Abstract
The Cloaked in Strength project explored the lived experience of family violence of 15 urban Australian Aboriginal mothers through a process of possum skin cloak making. This article presents the findings of the fourth study question that asks: how does cultural practice support Aboriginal women as they reflect upon their experiences of family violence? Highlighting two research stories, the article explores the first story of a reflexive research design that highlighted the women’s engagement with the possum skin cloaking, and its therapeutic relevance in their lives. The second story identifies the importance of the possum skin cloaking process as a significant methodological approach, supporting the women’s storying of family violence. The stories merge to create one research narrative with distinct findings which offer insights into the importance of privileging Aboriginal women’s gendered voice in conversations about family violence, while emphasising the cultural identity-affirming context within which they must occur.
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