The HOPE Project responded to a community concern that young Indigenous (Bidjara) people in Charleville had little understanding and connection to their cultural identity. Local Elders were worried that their youth were facing health and social problems due to this lack of cultural direction, which they identified as being a catalyst for risky, unhealthy behaviour including drug and alcohol misuse.
The HOPE team researched various options and identified Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Youth Outreach Program, Rekindling. This program aims to inspire young Indigenous people to have pride in the knowledge of their cultural background, gain a strong sense of kinship and connection to their communities and country, and understand their role as the future custodians of their culture. Rekindling also has a track record of establishing the foundations for positive career choices.
The HOPE Team personally met with the Rekindling’s Artistic Director to understand the requirements of securing this fully-funded three-year program for Charleville. Equipped with this knowledge we then undertook extensive community consultation and garnered the support and enthusiasm essential for driving Charleville’s application. Specifically, HOPE gained letters of support from the Mayor, the High School Principal, the CEO of the Aboriginal Medical Service and several Bidjara Elders. Bangarra commented that since Rekindling’s inception in 2013 and its delivery across 16 communities in 4 states, they had never received such enthusiastic support from a community.
Because the HOPE Project had engendered this community buy-in, Bangarra fast-tracked Charleville to be included in the 2017-19 schedule, rather than putting Charleville on the list for 2020. Charleville’s enthusiasm also prompted Bangarra to invest additional funds to video Charleville’s program for a documentary. It also led to Bangarra bringing its sponsors to Charleville for the initial performance night in Charleville.
Thirty-six young people registered and participated in the program’s series of 3 ‘gatherings’, the first of which was held on Country at Mt Tabor Station, a place of tremendous cultural significance to the Bidjara People. The participants and Bangarra crew slept in swags under the stars and learned Bidjara stories in sacred places under the guidance of Mt Tabor Manager and Bidjara Elder, Keelen Mailman. Participants learned and rehearsed Bangarra repertoire. They also created their own dances based on their ideas and feelings about being on Country.
In terms of promoting healthy behaviours, the Bangarra team emphasised the discipline required of a dancer – diet and the consequences of drugs, smoking and alcohol. They explained the importance of sleep and the positive mental health implications of regular exercise and making healthy choices. The life stories of the Bangarra crew resonated with the Charleville students, who had shared experiences growing up Indigenous in remote communities. These professional dancers were living examples of how Indigenous people from the bush had become successful on the world stage by making healthy choices from a young age. The Charleville students developed and rehearsed their repertoire and performed before several community audiences – at their school, during NAIDOC Week and at a ceremony commemorating the hand-over of a parcel of culturally significant Bidjara land.
Charleville State High School has reported a marked improvement in the Rekindling participants’ behaviour – motivation, team work, attendance, confidence and generosity. These students have a renewed sense of pride and self-worth in who they are and where they come from as a result of their connection to cultural knowledge and the ability to tell their own stories through dance.
Addressing the social determinants of health
Many of the Charleville students involved in this program are from families that experience generational disadvantage and some students were at risk of disengaging from school. The very fact that these students were born and are growing up in the bush in poor social and economic circumstances make them at greater risk of poor health.
The Bangarra Rekindling experience offered many benefits to counter these circumstances including the connection to a health service and education regarding diet and exercise, and the health risks associated with smoking and alcohol and drug misuse. The students also learned new skills from world-class dancers and had the thrill of performing to an excellent standard in front of their peers and community. The Bangarra crew also placed great importance on students working as a team and relying on each other for social and emotional support, which they willingly offered.
The HOPE Project was instrumental in bringing Rekindling to Charleville. We identified the program, pursued the Artistic Director, garnered community support and coordinated program logistics from beginning to end.
