News - Culture is Life

NAIDOC 2024: Education Resources

NAIDOC Committee, Culture is Life and ABC Education Launch Official Educational Resources for NAIDOC Week 2024.

The Fullaship 2024: Gimuy Intensive

The 2024 Fullaship Program gathered in Gimuy (Cairns), Far North Queensland for their second Intensive. It was held on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji & Yirrganydji people’s lands and Yarrabah of the Gunggandji people.

The World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference 2024

Young First Nations people attend international gathering to influence change and promote Social and Emotional Wellbeing.

The Fullaship 2023: Naarm Intensive

The 2023 Fullaship Program celebrated their graduation with an event in Naarm (Melbourne) in February 2024.

The Fullaship 2024: Naarm Intensive

The 2024 Fullaship Program gathered in Naarm (Melbourne) and Wharburton, Victoria for their first intensive on Wurundjeri Country.

Meet Our New Programs Officer: Manny Williams

We are so happy to announce that proud Kalkadoon, Pitta Pitta and Bundjalung man Manny Williams has joined the Culture is Life team as Programs Officer (Fullaship).

Common Threads Summit

Culture is Life attended Common Threads 2024 in Gimuy (Cairns) from 7th - 9th May.

The Elders’ Report into Preventing Indigenous Self-harm and Youth Suicide

The Elders’ Report into Preventing Indigenous Self-Harm and Youth Suicide brings together the voices of Elders and community leaders from across affected communities that wished to speak publicly about the causes and solutions needed to address this issue.

The Fullaship 2023: Lutruwita Intensive

The 2023 Fullaship Program gathered in Lutruwita (Tasmania) for their final intensive 20th - 24th of February 2024.

The Fullaship Program by Shaylem Wilson

Shaylem Wilson (Ngarrindjeri) reflects on the 2023 Fullaship Program.

Applications Open for the Fullaship Program 2024

Applications are now open for the Fullaship Program 2024.

Walking the Djirringanj Dreaming

On the second anniversary of Uncle Max 'Dulumunmun' Harrison passing, Culture is Life staff were privileged and humbled to be following in his footsteps, walking the Djirringanj Dreaming trail on Yuin Country, guided by his grandson Dwayne ‘Naja’ Bannon-Harrison.

The Fullaship Program by Hakon Dyrting

Hakon Dyrting (Garrawa,NT and Djugun/ Yawuru, WA), 2023 Fullaship Program, reflects on the 2023 Fullaship Program.

Walking Our Songlines with Language

Walking Our Songlines with Language is a healing journey of reconnection to language for Coota Girls Survivors, their descendants and the broader First Nations community made in partnership with Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation.

Yarn Up Listen Up Report

Culture is Life and the Centre of Best Practice of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) have released Yarn Up Listen Up – A Community Report of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People’s Perspectives on Suicide Prevention.

The Fullaship 2023: Boorloo Intensive

The 2023 Fullaship Programs gathered in Boorloo (Perth) for their second intensive.

Unveiling Insights

Culture is Life hosted a three part webinar series designed for educators to deepen their knowledge and competence in teaching First Nations perspectives in our shared history, particularly Frontier Wars history in the The Australian Wars Curriculum.

First Weapons Education Resources

First Weapons explores the history and innovation behind the weapons used by First Nations peoples.

NAIDOC Week 2023 Education Resources

Culture is Life is honoured to be celebrating and sharing the knowledge and lived experiences of our Elders past and present, to ensure our stories as First Peoples are valued in every classroom around the Country.

Bidhi Galing Education Resources

Powerful and moving, Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) celebrates the Wiradyuri heroes of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852, told through the eyes of a young girl who is rescued from the raging floodwaters by her father.

The Australian Wars: Webinar Series

This three part webinar series is designed for educators to deepen their knowledge and competence in teaching First Nations perspectives in our shared history, particularly Frontier Wars history.

The Fullaship 2023: Warrane Intensive

The 2023 Fellows travelled to Warrane (Sydney), for their first intensive of the year.

Job Opportunity: Programs Officer

We're hiring a full-time Programs Officer to join a small, creative, determined and focused team who back our mob to catalyse and mobilise positive change.

Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum

Culture is Life travelled to Meanjin (Brisbane) on Tuurbal country for the Indigenous Suicide Prevention (ISP) Forum in March 2023.

Our Future Fire

A fireside yarn weaving culture, storytelling and live performances by young First Nations people from Culture is Life and the Singing Our Futures program at Port Fairy Folk Festival.

