1 00:00:04,071 --> 00:00:07,071 Speaker 1: Black Cast nine. Our voices. 2 00:00:08,191 --> 00:00:11,711 Speaker 2: Gotcha for Life and Black Magic Woman Podcast acknowledges the 3 00:00:11,751 --> 00:00:15,271 Speaker 2: traditional owners of the land which we recorded this episode. 4 00:00:15,391 --> 00:00:18,391 Speaker 2: We also acknowledge the traditional owners of the land from 5 00:00:18,391 --> 00:00:21,271 Speaker 2: where you, the listener or viewer, are tuning in. We 6 00:00:21,311 --> 00:00:23,751 Speaker 2: would like to pay our respects to elders both past 7 00:00:23,831 --> 00:00:26,951 Speaker 2: and present. We acknowledge that this land always was and 8 00:00:27,031 --> 00:00:33,351 Speaker 2: always will be Aboriginal land. This podcast talks about mental health, suicide, 9 00:00:33,511 --> 00:00:36,271 Speaker 2: and lived experience. If that brings anything up for you, 10 00:00:36,351 --> 00:00:39,431 Speaker 2: please take care while listening and remember you don't need 11 00:00:39,471 --> 00:00:45,831 Speaker 2: to worry alone. Welcome to Mental Fitness Conversations, a podcast 12 00:00:45,871 --> 00:00:50,031 Speaker 2: about how real people build their mental fitness through connection, community, 13 00:00:50,191 --> 00:00:52,991 Speaker 2: and simple everyday actions, brought to you by Gotcha for 14 00:00:53,071 --> 00:00:55,511 Speaker 2: Life in partnership with Black Magic Woman. 15 00:00:55,951 --> 00:01:00,431 Speaker 1: Here's your host, Monda Narrabels. Nice to have you back 16 00:01:00,831 --> 00:01:05,991 Speaker 1: to listen to another amazing episode of the Gotcha for 17 00:01:06,151 --> 00:01:11,951 Speaker 1: Life and Black Magic Woman podcast partnership series. We're yarning 18 00:01:12,711 --> 00:01:16,351 Speaker 1: with mob from right across the country, and we are 19 00:01:16,431 --> 00:01:23,031 Speaker 1: here to talk about resilience, culture, community, connection and also 20 00:01:23,111 --> 00:01:27,991 Speaker 1: about building your mental fitness. It's very important for us 21 00:01:28,031 --> 00:01:31,591 Speaker 1: as blackfellows to be able to have or even make 22 00:01:31,631 --> 00:01:34,831 Speaker 1: space for these conversations. I really do hope that you 23 00:01:34,951 --> 00:01:39,271 Speaker 1: enjoy this yarn. Coming from the beautiful lands of the 24 00:01:39,311 --> 00:01:43,111 Speaker 1: Camagle people, which is just over the Harbor Bridge here 25 00:01:43,151 --> 00:01:47,351 Speaker 1: in Sydney and growing up here in Redfern, I was 26 00:01:47,511 --> 00:01:52,391 Speaker 1: introduced well, actually before I was even born. Uncle Dave 27 00:01:52,511 --> 00:01:56,111 Speaker 1: was part of our family growing up back in the eighties. 28 00:01:56,511 --> 00:02:01,991 Speaker 1: And Uncle Dave, who's my guest today, is an elder 29 00:02:02,591 --> 00:02:06,951 Speaker 1: also expected boxer back in the day, right, one of 30 00:02:06,951 --> 00:02:11,591 Speaker 1: your achievements in the boxing world. But you've also had 31 00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:15,311 Speaker 1: some experience uncle, back in those early days working with 32 00:02:15,431 --> 00:02:20,151 Speaker 1: the police force as the first Aboriginal liaison. I remember 33 00:02:20,191 --> 00:02:23,431 Speaker 1: you back in those days, and that was, like, you know, 34 00:02:24,271 --> 00:02:28,191 Speaker 1: really kind of it was. It was a big thing 35 00:02:28,231 --> 00:02:31,751 Speaker 1: in our community to see one of our mob working 36 00:02:31,911 --> 00:02:34,671 Speaker 1: in the police force and trying to support our community. 37 00:02:35,191 --> 00:02:37,911 Speaker 1: But here we are today and I can't wait for 38 00:02:37,951 --> 00:02:41,111 Speaker 1: you to hear Uncle Dave's stories. So Uncle, the best 39 00:02:41,111 --> 00:02:43,351 Speaker 1: person to tell your story is you. So do you 40 00:02:43,391 --> 00:02:45,751 Speaker 1: want to share with my listeners? And now we've got 41 00:02:45,751 --> 00:02:49,151 Speaker 1: people on YouTube watching this right around the world. Tell 42 00:02:49,231 --> 00:02:51,791 Speaker 1: us who you are, you name your mob, and a 43 00:02:51,791 --> 00:02:53,191 Speaker 1: little bit about where you grew. 44 00:02:53,071 --> 00:02:56,591 Speaker 3: Up, yeah, Yama, Yeah, it's a bit emotional when you 45 00:02:56,711 --> 00:02:58,951 Speaker 3: introduced me on that, Mara, you know what I mean, 46 00:02:58,991 --> 00:03:02,591 Speaker 3: cause we go way back with your mother, you know, 47 00:03:02,791 --> 00:03:07,551 Speaker 3: and right Redfern, Redfern is where we grew up, little 48 00:03:07,631 --> 00:03:10,791 Speaker 3: paper boy at seven cents when the papers were there 49 00:03:10,951 --> 00:03:13,311 Speaker 3: back in the day. But you know, you learn your 50 00:03:13,391 --> 00:03:16,191 Speaker 3: tools from your elders, you know. And this is what 51 00:03:16,511 --> 00:03:21,071 Speaker 3: this chat's all about. And it's about listening to your bokers, 52 00:03:21,071 --> 00:03:25,471 Speaker 3: opening their bookers, to listening to our aunties, our uncles, 53 00:03:25,551 --> 00:03:28,751 Speaker 3: you know, our activists back in the day, because they 54 00:03:28,791 --> 00:03:35,591 Speaker 3: brung Muhammad la here, they brung Woopy Goldberg, you know, Aprah. 55 00:03:35,351 --> 00:03:36,991 Speaker 1: Winfrey, Michael Jackson. 56 00:03:37,351 --> 00:03:41,071 Speaker 3: Yeah, and they all come to the block Woopy Goldberg, 57 00:03:41,751 --> 00:03:45,151 Speaker 3: you know. So you know, just to have a place 58 00:03:45,351 --> 00:03:49,191 Speaker 3: where GoF Whitlam handed it back in the seventies, you know, 59 00:03:49,391 --> 00:03:53,151 Speaker 3: and how the Aboriginal people had to adapt because they 60 00:03:53,151 --> 00:03:55,311 Speaker 3: come from country areas, you know what I mean. And 61 00:03:55,351 --> 00:03:58,751 Speaker 3: all that storyline is ingraded with us, you know what 62 00:03:58,791 --> 00:04:02,751 Speaker 3: I mean. To listen to all these arties and your mother, 63 00:04:03,111 --> 00:04:06,671 Speaker 3: you know, sitting around that table. You know, that's where 64 00:04:07,831 --> 00:04:11,711 Speaker 3: I got my lai from. You know, so that connection 65 00:04:11,831 --> 00:04:16,711 Speaker 3: to country in Redfern where the stolen generation like they. 66 00:04:16,631 --> 00:04:19,271 Speaker 1: All gathered, that was like a melting pot of stolen 67 00:04:19,351 --> 00:04:19,831 Speaker 1: gen mob. 68 00:04:20,311 --> 00:04:22,351 Speaker 3: Yeah, so you know, they didn't even know their own 69 00:04:22,391 --> 00:04:26,351 Speaker 3: brothers and sisters, you know, in that space and we 70 00:04:26,431 --> 00:04:29,191 Speaker 3: until we still talk about that today. I think they 71 00:04:29,991 --> 00:04:33,031 Speaker 3: had a thing at Central Railway Station the other day 72 00:04:33,071 --> 00:04:36,631 Speaker 3: about the Stolen Generation and Annie Fayim Mosley and all 73 00:04:36,631 --> 00:04:39,151 Speaker 3: the elders come in there and talked about how they 74 00:04:39,151 --> 00:04:40,631 Speaker 3: were heard away like cattle. 