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Media Release – Desert Knowledge Precinct launches dedicated Aboriginal men’s outdoor space
The new space has been built by Aboriginal men for use by Aboriginal men. It will serve as a dedicated area for meetings, gatherings, and cultural performances.
Artwe-kenhe ilthe, a new men’s outdoor space, will be launched on Friday on the outskirts of Alice Springs. It has been built by Aboriginal men for use by Aboriginal men and will serve as a dedicated area for meetings, gatherings, and cultural performances, providing a safe environment for cultural sharing. It includes a newly constructed bough shade structure, a traditional dance ground, and a public area welcoming, women, children, and families.
The space has been designed and coordinated by Desert Knowledge Australia, who have been delivering the Codes 4 Life program for the past eight years, which helps Aboriginal men reconnect with their cultural identity, steering them away from unhealthy behaviours such as substance abuse and domestic violence. The new Men’s Space will be used to continue therapeutic work of this kind. The planned development has already attracted the interest of existing men’s groups such as CASSE, NPY Council, Kings Narrative, who have previously made use of the site and plan to continue using it for their activities.
The space will be launched this Friday at 5pm to coincide with the Apmerenge-ntyele Festival: From the Land two-day cultural festival, organised by Children’s Ground and taking place at the Desert Knowledge Precinct.
The bough shelter being constructed.
“This Men’s Space has been a long-held dream for the managers of the Precinct. We’re so excited to finally be able to make that dream a reality,” said Micha Bartlett, Desert Knowledge Australia’s men’s program coordinator and designer of the space.
“The hope is that through the revitalisation of traditional practices on ancestral lands we can begin to rebuild the self-esteem and improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal men, connecting them again with their culture. Spaces like this are so needed, and crucial for bringing down rates of incarceration and domestic violence. This is how we help men down another, healthier path.”
The Desert Knowledge Precinct is an office and events space just south of Alice Springs, where like-minded social impact organisations and Indigenous communities come together to meet and find solutions for local problems. It’s situated on historically significant Arrernte land, where Indigenous groups used to gather and share culture before passing through The Gap.
The kirda (Traditional Owners) have played a crucial role in establishing the cultural governance and decision-making processes for the Men’s Space, ensuring that it is accessible to all men from various tribal groups, including Anmatyerre, NPY, Warlpiri, and interstate Aboriginal men’ visitors groups.
Hardy Fencing and the Centre for Appropriate Technology helped with the clearing of the space and construction, and students from Yirara College also helped clear the space.
29 tonnes of red sand were delivered in order to create the dance ground.