Metaphorically Speaking

Welcome to …Metaphorically Speaking, a watering place for healing and the prevention of trauma in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

Our dream for this place is for the vibrant and respectful mixing of knowledge between Western and traditional Aboriginal world views to occur in a bubbly, frothy way. Much like the phenomenon called ganma which occurs in NE Arnhemland. Ganma is created by a river of water from the land meeting the salt water from the incoming tide, creating a mysterious swirling whirlpool of foam on the surface. The ganma metaphor is an ancient tradition in Yolngu culture which “holds (in part) that the forces of the streams combine and lead to deeper understanding and truth.”

At …Metaphorically Speaking, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices come together for dialogue and two world views meet to create new understandings and do best practice in social work and community development.

On this site new workers can quench their thirst for knowledge about ‘what works’ and discover genuine, culturally sensitive resources for use in trauma work AND experienced workers can share their stories of healing and hope to show that good practice is not a mirage.

At ….Metaphorically Speaking, we are learning to live and breathe the ganma way in our practical work together. We invite you to join us on this bubbly and frothy journey.