A new program designed to strengthen ties to culture and community while focusing on health among Gunnedah’s aboriginal men is about to be launched with Min Min Aboriginal Corporation, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Community and Place Grants Program.
Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the funding would allow Min Min Aboriginal Corporation to run their Maruma-li Giwirr (healing Kamilaroi/ Gamilaraay Men) program to strengthen youth and men to culture and community.
“Min Min Aboriginal Corporation do a great job supporting those in their community who need a place to go to get away from the world,” Mr Anderson said.
“This funding is about ensuring local elders are given the opportunity to guide the next generation, supporting them through workshops in men’s health, anger management, dealing with stress, budgeting and money management, addiction and other topics.
“Self-determination and connection to culture will be front of mind when delivering this program, which will have significant benefits to young aboriginal men in Gunnedah.”
Min Min Aboriginal Corporation Chair Mitchum Neave said the program would bring local men together.
“The main objective of the program is to bring all the men together in the community to check on their wellbeing and their health, and also to get them back on country on scarred sites,” Mr Neave said.
“Some of the people here have never seen those sites so I’d like to take them back out on country because cultural practice and healing is always done out on country.”
Nationals Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Community and Place funding program is delivering tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against Closing the Gap targets, while also recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to issues in their community.
“This is a terrific and unique program that will put important funding in the hands of Aboriginal groups who best know how to bring about improvements and opportunities for their community,” Mr Franklin said.
“The Nationals in government know that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”
