Challenges That Change Us
116 {Dave Widders} The foster system through an aboriginal perspective
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Episode notes
Trigger warning: domestic violence and racial slurs
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Today, amongst other things we will be talking about the very nuanced topic of the foster system, but also growing up as an Aboriginal Australian.
Dave Widders is a proud Anaiwan man from Armidale and also has strong connections with the Gomeroi people from Moree NSW.
Dave has worked in and alongside government for over 30 years. Dave has run his Consultancy Business for the last 19 years delivering programs in Urban, Regional and Remote Aboriginal communities.
A family man with 6 kids and been Fostering kids for the last 29 years, Dave loves working with youth to get them on the right track in life, connect them to culture and inspire our next generation.
He has a passion for bringing people together and creating long life partnerships that work towards a common goal based on personal values.
In this episode Dave shares:
- How he was affected by racism daily at school
- How he got into soccer and how it changed things for him
- How he handled losing his dad when he was quite young
- The difference between ignorance and racism
- How he got into working for council
- What led him to start foster caring
- What happens when an aboriginal child enters the foster system
- His experience as a foster dad of 29 years
- What he has loved about being a foster uncle
- The hardest time of being a foster uncle
- His personal experience with domestic violence
- How he handles it when kids he has cared for are returned to unsafe environments
- How he discovered 'who' he is and how he anchored himself
Key Quotes
“Aboriginal kids are being placed with non aboriginal people as a first option.”
“I used to wake up and think, I wish I could be white.”
“Growing up in my community I didn’t know a single word of my language.”
More about
You can contact Dave via his email: [email protected]
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Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com
If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website: http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au
For her other business you can find it through the websites:www.altitudefitnessarmidale.com.au
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