ALLYSHIP Aboriginal-led organisations understand best what Aboriginal young people need, so we are supporting them to deliver these important services.” Victorian Government The program has built other partnerships, including with a supportive Victorian Government, which late last year announced a new round of funding for Marram Nganyin. As with so many programs across the country, COVID-19 has been a huge disruptor for Marram Nganyin. It pivoted quickly to online support for both participants and organisations to try to limit isolation, but was mindful, especially over many lockdowns in Victoria, of online fatigue for many young people. “That fatigue became a real challenge,” said Leyla Quartermaine, KYC's Marram Nganyin Project Officer and a proud Ballardong-Noongar woman from Western Australia. But the project addressed that concern in part by tapping into direct needs, such as through online Young Mob Yarns sessions, which became a popular safe space for Aboriginal young people to yarn on a range of topics. That included an honest and informed conversation with medical staff from an Aboriginal community controlled health organisation on fears that were then circulating about the virus and vaccinations. At the heart of Marram Nganyin has been the strong partnership between KYC and YACVic, which has put selfdetermination to the fore and become an exemplar in allyship. From this year, the program’s structure will change. KYC will step up to run the program and YACVic will step back as a partner, though it will continue to support the program where needed and look for what it could and should be doing next for Aboriginal young people. ARTWORK: Marram Nganyin – Generations of strength, resilience and knowledge (Nakia Cadd – Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Bunitj woman) See page 43 Transforming Power: Voices for Generational Change 37