Marion Kickett, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University in Perth, shares the harrowing story of Ruby and describes how her early experiences impacted on her life. By forgiving people involved in these terrible events, Ruby started a healing process which led to her realising a dream. Sharing Culture. 4 October 2013. [9’42”]
Back Blogging and an Update
September 27, 2021 by
Firstly, an apology for my longer than planned break. I had decided to take some time out from my websites before our wonderful holiday in magical Broome.
I’ve also been busy preparing a new version of my eBook Connection: Aboriginal Child Artists Captivate Europe which I will be sending to a publisher for consideration. I really want this important Story to find a wider audience. In addition, I’ve been writing content for our website The Carrolup Story and have linked up with a children’s author/illustrator, Lisa Martello-Hart, to develop a new exciting project. Busy times – no peace for the wicked!
Marion’s Film Story, Part 2
September 20, 2021 by
I continue the series of films made by Mike Liu and I when we spent a day with Professor Marion Kickett, former Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University, in York in September 2103. Marion is a Noongar from the Balardong language group. On this day, I learnt a good deal about Aboriginal culture, the experiences of an Aboriginal person in a white dominated society, and about the healing of trauma.
Marion talked about her strong sense of belonging she feels for her country, the Western Australian town of York and its surroundings, and the strong connection she has for the Native Reserve where she was brought up. She describes the racism she experienced as she grew up, and how she overcame her various adversities and challenges. She talks about the shocking events experienced by Aboriginal people which have impacted on health and wellbeing. Over time, Marion came to realise that she had to forgive non-Aboriginal people for the terrible things they had done in the past. Forgiveness is a key element of healing. You can find the first six films of this series here.
Marion’s Film Story, Part 1
September 20, 2021 by
I first became interested in Aboriginal culture and in Indigenous healing after reading Judy Atkinson’s wonderful book Trauma Trails: Recreating Song Lines – The Transgenerational Effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia. I soon realised that western culture can learn a great deal from Indigenous culture and healing practices. I also learnt the key importance of connecting to culture for the healing of trauma and its consequences (e.g. mental health problems, addiction) amongst Indigenous peoples.
I was lucky enough to spend a good deal of time with Marion Kickett, who at the time was a lecturer at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University in Perth, and through listening to her I learnt some important aspects of Indigenous culture and history. She later became Director of the Centre for a number of years. She is a Noongar from the Balardong language group and spent the early years of her life on a reserve.
Ruby’s Healing Story
June 12, 2021 by
It’s hard to believe that it is over seven years ago since I launched Sharing Culture, an educational initiative to facilitate the healing of intergenerational trauma. [I don’t upload new content on the website now, but the content is still there for viewing.]
It is also over seven years since Michael Liu and I went out with Professor Marion Kickett to her home country in York to film her describing her life, country, culture, spirituality, family, education and resilience. Marion is a Noongar Elder from the Balardong language group, who is Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University in Perth.
Shocking History Impacts on the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples
May 6, 2021 by
Professor Marion Kickett relates how she and the other Noongar children in York, Western Australia, were not allowed to swim in a particular area of the river. When she was fifteen, her father described how he and his friends were similarly told by their parents not to swim in that location. He also related the shocking story of The Sandy.
‘Ruby’s Story’: Marion Kickett
March 30, 2021 by
It’s hard to believe that it is over seven years ago since I launched Sharing Culture, an educational initiative to facilitate the healing of intergenerational trauma. It is also over seven years since Michael Liu and I went out with Professor Marion Kickett to her home country in York to film her describing her life, country, culture, spirituality, family, education and resilience. Marion is a Noongar leader from the Balardong language group, who is Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University in Perth.
Shocking history impacts on health and wellbeing
March 6, 2021 by
For generations, Aboriginal people have been fearful of a particular area of the river in York, Western Australia. Marion Kickett, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University in Perth, reveals shocking events that have generated this fear and describes how such they still influence how some Aboriginal people behave in health settings. Sharing Culture. [9’04”]
Ruby’s Healing Story
February 4, 2014 by
“But she said what she had to do first, before she started to heal, was to let the past go. And in order for her to let it go she had to forgive… she had to forgive the people in the mission, the missionaries, the manager of the mission. She had to forgive the station owner and his sons and workers. And she also had to forgive herself.”
Professor Marion Kickett shares the harrowing story of Ruby and describes how her early life experiences impacted on her later life, including the development of a drinking problem. By forgiving people involved in these terrible events, Ruby started a healing (or recovery) process which led to her realising a dream.
Marion is the new Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University in Perth and co-founder (with David Clark and Mike Liu) of Sharing Culture, a new initiative to tackle historical trauma and its consequences in Aboriginal peoples.
Sharing Culture: Transcending Historical Trauma
November 5, 2013 by
Sharing Culture is a new initiative I am developing with Dr. Marion Kickett, a Noongar Aboriginal leader and Associate Professor at Curtin University, and Perth filmmaker Michael Liu.
Sharing Culture is a unique initiative to empower Aboriginal people to heal and develop resilience to historical trauma and its consequences. These consequences include poor physical health, mental health problems, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, abuse and suicide.
Sharing Culture is based on the core values of authenticity, connection, courage, creativity, empathy and forgiveness.
Marion’s Story: Introduction
September 17, 2013 by
Dr. Marion Kickett tells her Story, to help the reader understand her background and why she undertook her PhD research on resilience.
Marion’s Story: My Country
September 17, 2013 by
Marion talks about York and the surrounding area where she was brought up and her family have been living for generations.
Marion’s Story: My Family, Father’s Side
September 17, 2013 by
Marion learnt a great deal about her culture, land and spirituality from her father and his side of the family. They had lived in York and surrounds for generations.
Marion’s Story: My Family, Mother’s Side
September 17, 2013 by
Marion’s mother was well-educated and had lived with wealthy white families. She taught her the ‘white’ way of doing things.
Marion’s Story: My Identity
September 17, 2013 by
Marion has a strong identity which has helped shape her into who she is today.
Marion’s Story: ‘My Spirituality’
September 17, 2013 by
Marion’s spirituality is very important to her and is central to everything else that matters in her life.
Marion’s Story: My Culture
September 17, 2013 by
Marion believes her culture is changing and she has learned to adapt when changes occur.
Marion’s Story: My Resilience
September 17, 2013 by
A number of factors have contributed to the development of Marion’s resilience and her ability to live successfully in two cultures.
Marion’s Story: Conclusion
September 17, 2013 by
Marion’s family have faced adversities, risen above them, and taught Marion to be the resilient person she is today.
Strategies to Face Adversity: Inner Strength
September 5, 2013 by
A number of study participants spoke about their inner strength, or strong spirit, helping them overcome adversity.
