Wagay Gulgan (Spirit Path): A way to remember

As a part of Big Anxiety Research Centre’s ‘Transforming Trauma’ project, our team has partnered with the Githabul Community in Warwick, QLD to co-design a Virtual Reality (VR) wellbeing tool that aims to improve the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men at risk of entering and/or transitioning out of the justice system.

Led by Chief Investigator, Larrakia man Ash Dargan, and co-created with Githabul man Nathan Charles, Gungarri Elder Alan Martin and immersive media designer, Volker Kuchelmeister – the team have designed ‘Wagay Gulgan (Spirit Path): A way to remember’ – a VR wellbeing tool that is grounded in Indigenous culture and fuses sacred traditional knowledge, story and ceremony with innovative technology to evoke feelings of connectedness and belonging.

The VR experience invites participants to be immersed on Country, through a deeply sensory journey that incorporates cultural practices such as smoking ceremony, connection to land, mind, body and ancestors, as well as music and guided narration by Uncle Alan Martin. The story of the VR tool is grounded in the lived experience of co-designer Nathan Charles, who began his journey of healing his own trauma through re-discovering his cultural identity and connecting to Country, culture and self.

‘Wagay Gulgan’ is designed as an accessible tool that can be integrated into culturally supported programs across Australia, including within detention contexts. The VR experience, when used as a wellbeing tool within Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Approach -supported programs aims to foster emotional regulation, strengthen cultural identity, create space for reflection, curiosity, connection and belonging. This work demonstrates the power of co-design and Indigenous leadership in creating innovative, culturally safe, non-clinical responses to trauma when Indigenous voices, priorities and the enduring strength of culture are at the centre.