75 00:04:40,671 --> 00:04:43,631 Speaker 1: You know, so uncle, that's really important. They just mentioned that. 76 00:04:43,751 --> 00:04:47,031 Speaker 1: Sorry to interrupt you, but there was a a like 77 00:04:47,071 --> 00:04:52,271 Speaker 1: a ceremony at Central Station here in Sydney, platform one 78 00:04:52,391 --> 00:04:55,831 Speaker 1: or something, and that was the platform where young Aboriginal 79 00:04:55,871 --> 00:05:01,031 Speaker 1: girls and boys were then kind of dispersed or sent 80 00:05:01,111 --> 00:05:08,151 Speaker 1: out to institution, all out to cattle stations. 81 00:05:07,831 --> 00:05:11,831 Speaker 3: Kuda Mundra, Kinchller Boy's home. You know the story with 82 00:05:11,951 --> 00:05:17,191 Speaker 3: kinch Lill Boy's home is they were given numbers like cowards. 83 00:05:17,591 --> 00:05:20,191 Speaker 3: You know how the cows we were labeled. Yep. And 84 00:05:20,231 --> 00:05:22,951 Speaker 3: you can see all the elders and when they talk 85 00:05:22,991 --> 00:05:25,631 Speaker 3: about the hurt and the destruction has come out and 86 00:05:25,631 --> 00:05:27,551 Speaker 3: this is what we want to talk about today, especially 87 00:05:27,591 --> 00:05:31,591 Speaker 3: about the healing, especially about the mental fitness like you're saying, 88 00:05:31,671 --> 00:05:34,751 Speaker 3: and you know, as a sportsman, to come through that foundation, 89 00:05:35,151 --> 00:05:37,311 Speaker 3: especially in Redfern, you know, I mean you're going to 90 00:05:37,351 --> 00:05:41,231 Speaker 3: learn how to fight, especially if your fair skinned like us, Uncle. 91 00:05:41,071 --> 00:05:44,991 Speaker 1: Dave, you was in your prime, you were a boxer. 92 00:05:45,031 --> 00:05:48,631 Speaker 3: Yeah, number two in Australia for a couple of Australian titles. 93 00:05:48,671 --> 00:05:51,991 Speaker 3: So you know I had good mentors like Uncle Alan 94 00:05:52,551 --> 00:05:55,431 Speaker 3: Hilt and Wally Carr back back in the day. And 95 00:05:55,631 --> 00:05:58,791 Speaker 3: you know Uncle Tony Mundane had the gym down below 96 00:05:58,871 --> 00:06:01,151 Speaker 3: where Roy Carroll and him started where they got a 97 00:06:01,191 --> 00:06:05,071 Speaker 3: grant and now it's up the now so all then 98 00:06:05,151 --> 00:06:08,311 Speaker 3: foundation that was a safe place to give our kids 99 00:06:08,311 --> 00:06:11,231 Speaker 3: some tools, you know, to make sure these kids come 100 00:06:11,231 --> 00:06:15,391 Speaker 3: through this platform. And it was for the disadvantage Aboriginal people, 101 00:06:15,431 --> 00:06:17,991 Speaker 3: you know, but we shared that space. You know, it 102 00:06:18,031 --> 00:06:20,751 Speaker 3: doesn't matter what color or crete. And I think that's 103 00:06:21,071 --> 00:06:22,951 Speaker 3: ingrained with us and the way that we run our 104 00:06:22,951 --> 00:06:25,551 Speaker 3: programs now that we open the door for everyone. 105 00:06:26,311 --> 00:06:29,471 Speaker 1: And Uncle from boxing back in the day to now 106 00:06:29,511 --> 00:06:34,231 Speaker 1: living out in Western Sydney, what what do you do 107 00:06:34,311 --> 00:06:36,871 Speaker 1: in your community and what do you want to share 108 00:06:36,911 --> 00:06:39,111 Speaker 1: with us with some of the work and some of 109 00:06:39,151 --> 00:06:42,431 Speaker 1: the some of the challenges even working in community and 110 00:06:42,471 --> 00:06:44,551 Speaker 1: running those programs for young people today. 111 00:06:44,991 --> 00:06:47,471 Speaker 3: Yeah, well I've been doing this for nearly thirty five years. 112 00:06:47,671 --> 00:06:50,271 Speaker 3: When you know, I was on a grade eight there 113 00:06:50,271 --> 00:06:55,191 Speaker 3: in Redfern and Pimmy got my old son, pamelway, he 114 00:06:56,031 --> 00:06:57,591 Speaker 3: got a lot of asthma. So we said we have 115 00:06:57,671 --> 00:07:00,991 Speaker 3: to make a change and go out to Campbelltown and 116 00:07:01,031 --> 00:07:04,391 Speaker 3: that's where you know, I give up twenty five years 117 00:07:04,391 --> 00:07:06,871 Speaker 3: of voluntary work to give back to the community. It's 118 00:07:06,911 --> 00:07:10,231 Speaker 3: still happening to the day and we're building all these 119 00:07:10,271 --> 00:07:15,431 Speaker 3: foundations now, especially like cost of living, the food, you know, 120 00:07:15,751 --> 00:07:18,711 Speaker 3: and we're doing a lot with minto Cobras. So the 121 00:07:19,871 --> 00:07:23,311 Speaker 3: challenges are that we want to have a pathway for 122 00:07:23,391 --> 00:07:25,951 Speaker 3: the girls through Rugby league and then make sure that 123 00:07:26,951 --> 00:07:30,231 Speaker 3: all them role models come through us where for our 124 00:07:30,271 --> 00:07:33,271 Speaker 3: image and trying to make them better people in society, 125 00:07:33,311 --> 00:07:36,151 Speaker 3: you know. And you know there's a lot of temptations there, 126 00:07:36,231 --> 00:07:38,311 Speaker 3: especially with the youth, like you're saying, you know, like 127 00:07:38,551 --> 00:07:43,271 Speaker 3: the peer pressure, social media well being, you know, but 128 00:07:43,471 --> 00:07:45,231 Speaker 3: education is the key and what we try to do 129 00:07:45,311 --> 00:07:47,671 Speaker 3: with these kids, is making sure that they're at school. 130 00:07:47,671 --> 00:07:50,231 Speaker 3: You just heard what down done with Get Black on 131 00:07:50,271 --> 00:07:51,871 Speaker 3: your Feet and all this other stuff that we're doing 132 00:07:51,911 --> 00:07:54,871 Speaker 3: in the schools and the culture. It's connecting, you know, 133 00:07:54,951 --> 00:07:58,111 Speaker 3: it's connecting the culture, but not only on an Aboriginal perspective. 134 00:07:58,271 --> 00:08:00,671 Speaker 3: It's the mainstream side of it too as well, to 135 00:08:00,791 --> 00:08:01,831 Speaker 3: educate both sides. 136 00:08:02,031 --> 00:08:05,271 Speaker 1: So culture has been your founds. 137 00:08:05,471 --> 00:08:08,991 Speaker 3: And you know, like I've had that gifted to me 138 00:08:09,071 --> 00:08:11,671 Speaker 3: by elders, and you know, I've gone through my second 139 00:08:12,231 --> 00:08:16,271 Speaker 3: initiation myself, you know, for l Ori, and it's you know, 140 00:08:16,551 --> 00:08:18,871 Speaker 3: it's dynamic to learn all this stuff that you can 141 00:08:18,951 --> 00:08:22,791 Speaker 3: hand on to our kids because you know, having borer 142 00:08:22,871 --> 00:08:27,951 Speaker 3: grounds and sacred sites and the rivers. If we don't 143 00:08:27,951 --> 00:08:30,311 Speaker 3: look after our river, we all die, you know what 144 00:08:30,311 --> 00:08:31,871 Speaker 3: I mean. So this is what we're trying to teach 145 00:08:31,871 --> 00:08:33,711 Speaker 3: our young ones out there, to make sure that the 146 00:08:33,791 --> 00:08:37,031 Speaker 3: rivers there to be cleansed and go through our own 147 00:08:37,071 --> 00:08:40,751 Speaker 3: little ceremonies to make sure these kids are connected back 148 00:08:41,271 --> 00:08:44,271 Speaker 3: to our land, you know. And you know the river 149 00:08:44,391 --> 00:08:46,911 Speaker 3: is a big part of that, you know, so that 150 00:08:46,911 --> 00:08:49,471 Speaker 3: that's where a lot of creation stories happen, a lot 151 00:08:49,471 --> 00:08:52,191 Speaker 3: of the creation stories to the stars. You know, all 152 00:08:52,191 --> 00:08:55,951 Speaker 3: the astronomy astronomers. You know, we used our stars as 153 00:08:56,111 --> 00:09:00,351 Speaker 3: navigation and you know you can see that our creation 154 00:09:00,511 --> 00:09:02,511 Speaker 3: story is Stuart. We're there with the EMI and all 155 00:09:02,511 --> 00:09:04,271 Speaker 3: that and. 156 00:09:03,951 --> 00:09:09,111 Speaker 1: Talking about culture. How important is how important is it 157 00:09:09,191 --> 00:09:12,151 Speaker 1: Uncle Dave in today's world with the work that you're 158 00:09:12,151 --> 00:09:16,871 Speaker 1: doing in your community with these young people, how important? 