Deadly dads, deadly kids
The Nar-un-bah and Thou Walla Engaging Aboriginal Fathers Project helps fathers, uncles, grandfathers and significant male figures to connect in culturally rich, positive ways with the children in their families.
The Nar-un-bah and Thou Walla Engaging Aboriginal Fathers Project helps fathers, uncles, grandfathers and significant male figures to connect in culturally rich, positive ways with the children in their families.
The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation. It aims to help fathers become more confident in their role as parents and more involved in the early development of their children, which is critical to Closing the Gap.
Based in the Hunter region of New South Wales, the project engages Aboriginal men in a range of local informal and formal healing activities, events and workshops with a focus on reconnecting to culture and the role of fathers in growing their children strong.
A project worker operates from a number of local schools, creating opportunities for father-focused activities within the school systems and encouraging the participation of fathers in their children’s early development and learning.
“During a boys group held within this project, there was talk about identity and connection to culture,” one project worker said.
“It was clear that many of the children in the group knew they were Aboriginal; however, they didn’t seem to have a deep knowledge about their tribal links, language, links to land and spirituality.
“The children enjoyed learning about these perspectives from the Aboriginal men and they were encouraged to talk to their fathers and families about these things when they returned home.
“Many of the children later came back to the group, or to talk to the facilitators, and said they had learnt even more from their parents through follow-up conversations.”
The project also includes a camp to give fathers and their children the opportunity to increase cultural appreciation, enhance their connection with the land and focus on strengthening their relationships through positive experiences.
The camp also allows fathers to come together to support each other in their parenting journey.
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Improving the lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a critical component of Closing the Gap.
Helping fathers become more confident in their role as parents and more involved in the early development of their children is the key focus of the Nar-un-bah and Thou Walla Engaging Aboriginal Fathers Project.
The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation.