Article: Aboriginal men enter the conversation on domestic violence in remote communities.

Aboriginal men enter the conversation on domestic violence in remote communities.

The ground breaking men’s group Uti Kulintjaku (to listen, think & understand clearly) Watiku (belonging to men) made up from Aboriginal (Anangu) men from the NPY lands are coming together to prevent family violence and talk and support young people’s wellbeing in remote communities.

The group was born from NPY Women’s Council’s (NPYWC) Ngangkari (traditional healing) program. NPYWC is one of Central Australia’s leading health, social and cultural service providers to the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in Central Australia. It is traditionally led by women’s law, authority and culture. Family & domestic violence programs and conversations are often the domain of women. Now respected Anangu men are entering into the conversation to learn and create impact in their communities.

It’s a very powerful message that was sent to the men, and that is, “we know you care deeply about the experience of children, the experience of women, and the experience of men. We need you to be part of the considerations and you can help us understand what else we can do in community. Maybe through that you’ll find ways that you can contribute to the solution.” That’s what they’ve done. That invitation… to me it was a symbolic, systemic disruption. Health professional Uti Kulintjaku Team Member

The project is an Anangu led collaboration based on learning reciprocity between the men and health professionals. Workshops are conducted in the men’s first language and value both Anangu and Western knowledge and concepts. This enables the Anangu men to develop their language around trauma and family violence so they can effectively enter into those conversations at a family, community, regional and national level.

“We are building something strong. Uti Kulintjaku is a way of us trying to find that way of helping those young fellas; being able to show them the right way to that they can go forward well.” Anangu Uti Kulnintjaku Mens’ Team Member

Read more about the Ngangkari team

Read the Executive Summary Evaluation Report UK Men’s Project

Read Strengthening Community Capacity to End Violence

Research & Policy

Cashless Debit Card dis-empowering - NPYWC tells Senate Committee

The proposed roll out of the Cashless Debit Card in the NT by the Federal Government could see over 20,000 people have 80% of their welfare payments quarantined.

Speaking to the Senate Committee, Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council Director Maimie Butler said the move could be devastating for remote communities.

Recipients of Centrelink income are currently subject to the Basics Card which was brought in by the Howard government in 2007 as a part of the NT intervention. The Basics Card quarantines 50 per cent of recipients’ income for use at approved stores, compared with 80 per cent on the newer cashless debit card.

Ms Butler said there would be huge pressure on people in remote communities who have cash through wages and voiced her concerns about a spike in violence.

“The scheme will create a lack of empowerment for impoverished people and not address the root cause of poverty and alcohol misuse” said NPY Women’s Council CEO, Liza Balmer

If this card does comes along, it’ll take us right back to when our ancestors first walked into the missions and been fed by rations. That’s how it will be,” NPY Women’s Council Director, Maime Butler

General

Meet the new NPYWC Board of Directors

Twelve Anangu women from across remote NT, WA and SA have been voted in as NPYWC’s new Board of Directors by members in a secret ballot at the October 2019 AGM near Wingellina WA.

Proudly Anangu directed by women’s law, authority & culture, NPYWC takes guidance from Directors during regular meetings to direct NPYWC’s programs and operation. Governance training is undertaken by all board members and many governance terms are translated into Pitjantjatjara to give the Directors full understanding of their responsibilities.

We are excited to announce Yanyu Bandicha from Pukatja as Chairperson and Kunmanara Smith from Imanpa as Deputy Chair.

We welcome Dorothy Richards, Yangi Yangi Fox and Maureen Baker as new Directors.

The Directors are elected for a two year term.

Read the Director Biographies

NPY Women's Council is grounded in, and continues to live and work on, the sovereign Lands of the Arrernte people, and the Aṉangu and Yarnangu people - the rightful custodians of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lands.