159 00:09:17,031 --> 00:09:19,831 Speaker 1: Like how are you passing on that culture to them? 160 00:09:20,431 --> 00:09:22,631 Speaker 1: You've got to try and get them to be strong 161 00:09:22,671 --> 00:09:24,031 Speaker 1: and proud in culture. 162 00:09:24,311 --> 00:09:26,271 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, it's all about leadership, you know, like a 163 00:09:26,271 --> 00:09:29,631 Speaker 3: lot of the kids, don't. You know, us elders are 164 00:09:29,631 --> 00:09:31,871 Speaker 3: getting a little bit on now. So we we navigate 165 00:09:32,431 --> 00:09:35,791 Speaker 3: about four young fellows that learn from us. So they've 166 00:09:35,791 --> 00:09:37,791 Speaker 3: got to go through their own ceremony, they've got to 167 00:09:37,791 --> 00:09:42,351 Speaker 3: go through their own little law, you know, guidance, these 168 00:09:42,351 --> 00:09:46,231 Speaker 3: little steps and what it is. It's you know, it's 169 00:09:46,671 --> 00:09:51,351 Speaker 3: building foundation and you know yourself, Mara, women's business and 170 00:09:51,391 --> 00:09:54,631 Speaker 3: men's business a whole total different ballgame out there, you 171 00:09:54,671 --> 00:09:57,271 Speaker 3: know what I mean. And it's protocol for us. You know, 172 00:09:57,311 --> 00:10:00,831 Speaker 3: we've got Annie Verner, Barker only Amanda Hall, you know 173 00:10:00,991 --> 00:10:06,311 Speaker 3: our aunties. You know that that do that eucalyptus ceremony, 174 00:10:06,351 --> 00:10:08,351 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. And you know, it feels 175 00:10:08,431 --> 00:10:12,351 Speaker 3: like they're really connected to society to share their culture 176 00:10:12,391 --> 00:10:16,431 Speaker 3: and with us. We've got to boro ground out there 177 00:10:16,471 --> 00:10:19,231 Speaker 3: that's so sacred that they don't even know. It's in 178 00:10:19,271 --> 00:10:22,671 Speaker 3: Minto and it's only five minutes from Minto area that 179 00:10:22,991 --> 00:10:25,671 Speaker 3: the Aborigine or Men's group has utilized that for thirty 180 00:10:25,671 --> 00:10:29,111 Speaker 3: five years, but sixty five years, thousand years before that. 181 00:10:29,791 --> 00:10:33,631 Speaker 1: Uncle men's business and women's business is a very important 182 00:10:33,631 --> 00:10:36,351 Speaker 1: feature of Aberisal culture. So I love the fact that 183 00:10:36,391 --> 00:10:39,271 Speaker 1: you mentioned you've got these old aunties here that work 184 00:10:39,311 --> 00:10:41,111 Speaker 1: with the women and young girls, and then you've got 185 00:10:41,111 --> 00:10:43,631 Speaker 1: the older men to work with the young boys and 186 00:10:43,671 --> 00:10:48,231 Speaker 1: young men in terms of bringing that community together. What 187 00:10:48,271 --> 00:10:51,151 Speaker 1: are some of the programs that you've been running out 188 00:10:51,191 --> 00:10:52,671 Speaker 1: in Western Sydney. 189 00:10:52,591 --> 00:10:55,071 Speaker 3: Well, you know you mentioned that like boxing, you know, 190 00:10:55,151 --> 00:10:57,111 Speaker 3: two thousand and one of you go to our website 191 00:10:57,631 --> 00:11:00,431 Speaker 3: Young Spirit Mentoring in the WordPress one you'll see all 192 00:11:00,431 --> 00:11:03,551 Speaker 3: the work that we've done. I mentored dearly seventeen thousand kids, 193 00:11:03,711 --> 00:11:08,231 Speaker 3: you know, so and now the parents of them, they're 194 00:11:08,231 --> 00:11:10,551 Speaker 3: all parents now and they're bringing their kids, you know, say, 195 00:11:10,551 --> 00:11:13,671 Speaker 3: all this foundation that we've set up and we want pathways, 196 00:11:13,671 --> 00:11:15,671 Speaker 3: we want goals for these kids. We don't want I'm 197 00:11:15,671 --> 00:11:17,711 Speaker 3: sitting around doing nothing, you know, because and this is 198 00:11:17,751 --> 00:11:19,511 Speaker 3: where we go into the schools to lay down the 199 00:11:19,511 --> 00:11:23,391 Speaker 3: foundation with a lot of the people that work in 200 00:11:23,391 --> 00:11:26,151 Speaker 3: that sector. And one of the things is that we 201 00:11:26,191 --> 00:11:28,951 Speaker 3: want to educate the principles the teachers and bring them 202 00:11:28,991 --> 00:11:31,871 Speaker 3: out to our space on our lens, you know what 203 00:11:31,911 --> 00:11:36,591 Speaker 3: I mean, and then capture that education that sew us 204 00:11:36,591 --> 00:11:38,311 Speaker 3: streams down to the school. And one of the things 205 00:11:38,351 --> 00:11:40,911 Speaker 3: with Uncle Dear Smith, one of our elders there, he 206 00:11:41,071 --> 00:11:45,111 Speaker 3: was a foundation of the Aboriginal housing in Dubbo. It 207 00:11:45,231 --> 00:11:48,071 Speaker 3: was the first one forty years ago. And Uncle Daz 208 00:11:48,311 --> 00:11:51,871 Speaker 3: his dream is to have our own Aboriginal school, you know, 209 00:11:52,031 --> 00:11:55,031 Speaker 3: And that's that's what we're focused on. It might take 210 00:11:55,111 --> 00:11:57,951 Speaker 3: us ten years, but we'll get there because we want 211 00:11:57,951 --> 00:11:59,951 Speaker 3: to leave his legacy. He is such a beautiful man 212 00:12:00,031 --> 00:12:02,111 Speaker 3: and he brings a lot to our men's group, and 213 00:12:02,151 --> 00:12:05,471 Speaker 3: it's all about trying to listen to his stories because 214 00:12:05,751 --> 00:12:07,151 Speaker 3: if you have a look at the heartache that he 215 00:12:07,231 --> 00:12:10,351 Speaker 3: talks about, especially in the court system that we work in. 216 00:12:10,391 --> 00:12:14,471 Speaker 3: The circle and sentencing, and this is all about this 217 00:12:15,191 --> 00:12:17,631 Speaker 3: journey on what you're talking about got you for life. 218 00:12:17,751 --> 00:12:21,951 Speaker 3: And you know that circle of sentencing where the decision 219 00:12:21,991 --> 00:12:25,231 Speaker 3: makers in the court right on all of our people 220 00:12:25,271 --> 00:12:27,431 Speaker 3: that come through there, it's the last chance before they 221 00:12:27,431 --> 00:12:30,311 Speaker 3: go to jail. Right, So what happens with all that stuff. 