NAIDOC Loud and Proud: 5 Indigenous men's health projects
National NAIDOC Week will be held across the country from Sunday, July 7th, to Sunday, July 14th, 2024, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. This year's theme, chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.
To mark the week, the Australian Men's Health Forum acknowledges all the individuals and organisations that work to improve the lives and health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys.
While it would be impossible to acknowledge all the great leaders - past, present and emerging - who have improved Indigenous male health in Australia, we celebrate and pay our respects to them all.
In the spirit of learning about First Nation cultures, here are five examples of Indigenous initiatives focused on men's and boys' health.
1. Tribal Warrior
Tribal Warrior has been a central part of the Redfern community in Sydney for over two decades. The group aims to empower its community through connection to culture and family.
Initiatives include the Clean Slate Without Prejudice (CSWP) program for Indigenous youth between the ages of 12 to 25. CSWP supports boys and young men to learn and practice culture, routine, discipline, and respect through dedicated one-on-one mentoring and group activities, including boxing and cultural lessons.
Find out more: Tribal Warrior
2. Walkabout Barber
Brian Dowd is the brains behind the Walkabout Barber, a mobile barber and trauma support service that supports rural and remote communities. Brian, a suicide survivor, trained in trauma counselling before setting up Walkabout Barber Enterprises in Warners Bay around four years ago.
Brian takes his barber service on the road with other young Indigenous men, providing communities with the latest hairstyles and mental health first aid. He says, "A lot of men are finding the barber chair a magical chair; they can sit in and let their guard down."
Find out more: Walkabout Barber
3. Darwin Indigenous Men's Service
Darwin Indigenous Men's Service (DIMS) is run by and for Indigenous men in the Darwin Region.
DIMS works with male clients to help improve their social and emotional well-being through initiatives like the Strong Men Strong Communities Program.
Strong Men Strong Communities provides support, mentoring, case management, leadership, cultural and healing workshop camps, and activities to Indigenous men.
DIMS was recently a recipient of an NT Government Men's Places Grant.
Find out more: DIMS
4. Brother to Brother
The Brother to Brother crisis line provides phone support for Aboriginal men who need someone to talk to about relationship issues, family violence, parenting, drug and alcohol issues, or who are struggling to cope for other reasons.
Aboriginal men staff the line, including Elders who have lived experience in the issues for which the line offers support.
Brother to Brother is run by the specialist Aboriginal family violence service, Dardi Munwurro (Strong Spirit).
They work with Aboriginal men and youth to identify their emotions and personal strengths and, in doing so, discover their own responsibility. Dardi Munwurro supports men in expressing purpose and developing a vision for their future.
Find out more: Dardi Munwurro
5. Aussie-FIT
Aussie-Fans In Training is a footy-themed, group-based health promotion program working with adult males in the Northern Territory.
The program aims to improve health outcomes for all men, focusing on Indigenous males aged between 35 and 75.
Researchers worked with a community advisory group of majority Indigenous men to establish the program. Darwin Buffaloes – a club with a high percentage of Indigenous men – became the first NTFL club to partner with Flinders University to host the program.
Find out more: Aussie-FIT
TELL US WHAT WE MISSED
We'd love to hear from you if you know of an individual or organisation working to improve the lives and health of Indigenous men and boys.
Please send any information you have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health programs that you think should be acknowledged and celebrated to: [email protected].
See also: 10 projects standing up for Aboriginal Men's Health