I live and work in remote Indigenous communities where I witness the appalling mental health people suffer as a result of the dispossession from their land and the disconnectedness they feel from mainstream society. I initially entered into the Leonora Indigenous community as an artist working on a diabetes project called Wangara wanti, literally Sugar Don't. The project aimed to educate the community about healthy living and healthy lifestyle. I learnt how mental health contributes to the high rate of diabetes amongst Indigenous people.

The Elders asked me to stay on to facilitate a transition from 'work for the dole' to sustainable living practices in my new role as a social work consultant. To overcome trauma induced mental health the road to recovery can only begin when a person or peoples story is validated. The Well Being Exchange Project initiated a dialogue with local mining companies to improve the community's spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well being by acknowledging past practices and creating new ways forward that embrace employment and business opportunities for indigenous people.

Consequently we are creating pathways for young people that involve 'caring for country' practices and a return to traditional practices. In partnership with government agencies, pastoralists and the mining sector we are seeking to muster feral goats and camels and learning to manage them in a sustainable farming enterprise. This occurs alongside initiatives to take young people back out into the bush to learn traditional ways. Any project that alleviates mental health, cares for the land and has built into it a sustainable business model must be applauded and supported by key interest groups to ensure it succeeds.