CASSE Australia – Creating A Safe Supportive Environment
Our Vision
A reconciled Australia, with a two-way cultural heritage, living and dreaming together.
Our Mission
Changing minds and saving lives by using psychoanalytic approaches to violence, trauma and healing.
Our Core Work
By changing minds and spirit, we are saving lives. It is this simple belief which guides our work every day.
Latest Posts
Happy NAIDOC Week! 50 Years!
This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the culture and communities that are so important to the continued strength of Aboriginal people who maintain their identity through language and their connections across many generations.
A whole week of celebrations will be held throughout Mparntwe to mark this year’s theme, where Elders, community groups and cultural leaders have been involved in planning the variety of activities including the NAIDOC march, community days, an exhibition tour from AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies), film screening of Indigenous films, Desert Peoples celebration, community day at Ltyentye Apurte and the Healthy Mob gathering. The week culminates with the NAIDOC ball.
The CASSE staff join all those families, Elders, youth and community groups in Mparntwe whose efforts give NAIDOC week significance.
These celebrations show us that culture is healing; community is strengthening; and the connections we build with our youth can keep them strong.
Wishing you a successful and proud NAIDOC week. 😎
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Every year on 3 June we celebrate Mabo Day, which commemorates the life of Eddie Koiki Mabo and marks the anniversary of the historic 1992 Mabo decision.
Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander man who challenged the claim that his family’s traditional land was owned by the Crown. The High Court’s decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) overturned that claim and set a precedent in Australian law for the recognition of Indigenous custodianship over their traditional land.
The decision also overturned the colonial concept of terra nullius, Latin for ‘nobody’s land’. At the time of European settlement of Australia, terra nullius was used to justify the British Crown’s claim on the land - as though it was previously unoccupied territory.
The Mabo decision was a watershed moment in Australian history. In addition to overturning a long-held colonial myth, it paved the way for subsequent native title claims. The Australian Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993 the following year.
Sadly, Eddie Mabo died several months before the decision was handed down, though his legacy lives on.
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In the lead up to National Reconciliation Week 27 May to 3rd June 2026, tomorrow we will remember National Sorry Day. National Sorry Day was an important step towards reconciliation and an acknowledgement of the trauma and heartbreak suffered by the stolen generation and their families. The impacts of the stolen generation are still felt today by our mob. While tomorrow is a solemn day it reminds us of how strong our mob are and how we will never give up fighting for a better future. Our thoughts are with our community and families tomorrow and in the coming week we will be focusing on continuing the good work we do in supporting our young fellas. We also acknowledge the support and efforts of our Ally’s that walk with us in reconciliation ❤️💛🖤
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Our annual dreams
To take 60-100 youth per year on cultural healing Shields For Living,Tools for Life camps to make traditional tools every year.
To hold day cultural healing camps for the town at-risk youth a day a week at our Desert Knowledge site.
To be in Youth Detention Alice Springs one day a week to deliver traditional tool making.
What we deliver
Through our programs and resources we create spaces for intercultural exchange and understanding.
CASSE respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we meet and work.
CULTURAL CAMPS AND TRADITIONAL TOOL MAKING
The Men’s Tjilirra Movement has partnered CASSE with Aboriginal communities in Haasts Bluff (Ikuntji), Mt Liebig (Amunturrngu), Kintore (Walungurru), Papunya (Warumpi) and Kiwirrkurra in Australia’s central western desert region. CASSE’s ‘Shields for Living, Tools for Life’ program delivers cultural camps for high-risk youth in Alice Springs at Desert Knowledge Australia, Willowra, Santa Teresa, Snow Bore, Titjikala, Tempe Downs, Lajamanu, Finke, Mutitjulu and Imanpa.
