Mibbinbah

Jack Bulman, Craig Williams and Charlie Fay

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male safe spacesJack Bulman, CEOSOCIAL BARRIERS

Our VisionUsing 'proper way' to create safe spaces for

spirit healing, empowerment, celebration and education & training.

Enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males to regain their rightful

place in society, whatever that may be.

Mibbinbah a brief overviewMibbinbah is focused on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males to take their rightful place in society, whatever that maybe. By identifying and addressing common life factors effecting Aboriginal males such as racism, trans-generational trauma, loss of culture, loss of identity and loss of land Mibbinbah are able to take steps to support males with their journey.

 Mibbinbah achieve this support through:Safe spaces, Education and Training, A network of support Empowerment, Transfer of knowledge, Capacity development and Celebration

What is a social barrier?A social barrier can mean many different things to different

people.

A social barrier to Mibbinbah is an obstacle or difficulty that

prevents, hinders or slows down our ability to deliver safe

spaces, empowerment and capacity building to our men.

These barriers include the barriers that the men themselves

face.

Social Barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males

There are many social barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Males they can include:• Tran-generational trauma• Grief• Loss of culture• Loss of identity• Child removal• Dislocation• Racism• Economic and social disadvantage

Social Barriers for Mibbinbah

Mibbinbah encounter Social Barriers such as:• Change in staff – One of the organisations Mibbinbah partner with have had

five CEOs change hand• Partner organisations not up-skilling employees• Poor management from external organisations• Broken promises• Lack of funding opportunities

Over coming social barriers Mibbinbah has worked with the men to overcome

many social barriers. This is done through empowerment, participatory action research and supporting men to find their rightful place in society, what ever that may be.

Mibbinbah provide safe spaces for the men to come together and support and learn from each other. This has been the first step to overcoming many of the social barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Males have and are facing.

Over coming social barriers Mibbinbah continues to promote and deliver

Aboriginal Males opportunities for empowerment. The biggest social barrier that Mibbinbah is facing is

lack of funding. Through commitment from Mibbinbah and supporting members we have been able to kick some amazing goals.

Action Areas• The five priority action areas (and examples of men’s group activities and how

they might fit) are:• Building healthy public policy, for example, advocating for the establishment of

a men’s place, or involvement in the development of alcohol management plans;

• Creating supportive environments for health, for example, addressing issues of identity, self esteem and men’s ‘gifts’, or exploring traditional cultural activities;

• Strengthening community action for health, for example, men’s group meetings to mobilise men’s interest in family violence issues, or community and sporting events;

• Developing personal skills, for example, supporting men to enroll in education/training programs, or having speakers at men’s group meetings; and

• Reorienting health services, for example encouraging health services to improve access for Indigenous men, or providing health screening at men’s group meetings, or advocating for a primary health care approach (Ottawa Charter 1986).

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Some of the participants in the combined Men’s Groups Meeting at Point Danger 2/11/07

This Project is dedicated to the memory of the Elders who believed in our men and who remain a part of this Project. One such Elder is Uncle Bernie Williams.

Mibbinbah Introductory Camp2 day camp at the Bedrooms Island Gold Coast

Sites

There are seven sites (community agencies) from which the Project Associates are based and work from

These sites are jointly funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and beyondblue

The sites are not controlled by the Project, they are full partners who will help the Project co-leaders complete the agreed tasks in ways that they feel are best

The agencies will help the Project to identify, celebrate and explore the various men’s groups within the region surrounding the agency

Training

• Participatory Action Research (PAR) to build the capacity of community organisations working with men

• Community development and advocacy skills• Communication and media training to enable the

various groups to provide positive stories about their efforts and activities

• Leadership and governance training to help create sustainability among the various groups

• Computer and Internets skills training

Mibbinbah Base Training Queensland

Benefits to Participants

As individuals, the participants have and will gain valuable skills and insights about communicating and working with other people and to create safe and supportive environments

Groups have and will gain the ability to advocate for themselves and link up with like-minded groups to enhance their place in the community in a positive manner

Agencies have and will gain greater capacity to achieve their aims in the community through the development of a pool of men who are able to work collegially

Communities have and will benefit as the health and well-being of men is important for that of women and children