Yiriman Project

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)	Yiriman Project
Funded Organisation	Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre
Geographical Area	Local
State/Territory	Western Australia
Approach(es)	Selected and Indicated
Individual/Group	Individual and Group
LIFE Action Areas	Improving the evidence base and understanding of suicide prevention Building individual resilience and the capacity for self-help Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention
Target Groups	Men Youth Indigenous populations People living with an alcohol or other drug problem Whole of community

2. Project Description

The Yiriman Project started in 2000, because Karajarri, Nyikina, Mangala and Walmajarri elders in the West Kimberley were concerned about young people who were harming themselves with drugs and 'grog' and getting in trouble with the law. Following long established traditions, they set up an organisation that would help take young people, elders and other members of the community on trips to country.

The Yiriman project aims to assist local 'at risk' Indigenous youth in a culturally appropriate manner through collaboration with the Fitzroy Valley community and relevant agencies to develop and provide culturally appropriate strategies to address issues of self-harm and suicide in young Aboriginal people in Fitzroy Valley.

The project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Indigenous youth will reconnect with their culture, resulting in a strengthening of self identity and increased self esteem
• Increased community ownership and awareness of factors affecting mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse and suicide
• Positive relationships developed between young people, mentors and cultural leaders resulting in greater levels of understanding and respect
• Formal and informal partnerships developed between the community and other relevant service providers, resulting in an increased capacity to appropriately respond to at risk youth
• Increased number of Aboriginal youth participating in community based diversionary activities.

3. Activities

Activities undertaken by the project to achieve the objectives are:

• Four week long 'back to country' bush trips with targeted 'at-risk' individuals together with cultural elders and cultural mentors. Young people are exposed to and learn of their connection to country, cultural responsibilities and participate in cultural activities (i.e. skin grouping, traditional language, storytelling, bush medicine, singing/dancing, bush foods, looking after country)
• Numerous informal weekend activities and bush camps
• Provide opportunities associated with traditional practices: keeping country, people and mind healthy
• introducing service provider workers to family groups and disbursing information about services available to people.
• Ongoing communication with service providers such as Nindilingarri Drug Alcohol & Mental Health, Department of Child Protection, Standby Suicide Response, Headspace.
• Wunda Warlu (Fire wood collection) - Young people work with Field Officers (role models) to collect firewood (or other activities as directed by the Elders) for older members of the community. Top of page

4. Funding

• Round 1
  • NSPP funding
    • 2006/07 - not applicable
    • 2007/08 - not applicable
    • 2008/09 - $100,000
  • % project funding - not applicable
• Round 2
  • NSPP funding
    • 2009/10 - $102,850
    • 2010/11 - $100,000
  • % project funding - 30%
• Round 3
  • NSPP funding
    • 2011/12 - $101,800
    • 2012/13 - $103,632
  • % project funding - 20%

5. Staffing

• Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - not applicable
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - not applicable
• Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 0.4
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 0.4
• Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 0.4
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 0.4