Creative Parterships promote philanthropy in the Kimberley

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CREATIVE Partnerships Australia and the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre (KALACC) recently hosted a ‘philanthropy tour’ to coincide with the KALACC Festival – the most significant Aboriginal festival of culture in the Kimberley, attended by many of the Aboriginal communities of the region.

The biennial festival, took place in the community of Jarlmadangah, more than three hours drive from Broome.  The tour brought together 20 private donors, trustees of private foundations and corporate leaders interested in learning more about Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley and improving the impact of grant making to Aboriginal communities.
Creative Partnerships Australia’s manager for Western Australia and South Australia, James Boyd said the tour was organised to actively engage new potential donors, following the end of two major grants that had previously supported the KALACC Festival

“Voluntary donations from tour participants raised nearly $100,000 towards the cost of the event. The festival may not have gone ahead without this financial support,” Mr Boyd said.

“The Philanthropy Tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about how Kimberley Aboriginal communities operate.  The tour focuses on the importance of culture and the vital role it plays in Aboriginal wellbeing in remote communities.

“The tour also directly connects grant-makers to Aboriginal leaders and elders, who are able to advise and monitor grants supporting locally driven initiatives. It enables direct access, which is otherwise difficult to arrange.”

Mr Boyd said Creative Partnerships collaborated with KALACC to organise the tour in order to provide direct connections with potential supporters from both the philanthropic and business sectors. 

“Creative Partnerships helped KALACC identify those with an interest in Aboriginal investment and coordinated valuable learning and connecting opportunities,” he said. “The KALACC Festival is a closed Aboriginal festival.  Guests attend by invitation only.  So Creative Partnerships worked closely with KALACC to create an environment for two-way learning and opportunity.”

Mr Boyd said Creative Partnerships Australia followed the principles of ‘cultural wounds’ requiring ‘cultural medicines’.

“US indigenous cultural researcher Michael J. Chandler (2012) strongly advocates that the ‘cultural wounds’ suffered by Aboriginal people over the years require ‘cultural medicines’.  KALACC's mission of cultural maintenance and encouraging participation in song, story and dance to keep culture strong is, for Mr Chandler, the foundation of positive change and Aboriginal well-being,” Mr Boyd said.

“The tour was, therefore, offered to philanthropic and corporate leaders with significant interest in Aboriginal community well-being. The depth of participation in cultural activity at the festival, across languages and ages, is incredible.

“The community benefits are clear to see.  There was no shortage of interest to attend the tour.  However, participation numbers are limited and it can be hard for some to commit to a week out of mobile range.”

Mr Boyd said the knowledge gained by tour participants was unique, starting from the welcome event in Broome to observing the AGM of the Kimberley Land Council, KALACC and Kimberley Language Resource Centre.

“The Nulungu Research Institute provided terrific background research and an explanation regarding the significance of the festival,” Mr Boyd said. “There were also a number of very personal and unique experiences we heard of – life changing experiences for some. 

“Generally speaking, the tour party was highly impressed by the best practice governance, leadership and negotiation displayed, particularly throughout the AGMs we were privileged to sit in on.  In addition, the depth of Kimberley culture and art visible was extraordinary. The traditional dancing each evening was a rare privilege to witness.”

Mr Boyd said he was reminded of the “goodwill that exists in both the philanthropic and corporate sectors to improve the challenges faced by many remote Aboriginal communities”. 

“I was also reminded of the urgent need for this support,” he said.

“The governance and political processes across the Kimberley are very strong.  A wonderful opportunity exists for more philanthropic and corporate organisations to engage in the Kimberley, build strong local relationships and long successful partnerships.

Participants on the tour gained deeper knowledge and understanding of remote Kimberley communities and what their challenges are, as well as establishing relationships that could lead to funding partnerships to support these communities in the future. 

“As an event which is closed to the general public and remotely located, the special access, unique learning opportunities and personal contacts made available to us made for a powerful experience,” said attendee Paula Thomson of the Portland House Foundation.

“The intrinsic link between land, language, culture and well-being was a strong take-home message.”

Trevor Thomas of John T. Reid Charitable Trusts said the experience had provided new understandings of how support for the people of the region could work better.

“The KALACC festival provided a fantastic window into the vibrant culture of the different Kimberley language groups.,” Mr Thomas said.

“The ability to experience first-hand the celebration of land, law and culture of the region was a privilege. While there are many challenges facing indigenous communities in the region, the ability to hear leaders articulating a vision for a better future was inspiring and moving. I came away with a more nuanced and personal understanding of the dynamics at work in remote communities.”

Annie Grindrod, also of John T. Reid Charitable Trusts said, “We were able to experience the vastness of the country, the difficulties of service delivery and hear of the significant challenges particularly for young people in the region.”

www.creativepartnershipsaustralia.com.au

 

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