First Weapons explores the history and innovation behind the weapons used by First Nations peoples for thousands of years. The six part series by Blackfella Films and ABC is an action-packed adventure across Australia to reveal the science and genius of our most ancient, innovative, and deadliest First Weapons!

For tens of thousands of years First Nations peoples have used savvy, skill and science to craft and create weapons to hunt, kill and survive. Practices have evolved but the principles are just as relevant today.

Host Phil Breslin sets out an action-packed adventure across Australia. From Wadi Wadi lands in Victoria to the central desert in the Northern Territory. From South Australia to the Bass Strait and onto the lands of the Menang Noongar people in Western Australia, Phil visits Country and meets the weapon makers. A journey to places of rich culture and unending history.

He learns through the inherent knowledge of the weapon makers. How each weapon is sourced and crafted before facing a crash course in combat. A celebration of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and bravery.

From The Resource Writers

There is something truly inspiring when we gain greater understanding of breadth of knowledge that has informed the oldest living culture in the world. First Weapons is a gift to us all.

We thank the brilliant minds behind the series and the Elders past and present for their knowledge, brave resistance, love, strength and generosity in sharing these practices.

The cultural knowledge that has shaped the creation of these weapons, coupled with western science and the stories of our fierce warriors provides evidence of the use of some of the most sophisticated knowledge systems and skills lead by the oldest living culture in the world


Sign up for our newsletter

Be the first to know about new projects and the latest from us.
We care about your data in our privacy policy.
"It's really important for teachers to be actively anti-racist." - Adam Brodie-McKenzie, Humanities Teacher and University Lecturer.

It’s important for teachers to be creating change in their schools, making it safer for all Australian students. How do you teach anti-racism in your school?

Watch Now 📺 https://hubs.ly/Q02tJVfY0
Find Out More 👉🏽 https://hubs.ly/Q02tJV8d0
Join The Campaign 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 https://hubs.ly/Q02tJV7m0
Education Resources 🎓 https://hubs.ly/Q02tJV7r0

#TheAustralianWars #HealOurHistory #Education 

🎬 Series by @blackfellafilms 
📺 Watch #TheAustralianWars on @sbs_australia 
❤️ In partnership with @blackfellafilms and @sharkislandinstitute
📸  Photo by Sulaiman Enayatzada aka @lazyfairr
Today, we stand in solidarity, remembering the courage and sacrifice of our Ancestors and all who have served. On Anzac Day, we honor their resilience and commitment to protecting our lands. Lest we forget. 🌺
 
#Australia #AnzacDay #LestWeForget
Big mob shout out to the MC's of our 2023 Fullaship Program Graduation. 🖤

Lillian Arnold-Rendell (Dharug and Kamiliroi) and Manny Williams (Kalkadoon, Pitta Pitta and Bundjalung) are two of our inaugural Fellows. 

We are inspired by the way in which our Fellows have forged their own pathways and continue to lead by example.

Our Alumni continues to grow and support one another, with the Culture is Life fam growing and thriving! ✨

📸 @lazyfairr
We are hiring ⚠️ Culture is Life is seeking a Manager of Measurement and Evaluation. 📊 

In this role you will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of measurement and evaluation processes for all Culture is Life's program and project activities. Help us to strengthen and impact social and emotional wellbeing.

Apply Now ✍🏼 #LinkInBio
Watch the second video from #HealOurHistory Conversations yarn 📺 #LinkInBio
 
Education Consultant for Culture is Life, Aunty Stephanie Armstrong, sits down with Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Leigh Ridgeway (Worimi), Fran McCarthy from the Mt Druitt Community School and humanities teacher and university lecturer Adam Brodie-McKenzie, to yarn about systemic responsibility and making a commitment for change in our education systems. 🎓

Watch the full video☝🏽https://hubs.ly/Q02sQJBP0
Find Out More 👉🏽 https://hubs.ly/Q02sQJXQ0
Join The Campaign 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 https://hubs.ly/Q02sQJXX0
Education Resources 🖥️ https://hubs.ly/Q02sQKH00 

#TheAustralianWars #HealOurHistory #Education

🎬 Series by @blackfellafilms
📺 Watch #TheAustralianWars on @sbs_australia
❤️ In partnership with @blackfellafilms and @sharkislandinstitute
Teachers carry the weight of our nation's past, but also the power to shape its future. 👩‍🎓

Hannah Bryant's insightful reflections remind us of the importance of embracing complexity and a teacher's responsibility to educate the next generation. 💬

Let's #HealOurHistory together. ❤️‍🩹 #Linkinbio

#TheAustralianWars #History #Teachers

🎬 Series by @blackfellafilms
📺 Watch #TheAustralianWars on @sbs_australia
❤️ In partnership with @blackfellafilms and @sharkislandfoundation
A gentle reminder for those who've spent a lifetime or recent time in survival mode ❤️ It's time to go thrive! ✨

📸 Bobbi Lockyer
Today marks Close The Gap Day, a call to health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ❤️‍🩹

Our mob's wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do and today we recognise all the other organisations and individuals who are working tirelessly on bettering health outcomes for our communities. ✊🏾

We encourage you to read the Close the Gap Campaign Report 2024, prepared by Lowitja Institute for the Close the Gap Campaign Alliance Group March 2024 📝

Read the report: https://ow.ly/nZei50QYpj5

#ClosetheGapReport2024 #VoiceTreatyTruthandBeyond
“This is the story for everyone, that everyone needs to grapple with and think about because we all live in this country.” - Hannah Bryant, Secondary Teacher.

Find Out More 👉🏽 https://hubs.ly/Q02nTvgg0
Join The Campaign 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 https://hubs.ly/Q02nTvfK0

#TheAustralianWars #HealOurHistory #Education

🎬 Series by @blackfellafilms
📺 Watch #TheAustralianWars on @sbs_australia
🖥️ Education Resources: https://hubs.ly/Q02nTvgz0
❤️ In partnership with @blackfellafilms and @sharkislandinstitute
We are excited to be a part of the Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum 2024 this week on Bunurong/BoonWurrung Country in Albert Park, Melbourne 🧡

We presented two panels yesterday:

• 'The Elders Report' panel which invited Elders who participated in our 2018 Elder's Report into Preventing Indigenous Self-harm and Youth Suicide to share their knowledge and experience, and;

• The 'Caring for Country as an integral aspect of improving mental health outcomes for young people' panel to address the impact of environmental degradation and climate change on young mob. 🌿

This is such an important event and gathering of mob working in suicide prevention to share knowledge and connect, thank you to @aipa.aust for having us! 🙌🏽

📸 Uncle Keith Boney, Professor Pat Dudgeon (Culture is Life Co-Chair), Professor Gracelyn Smallwood (Forum Elder), Aunty Stephanie Armstrong (Culture is Life Senior Consultant) and Manny Williams (Fullaship Program 2022).

#ISPForum #Indigenous #Aboriginal #TorresStraitIslander #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth