Indigenous Voices Speaking Up Archives - ...metaphorically speaking

“Unearthing Unspoken Words” with Annette Dudley

October 9, 2019

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Annette Dudley stumbled her way into the therapy world after being supported by her foster carers to pursue her passion for education and having a number of mentors, supervisors and children cheering her on from the sidelines. A significant milestone was the completion of her Masters of Narrative Therapy and Community Work in 2015. In this interview, Annette reflects on her project ‘Unspoken Words’: Creative Letters to Elders of my Past and Present’ utilising the narrative practice of therapeutic letter writing.

Annette is a descendent of the Bailai Nation from the Gladstone area in Central Queensland, Tanna Island in Vanuatu and Murray Island in the Torres Strait Islands. Annette has held a variety of therapeutic and support roles within mental health, Aboriginal health, family violence legal services, criminal justice, sexual assault and youth services. She currently supports youth and families as a Project Officer for Indigenous Wellbeing at Central Queensland University in Rockhampton.

This is what we explore in episode 32 of ‘Talk the Walk’:

How Annette came to study narrative therapy and community work, and why she thinks it is a culturally sensitive approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people
What led to Annette undertaking her ‘Unspoken Word’ letter writing project with Elders of her community, and the impact it had on her work and life
Reflections on her work on Healing Camps with the Woorabinda community and the Taroom to Woorabinda Trek
The impact narrative letter writing honouring people’s legacies can have on recipients and their families
The significance of writing a letter from an oral culture perspective
How the ‘Unspoken Words’ project shaped Annette’s therapeutic practice with clients
Exploring the fit of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Indigenous clients
What Annette loves about using the Tree of Life methodology with clients
Reflections on Annette’s journey from foster child to therapist
Rolemodels, motivators and admirers
Annette’s career highlight – a sparkling moment!

To listen, simply click on the Play button below or listen via the Stitcher App for iOS, Android, Nook and iPad.

You can subscribe to future podcast episodes from our Subscription page. Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to follow up after the episode:

‘Unspoken Words’: Creative Letters to Elders of my Past and Present”

Read the letter Annette wrote to her pop Download

David Denborough
Cheryl White
David Epston
Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo and The Tree of Life

Contact Annette at dlzmmettswplsg(at)gmail(dot)com

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‘A Cultural Model of Therapeutic Social Work’ with Jannice Luland

October 24, 2018

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“A special moment”. Jannice with the clapsticks at the Singing for Healing program.

Jannice Luland is our guest on episode 26 of Talk the Walk. Jannice is a proud Aboriginal woman and direct descendant of the Wodiwodi and Walbunja peoples of the far South coast of NSW. After a career spanning over 30 years in child protection, out of home care, justice health, mental health, domestic and family violence and sexual assault, Jannice finally graduated with her Masters of Social Work in 2015.

Aunty Jeno, as she is known in her community of Nowra in NSW, is passionate about supporting women and young people in the field of domestic violence and sexualised violence, and has a special interest in the impact of intergenerational trauma on the Stolen Generations.

As well as being employed as a Healing Counsellor at Waminda, Jannice currently serves on the Aboriginal Elders committee and cultural committee. She is a huge advocate of social work practice frameworks which incorporate cultural healing practices. In our conversation we dive deep into what this looks like and what it means for Jannice to be able to incorporate her culture into a strong values and evidence-based model of therapeutic care.

In this episode, we explore:

A brief overview of the services at Waminda, an Aboriginal owned and run health and well-being service
How Waminda applied Aboriginal healing principles to address issues of low engagement with Aboriginal women accessing sexual assault and domestic violence services
How Jannnice arrived at social work after landing her first job as an uneducated single mum
How and why Jannice keeps culture central in her social work practice framework
Reflections on studying the social work degree and the lack of theoretical frameworks that intersect Indigenous cultures
Exploring the benefits, responsibilities and achievements as a member of the Elders group and cultural committee within the organisation
The theory and cultural knowledge behind the Singing for Healing program
Jannice’s desire to connect with other Aboriginal social workers across Australia to explore cultural therapeutic approaches
The importance of accessing cultural social work supervision
The values Jannice says are important in overcoming challenges within the work
Critical aspects of a healing counselling service that contribute to Closing The Gap
Role models and special people that have influenced Jannice’s life and career in social work and a sense of gratitude
Inspiring Aboriginal women to take up social work
That sparkling moment with the clapsticks

The sound is less than ideal at the beginning of this interview, but does improve, so please stick with it.
To listen, simply click on the Play button below or listen via the Stitcher App for iOS, Android, Nook and iPad.

You can also subscribe to podcast and blog updates via email from the Menu on the Home Page.

Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to follow up after the episode

Trauma Trails by Judy Atkinson

Waminda website

Follow Waminda on Facebook

Contact Jannice Luland on jannicel(at)waminda(dot)org(dot)au

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“You Don’t Have to Know Everything“ with Diana Jans

May 17, 2018

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It is a short but oh so sweet conversation, this week on ‘Talk the Walk’. As is so often the case, social workers are busy people and taking a half hour out of the daily schedule is precious time. My guest is Diana Jans, an Aboriginal maternal health social worker with Apunipima Cape York Health Council. After several years working as a teacher with vulnerable children, it was obvious to Diana she needed more skills to be able to meet their needs. Join me, as we take a quick trip down memory lane with Diana and discover what it takes to be a remote social worker.

In episode 23 of Talk the Walk, we explore:

What drew Diane to a career in Social Work after years of teaching in the Cape York region
A typical day in the life of a maternal health social worker and the challenges facing pregnant Aboriginal women in remote Australia
What it means to Diane to be living and working on the country where her great, great grandparents were born
Why her mum would say Diane was destined to be a social worker because of the value, beliefs and principles installed in her early life, as survivors of the Stolen Generation
The soon to be released journal article called “Coming To Town”, an initiative of service providers in Cairns supporting pregnant mums travelling for medical appointments
Key findings from their research and lessons for social workers and other allied health workers in providing a culturally supportive service
Diane’s advice for social workers just starting out in the field and the kind of attributes needed for remote work

To listen to this episode simply click on the Play button below or listen via the Stitcher App for iOS, Android, Nook and iPad.

You can also subscribe to podcast and blog updates via email from the Menu on the Home Page.

Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to follow up after the episode

‘Coming to Town’ will be available soon via the Apunipima Cape York Health Council website

Contact Diana Jans on 07 4037 7100

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‘The Earth is our Master Teacher’ with Bernard Kelly-Edwards

May 9, 2018

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This week on ‘Talk the Walk’ I sit down with Bernard Kelly-Edwards in the middle of his tiny art shop in the thriving alternative community of Bellingen. Bernard is surrounded by paintings, expressions of who he is, a local Gumbayngirr man, and symbols of the deep spiritual connection to country that he shares with others.

Bernard began his own journey of self-discovery attending a cultural program called Red Dust Healing and now reaches out to other individuals and groups to support Closing the Gap in cultural understanding. It is his passion for promoting mental health amongst Indigenous young people using the healing capacity of Miimga (Mother Earth) that is the focus of our conversation today.

His business, BKE Consultancy is a unique mix of multi-media platforms of art, photography, short film, poetry and storytelling. Bernard brings all these talents, along with skills of deep listening and knowledge of Aboriginal Lore, recognising sight and the feeling of cultural sites, passed down to him.

A few times in this conversation, Bernard speaks of the spirit being, the one with no mouth. He is describing the image in the painting, he is seen holding here.

