Background
A team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers explored a range of topics relating to young people’s ways of seeing, knowing, doing, being and belonging. In total, 31 young people aged 15 to 24 years from over 21 different Nations participated in a yarn. In addition, the researchers yarned with 20 service providers such as health workers and social workers who work with young people.
A Youth Advisory Committee was established to guide and support the project including overseeing the design and development, data collection, sense-making and knowledge sharing. This committee includes young people from all walks of life.
The project highlighted four key areas that were important for young people. Health organisations and young people could focus on these areas
These include:
- culture and identity,
- shared commitment,
- relationships,
- and belonging and connections.
Strengthening culture and identity
Culture means making my ancestors proud and participating in cultural events and hanging out with people who are also Indigenous too like that brings me a great sense of culture, cultural community as well…and also my connection to my family and my community and my country.
The project found young people are likely to take ownership and lead connections that foster and support their culture and identity. This is confirmation that our young people are invested and interested in the ways of Our Old People and Elders. They are wanting to learn the Propa Ways of our Mob, including storytelling, language, arts, traditional healing and being on Country as well as modern responsibilities and obligations.
Young people have a desire for strengthening their cultural knowledge and form identity.
Shared Commitment
I would say that it’s actually more so having other people that need my support because that can sort of kick me into gear and as long as I know I’m putting out something positive, I tend to worry a lot less … So, I think that I actually feel better by helping other people.
Young people are excited and wanting to learn and share their stories – while also hearing from others, especially Elders, mentors or each other. Deadly young people take on roles as leaders and mentors, not always expecting anything in return. Instead, for young people it’s about being active in Community and leading by example.
That way young Mob have a space to be self-determined, and advocates for their social, cultural, emotional, and physical health.
Relationships
…It’s nice to have that yarn, and even if you sit in silence, sometimes it’s nice to just be in the presence of others who actually understand what you are or what you have gone through.
Relationships are important to young people and are important when setting up youth advisory positions or committees. The Youth Project found it is important to create environments that build and maintain connection with and between young Mob.
To foster these relationships, honouring cultural processes and protocols is essential. That may be connecting with and to family, Community, Elders, or friends.
Belonging and connections
There’s so many different stories, so many different Mobs, different connections, different things that have happened.
To our young people, belonging is not just one thing. Our young people come from all walks of life and journeys. So, finding a belonging in Community or connection is important to the journey and support of our youth.
Our Youth Project pointed to young people’s need for a sense of belonging and connection. This domain relates to a phase in a youth’s rite of passage. This phase being ‘The Wandering/Wondering Life’, is the stage between ages 15-21. A time when young people begin to ask questions and challenge ideals and concepts in front of them. In these wandering years, young people test their limits, discover consequences to behaviour and learn how choices shape their character. The next phase, from ages 21-28 is a stage guided by Elders, teachers and mentors known as the Truth stage. This is the time young people discover their true selves, gifts and strengths along with concept of life and beliefs and values (Best Start Resource Centre, 2010).
Similarly, to culture and identity our young Community desires a connection and belonging to their culture. For young Mob to contribute to health and wellbeing of community, they shared a need for safe spaces to be seen, heard and valued. Young people are diverse with different life experiences, world views, advantages, disadvantages and subcultures or abilities etc. so it’s important to accommodate the needs and diversity of young people from all walks of life. This may be a space for young Mob to yarn together and share their experiences and learn from each other to fulfill a sense of belonging and connection.
