1. RED DUST HEALING
Red Dust Healing is based on a cultural belief that we are one people, one mob who do not own but belong to this land.
When the dust is settled on our lives, all we get to keep and take with us is our dignity, our integrity and the love and respect we shared with people

2. Red Dust Healing – Background
For too long now some Indigenous men have maintained a state of oppression, whether by choice or circumstance is a matter of perspective and opinion.
Men need to understand what oppression is and how it has effected their lives.
MODEL OF OPPRESSION (By Dr Jefferson Edwards & Randal Ross)
Federal (ATSIC) Fathers
Community Family
House-hold House-hold
Family Community
Individual – Men Nation

3. Background (continued)
Due to the results of colonisation Indigenous men had three key values taken away from them as men:
1) Identity – their image of who they were was distorted through the harsh practices of assimilation
2) Responsibility – men were stripped of their traditional roles which saw them once respond with the ability i.e., to provide by hunting, passing on culture and traditions, making tools, shelter, canoes etc and
3) Relationship – both our men and women were taken away from the families, and the results of this today have left many of our men not knowing how to show emotion and build relationships within their own families and amongst other fellow men.

4. Background (continued)
Red Dust Healing is written from an Indigenous perspective for Indigenous Men and their families. The program is targeted at the heart and not the head
The program facilitates the understanding of “Rejection” and “Grief and Loss” being the foundation of all hurt
Participants are encouraged to examine their own personal hurt and allows them to heal from within addressing family and personal relationships and what may have been life long patterns of violence, abuse and neglect.

5. Background (continued)
The program places the participant both in the position of being hurt (victim) and then as the one doing the hurting (perpetrator)
The program identifies the emotions felt as the victim and then the hurt caused as the perpetrator
Participants are asked to examine the similarities and effects this may have had on their lives while growing up and question whether they are repeating the same tactics that may have hurt them.

6. Background (continued)
The program encompasses visual holistic learning modules linking cultures to encourage participants with individual insights into identity, belonging and self belief.
The program encourages our men to heal. If our men learn to heal, then we can build stronger family relationships.
The program explores ancient traditional practices, the morals, values and principals of these ways and then demonstrates how they fit into today’s society.

7. Background (continued)
An example of this is the program outlines and examines the perspectives of two different laws; LAW versus LORE
Legalities Land
Attorney Generals Origin
Westminster Respect
Elders

8. Red Dust Healing – philosophy
If we do not know who we are and where we come from, then how do we know where we are going?
Healing is a spiritual understanding of self, identity, love, belonging, family, security, hurt, heartache, good times and laughter
Healing is a grasp for hope based on love and respect and understanding of ourselves and our supports and being able to tell “our” stories.

9. Program content
Red Dust Healing covers areas significant to healing such as:
Identity, family roles and structure, relationships, Elders, Men’s business, Indigenous history and the impacts of colonialism, drug and alcohol issues, family violence, grievance and loss, stress and mental health issues, anger management, education and employment housing issues, meetings and community contribution and governance.

10. Case-management and support systems
Each person will have an individual case-management plan developed to meet their personal needs
Red Dust Healing promotes follow up, links and referrals to relevant services assisting with completion of goal setting or case-management plans
The case-management plan can be supported by a buddy and mentor system that can assist and enhance completion of individual case plans.

11. Case-management and support systems (continued)
The program promotes ownership, self determination, sustainability and autonomy. The program empowers people and communities to participate and contribute to solutions within their communities
The program has developed links to employment opportunities through a partnership with North Queensland Water, TTRIMA and BARK (Brothers Act of Random Kindness)
Other partners include James Cook University Indigenous Health Unit, JCU Dispute Resolution Program, ATSI Legal Service NQ.

12. Project delivery design
The project will utilise existing mainstream service providers and Indigenous service providers and Indigenous Elders to assist with the delivery of relevant service modules; i.e. Relevant Elders to assist with cultural and traditional ways, Aboriginal health workers for healthy lifestyle and diet etc. Sexual Health workers and D & A workers to assist with case-plans if required etc.

