The Cloaked in Strength study aims to explore Aboriginal mothers’ experiences of family violence using possum skin cloak making as a tool of engagement, resilience and resistance.  It is built upon the core premises of Indigenous research: relationality and accountability, place, reciprocity and reflexivity. The project uses Aboriginal women’s standpoint as its interpretive lens and a fusion of hermeneutic principles and Indigenous methodologies. The research focuses upon the experiences of family violence of fifteen Aboriginal mothers living in Melbourne.  The women were engaged through the local network of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and invited to participate in individual interviews, a series of possum skin cloak making workshops and a yarning circle.  

Researchers: Shawana Andrews

Supervisors: Cathy Humphreys, Bridget Hamilton

Funders: This work was supported by the Indigenous Research Initiative of the Melbourne Hallmark Research Initiatives Program, the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Partners: This research is being conducted with the support of and within the Victorian Aboriginal Community-controlled sector.

Project Dates: 2016 –