Aboriginal Healing,
Sharing Culture |
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LAST WORDS
"And so first and foremost I pay my tribute, my respect to those people, those communities, those wonderful human beings that have allowed me to step into their community and have allowed me to learn and have inspired me with their hearts and minds." Annalise Jennings
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“We asked for an audience with the Council in December, as we noticed a significant reduction of people attending court each month. I believe this has occurred because people are engaged in employment. This is directly a result of the WOCC Leadership and Capability program, which has seen over 70% of attendees now employed or placed in training or education.
The leadership program has had a positive impact. People have made the decision about choice and others are supporting them as mentors. Whole of community change (WOCC) is the best thing that has ever happened in our community. Annalise Jennings (program designer) mingled with us. She spoke in our language and with understanding. She listened to us. We trusted her and opened up to her. The energy in her workshops was open making it possible for us to be clear about our hopes, dreams and future. I have noticed that the young people have shifted from their shyness. There is movement in the community. A mindset shift supported by mentoring. People see action and want to contribute because of what they see in the community. For the future, l believe we need to keep up the momentum of the WOCC program. The Women of Worth Healing and the Leadership and Capability programs were very successful. I would like to see the women’s group re-established, improve interaction with Western Cape College, focus on youth education programs, establish our primary school and a birthing centre in Weipa.” Maryann Coconut |
"… the richness of a very unique and highly evolved community in far north Queensland. A group of people that I pay special tribute to. A group of people that I believe are very wise, highly evolved in their consciousness.
And when I think that they have invited me into their community and they’ve chosen me to work with them, I fill up. At times there are just no words in the English language to really describe that overwhelming emotion and that sense of gratitude. And so first and foremost I pay my tribute, my respect to those people, those communities, those wonderful human beings that have allowed me to step into their community and have allowed me to learn and have inspired me with their hearts and minds." Annalise Jennings Annalise says that a clear concept has emerged from her four years work with Napranum and other Cape York communities:
“that spiritual growth when aligned to economic opportunity, provides the fundamental basis for social transformation.” And a final word from a Napranum Elder: “We have proved to ourselves and hopefully the rest of Australia that Indigenous communities can and must be the shapers of their destinies. This is a radical new way of thinking, a process that l feel honoured to have been a part of.” > Revel |