Money Culture Financial Capability and Wellbeing in Indigenous

Money, Culture, Financial Capability and Wellbeing in Indigenous Australia: learnings from the East Kimberley Presenters Vinita Godinho, Good Shepherd Microfinance Jo Coleman, Manager – Housing, Wunan Tanya Hill, Coordinator – Financial Capability Hub, Wunan Financial Counselling Western Australia Conference 24 th October 2017

Workshop Objectives 1. Research: Indigenous Australia, money & wellbeing 2. Practice: Financial services for Indigenous clients 3. Indigenous-Centred Design: What does this mean? 4. Towards Indigenous Economic Wellbeing 5. Practical Examples – Indigenous service delivery 2

Financial Exclusion • Lack of access to safe, affordable, appropriate financial products/services • Higher-cost options (payday loans/rent-to-buy), debt spirals, bills/utilities, debts arrears, financial stress. 3

Financial Exclusion in Australia • Irrespective of location • Persists, but why? • Cultural barriers 4

Financial Inclusion Continuum Economic Mobility Growth Transition Stable, Asset Building Stable, Wellbeing Income Generation Hardship Crisis Financial Resilience 5

Financial Resilience • Ability to recover from financial shocks using a range of supports • Lower Social, Economic & Health Outcomes; Longer-term disadvantage • 2. 4 million Australian adults 6

Financial Resilience: 4 Components Access Employment/Income ‘Buffer’ to fall back on Cohesion/ Network/ Referrals Financial capability 7

Research: The Indigenous Lens Understanding • Indigenous world-views on • Money • Capability • Wellbeing Strengths-based approach • Culture as an enabler rather than a barrier, to greater inclusion Indigenous financial / economic wellbeing • Empower Indigenous people to achieve financial lives they value 8

Practice: Wunan’s Financial Resilience Hub Services • Financial counselling • Money Business workshops • 1: 1 coaching & budget help • Microfinance • Indigenous Money Mentor • Outreach services to 12 locations 9

‘Indigenous’ Money vs ‘Anglo-Celtic’ Money One of many resources being shared Domestic boundary: large & fluid Family financial unit > nuclear household Money is not top priority, caring is Immediate needs vs. longer-term saving 10

‘Indigenous’ Money vs ‘Anglo-Celtic’ Money Imposed from outside culture • History, introduced 1960’s • ‘Disconnect’ from traditional knowledge systems (law, trade, managing resources) Role of community elders – impart knowledge, role-model how to use money ‘wisely’, the ‘right way’ Stress, shame/grief, too hard, avoidance 11

An East Kimberley Aboriginal Perspective: Money in Two Worlds Cultural world Money is not a priority to cultural life Family = Wellbeing Culture = Security Mainstream world Money = Success Money = Happiness Money = Security 12

Wunan’s Service Delivery Approach Videos & Apps Hands on Activities Wunan Money Business Resources Kriol and cultural sensitivity Service Rapport 13

‘Indigenous-Centred’ Design Family & domestic boundary > nuclear household Money prioritised for caring for family over saving Connect to traditional knowledge: resources, rights/obligations History - Money has been imposed from ‘outside’ Elders are vital: custodian, role model & mentor Role of elders in using money wisely Language of ‘Caring’: saving, managing, goal-setting Individual Obligations, Collective Benefit Build elders’ capability Care for Oneself to Care for Others Allocate, Manage & Preserve Practise skills in family Manage Money to Manage Wellbeing Collective support to achieve goals Learn by Example & ‘Doing’ Goal-oriented Savings Collective governance & control Family & Community Goals 14

Outreach and Home Visits in the East Kimberley • All are comfortable and easy to connect • Involves the whole family and everyone responsibilities • Can include neighbours and other visitors at the property • Has a ripple effect and has increased our workshop delivery 15

Indigenous Microfinance 16

NILS in the East Kimberley NILS offers the only safe & affordable option in remote areas 17

Towards Indigenous Economic Wellbeing Understand client & local context • • Income Work Pride Connect Indigenous-centred solutions 18

Integrating Service Delivery in East Kimberley • Consistency & transparency • Holistic support: work with local services to meet client needs • Specialist workshops targeting client needs and barriers • Warm handovers when referring clients • Long term client support 19

Workshop Objectives ü 1. Research: Indigenous Australia, money & wellbeing ü 2. Practice: Financial services for Indigenous clients ü 3. Indigenous-Centred Design: What does this mean? ü 4. Towards Indigenous Economic Wellbeing ü 5. Practical Examples – Indigenous service delivery Group Discussion 20