NOONGAR WOMAN BRINGS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TO MINING CAMPS
BY TANGIORA HINAKI
A Pilbara-based businesswoman is taking mental health training into mining camps, explicitly tailored for Aboriginal workers.
Valerie Riley, a Nyoongar woman and founder of Nih Kaartdijin Mia, has been residing in the region for over 14 years. After nearly a decade of working FIFO rosters, she recognised a need for better, culturally appropriate mental health support on-site.
“I used to work behind the bar, and I saw a lot of depression in camp,” Riley said. “That’s where the idea for Nih Kaartdijin Mia came from—to give back, and help people manage mental health challenges on mine sites.”
Riley now delivers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training, accredited through Mental Health First Aid Australia. She says the sessions are not just about crisis support—they help build awareness among management teams and promote culturally safe conversations in the workplace.
“We want to encourage supervisors and managers to look out for their Indigenous staff, and have the skills to engage with them in a way that’s culturally appropriate,” she said. “This program is based on lived experience, and that’s powerful.”
Unlike broader campaigns like *R U OK?, Riley says her business provides training from a First Nations perspective.
“We’re 100% Aboriginal-owned. We come with peer support and real experience, and we use language where appropriate. That difference matters.”
Riley has presented at expos across the state and is now receiving growing interest from the mining sector to deliver workshops on-site.
She says a FIFO life can be isolating and have a profound impact on family relationships—something she knows firsthand.
“I’ve gone through job losses, financial hardship, bouncing back and having to start again. But I didn’t give up,” she said. “If you’re struggling, reach out—talk to family, the chaplain, or your supervisor.”
As NAIDOC Week highlights themes of legacy and the next generation, Riley has a clear message for other Aboriginal women considering starting a business.
“If you’ve got an idea, just have a go. There’s support out there—business coaches, people who want to see you succeed,” she said. “Don’t hold back. Reach for the stars.”
She credits organisations like Many Rivers, Wirlu-Murra’s Wallich Hub, and the Karratha & Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s ‘Grow Local’ team for helping her through the early stages.
“Starting out was tough. I sat down with family, had lots of yarns, and eventually reached out for support,” she said. “Now we’re connecting with other Indigenous businesses and big companies too—it’s been a real eye-opener.”