222 00:12:31,151 --> 00:12:34,151 Speaker 3: Everyone in that room is getting paid except the elders 223 00:12:34,271 --> 00:12:37,391 Speaker 3: right now. That's disrespectful, you know what I mean. And 224 00:12:37,471 --> 00:12:43,591 Speaker 3: we're making the decisions that we're putting these people on like. 225 00:12:42,591 --> 00:12:46,631 Speaker 1: Like probation, yes, yeah. 226 00:12:45,311 --> 00:12:47,871 Speaker 3: And that journey in itself, you know, I think two 227 00:12:47,991 --> 00:12:50,911 Speaker 3: hundred and sixty seven Aboriginal people that have come through there, 228 00:12:50,951 --> 00:12:53,791 Speaker 3: we've only one that's. 229 00:12:53,391 --> 00:12:55,711 Speaker 1: How to go to prison, how to go get And 230 00:12:55,751 --> 00:12:58,791 Speaker 1: this is what you do, day in, day out, is 231 00:12:58,831 --> 00:13:01,031 Speaker 1: you're trying to make sure these younger people don't end 232 00:13:01,111 --> 00:13:03,311 Speaker 1: up in prison. You're trying to make sure that these 233 00:13:03,351 --> 00:13:07,111 Speaker 1: younger people can go to school and get an education, 234 00:13:07,751 --> 00:13:10,191 Speaker 1: and also when they go home, that they've got a 235 00:13:10,231 --> 00:13:13,311 Speaker 1: meal to eat. I've been watching you and supporting you, 236 00:13:13,431 --> 00:13:15,991 Speaker 1: uncle for a while. I wish I could do more. 237 00:13:16,431 --> 00:13:21,311 Speaker 1: But these young people that you're engaging with every day, 238 00:13:21,751 --> 00:13:25,991 Speaker 1: what's some of the struggles that they're dealing with, well. 239 00:13:25,791 --> 00:13:30,151 Speaker 3: A lot of them haven't got a father figure either, mama. 240 00:13:30,511 --> 00:13:32,551 Speaker 3: And the biggest thing with that is that we go 241 00:13:32,671 --> 00:13:34,591 Speaker 3: into the home, we have a cup of tea, and 242 00:13:34,911 --> 00:13:36,751 Speaker 3: if we see some red flags there, we're not going 243 00:13:36,791 --> 00:13:38,471 Speaker 3: to go and ring docs. And I think we're going 244 00:13:38,471 --> 00:13:42,471 Speaker 3: to give these people the proper referral to make sure 245 00:13:42,511 --> 00:13:47,711 Speaker 3: that these people are healing themselves. Because intergenerational trauma, it's 246 00:13:47,751 --> 00:13:49,711 Speaker 3: not a myth, it's a big thing with our people. 247 00:13:49,911 --> 00:13:55,351 Speaker 1: It's proven. It's scientifically proven intergenerational trauma, so people should 248 00:13:55,391 --> 00:13:58,311 Speaker 1: google it. Trauma is in the memory of our DNA, 249 00:13:58,431 --> 00:14:01,351 Speaker 1: So trauma is actually transferred through DNA, not through share 250 00:14:01,351 --> 00:14:04,031 Speaker 1: and sad stories. So some of our kids it's like 251 00:14:04,071 --> 00:14:08,551 Speaker 1: they've got no hope in trying to break that cycle 252 00:14:09,271 --> 00:14:10,111 Speaker 1: of this trauma. 253 00:14:10,551 --> 00:14:15,591 Speaker 3: Well, the education system goes against our protocol sometimes because 254 00:14:15,951 --> 00:14:18,791 Speaker 3: they say, and you can't discipline your child, you know. 255 00:14:19,031 --> 00:14:21,791 Speaker 3: And then this is why there's so many out of 256 00:14:21,831 --> 00:14:25,431 Speaker 3: control because the principles and the values that we were 257 00:14:25,431 --> 00:14:28,231 Speaker 3: brought up with have all gone, you know what I mean. 258 00:14:28,271 --> 00:14:31,831 Speaker 1: So this has been disrupted and interfered with our way 259 00:14:32,111 --> 00:14:34,431 Speaker 1: versus a white fellow away, and now we're trying to 260 00:14:34,431 --> 00:14:37,311 Speaker 1: bring these two different worlds together, and our kids are 261 00:14:37,391 --> 00:14:38,151 Speaker 1: kind of stuck. 262 00:14:38,591 --> 00:14:40,231 Speaker 3: So I think one of the big rewards that we're 263 00:14:40,231 --> 00:14:43,551 Speaker 3: going to we're working on through this healing process is 264 00:14:43,591 --> 00:14:46,991 Speaker 3: that we're going to take them back to country. We 265 00:14:47,911 --> 00:14:51,751 Speaker 3: want our mob to go back to country heal, and 266 00:14:51,831 --> 00:14:54,631 Speaker 3: that's where that's when the ancestors will guide us. Because 267 00:14:54,631 --> 00:14:56,471 Speaker 3: I hear your sister, when I go up there straight 268 00:14:56,511 --> 00:14:59,151 Speaker 3: break all guided by the ancestors. You know what I mean, 269 00:14:59,191 --> 00:15:01,191 Speaker 3: that's true. You know what I mean when we wake 270 00:15:01,311 --> 00:15:04,751 Speaker 3: up in the morning and you hear the our totems singing, 271 00:15:04,831 --> 00:15:08,871 Speaker 3: and you know, we're connected to the animals. We're connected 272 00:15:08,911 --> 00:15:12,831 Speaker 3: to nature, and you know, especially in medicines, and you 273 00:15:12,871 --> 00:15:15,071 Speaker 3: know all this flaora and faun and stuff you know 274 00:15:15,151 --> 00:15:17,351 Speaker 3: that we're working on, you know, So it's all that 275 00:15:18,151 --> 00:15:20,911 Speaker 3: native plants and all that stuff that's pure to us. 276 00:15:20,911 --> 00:15:27,271 Speaker 3: Because this is very critical. Our metabolism through mainstream is 277 00:15:27,311 --> 00:15:30,871 Speaker 3: not the same, and that's where we fail of having 278 00:15:30,911 --> 00:15:34,991 Speaker 3: the wrong food that's going into our metabolism. 279 00:15:34,151 --> 00:15:37,551 Speaker 1: Like dairy for instance, because we never had cattle wheat 280 00:15:37,551 --> 00:15:39,071 Speaker 1: for instance, because we never had wheat. 281 00:15:39,311 --> 00:15:40,111 Speaker 3: Bread's a big one. 282 00:15:40,231 --> 00:15:42,951 Speaker 1: Bread's a big one. So how do you then when 283 00:15:42,991 --> 00:15:45,591 Speaker 1: these young people coming to your programs and a lot 284 00:15:45,591 --> 00:15:49,111 Speaker 1: of these kids that are struggling, how do you support them? 285 00:15:49,351 --> 00:15:49,791 Speaker 1: What do you do? 286 00:15:50,151 --> 00:15:53,031 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, there's we've got little steps right, So we've 287 00:15:53,071 --> 00:15:55,151 Speaker 3: got it. We've got a little stream. So we've got 288 00:15:55,511 --> 00:15:58,711 Speaker 3: like a four streams. So we have the ones that 289 00:15:59,351 --> 00:16:02,791 Speaker 3: are really struggling that we have counseling for them. We 290 00:16:02,871 --> 00:16:06,711 Speaker 3: have the right mentor that comes through our pathways to 291 00:16:06,871 --> 00:16:09,031 Speaker 3: make sure that they listen to the story of these 292 00:16:09,071 --> 00:16:11,871 Speaker 3: young ones, because that's where it's got to start from 293 00:16:11,911 --> 00:16:15,191 Speaker 3: early intervention, and that's what we've we've we've done a 294 00:16:15,191 --> 00:16:17,991 Speaker 3: lot of schools on that, and especially when kids have 295 00:16:18,031 --> 00:16:21,111 Speaker 3: got behavioral issues, they will ring us up and we'll 296 00:16:21,151 --> 00:16:24,191 Speaker 3: take these kids out on country, especially the boys. We'll 297 00:16:24,191 --> 00:16:26,871 Speaker 3: take them out of that borer ground. We'll show them 298 00:16:27,431 --> 00:16:30,231 Speaker 3: why that purpose is therefore, and then we'll take them 299 00:16:30,271 --> 00:16:32,271 Speaker 3: down to the river so they cleanse and then they 300 00:16:32,271 --> 00:16:35,351 Speaker 3: have a little bit of a place where they can connect. 