ECHO Elevating Connections and Healing Ourselves

Office for Women, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria Government.

Who funded the project

 

In 2019, the Office for Women, Department of Premier and Cabinet partnered with Karen Milward Consulting Services (KMCS) to develop and deliver a Victorian First Nation’s Women’s Pilot Leadership Program. In line with the Victorian government’s commitment to self-determination and gender equity, this program has been co-designed with a range of Victorian First Nations women to ensure they lead decision-making on the programs that impact their lives and communities. The aim of the program has been to build on their unique strengths and potential, to inspire and engage First Nations women leaders for the future. Karabena Consulting partnered with Karen Milward and Deb Blaber in the development and delivery of the project.

Summary

 

As a commitment to self determination, the consulting team, Karen Milward, Dr. Kerry Arabena and Deb Blaber were guided through the project by a Ministerially appointed First Nations Women’s Advisory Group. The project has many stages:

Writing of a literature review of First Nations women’s leadership programs and supports (Modern Matriarch)

A consultation process with First Nations women across Victoria about what should be considered in a Leadership Program for First Nations Women in Victoria

An EOI Process to select 15 First Nations Women from the consultation process to be part of the Co-Design Team

X 3 Co-Design Workshops with the 15 chosen First Nations Women and Advisory Group members to design a pilot program

Preparation of all materials, facilitator’s guide, and participant handbooks.

Confirmation of Elder’s in Residence, guest speakers and Facilitators for session delivery (all First Nations Women).

Confirmation of First Nations Cultural activity delivery throughout the program.

Prepare Final ECHO Pilot Program Report and Recommendations.

Methodologies

 

Following the Co-Design process and taking into account the findings of the Modern Matriarch Literature Review and the consultation process used to develop the program, the project team finalised the ECHO First Nations Women’s Leadership Pilot Program content including the development of the Facilitator’s Manual, Participant’s Handbook and all handouts and Program forms.

Methodological outcomes

 

This program is needed and unique in its content. The experience provided participants with opportunities for connection to culture and to form strong, supportive, and ongoing relationships between women on their leadership journeys.

The co-design process was critical to the success of the program – women come to the program knowing that it has been designed, delivered, and supported by a network of strong First Nations women committed to elevating, connecting, and helping other women heal and enable them to embrace their roles as leaders with confidence and the skills and tools to do so successfully.

Having delivered the co-design and pilot programs there is now a group of over 40 First Nations women in Victoria who are connected and committed to supporting other women wanting to participate in a culturally appropriate and safe program which acknowledges and addresses the unique leadership roles First Nations women hold in family, community, their work, businesses, and broader society. With the success of the ECHO pilot program there is now a high level of expectation amongst First Nations Women in Victoria, requiring further investment and commitment to ensure the program continues and can be further developed to respond to their leadership needs.

Outputs

 

  1. Asserting the Modern Matriarch: A Guide to Inform the Development of First Nations Women’s Leadership and Coaching Programs

  2. A Consultation Report identifying what should be considered in the development and co-design of a First Nation’s Women’s Pilot Leadership Program in Victoria

  3. A report on the Co-Design process undertaken and recommendations for the development of the Pilot Program delivery including change of name to ECHO First Nation’s Women’s Leadership Pilot Program.

  4. ECHO First Nations Women’s Leadership Pilot Program session outlines and supporting materials.

  5. The Matriarch’s Manifesto – which has become the statement that binds women together and sets expectations for quality relationships.

Project Outcomes

 

Development and delivery of the Matriarch’s Manifesto and the Asserting the Modern Matriarch publication.

Further meetings are occurring between the Office for Women and Karen Milward Consulting to progress and expand the development and delivery of the program.

Public response

 

First Nations Women, Women’s Leadership, Program, Cultural Safety, Elders in Residence, Modern Matriarchs, Co-design, co-implementation, Empowerment.

Key Words

Camille Gonza