Puntu Pirni Palya, Men's Wellbeing Project: A Decolonised Space
Tracks
Ballroom 2 - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
| Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| 10:40 AM - 11:10 AM |
| Ballroom 2 |
Overview
Leslie Schultz & Georgia Sawyer, Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre Aboriginal Corporation
Three Key Learnings
1. The importance of creating and maintaining a decolonised, sovereign space for First Nations Men’s wellbeing.
2. How the project creates space for men’s leadership to be recognised in its inherent eminence.
3. The impact of shifting from deficit-based narratives to positive empowering approaches in community wellbeing work.
Presenter
Ms Georgia Sawyer
Project Officer
Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre Aboriginal Corporation
Puntu Pirni Palya, Men's Wellbeing Project: A Decolonised Space
Presentation Overview
The Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre launched the Puntu Pirni Palya (PPP) Men's Wellbeing Project in 2025. The project is by First Nations people, about First Nations people, for First Nations people. The PPP project provides cultural leaders with a decolonised space in which they can engage men in wellbeing talks and activities. The space is free from all Western ideology, theory, and programs to enable First Nations culture, language and leadership to take centre stage. The PPP project provides a sovereign space.
The PPP project operates as a mobile men’s shed on a truck, fully equipped with tools for artefact making, traveling across communities in the Goldfields. The truck is manned by two First Nations workshop coordinators who support men in each community.
PPP provides a safe space for men to gather, yarn, speak language and share wellbeing through the medium of artefact making. The space is totally decolonised; it is free from all Western influence and programs. The workshop coordinators hold and protect this space, allowing men to share openly, without judgement, and for ideas and knowledge to come forward.
In each community a local Cultural Steward is employed to guide men in traditional skills, cultural knowledge and practices within the workshop space. Cultural Stewards are supported by the workshop coordinators so their leadership qualities can emerge. Many Cultural Stewards continue artefact making and take on leadership roles within their communities after the truck has visited.
Overall, the PPP project supports men to connect with culture, identity, each other, their families and communities. The project actively challenges deficit narratives, instead centring men as capable, knowledgeable, and strong. Through this work, men are supported to recognise their value, build confidence and contribute positively to their communities.
The PPP project operates as a mobile men’s shed on a truck, fully equipped with tools for artefact making, traveling across communities in the Goldfields. The truck is manned by two First Nations workshop coordinators who support men in each community.
PPP provides a safe space for men to gather, yarn, speak language and share wellbeing through the medium of artefact making. The space is totally decolonised; it is free from all Western influence and programs. The workshop coordinators hold and protect this space, allowing men to share openly, without judgement, and for ideas and knowledge to come forward.
In each community a local Cultural Steward is employed to guide men in traditional skills, cultural knowledge and practices within the workshop space. Cultural Stewards are supported by the workshop coordinators so their leadership qualities can emerge. Many Cultural Stewards continue artefact making and take on leadership roles within their communities after the truck has visited.
Overall, the PPP project supports men to connect with culture, identity, each other, their families and communities. The project actively challenges deficit narratives, instead centring men as capable, knowledgeable, and strong. Through this work, men are supported to recognise their value, build confidence and contribute positively to their communities.
Biography
Les Schultz is a Ngadju Elder from the Great Western Woodlands region of Western Australia. He has had decades of involvement in community development, cultural leadership, and conservation. Les currently is engaged with the Puntu Pirni Palya Goldfields Men’s Wellbeing project, cultural burning for the Woodlands, and First Nations climate change.
Mr Leslie Schultz
Workshop Coordinator
Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre Aboriginal Corporation
Puntu Pirni Palya, Men's Wellbeing Project: A Decolonised Space
Presentation Overview
The Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre launched the Puntu Pirni Palya (PPP) Men's Wellbeing Project in 2025. The project is by First Nations people, about First Nations people, for First Nations people. The PPP project provides cultural leaders with a decolonised space in which they can engage men in wellbeing talks and activities. The space is free from all Western ideology, theory, and programs to enable First Nations culture, language and leadership to take centre stage. The PPP project provides a sovereign space.
The PPP project operates as a mobile men’s shed on a truck, fully equipped with tools for artefact making, traveling across communities in the Goldfields. The truck is manned by two First Nations workshop coordinators who support men in each community.
PPP provides a safe space for men to gather, yarn, speak language and share wellbeing through the medium of artefact making. The space is totally decolonised; it is free from all Western influence and programs. The workshop coordinators hold and protect this space, allowing men to share openly, without judgement, and for ideas and knowledge to come forward.
In each community a local Cultural Steward is employed to guide men in traditional skills, cultural knowledge and practices within the workshop space. Cultural Stewards are supported by the workshop coordinators so their leadership qualities can emerge. Many Cultural Stewards continue artefact making and take on leadership roles within their communities after the truck has visited.
Overall, the PPP project supports men to connect with culture, identity, each other, their families and communities. The project actively challenges deficit narratives, instead centring men as capable, knowledgeable, and strong. Through this work, men are supported to recognise their value, build confidence and contribute positively to their communities.
The PPP project operates as a mobile men’s shed on a truck, fully equipped with tools for artefact making, traveling across communities in the Goldfields. The truck is manned by two First Nations workshop coordinators who support men in each community.
PPP provides a safe space for men to gather, yarn, speak language and share wellbeing through the medium of artefact making. The space is totally decolonised; it is free from all Western influence and programs. The workshop coordinators hold and protect this space, allowing men to share openly, without judgement, and for ideas and knowledge to come forward.
In each community a local Cultural Steward is employed to guide men in traditional skills, cultural knowledge and practices within the workshop space. Cultural Stewards are supported by the workshop coordinators so their leadership qualities can emerge. Many Cultural Stewards continue artefact making and take on leadership roles within their communities after the truck has visited.
Overall, the PPP project supports men to connect with culture, identity, each other, their families and communities. The project actively challenges deficit narratives, instead centring men as capable, knowledgeable, and strong. Through this work, men are supported to recognise their value, build confidence and contribute positively to their communities.
Biography