301 00:16:35,911 --> 00:16:38,351 Speaker 3: And then we take them out to and introduce them 302 00:16:38,751 --> 00:16:42,391 Speaker 3: to some animals and show them some really good sacred 303 00:16:42,391 --> 00:16:44,831 Speaker 3: stuff that we're doing out there, and we're planning to, 304 00:16:45,351 --> 00:16:47,831 Speaker 3: you know, to guide these kids. And you know, you 305 00:16:47,871 --> 00:16:50,711 Speaker 3: can't explain it to you've got to You've got to 306 00:16:50,751 --> 00:16:51,071 Speaker 3: live it. 307 00:16:51,671 --> 00:16:54,071 Speaker 1: Yeah, you got to experience it as well firsthand to 308 00:16:54,231 --> 00:16:57,111 Speaker 1: really know what you're talking about. So with these young 309 00:16:57,191 --> 00:17:00,471 Speaker 1: people where you're trying to kind of you're trying to 310 00:17:00,511 --> 00:17:04,031 Speaker 1: ground them in culture uncle trying to embed that cultural 311 00:17:04,071 --> 00:17:08,591 Speaker 1: knowledge and that pride in their cultural identity to then 312 00:17:08,671 --> 00:17:11,871 Speaker 1: be able to go and participate in society. That's a 313 00:17:11,871 --> 00:17:13,751 Speaker 1: big job. Do you have a team around you to 314 00:17:13,831 --> 00:17:15,271 Speaker 1: help you and support you. 315 00:17:15,551 --> 00:17:17,951 Speaker 3: We have, like I just said, like through the men's group, 316 00:17:17,991 --> 00:17:22,311 Speaker 3: we've got about say four or five young fellows that 317 00:17:22,351 --> 00:17:26,191 Speaker 3: are coming through their stage, and they connect to all 318 00:17:26,191 --> 00:17:28,271 Speaker 3: these young fellows, you know what I mean. So us 319 00:17:28,311 --> 00:17:30,911 Speaker 3: old follows are there just to make sure that they're 320 00:17:31,031 --> 00:17:33,951 Speaker 3: safe and their mindset's all right, because everything's about mindset 321 00:17:33,991 --> 00:17:36,791 Speaker 3: as well. But these kids that we're trying to think 322 00:17:36,831 --> 00:17:38,751 Speaker 3: they're going to be our role models in the future, 323 00:17:39,311 --> 00:17:42,631 Speaker 3: and you know, we can just give them some guidance 324 00:17:42,671 --> 00:17:44,591 Speaker 3: and hope and tell them our story and you know, 325 00:17:45,311 --> 00:17:48,031 Speaker 3: just trying to build that role model up in society. 326 00:17:48,071 --> 00:17:52,031 Speaker 3: So not only that it's the image that we're planning 327 00:17:52,151 --> 00:17:54,191 Speaker 3: to make sure that they've seen around of things, so 328 00:17:54,311 --> 00:17:56,511 Speaker 3: we need to help out there. It's all about incentives, 329 00:17:56,551 --> 00:17:57,991 Speaker 3: you know what I mean, trying to give these kids 330 00:17:57,991 --> 00:18:00,111 Speaker 3: a tracksuit or something to keep warm and winter, you know, 331 00:18:00,151 --> 00:18:03,631 Speaker 3: because they come to our programs. These programs are very 332 00:18:03,671 --> 00:18:07,791 Speaker 3: very hard, and you know, like we're putting them through 333 00:18:07,831 --> 00:18:11,111 Speaker 3: like seven rounds of boxing. But how this program works, 334 00:18:11,151 --> 00:18:15,351 Speaker 3: the mentor trains the mentee, the mentee becomes the mentor uncle. 335 00:18:15,431 --> 00:18:17,431 Speaker 1: That is such a deadly it's just like the cycle 336 00:18:18,031 --> 00:18:20,991 Speaker 1: within our culture. So that aligns with our culture as well. Right, 337 00:18:21,511 --> 00:18:24,671 Speaker 1: you're learning from that young person and that young person 338 00:18:24,751 --> 00:18:27,871 Speaker 1: is learning. It's like reciprocity. I'm giving to you and 339 00:18:27,911 --> 00:18:30,351 Speaker 1: you've got to give back to me. Full circle. 340 00:18:30,591 --> 00:18:35,991 Speaker 3: Well, we're just the nation's football's coming up soon. And 341 00:18:36,071 --> 00:18:40,551 Speaker 3: what it is they couldn't they couldn't find an aboriginal dance, right, 342 00:18:40,631 --> 00:18:43,951 Speaker 3: So we just contacted Darren to get his support and 343 00:18:43,991 --> 00:18:48,111 Speaker 3: asked him could we use that his song and next 344 00:18:48,111 --> 00:18:50,711 Speaker 3: minute these kids with pride. Next minute we had we 345 00:18:50,871 --> 00:18:52,671 Speaker 3: just started off with about six kids. Now we've got 346 00:18:52,671 --> 00:18:56,631 Speaker 3: about eighty kids. They want to be involved with this one. 347 00:18:56,431 --> 00:18:58,591 Speaker 1: Doing practicing traditional average or dance. 348 00:18:58,671 --> 00:19:01,671 Speaker 3: Yeah, but not only not only not only that, it's 349 00:19:01,751 --> 00:19:04,071 Speaker 3: having other people learn from that as well. 350 00:19:05,391 --> 00:19:07,591 Speaker 1: Uncle. It's all about community, right. We come from a 351 00:19:07,591 --> 00:19:10,831 Speaker 1: group based society and it got you for life. We 352 00:19:10,991 --> 00:19:14,471 Speaker 1: talk about your village and that you shouldn't have to 353 00:19:15,351 --> 00:19:19,551 Speaker 1: worry alone. So building mental fitness, how important is that 354 00:19:19,631 --> 00:19:20,471 Speaker 1: for even you? 355 00:19:21,431 --> 00:19:27,271 Speaker 3: There were mental fitnesses you know, Like it's a deep one, Mara, 356 00:19:27,351 --> 00:19:29,631 Speaker 3: because what it is. You know, we've had a lot 357 00:19:29,631 --> 00:19:32,431 Speaker 3: of suicide lately and a lot of people with mental 358 00:19:32,471 --> 00:19:35,471 Speaker 3: health and it's what's in the inside. And you know, 359 00:19:35,951 --> 00:19:38,951 Speaker 3: our people they don't talk about that, you know what 360 00:19:38,991 --> 00:19:42,231 Speaker 3: I mean. We need more awareness about trying to get 361 00:19:42,271 --> 00:19:44,191 Speaker 3: that out if you hold that inside, you know what 362 00:19:44,271 --> 00:19:46,551 Speaker 3: I mean? And what we need more awareness And I 363 00:19:46,591 --> 00:19:49,711 Speaker 3: think what you're capturing through this podcast is going to 364 00:19:49,951 --> 00:19:53,031 Speaker 3: open up a lot of lot of doors. And especially 365 00:19:53,111 --> 00:19:58,671 Speaker 3: like with us, we're doing a certificate mental Health First 366 00:19:58,711 --> 00:20:01,671 Speaker 3: Aid and it's give us a lot of tools through 367 00:20:01,711 --> 00:20:06,311 Speaker 3: that to understand anxiety depression, you know, just having them 368 00:20:06,351 --> 00:20:10,191 Speaker 3: tools to work with that. And then the people that 369 00:20:10,431 --> 00:20:13,831 Speaker 3: are running that want to facility, say we would be 370 00:20:13,951 --> 00:20:16,191 Speaker 3: the best facilitators in that mm HM. 371 00:20:16,871 --> 00:20:20,671 Speaker 1: So this is culturally appropriate mental health first day training. Yes, 372 00:20:21,271 --> 00:20:22,151 Speaker 1: So that's out there. 