This is what we explore in Episode 22 of ‘Talk the Walk’:

Bernard’s approach to ‘counselling’ using the tools he has found most effective from his own experience and gifts from Mother Earth
What deep listening really looks and feels like, for our own and others’ health and wellbeing
Easy practices you can try at home to develop your spiritual connection with Mother Earth and your self
The elements of life such as water, animals and wind that make communication and connection possible
Lessons for how we are living our lives, from the Earth’s perspective
Awareness – Balance – and Integration; Bernard’s 3 step strategy for healing of the planet beginning at home
How Bernard uses the concept of perceptual positions to assist individuals to take responsibility in their own healing process
Making deadly choices and being in the present moment, using the model of awareness, balance and integration
How Bernard works with the triggering emotions of individual’s past traumatic experiences to change belief systems and move people forward
Bernard’s sparkling moment – a good news story of healing
Bernard’s painting and it’s interpretation of his own spiritual form

Image: Bernard K Edwards

Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

We apologise for some of the human-made background noise at the beginning of this interview. That’s what happens when you are talking with real people on the job in the heart of their community. Sometimes you just have to go with it. Enjoy!

Things to follow up after the episode:

Connect with Bernard K Edwards on Facebook

Connect with BKE Consultancy on Facebook

Contact Bernard by email at bkeconsultancy79(at)hotmail(dot)com

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“Privileging the Voices of Aboriginal People” with Tileah Drahm-Butler

November 15, 2017

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What a delight it was to be speaking with Tileah Drahm-Butler this week on ‘Talk the Walk’, about her journey into narrative therapy and her approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Tileah’s passion for social work and giving Aboriginal people a voice shines through in this conversation. We also gain insight into the woman behind the work and the long list of inspiring women in her family that stand behind her.

Tileah is a Durrumbal woman currently living in Kuranda and working as a Senior Social Worker at Cairns Hospital. She has worked in a range of programs in Cairns and Cape York, including developing and delivering the Drop the Rock program, building the capacity of Aboriginal communities in mental health service delivery. In 2014, she completed the Masters in Narrative Therapy and Community Work.

Tileah is a co-author of ‘Aboriginal Narrative Practice: Honouring storylines of pride, strength and creativity’ where she writes about the many ways she is developing and using narrative practices that resonate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She is a member of the International Teaching Faculty of the Dulwich Centre for Narrative Therapy.

In Episode 16 of Talk the Walk, we explore:

The notion of narrative therapy as a decolonising practice that gives the client agency over their problem
What works in narrative practice for Aboriginal and TSI people in the context of an emergency and intensive care unit of the hospital
Re-membering conversations
The strong story of Aboriginal people’s lives incorporating their family, community and ancestors stories
The influence of Tileah’s cultural background on her practice
Social work as a political practice
Attracting Aboriginal and TSI people’s to the profession of social work and other allied health professions
The AASW mental health accreditation process and how that fits for practitioners working with Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander clients
The ethics and values underpinning Tileah ‘s commitment to social work
The influence of Tileah’s family and ancestors that holds her to the principles of justice-doing
The struggles of dealing with systems built on racism and the effect this has on Tileah as a practioner and a human being
The narrative therapy community that strengthens Tileah’s resolve and the stories that keep her going
Sparkling stories of hope and resistance
Tileah’s interest in beekeeping and what the bees have taught her about social work
Tileah’s dreams of raising the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to Close The Gap
Reconciliation in action

Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to follow up after the episode

Indigenous Allied Health Australia

The Dulwich Centre (home of Narrative Therapy in Australia)

Subscribe to the Narrative Therapy journal

Wingard, B., Johnson, C. & Drahm-Butler, T. (2015) Aboriginal Narrative Pratice: Honouring storylines of pride, strength and creativity, Dulwich Centre Publications, Adelaide.

Drahm- Butler, T. (2015). Video: Decolonising Identity Stories: A Friday Afternoon production from Dulwich Centre Foundation.

Contact Tileah via The Dulwich Centre

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Elaine plays a key part in the family healing ceremony.

“The gifts of learning and healing – your way and my way” with Elaine Tiparui

October 25, 2017

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When elders speak, we sit up and take notice. My guest today on Talk the Walk is someone I have listened to throughout my working career on the Tiwi Islands. In fact, I’m proud to call her my mentor. Elaine Tiparui is an Elder of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. Elaine has a long history of helping her people, beginning with the Alcoholics Anonymous movement in the 1980’s, training and working as an Aboriginal health worker and many years volunteering her time for non-government organisations delivering alcohol and drug programs, child and family counselling and support services.