#HealOurHistory Campaign Launch

To amplify the The Australian Wars Education & Impact Project in partnership with Culture is Life, Blackfella Films and SBS, Culture is Life has launched the #HealOurHistory Campaign.

The Fullaship Program 2023

We are now accepting applications for the next Fullaship for March 2023 – March 2024. The Fullaship is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18 to 30 from anywhere in Australia.

Two Way Learning & Professional Development for Teachers

Teachers who participated in Culture is Life's recent webinar expressed their need to deeper understand our shared history, including the Frontier Wars, and interest in our Two-Way Learning Model, now added to the 'Teaching First Nations Knowledge and Perspectives Guide'.

Honouring Our Old People: Reflections On Visiting Australia’s Largest Prison Island & The Frontier Wars

After watching the documentary Utopia years ago, and learning about the true history of Rottnest Island, or Wadjemup as it’s called in Noongar language, I thought this was a place that I would never visit.

Teaching The Australian Wars & First Nations Perspectives & Knowledges

Following the launch of two new education resources, we invite all teachers to register for our upcoming professional development opportunity ‘Teaching The Australian Wars & First Nations Perspectives & Knowledges' Webinar.

WIPCE 2022

Culture Is Life is headed to the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education, from 26 – 30 September 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. We’re looking forward to meeting with First Nations peoples from across the world and will be presenting two workshops.

The Australian Wars

The story of Australia’s longest and perhaps most defining war has been kept silent – until now. Over three parts, this ground-breaking documentary series gives voice to the story of The Australian Wars – the battles fought on home soil, as the colonial frontier pushed forward, and First Nations peoples resisted.

The Fullaship 2022: Naarm Intensive

The Fullaship is a 12-month program open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People who are on a journey to become community leaders, role models and mentors. Our Fellows recently flew from around the country for the first Fullaship intensive.

National Reconciliation Week 2022

This National Reconciliation Week, we encourage you to be brave in influencing change in your communities, homes, schools and workplaces.

Webinar – Wellbeing for Teachers & Students

Free webinar to support teachers to embed First Nations perspectives and knowledge in a culturally safe and respectful way.

Back to Nature Resources now Live!

Back to Nature Resources are now available for teachers to freely access on Culture is Life’s new education platform and ABC Education.

International Women’s Day

Today we acknowledge the contribution of the women we have worked with and those that have created change to address the inequality experienced by women across the world.

The Winyarr Collection

Culture Is Life are excited to announce the official launch of The Winyarr Collection, in partnership with Wittner and First Nations artist Alkina Edwards.

Honouring Stolen Generations Survivors

Culture is Life has partnered with The Archie Roach Foundation to honour Stolen Generations Survivors and shed light on the devastating government policies that still impact thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families today.

Aboriginal Teachers deliver professional educational development for SEDA

Culture is Life’s Aboriginal educators delivered vocational and higher education providers with teacher training prior to a national roll out of The Australian Dream curriculum. An initiative in SEDA Groups commitment to strengthening Indigenous perspectives and knowledges for all staff and the young people they reach.

The Australian Dream education resources and campaign

In partnership with Good Thing Productions, Culture is Life have developed comprehensive curriculum resources and lead the #MyAustralianDream Campaign to extend the outreach and impact of The Australian Dream film.

Cairns – Uluru First Nations Youth Summit

This past weekend I was invited to spend 3 days with over 50 young First Nations leaders, descendant from so many Nations across these lands. We were welcomed by the Gunggandji people on their country in Cairns at the Uluru First Nations Youth Summit.

Yawuru Young Ambassadors Cultural Exchange

For five days, five other Aboriginal young people and I attended an intensive Cultural Exchange in Aotearoa.

Horrid and disturbing at its core: all Australians must help prevent youth suicide

Indigenous women say it is the responsibility of all Australians to prevent suicide in Indigenous children.

January 26 Highlights A Time For Change, But Is Anyone Listening?

Since New Year’s Day, at least five Aboriginal young people have tragically taken their own lives. It was so distressing there was extensive media coverage for a change. Yet week in and week out, self-harm and suicide have grown into an epidemic among First Nations young people.

Perhaps we’ve got problems as deep as the US

I work for Culture Is Life, a not-for-profit combating suicide and self-harm among young First Australians – nine times the rate in the general population. As a nation we need urgently to ask ourselves, how can we counter the crippling despair overcoming so many of our young people? We believe some answers lie in strengthening their connections to culture, community and history.

