Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education proudly hosted the 2024 SPIRIT Global Gathering, a week-long event that began on Sunday, 18th August, at the Desert Precinct Campus in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). This gathering marked a significant milestone in the SPIRIT (Supporting Play and Intergenerational Relationships with Indigenous Tradition) Project, a five-year, $30 million initiative aimed at enhancing child development and well-being in First Nations communities.
About the SPIRIT Project
The SPIRIT Project, funded by the LEGO Foundation’s “Build a World of Play Challenge,” was a global partnership involving the Johns Hopkins Centre for Indigenous Health (USA), Batchelor Institute (Australia), The University of Otago (NZ), and the First Nations Health Authority (Canada). The project focused on delivering evidence-based early childhood programs that supported caregivers during pregnancy and early childhood through initiatives like the Family Spirit Program.
Key Achievements in Year One
In its first year, the SPIRIT Project supported several initiatives in Mparntwe, including the Pertame Language Nest, an immersion playgroup designed for babies up to 5 years old and their parents. This program played a crucial role in preserving the endangered Pertame language and culture by facilitating knowledge transfer from Elders to the next generation. Additionally, the project supported Early Years Learning on Country sessions at Burt Creek, Sandy Bore, and Hidden Valley, provided by the local partner organisation Children’s Ground.
Looking Ahead
As the SPIRIT Project entered its second year, the focus expanded to other parts of Australia. The initiative aimed to create community-designed, nature-based intergenerational play spaces that promoted communal play and strengthened cultural ties within First Nations families. Batchelor Institute's Professor Kathryn Gilbey, the Indigenous Australian lead researcher for the project, highlighted the importance of these efforts: "The first six years of children's lives lay the foundations for their future, and we are privileged to have contributed to a positive start in life for First Nations children globally and locally."
A Commitment to Both-Ways Learning
Batchelor Institute continued to uphold its commitment to Both-Ways Learning, a philosophy that blended traditional First Nations knowledge with Western educational concepts. Through projects like SPIRIT, the Institute reinforced its mission to support the rights and recognition of First Nations people, fostering a foundation of cultural strength that would flourish for generations.
For more information on Batchelor Institute’s research projects and initiatives, visit the SPIRIT Project or the Remote School Engagement
