Indigenous early childhood program expands to Tennant Creek

The Indi Kindi program is delivered by the Moriarty Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, and currently reaches 80 per cent of Indigenous children in Borroloola and Robinson River.

The program is expected to reach Tennant Creek by mid-2021 and expansion to Queensland is also planned.

Indi Kindi program director Fiona Hekking said the initiative teaches across the education curriculum and is "tailored to the community's needs" through advice from local Indigenous people.

"It's an outdoor delivery model... that was really developed with the guidance of local Traditional Owners and families and elders," she said.

"We have found that when the children are outside on country, they're more connected and it's better in terms of the children being engaged and attentive."

Warlpiri/Warumungu woman and cultural adviser in Tennant Creek Valda Napurrula Shannon Warntaparr said the community is supportive of Indi Kindi expanding to Tennant Creek.

"There is a strong need for an early years service that is delivered by local people sharing knowledge, traditions and stories, using local languages," she said.

"We must work together to create a strong foundation for future generations, Indi Kindi will help the young kids to learn and will also be good for their health and wellbeing, and for their mums too."

Ms Hekking said the program intends to involve a broad range of people in the community who can share traditional knowledge with the younger generations.

"The elders can get involved and support children and their families by speaking in language, talking about local traditions and customs."

She said the Tennant Creek program will not be identical to Indi Kindi in Borroloola, and anticipates different cultural guidance from Traditional Owners in Tennant Creek.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: