Abstract:

Traditional western models for 'helping' Aboriginal communities don't work. By turning these models upside down in favour of building authentic relationships and on-the-ground community engagement, Denise Hagan and the Puuya Foundation are empowering a remote Aboriginal community in Cape York, Australia, and delivering successful, life-changing programs. Denise Hagan works at the complicated intersection where the very sincere desire to help remote Aboriginal communities held by governments, philanthropists and nonprofits alike, clashes with entrenched, misinformed and western-centric attitudes to engagement, empowerment, funding and solutions.