Forum to help make dreams a reality

Young Yawuru people have a new forum to turn dreams and aspirations about their future into action through a new steering committee, with culture and land, health and education and career pathways top of the agenda.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru’s Nini Mills and community engagement and youth development officer Bart Pigram held the inaugural Yawuru youth forum on September 12 and 13, attracting 30 young people aged from 18 to 30.

The group took a “cultural bus tour” to key Yawuru sites around town and listened to presentations from elders including Jimmy Edgar, Peter Yu, Debbie Pigram and Patrick Dodson.

About 20 young people then offered to be part of the steering committee to advise NBY on youth policy and make sure other young people’s voices were heard.

A group of 10 people from the health, education, private and community services sectors were elected and met for the second time last week.

Ainseley McKenzie, 22, said she wanted to become more involved with the Yawuru community and know more about her culture and language.

“I’ve got heaps to learn,” she said. “We’ve discussed language classes, flash cards and word of the day on Goolarri radio … we’re trying to do a cultural day trip, with stories and bush tucker and sacred sites.”

Another participant, Chelsea Wade, had just completed her Certificate II in leadership in Cairns and would return to do further study, she said.

Mr Pigram said all participants would be found options for training and development through NBY.

“To maintain the native title, we have to maintain our culture and practices otherwise it can be lost,” he said.