Indigenous

This selection of CEGS projects has contributed toward addressing the following UN Sustainable Development Goals.

3 – Good Health and Wellbeing

4 – Quality Education

8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

10 – Reduced Inequalities

11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

16 –Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

17 – Partnerships for the Goals

SKAMP: Cultural Mentoring with Indigenous Male Students (Years 5-8) in Dapto and Shellharbour Areas

UOW project leader

Professor Kathleen Clapham, Indigenous Health, Australian Health Services Research Institute, Faculty of Business and Law.

UOW Partner - Mr Layne Brown.

Community partner

Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group.

Brief

School Kids Aboriginal Mentoring Program (SKAMP) is a unique program designed for Aboriginal boys and young men. The initiative builds upon the expertise from the Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group (IKMSG) to deliver cultural mentoring, grounded in Aboriginal ways of doing and knowing.

The Interdisciplinary team is working with IKMSG in order to develop & deliver a culturally safe program for Aboriginal students Years 5-8 in the transition from primary to secondary school. SKAMP is uniquely designed for Aboriginal boys and young men that builds upon the considerable expertise of the IKSMG. The team is strongly committed to working with community-led approaches and initiatives that can contributes towards a greater evidence base for Aboriginal organisations.

This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, four, eight, 10, 11 and 16.

Mogo and Mudgji (Dhurga for Friends)

UOW project leader

Ms Jaimey Facchin, Campus Manager Batemans Bay.

UOW partners - Ms Anne Snowball and Mrs Michelle Rush.

Community partner

Mogo Primary School.

Brief

Mogo and Mudji (Dhurga for friends) provides a better understanding of local Indigenous culture by engaging in educational activities with local primary schools. Pride in culture plays a vital role in shaping people’s ambitions and choices. This project utilises educational field trips and resources to highlight the importance of valuing the cultural skills and knowledge of Indigenous people.

This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals four, 11 and 12.

Budbili Mudjingaal (Possum Rug Friends)

UOW project leader

Mrs Michelle Rush, Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

UOW partner - Associate Professor Bronwyn Carlson.

Community partners

Warradjah Aboriginal Programs, Ross Consultancy and Killalea State Park.

Brief

Budbili Mudjingaal project encourages staff and students to bond as they create a possum skin rug based on research of cloaks made by Dharawal people. Creating this rug not only creates a bond between community, students and staff but it also fosters a supportive and healthy work environment which will enhance work standards.

This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, 11 and 12.

Walbanja Possum Cloak Educational Resource Package

UOW project leader

Ms Jaimey Facchin, Campus Manager Batemans Bay.

UOW partners - Ms Kerryn Hopkins, Learning, Teaching and Curriculum, Senior Professor Amanda Lawson, School of the Arts, English and Media, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Ms Lesli Kirwan and Ms Anne Snowball.

Community partners

Walbanja Guungara Baraan Group and Doolagarl Dreaming Consultancy.

Brief

The Walbanja Possum Cloak represented a significant step in the revitalisation of local Aboriginal cultural heritage, and the UOW Batemans Bay campus was honoured to host the cloak by the Walbanja Custodians. Educational resources that accompanied the cloak supported the knowledge sharing and educational awareness of local Aboriginal cultural heritage throughout the wider community. This project has paved the way for future community interactions which will benefit all partners.

This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals four, eight, 10, 11 and 12.

Please Read to Me: Literacy Support Project for Indigenous Children

UOW project leader

Dr Martina Sanderson-Smith, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.

UOW partners - Dr Pippa Burns, Lecturer, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, Mrs Michelle Rush, Dr Joanne Buckskin and Ms Kate Roggeveen.

Community partner

Illawarra South Coast Children's Book Council of Australia.

Brief

The Please Read to Me-literacy support for Indigenous children project, targeting Indigenous children in the early childhood and primary age bracket, raised awareness of the importance of encouraging and promoting the joys of reading with children. The project was undertaken in consultation with Aboriginal services and organisations and key contacts within Aboriginal communities. The project complemented literacy programs in pre-schools, schools and child care centres and community centres. There is an instructional resource available which includes helpful tips for engaging children with reading.

This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals four, eight and 10.