• Construction of the Youth Arts Warehouse
• Youth Workers in Secondary Schools and TAFE
• The Yiriman Project

• Making Change through WYPIN
• Generation Next
• Networking Active Young Climate Campaigners

• The Youth Enterprise Trust
• Inspire Peer Mentoring Program
• Transport, Safety and Social Centre

The Yiriman Project

Reader Warning: This case study contains images of Karajarri, Walmajarri, Nyikina and Mangala people. Caution should be exercised in reading, as some of these words and photos may be of deceased persons.

In the Nyikina and Mangala culture, the word Yiriman refers to a culturally significant place, with recent historical conflict. The Yiriman Project is a partnership between four Indigenous language groups within the western Kimberley, in the north-west of Western Australia. The partnership also includes the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre (KALACC). Each year, approximately 400 young adults (between 15 and 30 years) participate in Yiriman activities.

This project centres on trips to country with Elders. Senior Elders meet together to make decisions about the location, activities and purpose of each trip: young people self-nominate, or are nominated by their parents, the community, young leaders or youth workers, juvenile justice workers or, in some instances, the courts. The nature of each trip is determined according to traditional law.

Yiriman workers and cultural advisers use digital technology and music as a tool to engage young people on the trips to country. Each trip is filmed, photographs are taken and a story book is compiled. The project also promotes young leaders in each community who have the opportunity to work, develop their skills, and act as role-models and peer-mentors for others.

“The Yiriman Project provides dreams, lifestyle opportunities, work skills, life skills such as getting their drivers’ licence, a key card, homemakers’ programs, cooking classes.  We have to provide work in community. If we don’t, they go outside of community”. – Anthony Watson, co-chair of Yiriman

Through Yiriman trips, young people develop and assert culture, language and bush skills. They become more self-sufficient, capable and proud of the complexity of their traditional cultures. An important outcome for young people from improved knowledge of country and culture is the generation of meaningful employment that values and maintains culture.

What worked in the Yiriman partnership?

• Community ownership
• A middle generation acting as bridges and role models
• Positive outcomes that are felt by all partners