Walking together through country we will grow strong

Over 20 participants in the Community Development Programme in Amata, SA, have contributed to a successful three day walk to help local teenagers become involved in their community and make positive life choices.

Seventeen teenage boys, who left their community of Amata in north western South Australia to walk 30 kilometres over three days through the Musgrave Ranges, returned to a community proud and happy at their achievements.

They were assisted by eight Anangu Mentors (aged 22-60), seven support workers and for two nights, Community Elders who camped out with the group and directed a number of important activities.

Many of the boys (aged 13-17 years) had been engaging in at-risk behaviour, were difficult to assist and were also at risk of being alienated from family and Elders in the community.

The walk, named Tjungu tjina para ngaralala kunpuringkuku (Walking together through country we will grow strong), created opportunities for Elders to rebuild relationships with these young men through cultural teaching and mentoring.

In the evenings there were conversations about choosing positive life directions, being strong in culture, and having respectful relationships. The leaders made great efforts to let the youth know they were important and loved deeply by their community.

Throughout this walk the youth were taught cultural knowledge of the countryside and traditional skills, such as spear-making, tracking, Tjukurpa (navigation through cultural stories), and Pitjantjatjara language for the local flora and fauna.

The young men who participated pushed themselves physically and mentally and were rewarded by making it to the top of the Musgrave Ranges.

The route of the walk, developed in collaboration with Traditional Owners,  took place on sections of the Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) adjacent to Amata.

The young men were taken to culturally significant sites and took part in important cultural activities – such as burning practices. They also learnt about work skills and career pathways in land management of IPAs, and in the operation of the local Community Development Programme Provider, Skillhire.

An equally important outcome of the walk was the opportunity for mentors, Elders and other community workers to come together and achieve positive results. The local Anangu women felt proud about supporting the camp with cooking, singing and encouragement. They worked very hard and stayed beyond their expected work hours.

The trek finished with participants walking back into Amata to enjoy a whole of community celebration including festivities and a BBQ.

The happiness and sense of pride in the young men’s achievements within the Amata community was amazing and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teenagers, mentors, Elders and all their community helpers.