Orana Haven

Initiated two years ago, is an ongoing project that we offer once a week, face-to-face workshop that run for 4 – 6 hours to the residential rehabilitation program.
These sessions are designed to provide a rich cultural experience within Orana Haven Aboriginal Corporation. The program includes a comprehensive exploration of language and culture, which is integral to the project’s framework.
Participants engage in meaningful discussions about adaptation and personal insights, complemented by site visits to significant locations such as the Brewarrina cultural museum, Gundabooka National Park, Brewarrina fish traps, and river fishing excursions. Additionally, the crafting and creation of both traditional and contemporary artefacts form a key component of the curriculum.
The workshops delve into various subjects including geology, kinship, and family connections, offering participants a deep understanding of the interrelation between people, places, and the land. As the program has evolved, it has maintained its focus on language and culture while expanding to its development, while also integrating roles in mentorship and consultation that cater to the emotional, psychological, and physical dimensions of life, with a special emphasis on sobriety and rehabilitation.
The language team, alongside medical professionals, mental health specialists, advisors, and those with firsthand experience in recovery are committed to the principle of cooperative effort life, particularly in the context of abstinence and recovery. Our combined knowledge guarantees that our clients are afforded the utmost standard of assistance and care on their path to recovery.
A significant aspect of the program involves developing methods to articulate emotions and feelings through language, which includes journaling, face-to-face conversations, and regular meetings to gather feedback and record stories. While recognising the limitations of language and culture in supporting abstinence and recovery, the program acknowledges its value and continues to grow and adapt through the trust and understanding fostered among all participants. The Orana Haven program’s approach is not prescriptive; rather, it emphasizes organic, locally driven evolution, tailored to meet the unique needs of the community it serves.
The workshops delivered by the language team is not about silver bullets or one size fits all it has an organic local evolution. rather, it’s a program that grows naturally within the community, fostering a sense of trust and comprehension among everyone participating.

Orana Haven