Michelle Howard and Melissa Greenwood – Walking Together-Sharing our stories

Michelle and MelissaWorkshop Title:

Walking Together: sharing our stories

Workshop Description:

“The oldest living culture speaks to us across the generations. We listen, making connections. Walking together we create a shared future where our wealth is in our wisdom and the belief we hold in each individual. Our pride and respect shine a beacon to the world…this is our together dreaming.” To work together across cultures we need to understand and own our stories. We need to be aware of our values, beliefs, attitudes and cultural connections – the strengths and blind spots that we carry with us. Through sharing our stories and listening without judgement we can build connections with others, establishing common ground and exploring how we can walk together. “Walking Together” is a practical and authentic path to reconciliation. In this workshop we use creative techniques to explore cultural connections and identity, break open some cultural assumptions, build understanding of the experience of Indigenous Australians and explore culture as a way to support dialogue and healing.

If people got the best of the session what would they leave with?

A greater appreciation of the gifts and challenges in their own story.
An appreciation of the complexity in the stories of indigenous Australians.
The power of story to build connection.

How is this session connected to the conference theme?

Our process is deeply connected to supporting cultural change and building more meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

About the Workshop Presenters:

Melissa is a descendant of the Bundjalung and Gumbayngirr and Dunghutti clans of NSW, Melissa has worked in government and non-government organisations supporting youth leadership and cultural connections with Indigenous young people . Michelle is an internationally accredited facilitator of 30 years experience, who has worked in culturally diverse communities across Australia. Shared values and aspirations for a different future between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have led us to develop the “Walking Together” process. We invite you to share your stories with us, listen deeply to the stories of others and weave a new story for future generations.

| May 8th, 2016 | Posted in Uncategorized |

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