The project aims to positively change the way mental health wer drug wer alcohol services are delivered to Nyoongar peoples living in the southeast metropolitan region of Perth, Western Australia. The project uses a research approach that actively involves both the Nyoongar community wer service providers in determining the direction wer outcomes of the research process.
History edit
Since 2010, the project team led by Nyoongar mamarap, Dr Michael Wright, has worked closely with Nyoongar moort, community members, wer service providers in the region to identify wer understand the needs of Nyoongar moort living with mental health wer drug wer alcohol concerns, and; factors which make a mental health or drug wer alcohol service culturally secure for Nyoongar moort.[1]
Dr Michael Wright and his team have been working closely with Nyoongar moort, community members, and service providers to identify and understand the needs of Nyoongar moort living with mental health and drug and alcohol concerns. Dr Michael Wright also looks at factors which make a mental health or drug and alcohol service culturally secure for Nyoongar families. This is done by listening to stories told by Nyoongar yung-ar. Though these stories it is clear that Nyoongar moort need non-Aboriginal yung-ar to recognise, understand and show respect for Nyoongar cultural practices, knowledge and history.
One of the boordiya commented that getting to know wadjellas, and involving them in cultural learning, was a way of breaking down a wall of ignorance and lack of knowledge. "Once that wall came down I was able to do things. When you do not know each other, you do not know what to say. Until you get to know each other then there will always be some obstacles. So this is one of the reasons why we take the time to know each other. When we know each other the road becomes smooth," he said. [2]