Stronger On Country

Ash Dargan, a Larrakia man, internationally renowned yidaki player and cultural facilitator with We Al-li, wants to make a difference to the lives of incarcerated Indigenous young people. Engaged by The Big Anxiety Research Centre (BARC), who work to reposition mental health as a collective, cultural responsibility rather than simply a medical issue, Ash is facilitating the creation of a VR tool that can help young inmates on the verge of release to reconnect with culture and community.

Collaborating with Nathan Charles, a young Githabul emerging leader with a checkered past, Ash sets out to explore his story of jail time, hopelessness and how he found his path through cultural connection. Together they unpack Nathan’s time in jail, how he got there, and the cultural reconnections that helped him to move on from the struggles that kept him locked in a self destructive cycle. Supported by his mentor, cultural healer Uncle Alan Martin, a Gunggeri Elder, they share reflections, philosophy and experiences that aim to provide the groundwork for developing a VR experience that can help people who are struggling move through their trauma. Together, they work with Volker Kuchelmeister, BARCs VR development guru, to plan, capture and create a groundbreaking application of VR technology.

The series includes testing the VR application with young people with behaviour issues through an on-country retreat facilitated by Uncle Alan. With feedback in hand, BARC then begins to makes changes to the VR content, incorporating useful suggestions from participants and the team into the design. With a new version in hand, Uncle Alan then takes Ash and Nathan into the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre to work with a group of incarcerated First Nations young men, working with them to talk through their experiences and thoughts on using the VR.

Predominantly set in Warwick, a regional town west of Brisbane, and the incredible surrounding natural landscapes, this documentary series portrays a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the process and outcomes of an inclusive and empowering First Nations project. Through deep conversations, concept design workshops and journeys on-country to film, Nathan’s understanding grows about the power of cultural healing while validating his role in creating life-saving tools that can puncture the isolation and disconnection experienced by young men who are struggling with their mental health.

Stronger On Country is currently in production. The documentary has been commissioned by NITV and we are currently applying for further funding.