Who is going to carry on this knowledge when we’re all gone?

Ahead of Codes 4 Life workshops that will be held in Tennant Creek this week, DKA’s Michael Liddle has been interviewed on CAAMA Radio by Philippe Perez. Codes 4 Life is a program for Aboriginal men in Central Australian communities that focuses on identity, responsibility and legacy.

Michael has identified a “culture swing” in Aboriginal men, whom he says are not showing discipline, listening to Elders or showing respect for Western rules. Distractions like alcohol and drugs prevent middle-aged Aboriginal men from taking up the baton of leadership from their Elders, who are concerned about who will carry on cultural knowledge once they’re gone.

“Elders are cutting off the road to knowledge because of the disrespect shown for Aboriginal law,” Michael says.

In turn, without an older generation to guide them, Aboriginal boys risk growing up without the benefit of the voice of culture.

Michael believes that placing Elders front and centre of Codes 4 Life workshops will help reconnect Aboriginal men with their culture.

“It was the Elders who encouraged me to develop a workshop about these issues.”

Michael says that many Aboriginal men are caught between the whitefella way and the blackfella way, but not really adhering to either. Codes 4 Life teaches men the respect for rules (both Western and Aboriginal) that will guide them towards a better path and help them flourish as strong leaders of their communities.