Workshop report regulated gambling and problem gambling among Aborigines from remote Northern Territory communities: A Yolŋgu case study
Workshop report regulated gambling and problem gambling among Aborigines from remote Northern Territory communities: A Yolŋgu case study
- Author(s): Christie, Michael, Greatorex, John, Gurruwiwi, Dhaŋgal, Djirrimbilpilwuy, Frank, Galathi, Jane, Gapany, Dorothy, Garŋgulkpuy, Joanne, Guthadjaka, Kathy, Gurrumuwuy, Clive, Gumbula, Ian, Lawurrpa, Elaine, Dhamarrandji, Maratja, Gumbula, Mercy, Nyuŋunyuŋu, Margaret, Gaykamaŋu, Waymamba, Guyula, Yuŋiya
- Published: 2009
Abstract: Aims: This report represents the third draft of the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Yolŋu Aboriginal Consultancy Initiative’s case study of gambling. The case study is Part A3 of a wider project called Gambling Practice and Policy in the Northern Territory: A Research Program funded through the Community Benefit Fund of the Northern Territory Government. The aim of Part A3 is “Through a series of workshops with key individuals in Yolŋu Matha, to provide a genuine Yolŋu perspective on gambling practices, the meaning of problem gambling, and potential intervention strategies”. The current report presents this perspective. Methods: Fourteen Yolŋu consultants contributed to the project. They did this through discussions among themselves and in their communities, through a planning meeting where the wider project and the A3 questions and the methodology were discussed, through a full-day workshop at CDU, and through speaking (or in one case writing) their reflections on key questions on video. Most of the material for this report is taken from the recordings which were made in English (six statements) and Yolŋu languages (seven). Yolŋu consultancy methodology entails people working hard to reach agreement. Consequently, differences of opinion are often left to one side. Therefore, in the recording sessions, people are recorded alone, so some of the key differences are able to emerge. The representation of the findings was further developed through discussions and feedback during a symposium on Gambling research at CDU, and will be further developed following feedback from the Community Benefit Fund.