QSA assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia to implement projects that are endorsed by and will benefit their local community. Funding is possible through the Quaker Service Australia Aboriginal Concerns Fund, which relies entirely on generous donations. In order to continue supporting valuable projects like these, we need your continued support.

Kapululangu Aboriginal Women's Association

Cultural Learning Camp

The Kapululangu Aboriginal Women's Association in Balgo is offering a unique opportunity for 15 women to participate in a Cultural Learning experience in August. The purpose is to induct non-Indigenous and non-local Indigenous women into Kajungka region Aboriginal cultural practices. Some places have been made available for QSA supporters, if they would like to attend. Overall cost is likely to be $3,500 and the whole experience will take place between 20 August and 1st September. Transport is via Darwin and Kununurra in the Northern Territory. Please contact Aletia on 02 9698 9103 to request a copy of the information kit and visit www.kapululangu.org for more information about Balgo and the Kapululangu Aboriginal Women's Association.

Balgo Women have answers 

A group of women who have answers themselves are the Women of Balgo, a remote community in Western Australia. The Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association has established an intergenerational cultural healing and education program in their community in an effort to protect, improve and enhance the lives of their Indigenous women and children in the region and raise awareness about or counsel those affected by sexual assault.

The “Teaching Culture: Healing People” project supports the Kapululangu elders to teach their cultural knowledge to their younger generations and to run a tjarrtjurra (women’s healing) program for women, men, youth, children and babies. They are achieving this through culture classes, women’s ceremonies, and culture camps. Support for cultural tutors who give up their time to teach at these events is one of the Living Gift options for this year.

Photos: Right: Culture Class, Left: Balgo girls dance in celebration (Credit: Zohl de Ishtar)

Wilurarra Creative

Wilurarra Creative (formerly known as Warburton Youth Arts) is a multidisciplinary art centre with an ongoing arts and cultural program for young Indigenous people aged 17 - 30yrs from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Participation is self-directed and areas of focus include fashion, music, land and cultural practice, literacy, publishing and community development. More information is available on their new website: http://www.wilurarra.com

QSA has provided financial assistance for Wilurarra Creative to conduct the planning phase of a project entitled "Digital Assets Management System".

Photo Credit: Wilurarra Creative. Top Left: Lemi Thompson is now able to listen to, record, store and burn music in his own language, under his own control. Top right: Lalla taught a group of young women to make Wirras (metal digging bowls) from old car bodies. Bottom left: Sherma, Julia, Jasmine, Rachel, Walchukka. Sherma is practising her welding while Jasmine and Walchukka teaches language to Wilurarra professionals in residence, Julia and Rachel.

Cunnamulla artists

For a number of years now, QSA has supported local artists in the Queensland town of Cunnamulla. David Carline, local to the area, has worked to gain recognition and a small income for young artists. Their paper drawings, paintings on wood and photographs were sold as part of the Bowral miniature art exhibition in late October 2007 and QSA continues to promote and sell these artworks at public gatherings.

Photo: Selection of Cunnamulla artworks