The Sista Speak program was piloted in 2015 at Drummond Memorial Public School. It was developed due to a high number of our Indigenous girls being suspended at school. This was especially seen in high school. Students were expressing to us that they feel dis-connected to culture and struggling to know who they are. Thus the Sista Speak Pilot Program.
Sista Speak is a ten week program for young Aboriginal women. The program is designed to assist girls in developing positive relationships, teaching them to respect themselves and others around them, and be proud of their Aboriginal identity.
The program is very unique in that that the students actually get a chance to have a say in what they are taught. It is a collaboration between the facilitators, students, their schools, parents and the community which makes it a very exclusive program and one which changes each time the program is delivered at a school. No one program is the same.
We currently facilitate two programs, our primary school program targets Aboriginals girls in years 5 and 6. The outcome aimed at supporting girls to engage with Aboriginal culture and identity, connect with Elders and start thinking about career choices. Our older Sista Speak programs support Aboriginal girls in years 7 and 8. Within this program the connection to culture is maintained whilst career choices are strengthened. We attend local businesses where girls have the chance to speak with staff about training they undertook and options available in this career.
The program aims to inspire and motivate young women about the importance of education and to raise awareness about the diverse career paths available to them, focussing specifically on issues of self- esteem, identity, careers, culture, leadership and economic independence. The program includes exploring different career options and hearing positive stories from successful men and women in their community as well as taking part in team activities.
Sista Speak aims to raise the self-esteem of participants and encourage them to make positive choices about school, careers and future lifestyle choices.
During 2018 the program has been delivered at:
- Armidale City Public
- Duval High School
- Ben Venue Public
- Drummond Memorial Public
- Uralla Central School