I set out to explore two things in this conversation; firstly Elaine’s experience of working alongside non-indigenous social workers and counsellors and what advice she might have for new people entering remote communities, and secondly, Elaine’s knowledge in relation to the healing power of the bush. I am a real advocate for social workers incorporating Indigenous knowledge and skills into social work interventions and therapeutic plans. While I have been able to incorporate some of this knowledge into healing bush camps and individual client sessions, there is so much more potential with proper funding and support.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did, reflecting on a ten year working relationship and the things we’ve learned from each other along the way. It has been my biggest highlight and great privilege to co-create the Healing Our Children project with Elaine. Communication with Aboriginal people whose first language is not English is never easy, so I’m grateful to Elaine for sticking with me during this conversation in my native tongue. Apologies also for the cacophony of community sounds in the background!

In this episode, we explore:

Why Elaine chose to work alongside mainstream non-government organisations in her community
The history of the Wurrumiyanga community on the Tiwi Islands and Elaine’s experience of growing up in the Catholic Mission
What social workers and counsellors need to be mindful of when entering a remote community for the first time
the reciprocal benefits of co-working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge
Elaine’s gift of introducing new workers to the culture, healing traditions and a spiritual way of understanding the Tiwi people
Elaine’s view of the skills and knowledge of non-Indigenous workers as a gift of healing for the Tiwi people
Self determination and what this means for non-Indigenous workers coming into a remote community
How non-Indigenous workers can build trust and respect in a new community
Why ‘going out bush’ is the best form of intervention for many of the health and wellbeing issues affecting children, adults or families
Elaine teaching her grandson to find yams

Elaine’s stories of healing children and families out bush through teaching, hunting and bush medicine
The gift of listening and feeling trees that Elaine inherited from her ancestors, and the messages trees are communicating to us
The healing power of the bush in healing, mourning and celebration ceremonies, and recovery from emotional hurt and mental health issues
Elaine’s story as a witness to a healing ceremony for a Tiwi girl who had been removed as a baby and reunited with Tiwi family; a collaboration between Child Protection, an NGO and the strong women

Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

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‘The Oldest Therapy in the World’ with Leonie Hunter

September 13, 2017

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While I am gearing up to undertake the first Forest Therapy* course offered on Australian soil down in the Yarra Ranges this week, it seems the interest in ecotherapeutic approaches to health and wellbeing is growing rapidly. While the Western world is just catching up with the scientific evidence to prove nature can heal us from the social ills of overconsumption and environmental degradation, Indigenous cultures across the world have always known of the healing power of nature. For many years I’ve heard Elders from the Tiwi Islands prescribe ‘going out bush’ as the best treatment for mental health problems and young people who are going off the rails, rather than traditional talk therapies. Leonie Hunter of the Tiwi islands is my guest on ‘Talk the Walk’ this week. With knowledge and wisdom passed down to her from family and a passion for understanding mental health in the 21^st century, Leonie unpacks what ‘nature as healer’ means to the oldest culture in the world.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

the history of how Tiwi people have been using nature in healing ways
what parts of nature are used in traditional healing methods
the power of listening to the external and internal
healing physical ailments and the emotional self with bush medicine
what excites Leonie most about using bush therapy
how Leonie came to learn cultural healing knowledge and skills in nature
Leonie’s encounter with respected Kakadu elder Bill Neidjie
Key messages from nature for our lives today
Leonie picking bush peanuts

The effects of not looking after the environment and the impact of stress on Aboriginal people’s health
the benefits of nature for children and Leonie’s dream of developing healing camps for youth
Leonie’s personal experience of the healing power of nature
Nature as a helper in the grieving process
Adopting traditional healing methods in the health system
Tips for non-Indigenous social workers who want to help Aboriginal clients access traditional healing in their recovery

This interview was conducted in nature. We don’t apologise for that, but the sound quality is affected by the wind in some areas (sorry!)

Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’, send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to follow up after the episode

*Forest Therapy is a term coined by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

Bill Neidjie – Author of ‘Story about Feeling’, ‘Gagudju Man’ and ‘Old Man’s Story’

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‘Continuing the Bold and the Beautiful’ with Josephine Lee

August 2, 2017

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The bold and beautiful Josephine Lee

Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with Josephine Lee, an inspiring Senior Aboriginal Social worker who has traversed all breadth of social work and currently finds herself supporting children, families and schools in remote parts of the NT.

We are often told that we can’t change the world, even though we enter social work to do just that. After listening to this conversation with Josephine, you will walk away with renewed belief that change really IS possible!

Be prepared to be confronted and have your white middle class assumptions challenged, as we head into part two of my conversation with Josephine.

While it was an easy decision for me to interview Josephine surrounded by the beauty of nature, doing so means being open to the elements. So I apologise for the sound quality at those times when the wind picked up.

This episode covers:

Why Josephine is very comfortable with who she is and what she has to offer the world
What it’s like to walk to two worlds and how it impacts on Josephine’s work
Racism in social work
Why politeness goes out the window so Josephine can be the best she can be as a human being
The importance of holding adults accountable for the harm they have caused
Strengthening the voices of compassion and human decency
How to be a change agent for the right reasons
How boldness can help us all shine in the world
Authentic warrior-like self care for practitioners with a trauma history
Establishing authentic connection in this risk-averse world
The gifts of ‘Kuleana’ from Hawaii and ‘Dadirri’ from Daly River for living and working authentically
Our responsibilities for ourselves, each other and the planet
Packing the essential sense of humour and relishing moments of joy
Reflections on suicide in Aboriginal communities and society’s response

We hope you enjoy this episode of ‘Talk the Walk’. And if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’ send us an email from the Contact Page.
Warning: occasional explicit language.
Just click on the Play Button below and enjoy! We hope to have ‘Talk the Walk’ listed on popular podcatchers like iTunes very soon. Or subscribe by email via our Home Page.

Things to follow up after the podcast

In the song ‘What a Wonderful World’, Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole uses the word “Kuleana“.

Josephine says “Kuleana is the value of responsibility. It drives self-motivation and self-reliance, for the desire to act comes from accepting our responsibility with deliberate intent and with diligence. We want to be held accountable. Responsibility seeks opportunity. Reciprocal relationship between the person who is responsible, and the thing which they are responsible for.”

About Desmond Tutu

About Nelson Mandela

About Barack Obama

A Truly Civil Society by Eva Cox, 1995 Boyer Lectures

Josephine says “This book and many other writers that I’ve been fortunate to have been exposed to or read in depth, raised further my awareness around “don’t forget that humans have constructed society”, the busyness, franticness and dehumanising processes. It can be deconstructed and reconstructed.”

Aboriginal Social Work writers that have influenced Josephine’s practice:

Connect with Josephine Lee on Linked In

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An artists interpretation of family surrounded by wild waters.

‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ with Josephine Lee

July 26, 2017

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The bold and beautiful, Josephine Lee

My guest on Episode 3 of ‘Talk the Walk’ is Josephine Lee. Josephine is a Gudjula woman from North Queensland whose social worker career spands almost 30 years. Jo is committed to anti-oppressive, anti-racist, therapeutic and relationship-based practices as well as creative and hope-focused practices.
In true traditional style, this ended up feeling like a yarn around the campfire, than an interview. Josephine takes us on a deep journey into her life growing up and how this has shaped the person she is today. Her biggest influences on her social work practice is life itself. This includes in her words

“moments of suffering that you think you cannot get through; moments of joy that you think you cannot believe has happened; good people; lessons learnt from bad; being given opportunities; being brave to take up the opportunities; forgiving yourself when you stuff up, learn and grow; kindness is a strength; beautiful art, music, writing, and so many things that have contributed to hope focussed approach; talk with belief, especially to those who have given up.”

