Forum supports 2 way learning

West Arnhem Regional Council’s Community Well-being staff from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Minjilang, Maningrida and Warruwi all came together for a 2 day leadership forum focusing on Reconciliation and Two Way Learning recently.
Each community and program area was represented including Community Care, Youth, Sport & Recreation, Out of School Hours Care, Night Patrol, Community Safety, Libraries, Childcare and the Women’s Safe House - were represented, along with the Council Services Managers. 
The program opened with a powerful ‘Welcome to Country’ from powerful young Larrakia Woman Milli May, who shared her family’s story, before welcoming us onto her Larrakia Country to proceed with Café Karri-re.
Café Karri-re, which means 'let’s go!' in Bininj Kunwok, was modeled from the World Café process on communication and connection that allows people to circulate and connect while sharing information rapidly. 
The day wrapped up with representatives from each community sharing their insight into their community and Country. 
Big thanks to Marcia Brennan, who spoke for Jabiru and Kakadu, Leah Holt and Ida Waianga who spoke for Warruwi, Noni Eather who spoke for Maningrida, Josie Balamana, Ishmael Warrmara and Bernadette Wombo who spoke for Gunbalanya and Taps Tapera who spoke for Minjilang. 
Day 2 opened with a presentation from Torres Strait Islander man Thomas Mayor who talked the group through his journey with the Uluru Statement of the Heart and the importance of First Nations recognition in the constitution and elected representation for First Nations people in federal parliament and decision making. 
Noni Eather and Jillian May followed on from Thomas with a warm-up session for reconciliation. 
This supports the Reconciliation Action Plan which WARC are currently developing and encouraging everyone to learn more about communicating the Reconciliation Action Plan.
ABC’s Charlie King joined also gave a wonderful presentation, sharing his family’s story and the story of the ‘No More Violence’ campaign; inspiring the group to link arms to say No More.
The forum concluded with an in-depth workshop on Two Way Learning, First Nations and Balanda ways, a presentation by guest speakers Suicide Prevention Coordinator Tim Keane from NTG, Regina Bennett from DAIWS Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter and Michael Torres from DIMS Darwin Indigenous Men’s Service and Bridget Wood from Galiwink’u Women’s Space.
The day finished with a motivational presentation from Jye Cardona, Kungarakan, Bardi and Buranggum Youth Leader and Mentor who provided an insight to what he sees as a First Nation young man particularly with youth incarceration system.
The Community Well-being team would like to say a big thank you to the guest speakers and to everyone who got involved and contributed to the important ongoing discussions and looking forward to future forums.