Indigenous Youth Learn About Healthy Relationships in WA

A group of Indigenous boys, aged 15 to 17, gathered at a remote station off the Gibb River Road in Western Australia’s Kimberley region to explore the concept of healthy relationships. The boys, separated from their families and friends in Derby, participated in a grassroots initiative led by the Wunggurr rangers.

The Kimberley region has the highest rates of domestic violence in Western Australia and one of the highest in the country. Over 40 percent of the region's residents are Indigenous, and First Nations women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalized due to family violence. In response to this alarming situation, Steve Martin, the Wunggur ranger coordinator with the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation, initiated a camp to educate young rangers about relationships.

Martin shared his personal connection to the issue, stating, "I've lost three rangers to domestic violence in their own way." He emphasized the need for prevention, saying, "Family and domestic violence cannot be tolerated, but also cannot be ignored — it should be prevented." He expressed concern about the limited opportunities for help, noting, "Why do we have to wait for them to be in trouble before they get opportunities like this?"

The camp aimed to instill an understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship. Feedback from previous participants highlighted the importance of early education. Martin recounted, "The first thing they said was 'we would have wanted this when we were kids, we need to get this out to the youth.'"

The teenagers, aware of the high rates of domestic violence in their community, found the camp to be a safe space for reflection. Fifteen-year-old Kingsley Malay stated, "I think a good relationship will need communication, respect … listen to each other and trust." Sixteen-year-old Boniface Djanghara noted that jealousy is a common issue in relationships. He shared his coping strategies, saying, "When I get anger, I just play basketball and hang with my friends — I go fishing, hunting. Get away from the trouble you want to make."

The camp also included support from local services and police to equip the boys with skills for navigating relationships. Mick Leamy, a programs coordinator with the Derby Aboriginal Health Service, highlighted the importance of community-led initiatives. "When (a program) is community-led it is often much more successful because it's coming from a place the community needs," he said.

Narrogin elder Robin Dann, who attended the camp, emphasized that violence is not part of traditional culture. "It's not part of our culture, it's never been part of our culture, we would never allow it," he stated. He expressed hope that the next generation would receive the guidance necessary for change, saying, "If they had it before, when I was their age, I reckon I would have had a different point of view to look at life. The young ones, they are the future."

Camp organizer Steve Martin is advocating for more grassroots initiatives like this to be held regularly and funded for the long term. The experience has already instilled confidence in some of the Derby teens. Boniface concluded, "Us mob must try to step up, show them how it's done."