Community Development
Creating supportive pathways for all Yolŋu
Guŋgayunamirr rom ga dhukarr bukmakku yolŋuw
Founded in gurruṯu (kinship) and guided by Yolŋu Rom (Yolŋu law and culture), our work supports communities in culturally grounded ways.
Families & Healing
We listen to people’s stories first. So we can understand the struggles they face and how we can support.
Some of the ways we work include:
Running Respectful Relationships workshops specifically for Yolŋu youth, women, and men
Developing resources in Yolŋu languages regarding trauma and healing
Supporting processes to return to community-controlled approaches to child protection
Wellbeing & Health
Our long history in health education in Yolŋu communities means we are connected. We continue to explore innovative approaches to resource development which prioritises Yolŋu-led health education, grounded in gurruṯu.
We have developed numerous health resources in Yolŋu languages, aimed to meet the needs of Yolŋu communities in increasing health literacy, and enabling Yolŋu to take control off their health and wellbeing.
This includes the Rumbalpuy Dhäwu app, available for free download. This multilingual dictionary contains clearly explained, basic information on anatomy, pathologies and procedures in Dhuwal, Dhuwala, Dhaŋu and Plain English.
Local Decision Making
ARDS has supported and facilitated the processes for Local Decision Making agreements between communities and government.
These agreements are a good avenue where Yolŋu decision-making processes and structures can be formalised by government.
This grants communities agency with minimal interference from Balanda agendas, and is a way for Yolŋu communities to advance their visions for self-determination.
We have supported leaders in Ramingiṉiŋ and Western Miyarrka in the process of forming Local Decision Making agreements with government.
Community Development
Past Projects
Community development methods refined over 50 years
Project aim. The aim of the Dharray Manymakkum Pawaw Ga Gapuw project was
In 2015, ARDS was asked by the NT Primary Health Network to conduct
ARDS has created a huge range of audio and radio programs exploring legal
Over the past two years, ARDS developed a comprehensive resource pack – including
In 2015, ARDS was engaged by Miwatj Employment and Participation (MEP) to facilitate
In 2013, ARDS was contracted by Motivation Australia to undertake community research into
Our community projects include
- Delivering comprehensive workshops with community members that answer the questions they have about a range of topics, including health, legal and economic concepts that under-pin the services they engage with
- Designing community engagement and consultation strategies
- Developing radio programs to be aired on Yolŋu Radio
- Producing films and other multimedia resources to support the project’s aims
- Ensuring messages can be communicated effectively in local languages and/or plain English
- Long-term engagement with communities – we are not a fly-in fly-out organisation
Our expertise
- A dedicated team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous expert cross-cultural facilitators and communication specialists
- Decades of experience working with Indigenous communities and understanding the barriers they face when engaging with services and programs
- In-depth understanding of Indigenous knowledge, culture and languages
- Decades of experience working alongside mainstream service providers in health, legal, economic, employment, social and government sectors
- Provision of ongoing professional development for Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff in best-practice approaches to communication in cross-cultural and multi-lingual contexts.