Melody Dale, ARDS

Melody Dale spent her formative years in a mountain village of West Papua as part of the Western Dani community. Treated as a Dani child by a large family group, her early childhood was characterised by First Nations approaches to family life. As a social worker in remote parts of the Northern Territory Melody has continued to learn from First Nations leaders and developed specialist experience in relation to bicultural practice as an external partner. Melody is passionate about meaningful cross-cultural communication, innovative social work practice, and two-ways learning. Melody has been working for ARDS Aboriginal Corporation across the East Arnhem region for the past few years alongside senior Yolŋu clan leaders assisting in the co-design of a Trauma Informed Practice Framework using a holistic, whole of organisation approach.