13. Project delivery design
The program will be delivered to 20 groups two times per group, in the North Queensland Region and Western NSW
The program will be delivered by 2 trainers to a group of 8–10 participants over a 3–4 day period. Daily time envisaged would be between 9.30am and 3.30 pm with lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided
The second training would be completed within a 4 to 6 week period after the initial training block.

14. Project delivery design
The Buddies/Mentors will support and encourage participants to complete case-plan goals
This gives participants the opportunity to follow through with case-plans and with relevant service providers in between the two training blocks

15. Outcomes and performance measures
Projected outcomes include:
Understanding of the impact of Rejection and Grief and Loss
Better understanding of self and allow men to address the hurt within their lives
Improved self esteem
Identifying the linking of emotions and feelings with behaviours and actions
Realization and knowledge that support is available through networks and services to assist participants and families
Families are linked to service providers

16. Outcomes and performance measures
Indigenous Men will have an understanding of identity and learn to self evaluate matters that impact on their own personal lives
Development of future role models and fathers
Restore relationships within families

17. Outcomes and performance measures
Strengthening current partnerships
Increasing capacity of Indigenous men to contribute, plan, implement and evaluate a variety of strategies, projects and programs in their community
Improve relationships between fathers and sons
Develop and enhance support networks for Indigenous men
Assist to mend family relationships

18. Performance measures Feed back forms and interviews from participants
Completed case-plans and links to agencies and support networks
Participation levels throughout the program, maintained by attendance sheets
Feedback from local organizations and family members
Participants involved in co-facilitating future training
Formation of a partnership committee to implement and guide the project
Black tracking – retracing your steps, self evaluation process.

19. RDH outcomes achieved Cleveland Youth Detention Centre at Townsville
21 participants completed the program
4 clients did not complete the program
1 was released, 1 had a court appearance, 2 chose not to complete the program
3 facilitators were mentored through the program
Management of Cleveland has asked for some of their staff to be trained in the program before the end of the year and negotiations are under discussion

20. RDH outcomes (continued)
Kirwin High School
14 participants completed the program
2 did not complete the program
1 facilitator was mentored through the program
Kirwin High has now acquired funds and has already run a follow up to the program. The facilitator trained in the program has run the follow up. Kirwin High has indicated that they will continue to run the program at the school.
Total 15 completed program

21. RDH outcomes (continued)
Flexible Learning Centre Townsville
8 students completed the program
2 did not complete the program
3 facilitators have been mentored through the program
Flexible learning staff has now been trained in the delivery of the program
Total 11 completed program

22. RDH outcomes (continued)
Magani Malu Kes Townsville
3 students completed the program
1 student chose not to complete the program
1 facilitator has been mentored through the program
Total 4 completed program
Cunnamulla Reference Group
5 participants completed the program
1 Cooma Elder and 1 facilitator have been mentored through the program
Total 7 completed program

23. RDH outcomes (continued)
Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services
5 participants completed the program including health and social workers.
ATSICLS (NQ) Legal Services
5 Indigenous Field Staff and the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation completed the program.
A "Cultural Awareness" version of the program was also conducted for 17 staff members of ATSI Legal Services with positive feedback.
Total of 27 complete different modules of program
Total 41 (YP 15 to 18 years old) completed the program – only 8 re-offended in over 15 months

24. RDH outcomes contd. Kempsey Uncles Program NSW
6 of the Uncles have been trained in the program and are working with young people and passing on some of the skills learnt as part of their program
Kempsey NSW
7 young Aboriginal men have completed the program only one has re-offended in nearly 18 months
Total of 13 completed program

25. RDH outcomes (continued)
Coffs Harbour NSW
The first one of two mixed groups involving Men and Women, Indigenous and non-indigenous. Four male and 2 female. 4 Indigenous 2 non-indigenous completed the program with wonderful success.
Total of 6 completed program