373 00:20:22,591 --> 00:20:25,591 Speaker 3: Yes, So we're working with a couple of the big 374 00:20:25,591 --> 00:20:28,751 Speaker 3: industries on that. I've done that course and it's given 375 00:20:28,791 --> 00:20:31,351 Speaker 3: me a lot of tools to really sit back and 376 00:20:31,751 --> 00:20:36,591 Speaker 3: analyze the triggers that's out there. And you know when 377 00:20:36,591 --> 00:20:39,471 Speaker 3: you go in there and you see these first hands, 378 00:20:39,511 --> 00:20:41,951 Speaker 3: when we're going into the homes, you know, how do 379 00:20:41,991 --> 00:20:46,351 Speaker 3: we equip ourselves to make sure that we're educating the 380 00:20:46,431 --> 00:20:48,711 Speaker 3: family members, you know, because drug and alcohol is a 381 00:20:48,711 --> 00:20:50,751 Speaker 3: big thing in our society, you know what I mean. 382 00:20:50,831 --> 00:20:53,631 Speaker 3: And this is why we're building our own foundation to 383 00:20:53,711 --> 00:20:57,031 Speaker 3: get these temptations away from Thursday, Friday, Saturday, because that's 384 00:20:57,031 --> 00:20:58,831 Speaker 3: when everyone wants to go to the path, they want 385 00:20:58,871 --> 00:21:01,471 Speaker 3: to explore. You know, that's where they make a bad decision, 386 00:21:02,271 --> 00:21:04,791 Speaker 3: and that's when the mental health and all this fitness 387 00:21:04,791 --> 00:21:06,471 Speaker 3: comes into it, you know what I mean. So we're 388 00:21:06,791 --> 00:21:09,151 Speaker 3: working on a big thing like when Muhammad Ali had 389 00:21:09,191 --> 00:21:13,311 Speaker 3: a bear camp, right, So that's what we're trying to 390 00:21:13,831 --> 00:21:15,751 Speaker 3: do in a big picture. And I can try to 391 00:21:15,791 --> 00:21:17,951 Speaker 3: get Mike Tyson open this, so look. 392 00:21:17,751 --> 00:21:22,231 Speaker 1: Out, uncle, you know, you are connected to community and 393 00:21:22,271 --> 00:21:27,391 Speaker 1: you're engaging with young people. What's some messages that you 394 00:21:27,431 --> 00:21:28,791 Speaker 1: want to share with some of the young mom that 395 00:21:28,871 --> 00:21:31,671 Speaker 1: might be listening to this podcast or watching it on YouTube. 396 00:21:32,151 --> 00:21:34,791 Speaker 3: Yeah, I just want to We're only a phone call away, 397 00:21:34,831 --> 00:21:38,271 Speaker 3: you know, and you can look us up on any 398 00:21:38,311 --> 00:21:41,191 Speaker 3: of our media outlets, you know. 399 00:21:41,231 --> 00:21:42,831 Speaker 1: To social media, on the website. 400 00:21:42,911 --> 00:21:44,511 Speaker 3: Yeah. So we're a Young. 401 00:21:44,391 --> 00:21:46,511 Speaker 1: Spirit Mentoring Program YMSP. 402 00:21:47,031 --> 00:21:50,191 Speaker 3: Yeah, and it's a WordPress one anytime that you need us, 403 00:21:50,431 --> 00:21:52,271 Speaker 3: and you know, we want to take yous on our 404 00:21:52,311 --> 00:21:55,151 Speaker 3: little little journey. Come with us. You know we're there. 405 00:21:55,231 --> 00:21:58,031 Speaker 3: Get black on your feet. Uncle Darren, he's gone through 406 00:21:58,111 --> 00:22:01,111 Speaker 3: law and you know what we're saying to the kids 407 00:22:01,111 --> 00:22:04,151 Speaker 3: out there, you've got to earn the and sit at 408 00:22:04,191 --> 00:22:05,631 Speaker 3: the table with us, you know what I mean. So 409 00:22:06,391 --> 00:22:07,711 Speaker 3: keep that education up. 410 00:22:08,431 --> 00:22:11,071 Speaker 1: They've got to go to school, keep all. 411 00:22:10,911 --> 00:22:14,311 Speaker 3: That fitness level, especially the football and the fraternities that 412 00:22:14,311 --> 00:22:17,471 Speaker 3: we're with with Like I said with Mindowcoblis, that's a 413 00:22:17,471 --> 00:22:20,151 Speaker 3: big foundation that we're laying out there with the leadership 414 00:22:20,191 --> 00:22:20,751 Speaker 3: with their club. 415 00:22:21,271 --> 00:22:25,791 Speaker 1: Uncle I saw you on TV. You got an award? 416 00:22:26,911 --> 00:22:27,431 Speaker 1: What was that? 417 00:22:27,471 --> 00:22:28,551 Speaker 3: What? What was it? 418 00:22:28,591 --> 00:22:31,191 Speaker 1: On the Today Show or the morning show. What happened there? 419 00:22:31,471 --> 00:22:32,951 Speaker 3: Yeah, so Channel seven. 420 00:22:32,831 --> 00:22:35,311 Speaker 1: Channel seven, and you won ten thous. 421 00:22:35,751 --> 00:22:37,191 Speaker 3: And donated all back. 422 00:22:37,031 --> 00:22:38,711 Speaker 1: And you gave it back to the community. 423 00:22:38,831 --> 00:22:40,111 Speaker 3: I did, Uncle. 424 00:22:40,191 --> 00:22:43,791 Speaker 1: There's not many people you know that. I know that 425 00:22:43,871 --> 00:22:46,151 Speaker 1: every day is a struggle for you. I know that 426 00:22:46,191 --> 00:22:49,431 Speaker 1: you're not on no big salary and you drive your 427 00:22:49,431 --> 00:22:53,351 Speaker 1: own vehicle until you don't have tires. So, Uncle, you've 428 00:22:53,431 --> 00:22:57,951 Speaker 1: dedicated your entire life to community and you're now getting 429 00:22:57,991 --> 00:23:01,831 Speaker 1: the next generation to step up. What's some things that 430 00:23:01,871 --> 00:23:04,871 Speaker 1: you could share with the older mob that might not 431 00:23:05,031 --> 00:23:07,111 Speaker 1: be involved in community yet, they don't know what they 432 00:23:07,111 --> 00:23:09,351 Speaker 1: want to do. What do you want to say to them? 433 00:23:09,351 --> 00:23:12,031 Speaker 3: Fellows that are listening, Well, we're out there trying to, 434 00:23:12,551 --> 00:23:14,791 Speaker 3: like I said, with Arnie Werner and Arnie Amanda Hall. 435 00:23:14,951 --> 00:23:17,391 Speaker 3: And if you have a look at the foundations of 436 00:23:17,431 --> 00:23:20,991 Speaker 3: these two elders that I'm talking about. Her grandfather was 437 00:23:21,071 --> 00:23:25,111 Speaker 3: Roy Barker from Burke and he was an activist way 438 00:23:25,111 --> 00:23:30,631 Speaker 3: back then and a huge speaker on Aboriginal affairs and 439 00:23:30,671 --> 00:23:34,111 Speaker 3: all this other stuff. And Arnie Amanda's Hall's grandfather was 440 00:23:34,191 --> 00:23:37,191 Speaker 3: Vincent Hall, who was in the Freedom Ride. 441 00:23:37,471 --> 00:23:38,631 Speaker 1: With Charles Perkins. 442 00:23:38,751 --> 00:23:43,151 Speaker 3: Yes, so all these people that we're connecting, you know, 443 00:23:43,311 --> 00:23:45,991 Speaker 3: they've got huge stories to share. And this is what 444 00:23:45,991 --> 00:23:48,631 Speaker 3: we're saying. If there's any elders out there that need 445 00:23:48,751 --> 00:23:52,151 Speaker 3: our well, just connect with us, because we're out there. 446 00:23:51,951 --> 00:23:54,911 Speaker 3: We're looking for more elders to come in there. We're 447 00:23:54,951 --> 00:23:57,951 Speaker 3: going to go into the jail space, you know, because 448 00:23:57,991 --> 00:23:59,951 Speaker 3: we were working with Justice Health and we want to 449 00:23:59,991 --> 00:24:03,191 Speaker 3: make sure that these people that are hurting in there. 450 00:24:03,751 --> 00:24:06,511 Speaker 3: You know, they need a platform where they get out. 451 00:24:06,631 --> 00:24:09,831 Speaker 3: They need sustainability, you know, because we find out that 452 00:24:10,151 --> 00:24:14,551 Speaker 3: the first place they go it is cent Link, and 453 00:24:14,591 --> 00:24:16,591 Speaker 3: then they go and pick whatever, and then they get 454 00:24:16,631 --> 00:24:19,391 Speaker 3: into the bad crowd and fall back and it's like 455 00:24:19,431 --> 00:24:19,951 Speaker 3: a cycle. 