Dancing together in healing and culture

Across our services, staff continue to create spaces where culture is not only acknowledged, but actively lived, shared and celebrated alongside clients.
One powerful example of this is the work being led through cultural healing and community connection by our AFW worker at the Sydney CAS.

In my role as the AFW worker at the Sydney Cas, I decided to use my community development time to focus on offering therapeutic healing through culture.

I have always been blessed that traditional dance was something I grew up with my matriarchs learning. I learnt song, dance, weaving and language on Country at a young age and I have always wanted to bring it into my work with clients.

I have taken clients to Mujin Gals 100 Women Dance that is led by Aunty Rayma for the past two years. I dance alongside women that are accessing my support, and my own daughter is a member of Aunty Rayma’s dance clan, Bujja Buja Butterfly Dancers, and also attends.

This allows me to have solidarity with Mujin Gal who lead this event every year and allows me to literally dance into a healing space with clients who access my support.

I believe that this is the most important part of my work. It keeps me culturally connected to Aboriginal women from this community and offers my clients more than just the western style of case management. Most importantly, it keeps me strong in spirit and that is what helps me to navigate and support clients through the complex system that often harms our people.

Natalie, SYD WDVCAS 

 Culturally safe spaces where healing, identity and community can walk alongside practical support are so important for holistic healing. We thank our staff for the care, strength and unique cultural leadership they continue to bring to this work every day.

*Photo used with permission