A poem titled ‘Earth Mother’ written today by ‘Miimi and Jiinda’

‘Earth Mother’ by ‘Miimi and Jiinda’ – Gumbaynggirr Elder Lauren Jarrett and her Daughter – Culture is Life’s National Project Manager – Melissa Greenwood.

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Nov 8

Meet Koby Sellings, one of our 2024 Fellows! Koby is a proud Gunai Kurnai man who is passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and advocacy. ✊🏽

This is evident through his past and current commitments with Yalari, headspace National and Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. Koby was also the Community Engagement Officer at the @koorieyouthcouncil, which saw him lead the 2023 Koorie Youth Summit, as well as the Blackouts in Mildura and Warrnambool. 💛

Currently, he works at Yalari and has been working in the leadership and wellbeing space to help in the personal development of Yalari's students and alumni. 🧘🏽‍♂️

Nov 4

The 2024 Fullaship in Gimuy (Cairns) wearing their deadly creations made in the “Clay Speaks” workshop hosted by @ttpopp_ 🎨

Thank you to the deadly tidda @taliciaminniecon for yarning with the young mob and sharing her story, talking about healing and her journey with social entrepreneurship. 💛

As tidda said, this is why we do what we do - for the next generation, our children, our community and our connection to culture. ✨

📸 @ttpopp_

Nov 1

Meet Bri Apma Hayes, one of our deadly 2024 Fellows! 👋🏽 Bri is a proud Arrernte woman, born and raised on Waddawurrung country in Geelong. She is an artist who grew up learning stories and techniques from her father which she now uses to connect with other people and share culture, history and people's journeys. 🎨

Bri is passionate about education and is currently Co-Chair for her Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group to help all young mob feel safe and heard in education environments. ✊🏽

Oct 30

Arrernte and Kalkadoon filmmaker, Rachel Perkins, has been awarded the Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen Award at the Screen Music Awards in Naarm (Melbourne). 🏆

“Her stories, whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, have become woven into the fabric of our national story. 🎬

They challenge us to look deeper, to understand more fully and to walk in the shoes of those whose experiences may be different from our own.” - Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, which present the Screen Music Awards. 🙌🏽
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📱 Read the full story via @nitv_au

Oct 30

Meet Jeremy Last, one of our 2024 Fellows! Jeremy is a proud Ngaanyatjarra & Pitjantjatjara man studying a double bachelor's degree in International Relations and Arts majoring in Indigenous Knowledges & Society at the University of Adelaide. 👨🏽‍🎓

Jeremy is passionate about community development and advocating for mob. On a personal level Jeremy enjoys playing Australian Rules Football, trail running, spending time with my family and friends and also volunteering at a youth group. 🏃🏽

Oct 29

The 2024 Fullaship mob have landed in Gimuy (Cairns) on Yidinji & Yirrganydji Country for their second intensive ✈️

Special thanks to Traditional Owner, Jiritju Fourmile, for the warm Welcome and showing us around this beautiful Country. 🍃

Oct 28

Meet Raychelle (RayRay) Mckenzie from the 2024 Fullaship Program! RayRay is an Anbarra, Nakara young person with ties to Luritja and Yamatji mobs, passionate about grassroots initiatives and community empowerment. As an MC, rapper, and poet, they express stories of resilience and disparities through music and creativity. 🎤

As part of their Fullaship project to develop as an artist, RayRay has recently performed with Kobie Dee on his Northern Territory Tour and is also passionate about addressing Rheumatic Heart Disease and Streptococcus A, sharing insights from their lived experience and the effects it has on families and their community. 🫂

Oct 10

Today, October 10, marks #WorldMentalHealthDay 🌏 This is a gentle reminder that it's ok to not be ok. Take care of yourself, your mob and your Country. 🫂 It's all connected. 🫶🏽 #MentalHealthMatters

Artwork via @coffinbirth

Sep 13

Today, September 13, marks 17 years of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. 🖤

Did you know that Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States all voted against the Declaration?! However, all four countries that initially voted against have reversed their position and now support the Declaration. What do you think these countries have in common that would cause them to initially vote against? 🤷🏽‍♀️

#FirstNations #Indigenous #UNDRIP

Sep 12

Today, September 12, is R U OK? Day - a day to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with one another and start a conversation with someone who may be struggling with life. 💛

Today we want to encourage Young People to yarn with their mates. Whether it's school pressures, financial stress, family drama or social isolation - sometimes it can be tricky to know what to do or say. 🤔

That's why we've put together these tips from the R U OK? #FriendBetter resources to help support you to have those important conversations. 💬

More resources here 👉🏼 ruok.org.au/friendbetter

#RUOK #RUOKDay #RUOKDay2024

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