RED DUST HEALING

1
RED DUST HEALING

• Red Dust Healing is based on a cultural belief
  that we are one people, one mob who do not own
  but belong to this land.
• When the dust is settled on our lives, all we get
  to keep and take with us is our dignity, our
  integrity and the love and respect we shared with
  people

2
Red Dust Healing Background

• For too long now some Indigenous men have
  maintained a state of oppression, whether by
  choice or circumstance is a matter of perspective
  and opinion.
• Men need to understand what oppression is and how
  it has effected their lives.
• MODEL OF OPPRESSION (By Dr Jefferson Edwards
  Randal Ross)
• Federal (ATSIC)
  Fathers
• Community
  Family
• House-hold
  House-hold
• Family
  Community
• Individual Men
  Nation

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Background (continued)

• Due to the results of colonisation Indigenous men
  had three key values taken away from them as men
  
• 1) Identity their image of who they were was
  distorted through the harsh practices of
  assimilation
• 2) Responsibility men were stripped of their
  traditional roles which saw them once respond
  with the ability i.e., to provide by hunting,
  passing on culture and traditions, making tools,
  shelter, canoes etc and
• 3) Relationship both our men and women were
  taken away from the families, and the results of
  this today have left many of our men not knowing
  how to show emotion and build relationships
  within their own families and amongst other
  fellow men.

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Background (continued)

• Red Dust Healing is written from an Indigenous
  perspective for Indigenous Men and their
  families. The program is targeted at the heart
  and not the head
• The program facilitates the understanding of
  Rejection and Grief and Loss being the
  foundation of all hurt
• Participants are encouraged to examine their own
  personal hurt and allows them to heal from within
  addressing family and personal relationships and
  what may have been life long patterns of
  violence, abuse and neglect.

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Background (continued)

• The program places the participant both in the
  position of being hurt (victim) and then as the
  one doing the hurting (perpetrator)
• The program identifies the emotions felt as the
  victim and then the hurt caused as the
  perpetrator
• Participants are asked to examine the
  similarities and effects this may have had on
  their lives while growing up and question whether
  they are repeating the same tactics that may have
  hurt them.

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Background (continued)

• The program encompasses visual holistic learning
  modules linking cultures to encourage
  participants with individual insights into
  identity, belonging and self belief.
• The program encourages our men to heal. If our
  men learn to heal, then we can build stronger
  family relationships.
• The program explores ancient traditional
  practices, the morals, values and principals of
  these ways and then demonstrates how they fit
  into todays society.

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Background (continued)

• An example of this is the program outlines and
  examines the perspectives of two different laws
  LAW versus LORE
• Legalities Land
• Attorney Generals Origin
• Westminster Respect
• Elders

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Red Dust Healing philosophy

• If we do not know who we are and where we come
  from, then how do we know where we are going?
• Healing is a spiritual understanding of self,
  identity, love, belonging, family, security,
  hurt, heartache, good times and laughter
• Healing is a grasp for hope based on love and
  respect and understanding of ourselves and our
  supports and being able to tell our stories.

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Program content

• Red Dust Healing covers areas significant to
  healing such as
• Identity, family roles and structure,
  relationships, Elders, Mens business, Indigenous
  history and the impacts of colonialism, drug and
  alcohol issues, family violence, grievance and
  loss, stress and mental health issues, anger
  management, education and employment housing
  issues, meetings and community contribution and
  governance.

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Case-management and support systems

• Each person will have an individual
  case-management plan developed to meet their
  personal needs
• Red Dust Healing promotes follow up, links and
  referrals to relevant services assisting with
  completion of goal setting or case-management
  plans
• The case-management plan can be supported by a
  buddy and mentor system that can assist and
  enhance completion of individual case plans.

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Case-management and support systems (continued)

• The program promotes ownership, self
  determination, sustainability and autonomy. The
  program empowers people and communities to
  participate and contribute to solutions within
  their communities
• The program has developed links to employment
  opportunities through a partnership with North
  Queensland Water, TTRIMA and BARK (Brothers Act
  of Random Kindness)
• Other partners include James Cook University
  Indigenous Health Unit, JCU Dispute Resolution
  Program, ATSI Legal Service NQ.

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Project delivery design

• The project will utilise existing mainstream
  service providers and Indigenous service
  providers and Indigenous Elders to assist with
  the delivery of relevant service modules i.e.
  Relevant Elders to assist with cultural and
  traditional ways, Aboriginal health workers for
  healthy lifestyle and diet etc. Sexual Health
  workers and D A workers to assist with
  case-plans if required etc.

