A group of Aboriginal men in custody have been the first to complete a new program that helps inmates reconnect with their culture and puts them on a path to healing.
The thirty inmates at St Heliers Correctional Centre in the Hunter region participated in the inaugural 10-week cultural strengthening course, while also maintaining positive involvement in work, traineeships and programs to reduce their chances of reoffending.
Gamilaraay woman, Louise Lynch, manager of the Corrective Services NSW Aboriginal strategy and policy unit, said the program included didgeridoo-making, Aboriginal dance and language, bush tucker classes and ancestral story-telling.
"By building someone's identity, you're creating a more resilient and confident person who'll want to participate in other programs to address their offending behaviour," Ms Lynch said.
"Correctional centre staff have already noticed that the inmates have improved behaviour, greater focus and a better understanding of who they are and the pathway they want to take to improve themselves."
Darug and Gubbi Gubbi man Stuart McMinn of Gawura Cultural Immersions organises the Aboriginal dance and wellbeing sessions and said building cultural identity was a slow process but he'd already noticed positive change among the men.
"At the beginning, some of the men didn't want to dance and many didn't know their mob or stories, but now they're proud to dance and want to share those stories," Mr McMinn said.
"We know people with stronger identities do better in life so learning these cultural practices are important for their rehabilitation."
Aboriginal Elder and Bidjara man Richie Lawton of Budbudda Dreaming leads the didgeridoo-making workshops and said the inmates have learned skills and have a drive to do better when they're released.
"Whether it's studying or making clapsticks for the first time, the men have discovered a sense of value in life, and a connection to culture and country," Uncle Lawton said.
Inmate 'Caleb' said he felt proud after participating in the didgeridoo program: "When I was looking at my didgeridoo, I thought, 'wow, I've made this from nothing and it's a part of me'," he said.
The cultural program will be rolled out to the next group of inmates next month.
NAIDOC Week, runs until 11 July and is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for NAIDOC Week 2021 is: Heal Country.
