Speaking The Language

Yoogumbeh. Stop the violence.

With this simple message Nancy Walke from Mirrung Ngu Wanjarri launched a new advertisement about domestic violence in Aboriginal communities.

Mirrung Ngu Wanjarri is an anti-violence program of the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre.

This is the third ad made by and with local Aboriginal people for the Mirrung Ngu Wanjarri program.

“We wanted a bit more Aboriginal stuff so we included some language,” Nancy said. “We wanted people to see we are taking responsibility.”

Aunty Bertha Kapeen couldn’t hold back the tears talking at the launch.

“I’ve seen family violence destroy lives. People are hurt on the outside and the inside. Children can grow up thinking aggression and violence is the only way to solve problems. One important message is if you are experiencing violence, ask for help, you don’t have to keep it secret,” she said.

Nancy convenes healing circles and also helps run camps for Aboriginal female teenagers.

“If we can educate our young Aboriginal women about violence then it has a big impact. It’s about improving their self-esteem,” Nancy said. “You need to have excellent self-esteem before you can help anyone else. Many of the girls either have been or are in homes where violence occurs on a regular basis. At the end of the camps we ask them to write poems, titled ‘I am’.

“They are written by young ladies who probably never thought about themselves – but then, Aboriginal women never think of themselves.”

Funding for the ad was provided by the NSW Premier and Cabinet Department and the launch was helped by Lismore City Council Aboriginal liaison officer Lee-Ann Emzin.