JAM! Connect

Connection is central to understanding and supporting First Nations cultures and justice. JAM! has put together here some key local and general connections as a starting place. Connect with us and let us know if you have other connections to recommend!

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Aboriginal Resource Guide – Western Metropolitan Melbourne (pdf): Created in 2015 by the Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit, this guide covers Traditional Owners, Art & Culture, Education, Elders, General & Family, Government, Health, Housing, Legal and Local Councils.

Bonmarart Leewik (Strong Ancestors) Project: This site aims to bring together a range of resources that document places in the Melbourne’s Western region that are of significance to Aboriginal people.

Boon Wurrung Foundation: The Boonwurrung Foundation provides cultural awareness training, leadership training …

Bunurong Land Council: The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is a Traditional Owner organisation that represents the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation. They aim to preserve and protect the sacred lands and waterways of their ancestors, their places, traditional cultural practices and stories.

Cooee Bunji: A grass roots organisation where culture is respected and celebrated. They deliver practical support to Aboriginal people from all walks of life. They are attuned to the Stolen Generation survivors and their descendants and we stand with you.

Deadly Western Connections: A meeting place for the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in western metropolitan Naarm (Melbourne). It’s your place to share stories, pay respect to Country and build community.
It’s a place for community groups, organisations and businesses to connect with you about their services, programs, jobs and events.

Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) – Tarnuk-ut baany: A personal and professional development program facilitating cultural knowledge exchange through creative mentorship.

Footscray Historical Society: Collecting, preserving and making accessible our local history for the community’s benefit.

Indigenous Ministries Australia (Donate): Naarm (Melbourne) Indigenous Church Fellowship (VIC) is an Aboriginal church based in Footscray.

Living Museum of the West: Aboriginal History section from the ‘Pipemakers Park Conservation Analysis and Plan’ 1996.

Maggolee – Key Aboriginal Organisations: The Maggolee website, developed by Reconciliation Victoria, supports engagement and partnerships between local government and Aboriginal communities. The site includes information on policy and programs, protocols and cultural awareness, key contacts, relevant local data, news and events. It contains information about each of the 79 Victorian local government areas, and about actions councils can take across key function areas to build closer relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to progress reconciliation.

Maribyrnong City Council – Aboriginal Maribyrnong: A range of historical information about First Nations in Maribyrnong, including the 1999 Maribyrnong Aboriginal Heritage Study.

Maribyrnong City Council – Council Plan 2021 to 2025: Please search for ‘First Nations’ and see Objectives and Council Plan Actions 3.1 and 4.1 re: First Nations engagement.

Maribyrnong City Council – Maribyrnong Social Demographics: Social atlas map for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Maribyrnong LGA.

Maribyrnong City Council – MCC Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2020-2022 & RAP Advisory Committee (Committee defunct since 2020): The RAP outlines the MCC vision and plans for engagement with Traditional Owners.

Maribyrnong City Council – Motion: Engagement with First Nations 16 Mar 2021 (pdf): Notice of a motion expressing support for First Nations peoples and the intent to consult with the community regarding Council’s approach to January 26.

Maribyrnong Local Aboriginal Network (LAN): Local Aboriginal Networks (LANs) bring Aboriginal people together to set priorities, develop community plans and improve social connection.

Still Here by Uncle Larry Walsh: This 1996 exhibition catalogue produced by the Living Museum of The West, includes a Maribyrnong and Western Region Koorie heritage history. For other relevant publications, please see the Living Museum of the West.

Towards a Footscray Curriculum (pdf): Produced by the Public Pedagogies Institute this is a documenting of community knowledge in Footscray 2017 and revealing a wide range of specialised and expert knowledges.

Underfoot: A series of virtual audio tours by Liz Crash and Jinghua Qian uncovering the secret histories of Footscray.

Victoria University – First Nations Fund (Donate): Your gift to the Darrabarruk Turt-Barram (First Nations Stars) grant in Victoria University’s First Nations Fund will encourage more students in years 8-12 to think about tertiary study before they leave school.

Victoria University – Indigenous Partnerships: This site outlines Victoria University’s indigenous partnerships and community involvement.

Victoria University – Moondani Balluk: Indigenous Academic Unit: Moondani Balluk means ’embrace people’. This Unit provides a range of services and support for indigenous students at Victoria University.

Victorian Aboriginal News: Proudly Victorian and proudly independent of external editorial influences, Victorian Aboriginal News is committed to covering Victorian Aboriginal matters about which other media outlets either don’t care or are unable to cover.

Westen Bulldogs – RAP (pdf): The Western Bulldogs football club’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2020.

Western Bulldogs – Nallei Jerring Koori Leadership Project: The Western Bulldogs’ Nallei-Jerring (join and unite) Koori Youth Leadership Project aims to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander young people, by providing opportunities through the Western Bulldogs as a way of encouraging leadership within the local Aboriginal community.

Western Metro Local Aboriginal Networks (LINs): A Facebook network providing information to community in the west of Naarm about projects and program’s for the mob!

Wurundjeri: This is the website of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and includes services, history, community events, partnerships and tour information.

RELATED CONNECTIONS

Merri-bek Allyship Network: A community network committed to anti-racism action that centres First Nations voices and perspectives, and that we are always working towards allyship. (ex Moreland Reconciliation Network)

Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation: A voluntary not-for-profit community group focusing on reconciliation – promoting unity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the wider community.

Local Reconciliation Groups: Reconciliation Victoria & ANTaR Victoria Independent network of Local Reconciliation Groups, throughout both metropolitan and regional Victoria who promote cultural awareness, understanding and education in their local communities.

New Message Tree Alliance: The Alliance encourages non-Indigenous Australians to work for reconciliation with Indigenous Australians by a) developing respectful relationships with the original peoples of this country, especially those in the Hobsons Bay, Victoria local area, b) unearthing the hidden history and culture of the original peoples, as well as our shared history since settlement, c) supporting community and Government efforts to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous outcomes such as health, education, employment, housing and justice.

Racism Not Welcome Street Sign Campaign: This campaign by Sydney’s Inner West Council was partly funded by West Multicultural Network.

Yalinguth App: The Yalinguth app is an augmented audio experience reflecting the oral storytelling tradition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.