Dannielle Cameron and Chrystall Cooper
BlackBirds Culture is an Aboriginal and Māori social enterprise offering mental health first aid training and other culturally-appropriate mental health workshops that build resilience and well-being.
As founders of BlackBirds Culture, Danni is a Yuibera woman from Yuwi Country of the Birragubba Nation, and Chrys is a descendant of the Tūwharetoa and Maniapoto tribes from Hawkes Bay, N.Z.
BlackBirds Culture course program recognises and supports cultural differences and integrates this awareness throughout our workshops. With 35 years of combined experience in this field, BlackBirds Culture provide training programmes to build community capacity and raise awareness of mental health.
Both Directors have an understanding of minority stress and holds lived experience of the journey from childhood complex trauma, and ensuing mental health challenges, to a life of building adult resilience.
Setting them apart from other training providers is their connection to their Aboriginal and Māori cultures.
It is these deep connections to their cultures that drives their development and delivery of programs throughout multiple countries.
Delivering Aboriginal, Youth and Standard Mental Health First Aid across both Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand) as well as Mahi Rakau (traditional Maori self-care) and trauma-informed Yoga workshops.
Their beautiful little son helps them remember the importance of empowering our community and also connecting young people to sport and their communities.
Working alongside OTLR, BlackBirds Culture looks to continue to increase mental health awareness, cultural awareness and provide appropriate education to every member of every community.
Authors
Dannielle Cameron and Chrystall Cooper
BlackBirds Culture Directors