Aboriginal Spirituality
Aboriginal Spirituality is all around us! Spirituality is about breathing life into feeling, touching, listening and seeing the beauty within us all. It comes to life through our stories, dance, song, art, language and ceremony. It gives life to our people that connect them to Gunimaa, Mother Earth.
Key Milestones and Projects
1996
In 1996, Yula-Punaal lodged a land acquisition application through the Indigenous Land Corporation. This was realised in 2003 with the purchase of the Kywong property.
In 1996, Louise Campbell and Tammy Wright undertook a cultural immersion at Canada’s Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge on the Nekaneet Reserve in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. The lodge is an alternative correctional facility for First Nations women that integrates cultural practices into its model of care. Tammy and Louise completed the 21-day program as participants to gain the knowledge and experience needed to explore a similar approach in Australia.
1997
From 1997 to 2010, Yula-Punaal contributed to state and national reports, consultative committees and keynote presentations on the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Aboriginal women in custody, and domestic violence.
1998
In 1998, Tammy Wright established the Aboriginal Women’s Post-release Program, initially funded for 12 months by the Department for Women. After that funding ended, Yula-Punaal secured ongoing support through the Corrective Services NSW Community Grants Program. The program ran for more than 14 years, was unique in NSW and Australia, and received several social justice awards.
2008
In 2008, Yula-Punaal expanded its focus after discussions with the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools Office and the Newcastle Catholic Schools Trade Training Consortium. This created an opportunity to help establish a Trade Training Centre, including a classroom and workshop for community use.
From this work, Yula-Punaal delivered a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management, along with Caring for Country and bushtucker programs.
2012
In June 2012, with strong advocacy from the late Sister Patricia Adams of the Mercy Sisters, Yula-Punaal secured funding to build an office and community gathering place. Local government delays stalled the project in 2018, but in 2024 an Aboriginal Affairs NSW Community Infrastructure Grant helped move it toward completion.
2014
On 5 November 2014, more than 150 people attended Yula-Punaal for the Indigenous Land Corporation divestment ceremony. Yula-Punaal was officially opened by the Hon. Pat Conroy MP on the same day as the memorial service for former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
2024
In 2024, through Aboriginal Affairs NSW Community Infrastructure Grant, the building is on its way to be completed.
Over two decades, Yula-Punaal have delivered a diverse range of programs for young people, women, Elders and the broader community around Aboriginal spirituality and healing, professional training, and general community support.