I have been interested in Australian Indigenous Culture since my school days and have spent over forty years learning about their cultures and travelling to remote Australia to learn more.

So much of what I learnt, I took back to mainstream schools and into my Practice as a Psychologist. Indigenous Australians have had an understanding and practice of health and wellbeing that mainstream health has only just started to recognise, research and use.

For two years since October 2007 I worked as the School Counsellor initially responsible for thirty three remote Indigenous School communities in the Central Desert of Australia. The Schools were in an area of nearly 600km radius around Alice Springs.

I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity of knowing so many extraordinarily resilient and successful people in these remote communities and I am particularly grateful for all they have taught me.

In response to queries from teachers and Principals I wrote a number of handouts on various issues, to help school staff understand their students and teach them with better cultural awareness.

All these handouts were checked with a number of Anangu working or living in the Central Desert. Other Indigenous people have said they would apply equally well to communities in other parts of Australia (and mainstream students too!) However it is always best to check with the local mob before using them in a particular school.

Louise Samways

October 2009

Teaching Children Suffering Complex Trauma & Grief

"Making Children Strong": Indigenous Cultural Beliefs, Values & Cultural Practice

The "What Makes Us (me) Strong" Story

Changing Behaviour

Developing Appropriate & Responsible Behaviour

Strategies to Promote a Positive, Caring, Safe Environment

Strategy for dealing with Oppositional Behaviour in the Classroom & School

Music, Wellbeing & Learning Outcomes