00:00A small fire burning in the yarning circle in the women's section of the Broken Hill
00:07Correctional Centre. It's a celebration of the NAIDOC theme for this year, keep the fire
00:13burning, black, loud and proud.
00:16And they were really proud of it and really excited to go and teach their kids.
00:21The women are excited to be the first inmates to receive lessons in the local language,
00:26Barkindji.
00:27Or you can say see you later, which is Bami Duma.
00:32The aim is to improve connection to culture.
00:37The women also took part in a smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits. For one inmate, it's
00:43the first time she's felt comfortable to reconnect with her culture.
00:47This is the only jail that I've been allowed to understand who I am.
00:52In the men's block, a didgeridoo echoes across the prison grounds.
01:00Anthony Heywood has been teaching the men how to play the traditional instrument. He
01:04says it's essential First Nations prisoners are given an opportunity to gain cultural
01:10skills.
01:11We do so much on the outside that we have to forget about those who are incarcerated
01:14in our communities. So to be able to come in and showcase cultural activities and spend
01:18time with people is extremely important.
01:22The inmates value the chance to connect with elders.
01:25Yeah, it's good to hear some of their stories and that and trying to pass on a few of their
01:30stories to us and to the young fellas, yeah.
01:33NAIDOC Week isn't the only time inmates are given an opportunity to connect with their
01:37culture. As a requirement for all state prisons, the Broken Hill Correctional Facility offers
01:43a monthly Aboriginal Committee meeting where inmates can share their stories together and
01:48raise any issues that are impacting them as a cohort.
01:52Since starting as the Manager of Security at the prison 10 months ago, Michelle Thompson
01:56has been a strong advocate for changes to the way inmates access cultural activities.
02:02If we can connect them with their families and their culture, then they have a purpose,
02:07a sense of purpose and a better understanding of what's required of them as family members.
02:13While these opportunities are valued, the main aim for all inmates is to return to their
02:17families in a better place than when they were sent to prison.
02:22For more information, visit www.fema.gov
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