For every Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander child that is in out-of-home care in Victoria, a Cultural Plan needs to be created.

A Cultural Plan acts as a guide to help a young person sustain his or her connection to culture and community. It is that connection to culture, Country and community that allows that young person to grow strong in their own identity. This is the primary driving force behind the creation of Deadly Story, a website that brings together information about Aboriginal culture, community and history into one culturally safe space. Deadly Story features a variety of practical resources, including a services directory that lists all the Aboriginal-specific services around Victoria; a community events calendar that has a collection of community and youth-orientated events for all to get involved with; a history timeline, which chronicles some of the key events that have shaped our communities; a ‘life & lore’ section, which explores specific aspects of how Aboriginal communities practise their cultures; and articles and ‘my story’ pieces, which contain conversations with community leaders across a variety of different fields, where they share their experiences in how they came to grow through their connections to culture. As we come to learn more about the truth surrounding our nation’s colonial history and the healing that’s needed within our First Nations communities, it’s important we rediscover the cultural practices that have served this land for millennia. This is what Deadly Story is all about – a space to reconnect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures from a strengths-based perspective.

From the Deadly Story Team
www.deadlystory.com