Community Micro-Economy: The Sole Aboriginal Stitch Initiative (SASI)
Supporting community literacy to help address the social, family, health and personal problems associated with unemployment in remote Indigenous Australian communities.
The Tennant Creek micro-economy project (SASI) is creating opportunities for the women of the Tennant Creek community to engage in a small social enterprise that seeks to invest into the well being of the local community.
ALNF has used the knowledge developed through previous projects with Papulu Aparr-Kari Aboriginal Language Centre to facilitate the development of a holistic community program that aims to address the literacy, employment and health issues faced by young Indigenous women in Tennant Creek.
The SASI program will see the design, fabrication and sale of Indigenous art on cloth. While producing the cloth, SASI project staff utilises the shared time to educate women on health, nutrition, applied literacy and healthy lifestyle choices. Existing literacy and numeracy skills are nurtured and expanded upon in the context of the daily activities of the enterprise.
SASI Project Officer Dr Sonal Chaudhary stresses that the project develops the concept that the identity of the community lies in the women's hands. The SASI project facilitates a space whereby the women are empowered to make personal and financial choices through productive means.
Case Study
Contact Information
ALNF
Tel: 02 9362 3388
Email: foundation@alnf.org
208 New South Head Rd
Edgecliff NSW 2027
SASI participants, Tennant Creek
Bag made by SASI participants
Bag made by SASI participants