KINSHIP EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM NEWSLETTER April 2016
Supported by the Australian Government Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Â
A LITTLE BACKGROUND All children deserve an education. Aboriginal children belong in school, reaping the same benefits as any other child. The Kinship Empowerment Program (KEP also the Noongar word for water) an innovation of Koya exists to ensure an even playing field for Aboriginal children. We know irregular attendance is prevalent among Aboriginal children so, what can we do about it? It starts at the core: a kinship champion. A passionate representative and leader of families and community groups a mum, dad, aunty, grandma, friend. KEP recruits these champions (in both senses of the word), and trains, educates and equips them for their role as a positive, encouraging guardian. Workshops and meetings are held often with a focus on family history and cultural identity concepts and lessons to be passed on to the youth of a community group.
Empowerment Days are sprinkled throughout the year to maintain enthusiasm and measure progress. The program is currently working with five schools in the Fremantle/Kwinana corridor. An increase in school attendance, and a closer relationship between families and their respective school, improves educational outcomes for students. Koya and specifically KEP is here to make this idea a reality.
Cheryl Kickett‐Tucker at Midvale Primary.
MAJOR STEP FOR KEP In February, Professor Cheryl KickettTucker, Dr Bryn Roberts, and coordinators Emma Castle and Sandra Reich visited Jacqueline McGowan Jones, Executive Director of Aboriginal Education for Western Australia. Ms McGowanJones gave support for KEP’s need to access more detailed attendance records, and the creation of urban Aboriginal attendance profiles.
She shared insight on activities already occurring in the urban region, and their relationship with KEP. The team left feeling warmly appreciated and valued, and thanked Ms McGowanJones for her time
From left: Emma Castle, Sandra Reich, Jacqueline McGowanJones, Cheryl KickettTucker. .
EVERY DAY COUNTS: MORE THAN JUST A SLOGAN
We did some research, and it turns out that “just a day” here and there can really add up.
Missing...
Equals...
Which is...
Over 12 years...
1 day per fortnight
20 days per year
4 weeks per year
Nearly 1 ½ years
1 day per week
40 days per year
8 weeks per year
Over 2 ½ years
2 days per week
80 days per year
16 weeks per year
Over 5 years
KINSHIP EMPOWERMENT DAY
The Kinship Champions at Success Hill Reserve on the first KEP Empowerment Day.
On March 30, the Kinship Empowerment Program and its Kinship Champions took a trip to the Yagan memorial for a day of historic and cultural reflection. At the memorial grounds, Professor Cheryl KickettTucker spoke of Aboriginal resistance to Colonial rule. The crew then travelled to Success Hill Reserve (a historically important
meeting place for Noongar people), where Koya’s Chairman Allan Kickett and Roma Loo shared their personal experiences growing up in a mission during the Stolen Generation era. The group finally travelled to the Pindi Pindi offices in Midland, where the staff spoke about the origins and future of Koya, Pindi Pindi and the Kinship Empowerment Program.
MEET THE TEAM Professor Cheryl Kickett‐Tucker Team Leader
Professor Cheryl KickettTucker spearheads the Koya and Pindi Pindi organisations. A proud wife, mother, academic and professional, Cheryl a Wadjuk Noongar woman regularly captivates our Kinship Champions at meetings and workshops. Cheryl’s research lies in racial identity and selfesteem of urban Aboriginal children, which acts as an invaluable asset to the KEP program.
Dr Bryn Roberts Director
Dr Bryn Roberts has upwards of 40 years experience working with and for Aboriginal people, in fields relating to language, business, fashion and culture, corporate planning, as well as community development, health and wellbeing. His lifelong work journey started as a teacher at Pormpuraaw (a former Aboriginal Mission). Bryn’s exciting CV, coupled with his deep respect and curiosity for Aboriginal culture, make him an indispensable member of the Koya team.
Emma Castle Program Coordinator
Emma is a Noongar woman from Menang Country, and has lived in Kwinana for the past seven years. Emma is a proud mother of two girls and has worked professionally within the scope of Aboriginal healthcare, for government agencies, nonforprofits and the corporate sector for the majority of her career. Earlier this year, Emma joined Koya and has transformed the KEP program with her wisdom, experience, and finesse.
OUR COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP The Community Reference Group (CRG) is a vital and cherished part of the Kinship Empowerment Program. They are local Aboriginal community members who act as a committee to balance, check and advise on the proceedings of the Program.
The group meets four times annually to provide advice and guidance to keep KEP’s activities consistent with their intended outcome, and to promote the great work that the KEP team is doing.
The CRG meets with the KEP team and visitors at our offices in Fremantle over morning tea.
KINSHIP CHAMPION MEETINGS Kinship Workshops
May 11
Term 2 Overview
May 18 and 25
Cultural Security
June 1 and 8 Staying Strong June 15 and 22
Family and School Life
Look out for our Community Gathering event that will be held in the last week of Term 2!
EMPLOYMENT The Kinship Empowerment Program is not only passionate about getting Aboriginal kids to school, but is also helping out the wider community. Paid jobs as Kinship Champions, as well as various other roles in the corporation, means KEP has been able to provide many jobs for Aboriginal people. Director Bryn Roberts with Researcher Tallulah Bieundurry.
Since February 2016, the Kinship Empowerment Program have: Received 73 applications… Interviewed 36 people…
Appointed 25 Aboriginal people.
Which means, Aboriginal people make up more than 95% of our team.
Become a Kinship Champion.
Do you want to help increase Aboriginal children’s attendance at primary school? Do you want to work for an Aboriginal owned and controlled organisation? Do you want to work casually so that it fits in with family and other commitments? Do you have Aboriginal community connections with the following schools Caralee, Coolbellup, Southwell, Medina or Leda?
Hours: Casual (to suit your circumstance) Salary: $20.50 an hour Time: Up to 8 hours per fortnight Aboriginality: Required for these position
Interested? Give coordinator Emma a shout at emma@koya.org.au or on (08) 6424 9214 Newsletter written and compiled by Susannah Christensen