The Yiriman Project

The Yiriman Project is a suicide prevention initiative that works with Aboriginal community and families in the south central and west Kimberley region in Western Australia for a 'whole of community' approach to support positive social change. Attention is focused on young Aboriginal people (aged 12-30 years) within an immersion style cultural framework as they learn strategies to address problems such as substance abuse, self-harm and contact with the justice system. The Yiriman Project is auspiced and strongly supported by the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC), one of three peak Indigenous organisations in the Kimberley. KALACC has provided a regional cultural governance structure since 1985 and is situated in Fitzroy Crossing.

Aims

Yiriman aims to generate intergenerational relationships, strong cultural leadership and governance processes.

Young people are guided by elders in intensive programs to develop their learning of ancient knowledge and deeply held belief systems. Valuing Aboriginal ways of being and practicing inherent skills and knowledge in multiagency projects (for example reptile surveys or sawfish monitoring in the rivers) fosters a strong sense of identity and in turn builds greater self-confidence and resilience.

The Yiriman Project aims to support Aboriginal people to navigate their cultural sensibilities with contemporary employment and social pathways. Elders want their people to live purposeful lives in broader society whilst understanding and practicing language, caring for country obligations and cultural truths.

KALACC seeks to maintain Aboriginal culture through five key components:

• law time and ceremonies;
• youth programs;
• festivals, tours and showcasing culture;
• employment opportunities (looking after Ranger groups etc); and
• advocacy and awareness raising.

Background

The Yiriman Project was designed in 2001 by elders who were deeply concerned about local young people struggling with substance abuse, contact with the justice system, self-harm and suicide. They saw the need for a place where youth could separate themselves from negative influences, and reconnect with their culture in remote and culturally significant places.

Location

The Yiriman Project works in the south central and west Kimberley region in Western Australia.

Activities

Yiriman works through cultural leadership and protocols delivering intensive 'back to country' trips with large extended family or clan groups travelling into the desert. These journeys practice revisiting important historic walking trails, visual mapping of family's country and cultural landmarks, connecting oral storytelling to place, learning traditional land management practices, following proper law in hunting animals, connecting family members and reinvesting in kinship relationships.

Yiriman helps educate about sustainable economies for Aboriginal people by establishing partnerships with local land councils and government agencies and designing appropriate culturally nuanced projects with ranger groups. These projects include activities such as river care, fire management and dealing with feral animals.
 
Other activities undertaken by Yiriman include:

• traditional knowledge recording;
• traditional plant medicine product development;
• multimedia training;
• cultural exchanges;
• developing programs to expand limited life views; and
• cultural training programs.

Challenges
The Yiriman Project is challenged in many ways by working in a region as large and remote as the Kimberley. These challenges include:

• navigating cultural difference and finding ways to communicate this to government and supporting agencies;
• transportation issues such as mechanical problems and petrol costs;
• reaching and communicating with remote communities;
• communicating with a diverse amount of language groups and cultural blocks; and
• finding housing for staff.

More information

For more information about The Yiriman Project ring 08 9191 2922 or send an email.