwa, whilst tracking their experience through a journal. The KMHDS team provided ongoing support for participants, helping them identify emotional triggers and concerns through journaling. Santana Rose from KMHDS structured an alcohol and drugs awareness course that required participants to analyse and understand addiction, as well as change our understanding and stigma around mental health. The course was designed to complement the physical endurance training and holistically work towards positive self-esteem for our participants.
Local Derby man Travis Ryder provided the boys with hands-on support developing traditional and contemporary navigation skills. Throughout the training period, many participants lost weight, dramatically increased their fitness and committed to a healthier lifestyle in general. Working collaboratively with other local stakeholders meant the young men were able to access emotional support, strengthen their cultural ties and improve their quality of life.
Alongside Garnduwa Board Director Sonny Ozies, our Derby Development Officer led the endurance training, planning and coordinating walks and hikes with increasing intensity. Once or twice a week Lachlan would take participants walking across the Marsh to the Derby Jetty, and then from Bungarun to Devil’s Elbow, sometimes in 36 degree heat. A Nykina man himself, Lachlan described the experience “like none he had before”, demonstrating the power of this unique experience not only for participants but for staff as well.
We were lucky to have registered nurse Anthony Edgar as our medic on the hike and in the lead up. Anthony consistently checked in on the mental wellbeing of our participants, as well as kept an eye on their physical health, ensuring everyone was safe at all times. Garnduwa engaged mentor Sonny Ozies to be a role model for the young men, supporting them to find the strength and resilience within themselves to complete the walk.
Throughout the training, young men learned how to navigate in the bush, how to work together as a team and how to be a better mentor and role model in the community.
This camp was the brainchild of Garnduwa Derby Active Communities Coordinator Fiona Smith, who has long been passionate about empowering young Aboriginal people in Derby holistically. “This is the first camp of its kind for Garnduwa, and I am proud to have taken part in an experience that connects cultural knowledge with physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing through the transfer of knowledge”.
Upon arriving at Jinarree, the young men were given damper with barramundi, as well as a history lesson about the land on which they met, and their cultural connection to that country. Each night the group would have a ‘Knunga Circle’, to debrief about any feelings that arose during their hike, providing young men with a unique opportunity to yarn in a safe space. Young men are rarely encouraged to share their feelings, leading to devastating effects on the mental health of young Aboriginal men. The Knunga Circle was central to the overall healing process for our participants, and a chance to connect with senior elders and custodians of Nykina country.
The young men involved should be incredibly proud of all their hard work, including Lachlan Walley who coordinated the endurance training and rose to the challenge of the hike himself during his time with Garnduwa. We would like to thank Patrick, Herbie and Narelle for their hospitality and allowing us to stay at Jinarree camp. This would also not have been possible without the guidance of Anthony Watson, Rona Charles, Dora Charles, Margaret Buck and Sylvia Buck, who shared with us connection to country, knowledge of significant sites and a warm embrace through kindling fire under a full moon. DACC Fiona Smith describes the hike as “a trip etched in the hearts and minds of young men for years to come, which we can pass on to younger generations”.
