Naming the issues: A training guide

This training process guide is an excerpt from Building Power: A Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Who Want to Change the World. You can download the full guide from Original Power. 

Session Objectives

Provide people with space to start focussing in on one of the issues that may be among many they are dealing with in their community or context. This process is also about starting to think about problems and solutions.

Time Required

30 mins depending on the group size. Allow an extra 25 mins for the addition of spectrums

Resources Needed

Photo cards

How it is Done

1. Spread out the photo cards so people can walk around and collect two each. Explain that this is an opportunity to think about and name some of the problems we face in our communities and how we are working to change them. Ask people to think about the following and then select photos:

• If there was one thing (an issue or problem) you could change what would it be?
• Pick one activity or action (an example, big or small) that you think is making a difference and solving a problem in your community – it could be the same or different to the problem you chose.
• Go around in a circle asking everyone to share with the group, not in full detail. [20]

2. Summarise – there are a lot of problems and issues we face, and some great work we’re doing to make things better. We’ll be looking at different ways we can bring about change in our communities. Part of us becoming more effective in making change is about us understanding all the options that can help us get from the problem we’re experiencing today to the solution we want to have in place tomorrow, and then choosing the best path for getting there – from A to B. [5]

3.      Optional addition. Spectrums

• Who in this room feels like we’ve got lots of tools in our toolbox for changing the things we want to? (yes we have them / no we need more) Ask people to talk to the person near them. Ask a few to share. What are those tools? How are you using them? [10]
• Who is feeling like they have the power to make the change they want? (Yes I have the power / no I don’t). What does that feel like? What are some of the things that hold us back? [10]
• Note that the workshop is about addressing these things – sharing tools and empowering us as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make change in our communities. [5]

4. Facilitator note: This is an introductory activity that could be run very early on in a multiple day workshop. It can be a way of allowing people not to go too deeply into an issue they are concerned about but still voice it. It can also be a way of starting to shift people into the mindset of making change. Activities which could follow could include the cyclone warning, campaigning to solve issues, or cutting the issue. The activity making a positive change could fit well before this process.

Download the full Building Power guide from Original Power.