Jarjums connect through song and dance

We’re excited to launch the Jarjums Connect Group, a fortnightly event designed to nurture individual self-expression and offer cultural support in a safe environment for children in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Led by our Cultural Support Workers, the Jarjums Connect Group’s primary focus is on creating cultural connectedness, so that children and young people begin to develop and feel a strong sense of identity and belonging within themselves and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“I have a passion for helping my people and see the cultural support role as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the non-indigenous foster carers and our Jarjums,” said Lalania, Cultural Support Worker.

The group learn about key topics such as song and dance, language and storytelling, costumes and making food. Children in care, Carers, families, Staff, Elders and community members come together to immerse themselves in the sharing of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultural knowledge, sensitivity and cultural practices.

The Jarjums Connect Group covers a diverse range of cultures and traditional song/dance rituals. The group explores the cultural significance of the songs/dances and why they are practiced and taught orally/verbally. It aims to strengthen cultural knowledge within the children and carers in relation to the dance styles and what is worn in dance ceremonies.  Each attendee will be given the opportunity to be involved in learning a new song of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture.

Our Cultural Support Workers support non-Indigenous foster carers and staff to better understand the needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in care and to respond in a holistic way that considers family, spiritual, community and individual needs.