456 00:24:20,231 --> 00:24:24,511 Speaker 1: Yeah, the temptation. So if we if we ground more 457 00:24:24,551 --> 00:24:26,671 Speaker 1: of our community and our young people, if we ground 458 00:24:26,751 --> 00:24:30,831 Speaker 1: them in our culture and build those cultural foundations, then 459 00:24:30,831 --> 00:24:31,831 Speaker 1: they won't be tempted. 460 00:24:33,151 --> 00:24:36,031 Speaker 3: It all starts with early intervention. Like I said earlier, Mara, 461 00:24:36,071 --> 00:24:37,831 Speaker 3: you know what I mean, early intervention. That's where we've 462 00:24:37,831 --> 00:24:40,031 Speaker 3: got to go back to these kids. We've got to 463 00:24:40,071 --> 00:24:43,631 Speaker 3: start from kindergarten all the way up, you know, because 464 00:24:43,711 --> 00:24:45,791 Speaker 3: that's where it's going to start. Because you know, by 465 00:24:45,831 --> 00:24:49,151 Speaker 3: the time they get into adolescence, you know, they're into 466 00:24:49,191 --> 00:24:51,991 Speaker 3: that peer pressure, and there's so much temptation out there, 467 00:24:52,031 --> 00:24:53,911 Speaker 3: especially now, you know, I mean back in the day, 468 00:24:54,391 --> 00:24:56,111 Speaker 3: you know, we could get away with a couple of 469 00:24:56,111 --> 00:24:58,311 Speaker 3: things that you listen to Jeffrey Morgan's story, you know 470 00:24:58,351 --> 00:25:03,031 Speaker 3: what I mean, all that stuff down today, crime doesn't 471 00:25:03,071 --> 00:25:05,751 Speaker 3: pay no And if. 472 00:25:05,671 --> 00:25:09,991 Speaker 1: We show them the right way and give them the 473 00:25:10,071 --> 00:25:14,311 Speaker 1: right tools and access to people like you, we'll find 474 00:25:14,311 --> 00:25:16,911 Speaker 1: that our young people are going to be deadly, quite 475 00:25:16,911 --> 00:25:20,791 Speaker 1: successful and able to live a really good life. 476 00:25:20,951 --> 00:25:23,431 Speaker 3: Well, I didn't understand practical and theory, you know what 477 00:25:23,511 --> 00:25:26,191 Speaker 3: I mean. And the first thing we'd done out there 478 00:25:26,311 --> 00:25:29,471 Speaker 3: the teeth is they said that they couldn't fill the 479 00:25:29,551 --> 00:25:33,431 Speaker 3: rooms with Aboriginal students. So what happened with Taithe out there? 480 00:25:33,951 --> 00:25:37,231 Speaker 3: I think it was nineteen ninety five that me and 481 00:25:37,351 --> 00:25:39,951 Speaker 3: Uncle Ivan went up there and we said, we want 482 00:25:39,991 --> 00:25:44,511 Speaker 3: to run a couple of programs like plumbing programs, horticultural 483 00:25:45,311 --> 00:25:47,751 Speaker 3: things that could make our kids. 484 00:25:47,511 --> 00:25:50,991 Speaker 1: More look at different career paths, trage. 485 00:25:50,951 --> 00:25:53,471 Speaker 3: And what it was when we started them three or 486 00:25:53,471 --> 00:25:56,911 Speaker 3: four things with Dave Roberts back out there, we had 487 00:25:56,951 --> 00:25:59,551 Speaker 3: to get two classrooms and we filled them, you know, 488 00:25:59,631 --> 00:26:02,791 Speaker 3: and I'm very proud about trying to when we've done that, 489 00:26:02,831 --> 00:26:07,191 Speaker 3: you know, because it's showed that we wanted to fit 490 00:26:07,231 --> 00:26:09,191 Speaker 3: them back into mainstream at the end of the day, 491 00:26:09,951 --> 00:26:12,671 Speaker 3: but we had to start this way where they connected 492 00:26:12,711 --> 00:26:15,871 Speaker 3: amongst themselves and all that brain storm and workshop and 493 00:26:15,911 --> 00:26:19,271 Speaker 3: you know, like that's where it all comes in, you know. 494 00:26:19,511 --> 00:26:23,111 Speaker 3: So just having some aims and objectives and just working 495 00:26:23,151 --> 00:26:25,071 Speaker 3: in the right like you're saying, that's what we're doing 496 00:26:25,071 --> 00:26:27,711 Speaker 3: with these kids having role models. You know, how good 497 00:26:27,831 --> 00:26:29,231 Speaker 3: is it going to be when we have our role 498 00:26:29,271 --> 00:26:32,991 Speaker 3: models that are wearing our gear. It makes us proud 499 00:26:33,031 --> 00:26:33,911 Speaker 3: in that community, you know. 500 00:26:34,311 --> 00:26:37,351 Speaker 1: Yeah, And that's one of the biggest things Uncle at 501 00:26:37,351 --> 00:26:40,951 Speaker 1: gotcha for life. It's how do we support young people? 502 00:26:40,991 --> 00:26:43,831 Speaker 1: Because we roll out programs in primary schools, how do 503 00:26:43,911 --> 00:26:48,231 Speaker 1: we support young people to develop the skills, coping mechanisms, 504 00:26:49,311 --> 00:26:54,111 Speaker 1: to be able to build their mental muscle, so knowing 505 00:26:54,151 --> 00:26:58,391 Speaker 1: that they don't have to worry alone who are their community, 506 00:26:58,391 --> 00:27:01,031 Speaker 1: who can they talk to or who could they ring 507 00:27:01,351 --> 00:27:03,311 Speaker 1: Like we were to let our young people know from 508 00:27:03,311 --> 00:27:06,871 Speaker 1: a very young age that it's not weak to speak, 509 00:27:06,911 --> 00:27:10,191 Speaker 1: you know, that old saying well, especially with our young boys, 510 00:27:10,191 --> 00:27:12,991 Speaker 1: our young men, where they don't talk about their feelings 511 00:27:13,071 --> 00:27:14,071 Speaker 1: and their emotions. 512 00:27:14,631 --> 00:27:17,431 Speaker 3: It is I think like farwell average of corporation has 513 00:27:17,431 --> 00:27:19,231 Speaker 3: come a long way, and I think they, you know, 514 00:27:19,471 --> 00:27:22,951 Speaker 3: as a medical fraternity out that way, Daryl writes, done 515 00:27:22,951 --> 00:27:25,951 Speaker 3: a good job on all that stuff. You know. So 516 00:27:27,311 --> 00:27:31,551 Speaker 3: it's having like mechanisms put in place in the in 517 00:27:31,591 --> 00:27:34,311 Speaker 3: these spaces that these kids need somewhere to go with. 518 00:27:34,431 --> 00:27:36,871 Speaker 3: And you know, like if you have a look where 519 00:27:36,911 --> 00:27:39,111 Speaker 3: I am, Amber Vil, Raise Medaw, you can just have 520 00:27:39,151 --> 00:27:40,911 Speaker 3: a look what I want to explain to you say, 521 00:27:41,311 --> 00:27:43,671 Speaker 3: it's hurting out there for our kids because they got 522 00:27:43,831 --> 00:27:48,631 Speaker 3: there's no no services there, and it's already stereotype. Like 523 00:27:48,711 --> 00:27:51,471 Speaker 3: you say Amber vail, they say Amber jail. And if 524 00:27:51,511 --> 00:27:54,671 Speaker 3: you say raise Meadows, says raise ghetto. So what's what's 525 00:27:55,111 --> 00:27:55,991 Speaker 3: what's that saying. 526 00:27:55,751 --> 00:27:58,151 Speaker 1: About our saying? What is that saying to the young people? 