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Project delivery design

• The program will be delivered to 20 groups two
  times per group, in the North Queensland Region
  and Western NSW
• The program will be delivered by 2 trainers to a
  group of 810 participants over a 34 day period.
  Daily time envisaged would be between 9.30am and
  3.30 pm with lunch, morning and afternoon tea
  provided
• The second training would be completed within a 4
  to 6 week period after the initial training
  block.

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Project delivery design

• The Buddies/Mentors will support and encourage
  participants to complete case-plan goals
• This gives participants the opportunity to follow
  through with case-plans and with relevant service
  providers in between the two training blocks

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Outcomes and performance measures

• Projected outcomes include
• Understanding of the impact of Rejection and
  Grief and Loss
• Better understanding of self and allow men to
  address the hurt within their lives
• Improved self esteem
• Identifying the linking of emotions and feelings
  with behaviours and actions
• Realization and knowledge that support is
  available through networks and services to assist
  participants and families
• Families are linked to service providers

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Outcomes and performance measures

• Indigenous Men will have an understanding of
  identity and learn to self evaluate matters that
  impact on their own personal lives
• Development of future role models and fathers
• Restore relationships within families

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Outcomes and performance measures

• Strengthening current partnerships
• Increasing capacity of Indigenous men to
  contribute, plan, implement and evaluate a
  variety of strategies, projects and programs in
  their community
• Improve relationships between fathers and sons
• Develop and enhance support networks for
  Indigenous men
• Assist to mend family relationships

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Performance measures

• Feed back forms and interviews from participants
• Completed case-plans and links to agencies and
  support networks
• Participation levels throughout the program,
  maintained by attendance sheets
• Feedback from local organizations and family
  members
• Participants involved in co-facilitating future
  training
• Formation of a partnership committee to implement
  and guide the project
• Black tracking retracing your steps, self
  evaluation process.

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RDH outcomes achieved

• Cleveland Youth Detention Centre at Townsville
• 21 participants completed the program
• 4 clients did not complete the program
• 1 was released, 1 had a court appearance, 2 chose
  not to complete the program
• 3 facilitators were mentored through the program
• Management of Cleveland has asked for some of
  their staff to be trained in the program before
  the end of the year and negotiations are under
  discussion

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Kirwin High School
• 14 participants completed the program
• 2 did not complete the program
• 1 facilitator was mentored through the program
• Kirwin High has now acquired funds and has
  already run a follow up to the program. The
  facilitator trained in the program has run the
  follow up. Kirwin High has indicated that they
  will continue to run the program at the school.
• Total 15 completed program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Flexible Learning Centre Townsville
• 8 students completed the program
• 2 did not complete the program
• 3 facilitators have been mentored through the
  program
• Flexible learning staff has now been trained in
  the delivery of the program
• Total 11 completed program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Magani Malu Kes Townsville
• 3 students completed the program
• 1 student chose not to complete the program
• 1 facilitator has been mentored through the
  program
• Total 4 completed program
• Cunnamulla Reference Group
• 5 participants completed the program
• 1 Cooma Elder and 1 facilitator have been
  mentored through the program
• Total 7 completed program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health
  Services
• 5 participants completed the program including
  health and social workers.
• ATSICLS (NQ) Legal Services
• 5 Indigenous Field Staff and the Chief Executive
  Officer of the organisation completed the
  program.
• A "Cultural Awareness" version of the program was
  also conducted for 17 staff members of ATSI Legal
  Services with positive feedback.
• Total of 27 complete different modules of program
• Total 41 (YP 15 to 18 years old) completed the
  program only 8 re-offended in over 15 months

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RDH outcomes contd.

