Through the eyes of Blackfellas

 "Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be" (Covey, 1998, p 62) 

The study 'Through the Eyes of Blackfellas' identified, examined and documented Queensland Aboriginal and Tones Strait Islander men's groups and their respective attempts to improve individual, family and community well-being. The study had a particular focus on how men's groups worked towards reducing family violence. The study explored proactive activities by groups to restore resilience and to reduce family violence. Men's groups activities that were not directly focused on reducing family violence, such as health and education, also arose as significant in the course of the study. I took the view that all group activities have interrelated benefits, and therefore they have the potential to reduce violence in communities through the benefits of group participation for individual men, and by strengthening, empowering and building skills in communities as a result of community based initiatives. The research found that men's groups target one or two social problems to focus on depending on the particular social and economic context, history and existing identified areas for change. Nevertheless, the general prevalence of family violence in communities ensured that it consistently emerged as an issue in most activities or considerations of men involved in groups. It must be made clear that although all men must take responsibility for their violence against women, this thesis is not intended to, and will not, identify or demonise Aboriginal and Tones Strait Islander male wrongdoers of violence or any other crime. 

The research incorporated a qualitative methodology and a critical theoretical framework. An action research framework encouraged participant observation and provided me with an opportunity to work collaboratively and reflectively with men's groups. As a researcher I was engaged in activities that included brainstorming community issues such as family violence, which did in some cases inform a strategy that could be implemented and driven by the group. 

The qualitative methodology included a semi -structured interview schedule for men's groups' participants, the collection of organisational data, and participatory observation. This methodological process allowed the participants of the research (`Murri and Torres Strait Islander men') to interpret and give meaning from their perspectives as to the significance of Indigenous men's issues and men's groups. Critical theory, particularly a Native American critical theory framework (Pulitano, 2003), supported an analysis which is structural and contextualises Murri men's issues within a broader social and historical framework of oppression and marginalisation from an Indigenous perspective. 

An analysis of the data established that there are diverse structures and manifestations of Aboriginal and Tones Strait Islander men's groups in Queensland. The groups are actively and proactively addressing social issues and providing individual support, and are either formal or informal in terms of their composition. Issues which arose predominantly in the study included the role of men's groups in addressing family violence, the significance of self esteem and empowerment, the interrelationships between men's groups and family and community wellbeing, the importance of the role of men as mentors, and an enduring respect for elders which is nurtured by the existence of men's groups.  

The groups are consistently committed to re-establishing strong and safe communities as a focus of their activities. Furthermore the study found that men's groups need to be recognised and supported by governments as a strategy for constructive change towards the betterment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

The research was undertaken to provide a descriptive account of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men's groups in Queensland. It is written primarily as a document for and by Indigenous men, as a way of acknowledging the activities of men, their perspectives and what is needed to ensure that men are empowered and supported to protect and cultivate their communities in self -identified, positive and beneficial ways.