The Wire

Groups of Indigenous mothers are taking the lead in the fight to overcome disadvantage. The WA Government has praised a group of Desert community mothers for developing a culture-specific plan to give Indigenous children a better start in life. The women are from the Balgo and Yagga Yagga communities, in north-west WA. They’ve been in Perth this week to present their plan, based on Aboriginal learning cycles, to stakeholders involved with Indigenous children. While Across the country on the mid-north coast of NSW, the Bowraville’s MiiMi Mothers Aboriginal Corporation are signing a shared responsibility agreement for the purchase of a $140 000 community services centre, celebrated with the performance of traditional songs and dance. Karen Ella-Bird, Chair of MiiMi Mothers, says the community has been lobbying for support for many years. Kevin Bird, of Wesley Aboriginal Employment Services, says the agreement is a step forward.