Kindred Spirits News

Wangka Group, May 2010

Wadye’s ceremonial dance group the Wangka Group visited Melbourne in May. Funded by Kindred Spirits, the visit was designed to forge more permanent links between the two communities and share the culture of the Thamarrurr Region with Kindred Spirits’ wide network of friends and family.

Wadeye Visit, March 2010

Kindred Spirits was recently invited to visit the community of Wadeye. A two day visit took place in March and a busy timetable meeting local leaders and community members took place. The visit has led to the establishment of long-term links and a commitment to the community. KS has pledged to assist the community with their goals going forward.

ABCD workshop, October 2009

In October last year Kindred Spirits facilitated a workshop with members of the Wadeye and Sudanese community from the Latrobe Valley.

The purpose of the workshop was for each community to establish what it was they would like to do to help their community. The structure of the workshop was Asset Based Community Development, a community building technique which is based on identifying a communities assets and benefits and positive aspects, rather than focusing on its needs and problems. Building on what good stuff already exists in the community through projects and action plans was the result. Remarkably concise and specific goals were decided through that workshop. The Wadeye community identified a desire to build on its cultural traditions which is an enormous strength of its people.

The Sudanese community from the Latrobe Valley have identified the need to develop leadership within their community and to assist their children/youth to engage in learning thus increasing their opportunities and easing the clash of cultures they experience. Not dissimilar to the Wadeye community really. These outcomes have given Kindred Spirits a framework with which it can now assist these two groups.

In October 2009 Kindred Spirits Foundation ran it first official event, an Asset Based Community Development Workshop to assist people to focus on the positive things about their communities, and build on their strong points rather than dwell on problems and complex challenges.

Approximately 30 people attended the workshop, 20 people from Wadeye an aboriginal community in Northern Territory, 3 women from Latrobe Valley Sudanese Women’s Group and 3 workers from the Parenting Resource Centre in Melbourne. By the end of the workshop each community had positive plans and first steps for their future.

Kindred Spirits Foundation will be officially launched in Latrobe Valley in September this year, please watch your notice board for further information.