NPY Women's Council welcomes new Deputy CEO

NPY Women’s Council supports the call to protect remote and regional Aboriginal communities from Coronavirus (COVID-19) by restricting travel into the NT by making the NT and the tristate central desert region a special control area.

“We are extremely worried about our senior members of the community and their susceptibility to the virus. They are our anchors and caretakers of this ancient culture.” NPY Women’s Council CEO, Liza Balmer

NPY Women’s Council as a member of the Combined Aboriginal Organisations of Central Australia attended a special meeting yesterday to discuss the threat of COVID- 19 to Aboriginal communities across Central Australia.

“All organisations were really clear that we need to make the entire NT and the tristate region a Special Control Area for COVID – 19. This means that we want to apply the same travel restrictions that apply to international visitors nationally to visitors to the Northern Territory from any Australian jurisdiction.” Combined Aboriginal Organisations of Central Australia

Restricting travel into the NT by introducing a 14 day quarantine for all people arriving from interstate would act to reduce the spread of COVID–19 in what is currently a COVID–19 free region.

While it is critical we have food and supplies moving across borders into the NT, restricting the movement of people across the Territories borders is beneficial to the prevention and spread of COVID – 19 into remote Aboriginal communities.

Currently NPY Women’s Council has stopped travel for all non-essential services staff to remote communities. NPYWC has also implemented restrictions on staff traveling from overseas, NSW or Victoria who will now need to self-quarantine / work from home for 14 days after arrival to minimise risk of transmission. All Staff travelling from other states and territories will be required to self-isolate / work from home for 5 days.

With most services into the NPY Lands greatly restricted, Anangu staff have found themselves playing a pivotal role in nurturing their communities on the ground.

The Uti Kulintjaku project is a part of the Ngangkari program and grows capacity and mental health literacy in Anangu communities. The project works with key Anangu community members and western health professionals to strengthen understanding between both groups, Anangu members then work within their communities to drive change.

When COVID-19 presented an extra need and fewer services, these leaders stepped up and began their own community initiatives. This is what happened.

Amata Men

Stanley Windy, a long term Uti Kulintjaku Watiku member, led several profound initiatives. The Uti Kulintjaku Watiku program positions Anangu men’s voice within the dialogue and sharing of ideas to prevent family violence and to strengthen young people’s wellbeing. Stanley found activities that would engage young men and used this time to talk intimately with the men. Stanley took young men out to catch and break in wild horses seen around Amata and set up music practice sessions. Stanley was able to talk to these young men through personal and empowering conversations. These conversations between leading community figures such as Stanley and young men are pivotal in creating grass roots community change.

Weekly Mental Health Meetings

A group of senior women and key members of Uti Kulintjaku based in Mutijulu began meeting weekly out bush, with support from the Central Land Council COVID-19 funding. The group is using this quiet time to consider their mental health and wellbeing and ways they can build resilience in their community.

Singing & family bush trips everywhere!
During COVID-19, all Uti Kulintjaku members reported increased singing and family trips to country as key well-being activities that have worked to build unity and alleviate distress.