Noel Doyle is the Cultural Support Worker at the Children and Families Logan and Brisbane office. His role is to assist First Nations children in care by tracing their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Noel begins this task by first contacting a child’s carers to trace any immediate leads and family connections. Through the carers, Noel contacts the parents or grandparents, and begins tracing their family tree. Once Noel has identified as far back as the child’s great grandparents, there is an opportunity to work with extended family members and the Queensland South Native Title Service to link into Country and the young person’s ‘apical ancestor’ (the common ancestor from whom a lineage may trace its descent).
Once Noel has connected the child with their traditional heritage, he also assists carers in providing a ‘cultural map’ of their Traditional Country. This could include Native Title Claims, traditional language, and the knowledge of their ancestors. Some carers even take the children to their Country, so that they can reconnect with the physical space. In some cases, Noel has even been able to bring forward their family totem. They then have the opportunity to participate in ceremonies that formally give them their personal totems and reconnect each young person with their heritage.
According to Noel, his work is important as it reclaims cultural knowledge, connects family names, and builds on each young person’s cultural obligations and their emotional and social wellbeing.
“For some kids, this is their first exposure to their personal culture,” he explains.
“All these events, through time, will build on their identity.”
Noel gives the example of a young person in care with no connection to his Aboriginal family or heritage. Noel was able to find the young person’s family heritage through his surname, and even located a photograph of his great great grandfather.
Noel also helps shape awareness of Reconciliation and First Nations heritage in the office and with carers. He has assisted in developing a Cultural Home Assessment for carers responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. He recommends small gestures like hanging posters of First Nations role models, displaying the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flag, and searching out television programmes that feature First Nations characters and community engagement.
Noel also assists in ensuring Anglicare staff are aware of and sensitive to First Nations’ cultures, organising immersive activities like trips to the Yugambeh museum, and reflective sessions. With the support of Anglicare staff and management, he has been able to pioneer and shape these activities himself.
Noel agrees with Service Manager, Dean Keep, that developing such activities must be in partnership. Without the freedom and flexibility to shape his role and deliver the knowledge and connections that he believes are necessary, Noel would not be able to make the same genuine difference.
With support from other staff, Noel Doyle continues to assist children in care to reconnect with their culture, and to contribute deeply to Anglicare’s cultural capability and our Reconciliation journey.
Written by Reconciling Histories intern, Emily McLean
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