One thousand stars have highlighted the needs of young people in remote communities.
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More than 70 young Indigenous people from communities across the Top End came together to weave stars and engage in meaningful discussions .
Over the course of seven months educator and weaver Deb Sonenberg, and CDP supervisors were able to stimulate conversations concerning youth issues and engagement to improve the lives of young people in remote regions.
“It was about conversation,” Victoria Daly Regional Council CEO, Jo Sangster said.
“We now have a clearer idea about the challenges to employment facing young people in communities,” she said.
The project, funded by the Department of Prime Minister in Cabinet, was inspired by Maryann Talia Pau’s project “One Million Stars” to end violence.
While some young people engage in education, work, training and Work for the Dole activity, many are totally disengaged and fall victims to poverty, violence, crime, abuse and most recently suicide, a Victoria Daly Council spokeswoman said.
The discussions highlighted the need for healthy life choices, strong leadership and mentoring, transition to education away from home, strong family support, access to further education, apprenticeships and identity through language and cultural connection.
“We are now looking at developing more youth specific activities to facilitate people into their own pathways to employment,” Ms Sangster said.
“It has to be an empowering process,” she said.
The stars are now brightly hung at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre as an an inspirational art piece representing the many different pathways available to youth.
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