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Parenting our way: Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and families

The Parenting our way resources were created with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, families and workers to share ideas and tips for supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families, it might be hard to find resources about parenting that feel right or culturally relevant. These resources are made with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing at their centre, honouring and building on families’ strengths and skills.

 

‘Being able to parent our way.’

– Parent, Garramilla workshop

 

Whether you’re finding things tough right now or searching for a little support for your parenting journey, we hope you find some of these ideas helpful in raising strong and deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

But remember, not all the ideas here might feel right for you. There’s no one right way to do things. What works for one family might not work for another, and that’s OK. No one has all the answers.

You know your child and your family best.

 

Explore the Parenting our way resources:

  • These resources were created with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, families and workers through workshops held across the country. Together, these resources share ideas and tips to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing, drawing on the strengths, voices and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

     

    We sincerely thank everyone who shared their time, experiences, ideas and practical wisdom to support this work.

     

    We would especially like to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  mums and dads, nannas and poppas, aunties and uncles who guided the development of these resources to support other parents. Their lived experience, cultural knowledge and generosity helped ensure this work is grounded in culture, community and care.

     

    Special thanks to the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change at Murdoch University for participating in the workshop held on Noongar Boodja.

     

    We also acknowledge Karina Jeffrey, a contemporary Aboriginal artist and proud Woolwonga/Uwanwul woman who created the artwork used across these resources. You can read more about Karina and her work in the next section.

     

    Finally, thanks to Ian Bone at Artist Made Productions for filming across many Countries with the respect and care he always shows, capturing the voices and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families so beautifully.

  • ‘This artwork reflects a shared vision of fostering relationships as parents, nurturing meaningful connections and working together to ensure the best outcomes for our children.’ – Karina Jeffrey

     

    Titled Together for tomorrow, the artwork used across these resources was created by Karina Jeffrey, a contemporary Aboriginal artist and proud Woolwonga/Uwanwul woman from Darwin, Northern Territory. Karina has been creating art since she was young. She has a strong interest in telling her stories through painting and creating artworks.

     

    This piece holds deep personal significance to Karina, aligning with her own values and passion for community and family. It is inspired by the strength of the remarkable women of the Northern Territory – their dedication and vision deeply influenced the storytelling within the design.

     

    Different elements in the artwork have different meanings:

    • Turtles represent the collective journey of working in harmony. They symbolise resilience wisdom and the strength found in collaboration.
    • Lily circles embody the unity of strong women coming together. They stand for nurturing care and a shared vision for future generations.
    • Crosshatch lines highlight vital partnerships with community organisations and illustrate the interconnected efforts that bring the vision to life.

     

    This artwork is a testament to building relationships, nurturing connections and harmonising efforts between families, communities, and organisations for the benefit of children.

     

    You can view the full artwork here.

     

    Find out more about Karina Jeffrey and her art on the Garawa Aboriginal Designs website.

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