Custodial health reform is as much about deciding what counts as success, and how to measure it, as it is about designing programs. Counting incidents, disciplinary actions, or program completions gives only part of the story. It doesn’t show whether Aboriginal people in custody feel culturally safe, maintain family connection, or return to community with stronger chances of reintegration.
Read MoreDesigning health care in prisons is never straightforward. Services have to meet the needs of individuals while dealing with the dynamics of the whole prison community. Mainstream providers tend to fall back on risk management and control, which leaves little room for new thinking. Indigenous businesses approach it differently. They bring cultural authority, lived experience, and holistic perspectives that open up space for new models of care.
Read MorePrisons are some of the most dehumanising environments we have. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, time inside adds another layer to historical trauma, disconnection from Country, and systemic exclusion. Health services in custody have usually been about compliance, containment, or short-term treatment, not about social and emotional wellbeing.
Read MorePrisons strip life back to routines and control. For Aboriginal people, that comes on top of disconnection from culture, family, and Country. In that kind of environment, reform doesn’t stick unless there’s a base of common ground to work from.
Indigenous businesses are in a unique spot to create that base. They carry cultural authority, they’re trusted in communities, and they can bridge the gap between institutions and Aboriginal voices.
Read MorePrisons operate as systems of control, imposing routines, schedules, and compliance that quickly strip away individuality and humanity. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, incarceration not only reflects individual circumstances but also embodies the historical burden of systemic disadvantage spanning generations. The loss of cultural identity within these systems exacerbates this harm.
Read MoreIndigenous businesses design custodial health models that are culturally grounded and credible, embedding cultural authority that enables positive contagion and drives systemic reform.
Reforming custodial health means rethinking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing in prisons. Indigenous businesses that work across health, justice and education, bring cultural authority and lived experience that mainstream providers cannot replicate.
Read MoreDuring a recent review of the Koori Maternity Services (KMS) Guidelines, I posed the question: “How do the KMS Guidelines align with broader maternity care standards?”
There was a pause. Then one KMS midwife responded, “What if we turn that around and ask: how do broader maternity standards align with Aboriginal ways of doing things?”
It was a quiet correction, but a sharp one. My question carried an unexamined assumption: that Western systems define the benchmark, and everything else is measured in relation to that. That moment made something clearer for me: if you assume your position is the default you’re performing authority, not practising cultural humility.
Read MoreAt Karabena Consulting, we often hear: “Your prices are…high.”
Our answer is: yes, resoundingly so.
Our work delivers measurable social and economic return on investment (ROI). Not just in outputs, but in real, lasting change. We centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, drive policy reform, and build community capacity. This creates a ripple effect of impact that extends far beyond the life of a project.
Read MoreWe’ve all done it, clicked through a cultural awareness module on autopilot at double speed, skimmed a few facts, maybe even jumped straight to the quiz. Job done, right? You’re now culturally aware
Read MoreRoad safety is a critical issue for all communities, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth face unique systemic and intergenerational barriers that influence their approach to driving. Too often, risk-taking in driving is viewed as a deficit, rather than a natural developmental process that can be channelled into structured, positive pathways for skill development.
Read MorePeer researchers shift the power dynamics in research, ensuring that those most affected by the outcomes have a direct voice in shaping them. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it’s a way of reclaiming narratives and embedding cultural values into methodologies. It methodology with self-determination at its heart.
Read MoreKarabena emphasises conducting culturally safe and ethical research that prioritises the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. By blending traditional research methodologies with narrative-driven insights, the organisation aims to humanise evaluations and foster meaningful, human-centred decision-making.
Read MoreKarabena Group commends the Victorian Government on the recent release of its Anti-Racism Strategy (2024-2029). Racism has no place in Victoria, and the launch of the Strategy marks a decisive step in securing a more inclusive society for all.
Read MoreHowever you choose to mark the holiday period, it is a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect on the year that’s been, embrace the festive season, and rejuvenate for the year to come.
Read MoreSenior Consultant Associate David Reid reflects on Victoria’s Wellbeing Promotion Symposium, and how wellbeing is understood in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Read MoreCo-design is a collaborative process is transforming the way organisations, governments, and communities work together to create solutions that truly resonate with those they aim to serve. At Karabena Consulting, we believe co-design is more than just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer that brings together diverse voices to create impact by design.
Read MoreAustralia is home to so many different people and cultures, making inclusion and diversity so important on so many levels. Junior Consultant Associate Derek reflects on diversity and inclusion, and how his previous experience has prepared him for working at Karabena Consulting on reviewing the Victorian Disability Worker Commission’s policies and developing cultural awareness training modules
Read MoreMabo's tireless efforts and determination paved the way for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights, challenging the doctrine of terra nullius that had previously denied First Peoples their connection to the land. His legacy continues to inspire and empower First Peoples communities across Australia.
Read MoreSurvival Day, also known as Invasion Day, is a solemn occasion that invites us to reflect on the resilience and strength of our families, friends and communities. For many, this day is not a cause for celebration but an opportunity to acknowledge our enduring spirit as we have faced, and continue to face many and cumulative historical challenges.
Read MoreThe ECHO First Nations Women's Leadership Program is a regular event which now has an alumni of 65 First Nations women based in Victoria. Facilitated by a team led by Karen Milward and Dr. Kerry Arabena with Amanda Meric, Kim Reid, Judy McDonald and Daphne Milward, the October 2023 course has just been completed, leaving women with a deep and profound excitement for their leadership journey and a renewed sense of purpose.
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