527 00:27:58,831 --> 00:28:01,431 Speaker 3: You know, it's degrading, you know what I mean? And 528 00:28:01,511 --> 00:28:04,831 Speaker 3: especially there's no services. I think there's a doctor and 529 00:28:04,951 --> 00:28:07,191 Speaker 3: fire brigade there and then they got a war. Worst 530 00:28:07,191 --> 00:28:09,391 Speaker 3: where are these kids got to go? You know? And 531 00:28:09,951 --> 00:28:12,351 Speaker 3: parents will agree with me because you know we put 532 00:28:12,351 --> 00:28:16,871 Speaker 3: this into our person who was running for parliament but 533 00:28:16,951 --> 00:28:20,591 Speaker 3: not Padel, and trying to give him a platform to say, well, 534 00:28:20,631 --> 00:28:22,631 Speaker 3: come with us and we'll show you what's going on 535 00:28:22,631 --> 00:28:25,231 Speaker 3: in our own community. Because there used to be leaders 536 00:28:25,271 --> 00:28:30,191 Speaker 3: Ecored John Threw was a Maury elder, Uncle Frank McDougall, 537 00:28:30,231 --> 00:28:33,391 Speaker 3: an average little man. You know, these fellows were on 538 00:28:33,471 --> 00:28:36,031 Speaker 3: the front line like me and Uncle Ive And you know, 539 00:28:36,111 --> 00:28:37,911 Speaker 3: I think there was a ride out there. The first 540 00:28:37,911 --> 00:28:40,511 Speaker 3: ones they come into the battle, they rang us up. 541 00:28:40,551 --> 00:28:43,271 Speaker 3: You know what I mean, where's all these people that 542 00:28:43,431 --> 00:28:46,111 Speaker 3: are getting paid these big, big dollars are not seen? 543 00:28:46,591 --> 00:28:49,431 Speaker 1: Yeah, we need those service providers to really invest in 544 00:28:49,471 --> 00:28:51,911 Speaker 1: the local community so that these kids have got opportunities. 545 00:28:52,151 --> 00:28:55,071 Speaker 3: Well there was in the agencies on a thing and 546 00:28:55,231 --> 00:28:57,951 Speaker 3: through COVID it never hasn't come back, you know. So 547 00:28:58,111 --> 00:29:00,271 Speaker 3: we need these people to come back. But not only 548 00:29:00,471 --> 00:29:03,471 Speaker 3: not only the service providers, having community sit in this 549 00:29:03,791 --> 00:29:04,751 Speaker 3: in that room as well. 550 00:29:05,551 --> 00:29:07,951 Speaker 1: Uncle. We're running out of time, but I'm loving the 551 00:29:07,991 --> 00:29:10,311 Speaker 1: fact that I've been able to get you in here 552 00:29:10,791 --> 00:29:13,111 Speaker 1: from we're out in Western Sydney. Stop you from doing 553 00:29:13,151 --> 00:29:15,911 Speaker 1: what you do in community, to lend your voice and 554 00:29:15,951 --> 00:29:20,031 Speaker 1: your support behind. There's very important conversation around mental fitness 555 00:29:20,111 --> 00:29:24,871 Speaker 1: and getting amob in particular, to start developing those tools, 556 00:29:25,031 --> 00:29:29,031 Speaker 1: especially at a young age, accessing support, reaching out to elders, 557 00:29:29,431 --> 00:29:33,951 Speaker 1: participating in community events and initiatives and programs, coming down 558 00:29:33,951 --> 00:29:36,951 Speaker 1: and doing boxing with you fellers, but also for some 559 00:29:37,031 --> 00:29:42,231 Speaker 1: of the corporations and philanthropists. If you're listening to this yarn, 560 00:29:42,791 --> 00:29:45,031 Speaker 1: please reach out to Uncle Dave Bell. I'll make sure 561 00:29:45,031 --> 00:29:47,631 Speaker 1: that there's a link to the website because there are 562 00:29:47,711 --> 00:29:51,431 Speaker 1: funds that are urgently needed to go straight back to community. 563 00:29:51,471 --> 00:29:56,751 Speaker 1: This is a grassroots organization that has been operating without 564 00:29:56,831 --> 00:30:01,631 Speaker 1: support from governments and no funding, but every little bit helps, 565 00:30:01,671 --> 00:30:05,191 Speaker 1: so hopefully after people hear this, yeah uncle, they might 566 00:30:05,231 --> 00:30:08,711 Speaker 1: be able to put some money towards these really important programs. 567 00:30:09,111 --> 00:30:13,111 Speaker 1: That's really you know, putting the kids first and making 568 00:30:13,151 --> 00:30:15,991 Speaker 1: sure that they've got the best start to their little lives. 569 00:30:16,231 --> 00:30:17,871 Speaker 3: And if anybody wants to come out there and do 570 00:30:17,911 --> 00:30:21,311 Speaker 3: the food with us, we're at Cozugay Park every Thursday 571 00:30:21,351 --> 00:30:23,231 Speaker 3: and Friday where the elders come and pick it up 572 00:30:23,511 --> 00:30:24,871 Speaker 3: and then we take it out and then we've got 573 00:30:24,911 --> 00:30:28,391 Speaker 3: a big contract with Costco, so we picked up cost 574 00:30:28,391 --> 00:30:31,191 Speaker 3: goes every Fridays and Saturdays, and all that goes to families. 575 00:30:32,031 --> 00:30:35,711 Speaker 1: So you're doing food hampers and running around delivering food 576 00:30:35,711 --> 00:30:37,631 Speaker 1: hampers to families so that these kids are not going 577 00:30:37,671 --> 00:30:38,951 Speaker 1: without you. 578 00:30:39,511 --> 00:30:41,511 Speaker 3: We've done that for thirty five years. 579 00:30:41,551 --> 00:30:44,511 Speaker 1: Uncle Dave. I love you, love the work that you've 580 00:30:44,551 --> 00:30:49,031 Speaker 1: been doing. And you know, for our whole community, especially 581 00:30:49,231 --> 00:30:52,271 Speaker 1: here in Sydney, we're very lucky to have someone like 582 00:30:52,351 --> 00:30:55,551 Speaker 1: you that's still getting up early in the morning and 583 00:30:55,591 --> 00:30:59,191 Speaker 1: making sure that those kids have got programs, they got 584 00:30:59,231 --> 00:31:01,711 Speaker 1: somewhere to go after school, and they've got food in 585 00:31:01,751 --> 00:31:04,191 Speaker 1: their bellies and making sure that food go to those 586 00:31:04,231 --> 00:31:05,751 Speaker 1: homes to the people that need it. 587 00:31:05,791 --> 00:31:08,911 Speaker 3: But thank you, Queen and Honor Yaalu. 588 00:31:09,031 --> 00:31:14,551 Speaker 2: Deadly thanks for tuning in to mental fitness conversations. Keep 589 00:31:14,591 --> 00:31:17,911 Speaker 2: building your emotional muscles with the free Mental Fitness Gym app, 590 00:31:17,991 --> 00:31:21,711 Speaker 2: packed with tools, tips and everyday actions to support your 591 00:31:21,791 --> 00:31:24,751 Speaker 2: mental fitness. Download it from the App Store or Google 592 00:31:24,791 --> 00:31:28,991 Speaker 2: play Store, or visit the mentalfitnessgym dot org. If anything 593 00:31:29,031 --> 00:31:31,751 Speaker 2: in this episode brought something up for you, you don't have 594 00:31:31,831 --> 00:31:34,591 Speaker 2: to worry alone. Reach out to a trusted friend or 595 00:31:34,671 --> 00:31:37,951 Speaker 2: family member. And know that support is available. You can 596 00:31:37,951 --> 00:31:41,631 Speaker 2: contact Lifeline on one three double one one four or 597 00:31:41,711 --> 00:31:45,191 Speaker 2: one three yarn at one three nine two seven six 598 00:31:45,311 --> 00:31:49,671 Speaker 2: for free and confidential support for Aboriginal and torrostraight Islander people. 599 00:31:50,391 --> 00:31:53,151 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating, share 600 00:31:53,191 --> 00:31:55,831 Speaker 2: it with someone in your village, or drop us a message. 601 00:31:55,871 --> 00:31:58,191 Speaker 2: We'd love to hear what you think, and don't forget 602 00:31:58,191 --> 00:32:00,791 Speaker 2: to follow Black Magic Woman and Gotcha for Life on 603 00:32:00,911 --> 00:32:03,311 Speaker 2: all socials to keep the conversation going.