Young women have been empowered as part of a three-day program run in Narrabri in partnership with the high school and Narrabri Local Aboriginal Lands Council.
Former Narrabri resident Sheridon Noble brought the initiative to her hometown with the aim of connecting young Aboriginal women to elders while also connecting them to country.
The Warraymalaylahna Baawaagu (Raise ‘Bring Up’ Sistas) Empowering Program aims to give the young women confidence while also building up their networks.
At the recent local sessions, the young women learnt about bush tucker and bush medicines at Yarrie Lake, visited a cultural site, chatted with local elders as well as other activities.
Ms Noble said part of her program is about empowering the women to understand what it means to be a strong Aboriginal woman.
Self-care was also in focus as well as dealing with racism, which Ms Noble said was important that people dealt with together.
“It was really important to me to come back to Narrabri and have the girls have the same experiences I had,” she said.
“We have some really amazing Aboriginal women in Narrabri.”
Ms Noble, who now lives in Maitland, praised the impact Narrabri had on her early life.
“I have happy memories of Narrabri, swimming in the river and being out on country,” she said.
She described her program as important and said she hopes the girls continue with it.
“It brings them back to old values and morals,” she said.
Narrabri High School student Nakayshia Power said she felt more connected to country after taking part in the program.
“Sheridon has empowered us to speak up,” she said.
Nakayshia said she enjoyed learning about bush medicines while also learning about ancestors during a visit to the cultural site.
Ms Noble acknowledged the local work in making the program a success and thanked Edward Trindall, Marilyn Binge, Maureen Smith, Rebecca Gibbs, Angie Knox, Rachael McWhirter, Coral Toomey, Steve Booby, Kate Briggs and Simone Moodie.
“It has been really important for locals to be involved,” Ms Noble said at the gathering.
