The Wilcannia Community Hall is set to host an important consultation for Strong Aboriginal Men on March 25 and 26.

This event, part of the broader Strong Aboriginal workshops, offers a vital opportunity for Aboriginal men to come together in a safe environment to discuss critical issues affecting their communities.

These Strong Aboriginal workshops, also known as the ‘Strong Aboriginal Man’s Story’ (SAMS), are a series of sessions delivered by Aboriginal men for Aboriginal men.

The core aim of SAMS is to empower Aboriginal men to connect, learn, grow, heal, and stand strong against domestic family violence and child sexual assault.

The consultation in Wilcannia provides a prime opportunity for men to learn, change, and grow for the benefit of the entire community.

The workshops utilise facilitated yarning as a central method for sharing key information about trauma and violence, identity, and culture.

This approach allows men to integrate new knowledge and affirm their existing understanding at their own emotional and psychological pace.

Beyond addressing trauma and violence, SAMS aims to equip men with skills for positive change.

It is an opportunity to build healthy relationships, develop new skills, and find new ways to resolve conflict.

The workshops delve into crucial themes over six sessions, including:

Workshop 1: Building strong foundations – Being an Aboriginal Man

Workshop 2: Looking at our community – Talking about the tough issues

Workshop 3: Safe men, safe families and strong communities – Being positive role models

Through these sessions, participants can expect to gain:

An understanding of different types of abuse and their impacts, with a specific focus on the dynamics and effects of child sexual assault and domestic family violence.

Increased awareness of abuse and trauma, including the impacts on the brain, across the lifespan and generations, and how these affect men’s personal lives, identities, and communities.

Increased awareness of what it means to be a positive role model.

Knowledge of ways to seek and offer support in the journey of recovery from past abuse and trauma.

Increased awareness of safe ways to resolve conflicts and differences, promoting safety for women, children, families, and communities.

Increased awareness about being a positive role model – unlearning and relearning about being safe4 .

Furthermore, the workshops include the mapping of personal goals and pathways to recovery and resolution5 .

The upcoming consultation in Wilcannia offers a significant opportunity for Aboriginal men in the region to engage with these vital discussions and contribute to building stronger foundations and safer communities.

It represents a crucial step in addressing the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault through a culturally sensitive and community-led approach.