Cultural Identity & Connection
Culture, family, community,identity and belonging.
Aboriginal children have a right to culture, family, community, identity and belonging. Ngawilyi Narrative is Aboriginal-owned and grounded in Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.
The name we carry
Ngawilyi means "Aunty" in Arabana language.
The use of Arabana language and authorisation for the program and name has been provided through Arabana Elders and the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation. We hold this cultural authority with deep respect and gratitude.
Every Nation, its own authority
We do not claim cultural authority over another person's Country.
Cultural connection should respect each person's own Nation and cultural authority. When working alongside Aboriginal children and families from other Nations, Ngawilyi supports connection back to their own family, community, Elders, Country and cultural knowledge holders — never positioning ourselves in their place.
Where appropriate, we support connection back to
- 01Family
- 02Kin
- 03Elders
- 04Community
- 05Country
- 06Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
- 07Appropriate cultural knowledge holders
A right, not a program add-on
Culture.
Family.
Community.
Identity.
Belonging.
Culture is woven through every part of the Ngawilyi model — story, movement, mentoring and community — because identity and belonging are not separate from wellbeing.