It was truly a privilege to hear Josephine’s raw and honest account of the struggles in life and work. Josephine is unashamedly and unapologetically frank in her assessment of the state of social work and humanity on the planet. If you want to hear the brutal truth about what an Aboriginal social worker really thinks about our white middle class profession, but in a gentle kind way, then you’re in the right place.
This episode explores:
• What is hope-focused practice and how it differs from strengths based practice
• The impact of Aboriginal policy and racism on Jo’s family history which ultimately shapes her practice and her life
• Jo’s view of the world as a ‘social justice cake’
• The circumstances that led to Jo taking up social work as a career
• Jo’s reflection on her own personal experience of social workers involved in her childhood
• Lessons on responsibility and what social justice in action really means
• Special photos that have significance to Jo’s life and work (see below)
• Child removal as the impact of colonisation
• Cautions for social workers following the current trends in treatment without bringing a cultural lens and critical reflection
• The traps that white middle class social workers might fall into which leads to hopelessness and helplessness
• A blunt warning for social workers who don’t enter Aboriginal communities with respect
• What it means to walk alongside someone on a painful but healing journey of self discovery for deep nourishment and flourishment to happen
• The power of narrative therapy in working with Indigenous clients
• What is reflective social work practice REALLY
• Black empowerment theory and why it’s greater than feminist theory

“If you walk softly on this Mother Earth, you have tried your best to take care for her, and all life, and you did so with dignity and grace — that is a truly well-lived life.” – Josephine Lee, July 2017

Josephine speaks about the following photographs in this interview.

Josephine’s maternal side of the family.

Josephine with her mother and siblings.

An artists interpretation of family surrounded by wild waters.

The picture a client identified as to what being happy with life looks like.

Please note, due to the length of this interview, it has been split into two parts. Tune in next week to hear the final part of our conversation.
Warning: occasional explicit language.
Just click on the Play Button below and enjoy! We hope to have ‘Talk the Walk’ listed on popular podcatchers like iTunes very soon. Or subscribe by email via our Home Page.
Don’t forget, if you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’ send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to follow up after the episode

Various Books by Christine Fejo King

About Wayne McCashen and the ‘Strengths Approach’

‘Black Empowerment: Social Work in Oppressed Communities’ by African American social worker, Barbara Bryant Solomon

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‘Black and White Working Together for Strong Community’ with Patricia Munkara

July 19, 2017

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Patricia Munkara – an advocate for children in her community

My guest on ‘Talk the Walk’ this week is Patricia Munkara. Patricia is a traditional woman from Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory whose first language is Tiwi. In our conversation, Patricia takes us into her world – giving us some insight into what it is like for an Aboriginal worker living in their community to work alongside non-Indigenous social workers/counsellors, some of whom have been on fly-in fly-out arrangements. Bringing her passion for children’s safety and protection, Patricia has developed a reputation of being a trusted community member in her role of Aboriginal Support Worker with a mainstream non-government organisation.

This episode explores:

how Patricia has been a role model for others in her community
how Patricia has worked alongside the counsellor in the delivery of a culturally sensitive model of therapy
what a typical ‘two-way’ approach to counselling looks like; and the skills, knowledge and tools used
advantages of having an Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mix of counselling and support in the room with children
some of the challenges of the work
collaboration between the counsellor and Aboriginal Support Worker
the importance of valuing and including cultural practices, knowledge and values in the work
how employment and maintaining a status in the community as a carer for children has contributed to Patricia’s own health and wellbeing
a success story of reunification with a young Tiwi girl
the importance of flexibility in a challenging work environment
advice for new social workers in a remote community and what you can expect

As with any remote work, there were challenges with recording this episode. We apologise for the varying quality of audio. It’s something we are working on!
We hope you enjoy this episode. If you or someone you know would make a great interview on ‘Talk the Walk’ send us an email from the Contact Page.

Things to check out after today’s episode:

Healing Our Children on Facebook

Patricia’s 3 part series of child safety messages launched today!
‘Keeping Babies Safe from Harm’
‘Babies and Neglect’
‘Babies and Stress’

More about Patricia’s life and work on our blog