• Kempsey Uncles Program NSW
• 6 of the Uncles have been trained in the program
  and are working with young people and passing on
  some of the skills learnt as part of their
  program
• Kempsey NSW
• 7 young Aboriginal men have completed the program
  only one has re-offended in nearly 18 months
• Total of 13 completed program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Coffs Harbour NSW
• The first one of two mixed groups involving Men
  and Women, Indigenous and non-indigenous. Four
  male and 2 female. 4 Indigenous 2 non-indigenous
  completed the program with wonderful success.
• Total of 6 completed program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Lismore (Cabbage Tree Is) NSW
• 2nd mixed group, all Indigenous, 4 male and 2
  female. Two of the group have arranged to deliver
  the program in one of the local schools in
  Lismore targeting difficult students who are at
  risk of dropping out of school.
• Total of 6 completed the program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Moree Mens Group
• Nine men have completed the training. This group
  was one of the best conducted by RDH. Already
  plans are under way to have the program included
  into local schools and the Moree Secondary
  College. More men via word of mouth have asked
  could they participate in the next program
  delivery
• Total of 9 completed the program

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RDH outcomes (continued)

• Forster/Tuncurry Homebase Services
• Only two out of 5 participants completed the
  program. The other's chose not to complete the
  program.
• Total of 2 completed the program
• Cultural Awareness Training have been conducted
  for 18 practicing GP's and Interns on the Mid
  North Coast at Coffs Rural Medical Clinic
• Total of 18 have completed cultural awareness
  modules of the program

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RDH outcomes achieved

• Over 156 people have now officially completed the
  program with some outstanding results
• Some interviews conducted with participants have
  been conducted for visual feedback
• The main reason why this program has had success
  is that it is targeted at the heart and not the
  head. The program allows for numeracy and
  literacy issues, it is flexible to cater for all
  ATSI men and women young and old, Cultural
  Awareness modules for non-ATSI people. The
  program has also been run with a mixed group of
  ATSI and non-ATSI people. The program creates an
  environment that allows for confidentiality to be
  kept and participants feel free to express their
  emotions.

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Case study 1 response

• To whom it may concern I am writing this letter
  to express the emotions and self belief i got
  from Tom and Barry. These two guys were extremely
  powerful and supportive which made the journey
  you take so easy and comfortable, the journey let
  me say what i was feeling without feeling like i
  was getting judged for what i had done or
  said.What i got out of this journey is really to
  much to put into words but i well try. I now
  understand that people all act differently to
  different situations, eg some reactions are
  passed down through generations. The journey that
  u take helps you to understand and relate to why
  people do what they do.This journey has helped
  me realise that things that happened in my past
  had nothing to do  with me, if not for this after
  10 years i would be still carrying the guilt i
  once felt, being able to talk openly really
  helped and i have a sense of freedom. The feeling
  you get at the start of this journey is scared,
  emotional and you are out of your comfort zone
  but in a short time with these guys you feel at
  ease and no matter what you say or do in their
  eyes you still felt as if you where somebody.I
  have also learnt what a man really is, i thought
  a man's role was dominating but after listening
  to Tom and Barry i now realize that a real man is
  someone that cares and loves his family and also
  a good role model. I truly believe that one thing
  i got the most out of were the cards, i couldnt
  express the feeling i had after doing this.
  Expressions weren't enough, i had to do the cards
  with my own family and a couple of close friends
  for them to understand what a impact this was for
  me. They were all amazed and emotional as i, when
  doing this, which has made them more
  understanding as well.After finishing the
  program i now believe in myself and have a lot
  more confidence. This program has taken me from
  basically being unemployed and living in Kempsey,
  NSW to moving out of home to QLD. I have 2 months
  to go and have finished my apprenticeship and
  also am being trained to becoming a junior
  foreman with the company i work with.I know
  without this journey that was provided to me that
  i would not be where i am today, doing what i
  love to do.I cannot speak highly enough of this
  program and i could never repay the two guys that
  has helped me get where i am today. I keep in
  touch with Tom by phone, a couple times a month
  and still this man has the same power over the
  phone as he does face to face. I love this man
  with all my heart. Trent

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Case study 2 response

• Dear Tom,
• Id like to first start off by saying thank you
  from the bottom of my heart for helping me to
  find myself. The reason why this program is so
  deadly is because of the cultural aspect to it
  and how it relates to my up bringing. I am proud
  to say that after completing this program, Im
  very confident as a strong Indigenous man to
  facilitator this program and being a strong
  leader within my community. Being involved in
  this program enables you to look within yourself
  by identifying your flaws and dealing with them
  head on.
• Tommy, once again thank you my brother. You saved
  my marriage and Im a better father and husband.
  Id recommend this program to anyone.
• Thank you
• Gavin
• Townsville, Qld

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Thanks for your time

• WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK
  YOU FOR YOUR TIME
• Spread Out and Stick Together,
• RANDAL ROSS TOM POWELL
• 0407 739-685 0419 489-275
• Presentation updated 19 September 08