26. RDH outcomes (continued)
Lismore (Cabbage Tree Is) NSW
2nd mixed group, all Indigenous, 4 male and 2 female. Two of the group have arranged to deliver the program in one of the local schools in Lismore targeting difficult students who are at risk of dropping out of school.
Total of 6 completed the program

27. RDH outcomes (continued)
Moree Men’s Group
Nine men have completed the training. This group was one of the best conducted by RDH. Already plans are under way to have the program included into local schools and the Moree Secondary College. More men via “word of mouth” have asked could they participate in the next program delivery
Total of 9 completed the program

28. RDH outcomes (continued)
Forster/Tuncurry Homebase Services
Only two out of 5 participants completed the program. The other's chose not to complete the program.
Total of 2 completed the program
Cultural Awareness Training have been conducted for 18 practicing GP's and Interns on the Mid North Coast at Coffs Rural Medical Clinic
Total of 18 have completed cultural awareness modules of the program

29. RDH outcomes achieved
Over 156 people have now officially completed the program with some outstanding results
Some interviews conducted with participants have been conducted for visual feedback
The main reason why this program has had success is that it is targeted at the heart and not the head. The program allows for numeracy and literacy issues, it is flexible to cater for all ATSI men and women young and old, Cultural Awareness modules for non-ATSI people. The program has also been run with a mixed group of ATSI and non-ATSI people. The program creates an environment that allows for confidentiality to be kept and participants feel free to express their emotions.

30. Case study 1 response
To whom it may concern   I am writing this letter to express the emotions and self belief i got from Tom and Barry. These two guys were extremely powerful and supportive which made the journey you take so easy and comfortable, the journey let me say what i was feeling without feeling like i was getting judged for what i had done or said. What i got out of this journey is really to much to put into words but i well try. I now understand that people all act differently to different situations, eg: some reactions are passed down through generations. The journey that u take helps you to understand and relate to why people do what they do. This journey has helped me realise that things that happened in my past had nothing to do  with me, if not for this after 10 years i would be still carrying the guilt i once felt, being able to talk openly really helped and i have a sense of freedom. The feeling you get at the start of this journey is scared, emotional and you are out of your comfort zone but in a short time with these guys you feel at ease and no matter what you say or do in their eyes you still felt as if you where somebody. I have also learnt what a man really is, i thought a man's role was dominating but after listening to Tom and Barry i now realize that a real man is someone that cares and loves his family and also a good role model. I truly believe that one thing i got the most out of were the cards, i couldn’t express the feeling i had after doing this. Expressions weren't enough, i had to do the cards with my own family and a couple of close friends for them to understand what a impact this was for me. They were all amazed and emotional as i, when doing this, which has made them more understanding as well. After finishing the program i now believe in myself and have a lot more confidence. This program has taken me from basically being unemployed and living in Kempsey, NSW to moving out of home to QLD. I have 2 months to go and have finished my apprenticeship and also am being trained to becoming a junior foreman with the company i work with. I know without this journey that was provided to me that i would not be where i am today, doing what i love to do. I cannot speak highly enough of this program and i could never repay the two guys that has helped me get where i am today. I keep in touch with Tom by phone, a couple times a month and still this man has the same power over the phone as he does face to face. I love this man with all my heart.   Trent

31. Case study 2 response Dear Tom,
I’d like to first start off by saying thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to find myself. The reason why this program is so deadly is because of the cultural aspect to it and how it relates to my up bringing. I am proud to say that after completing this program, I’m very confident as a strong Indigenous man to facilitator this program and being a strong leader within my community. Being involved in this program enables you to look within yourself by identifying your flaws and dealing with them head on.
Tommy, once again thank you my brother. You saved my marriage and I’m a better father and husband. I’d recommend this program to anyone.
Thank you
Gavin
Townsville, Qld

32. Thanks for your time
WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
Spread Out and Stick Together,
RANDAL ROSS TOM POWELL
Presentation updated 19 September 08