Stories provide cultural impact

Karijini National Park provided the backdrop for the launch of the ninth edition of the WA Indigenous Storybook — a documentation of 14 personal stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Pilbara version of the book was launched by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Wyatt at the annual Karijini Experience on Thursday, April 19.

The stories share personal journeys of hardship, healing after loss, community togetherness, and the celebration of Aboriginal heritage and culture.

PHAIWA director Dr Melissa Stoneham said the book illustrated the impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and projects made to the lives of people and their communities.

“In this project, Aboriginal people are at the centre of every story, sharing their own thoughts and views on a range of diverse topics including the biographies of local champions, song and drama productions, cultural tourism, sporting ventures, as well as health and healing messages,” she said. “These stories will hopefully encourage a change in how public health projects are planned, delivered and disseminated.

“They also showcase community-based programs that could be replicated in other communities to improve or influence the many social determinants of health.”

She said the stories had been drawn from health, child health, education, language, employment, environment, business, sport and the arts.