An Aboriginal owned and managed enterprise, Natjul has a twenty year's history across the theatre, facilitative engagement, community development and conflict resolution arenas. Over the past three years we have brought these and other experiences together as the Birlinka framework which enhance our direct engagement with local men and other residents among four regional and remote communities to influence change around domestic violence and anti-social behaviours.
"From what I saw, people came thinking they were going to be told something - again, then as Natjul used the theatre and facilitation method they use, a change came over people when they realised they - the community - were being asked what they thought were the main issues for them in their community, then asked what they themselves thought they could do to overcome those" Luana - Sydney, NSW
Regional and Remote Community Engagement Domestic Violence and Anti-Social Behaviour's
At Natjul, our lead facilitator is an Aboriginal man who grew up in the Northern Territory and worked much of his life in Queensland; has a Master's Degree in Narrative Therapy and Community Work, has two decades experience as a counsellor and conflict resolution facilitator, and is completing a thesis (PhD) on Indigenous Masculinity at the University of Melbourne.
The Natjul - Birlinka engagement method is informed by Indigenous methodology.
Our philosophy when working with people around the often-difficult things to talk about is guided by a community development principle that, 'those who have to live with the outcomes should be the ones making the decisions'.
Our beliefs and values are rooted in anti-violence practice that consider domestic violence as a critical inhibitor to individual, family, community advancement and well-being.
Our practice is to remain decentred yet influential and solution focussed. And while we encourage everyone to express themselves, and we try hard to ensure the often unheard have opportunity to be heard; our commitment to our engagement means we will raise, and at times challenge to make space for those difficult, often overlooked or seemingly too hard to deal with subjects to be acknowledged and discussed if they are important pieces to an outcome.