Kids on Country™ – The Value of Connection to Country for Health and Wellbeing
Tracks
Whānau - In-Person Only
| Monday, October 21, 2024 |
| 12:30 PM - 12:50 PM |
Overview
Katie Perry & Milera Warren, Nature Foundation Ltd
Speaker
Ms Katie Perry
Youth Programs Co-ordinator
Nature Foundation Ltd
Kids on Country™ – The value of connection to country for health, wellbeing
Abstract
Nature Foundation’s Kids on Country™ (KoC) Junior Ranger program provides Aboriginal young people the opportunity to participate in on-Country camps, where they are provided the mental and physical space to develop, nurture, and grow.
Since its inception in 2016, the Kids on Country™ program has evolved into a state-wide program for Aboriginal high school students and is now one of the first Junior Ranger Programs in South Australia. It inspires future careers in conservation and land management and strengthens cultural learning and wellbeing through:
• Pre-camp Induction workshops
• E-learning program
• “On country” camps
o SACE Unit, Stage 1, Year 11, Area of Learning- Self
Development.
KoC takes a culture-first approach, where participants are afforded the opportunity to grow under the mentorship of senior Aboriginal people, whilst engaging in practical on-Country conservation and land management studies.
More specifically, KoC is designed to increase the capacity of young Aboriginal people to build skills and aptitude for personal growth and development, strengthen cultural identity, and foster a desire for learning which positively impacts students’ commitment and capacity for, and engagement in education.
Nature Foundation works in partnership with Traditional Custodians in the design and delivery of the Kids on Country program. As custodians of their cultures and languages, Aboriginal people alone possess the necessary knowledge, skills and experiences to give authenticity to Aboriginal studies and perspectives.
Our presentation will demonstrate important learnings on how the “on Country” experiences accelerate opportunities for increasing well-being through the role of Culture and Country for Aboriginal young people; how the program is changing lives; how the “on country” experiences provide opportunities for relationship building, the transmission of Traditional Ecological knowledge, stories and practices; shared learning between Aboriginal young people, Traditional Owners, staff and education providers; and how the program is positively impacting on participants.
Since its inception in 2016, the Kids on Country™ program has evolved into a state-wide program for Aboriginal high school students and is now one of the first Junior Ranger Programs in South Australia. It inspires future careers in conservation and land management and strengthens cultural learning and wellbeing through:
• Pre-camp Induction workshops
• E-learning program
• “On country” camps
o SACE Unit, Stage 1, Year 11, Area of Learning- Self
Development.
KoC takes a culture-first approach, where participants are afforded the opportunity to grow under the mentorship of senior Aboriginal people, whilst engaging in practical on-Country conservation and land management studies.
More specifically, KoC is designed to increase the capacity of young Aboriginal people to build skills and aptitude for personal growth and development, strengthen cultural identity, and foster a desire for learning which positively impacts students’ commitment and capacity for, and engagement in education.
Nature Foundation works in partnership with Traditional Custodians in the design and delivery of the Kids on Country program. As custodians of their cultures and languages, Aboriginal people alone possess the necessary knowledge, skills and experiences to give authenticity to Aboriginal studies and perspectives.
Our presentation will demonstrate important learnings on how the “on Country” experiences accelerate opportunities for increasing well-being through the role of Culture and Country for Aboriginal young people; how the program is changing lives; how the “on country” experiences provide opportunities for relationship building, the transmission of Traditional Ecological knowledge, stories and practices; shared learning between Aboriginal young people, Traditional Owners, staff and education providers; and how the program is positively impacting on participants.
Biography
Katie Perry is Kids on Country™ Program Coordinator and Warren Milera is Youth and Conservation Officer and program cultural lead. Since 2017 their efforts have created a highly sought after program.
Katie is an experienced Narrative Therapist, trainer, youth worker and mum to three children of Ngarrindjeri and Arrernte heritage.
Warren, an Narungga/Adnyamathanha man, has a background in health, conservation and Bachelor of Applied Science in Indigenous Community Management and Development. Warren is an established Aboriginal singer/songwriter with performance credits at festivals across Australia.
Friends and colleagues for over 30 years, Warren and Katie ARE the Kids on Country program.
