A Message from Culture Is Life’s CEO, Belinda Duarte
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this unceded land, this beautiful country we call Australia. We acknowledge the Elders and old people who have endured the impacts of colonisation on our cultures and the resilience they embody which inspire our work daily.
We at Culture is Life are committed to ensuring the truth of First People’s history is told, heard and known by every Australian, which is why we are so passionate about our work in education and supporting teachers and staff in their huge role and relationships with their students.
Our Education Resources are our contribution to inspiring a curiosity and commitment to building relationships together between First Peoples and Non-Indigenous Australia, and a united commitment to honouring the history of this country and the oldest living culture in the world.
In understanding the truth of this country we can therefore understand why we are where we are today and forge the collective healing required to create a stronger, healthier country into our future.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.
– Belinda Duarte (Wotjobaluk/Dja Dja Wurrung)
The Resources
‘Teaching First Nations Knowledges & Perspectives: A Guide to Creating Safe Learning Environments’ Education Resource
Culture is Life’s education projects include curriculum resource development, social impact campaigns and teacher training. All materials are developed by a collective of First Nations educators and young people to inspire teachers to creatively embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, peoples and cultures in their classrooms.
We hope that this guide offers some guidance to support you in feeling more confident and competent in your teaching and helps to create safe learning environments for all young people.
‘The Australian Wars’ Education Resources
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.
Culture is Life have produced extensive curriculum aligned resources for levels 10-12, freely accessible on our website! Classroom ready short clips with aligned resources for Levels 9-12 can be accessed also on SBS Learn including essential Cultural Considerations for teachers before delivering in the classroom.
Training Opportunities
Culture is Life provide professional development opportunities for educators to connect with our First Nations resource writers.
The professional development sessions aim to support educators to:
• Create culturally safe environments for young people
• Embed First Nations content, values and approaches respectfully
• Increase awareness and better understanding of our nation’s history
• Provide access to more First Nations-led and co-designed educational materials, training and tools
• Increase understanding and skills to support holistic wellbeing outcomes
Webinar: Teaching The Australian Wars and First Nations Knowledges and Perspectives
Our next webinar is ‘Teaching The Australian Wars and First Nations Knowledges and Perspectives’ and is at 5:30pm on Wednesday the 9th of November, 2022.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 9th November 2022
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30pm
Place: Online Event
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📢 UPDATE! Fullaship Elevation! ✨
We’re taking a strategic pause on Fullaship for 2026.
Why? Because over four incredible years, we’ve gathered so much wisdom and feedback from young mob across the continent. 🖤💛❤️ We value these insights deeply and want to take the time to reflect on all the amazing energy and ideas you’ve shared. 💭⚡
This pause means we will not be recruiting new Fellows this year and instead, can refine and elevate Fullaship, making it the absolute best it can be. 🚀
In the meantime, we’ll be strengthening our connections with our incredible Alumni network and will have other opportunities to connect with Culture is Life throughout the year. 🌿✨
Stay connected, stay deadly, and get ready for a next-level Fullaship in 2027! 🔥 We’re excited for what’s to come, and we hope you’ll keep in touch. 🙌🏽
Our stance on Jan 26 is clear. This is still a Day of Mourning for us as our Elders first declared in 1938.
We have advocated for ten years since our beginning to change the date and we continue to stand with the growing tide of mob and allies calling for change. 💪🏽💪🏼
We support the many mob-led acts of resistance, love and connection happening across the country on Monday. 🖤💛❤️
As Jan 26 draws nearer, we’re inspired by this insight from our Fullaship Alumni, Shaylem.
Wellbeing Tips for Survival Day 🖤💛❤️
✨ Listen to your mind, body, murrup (spirit) and Country, remember the things that help you feel well.
🫶🏽 Seek out safe spaces and surround yourself with people you love.
📵 It’s okay to opt out of social media, rallies, and actions if you don’t feel up to it.
📞 Reach out for support if you need it - 13YARN (13 92 76)
As we wrap up a huge year and the tenth year of our existence 🎉 our gratitude goes out to communities across this continent who continue to support First Nations young people 🤝🏾🌏
Despite the devastating negative statistics we are so often reminded of we know that young mob, with the right support, can thrive and flourish strong in knowing who they are, where they come from and who they are connected to 🖤💛❤️
We continue to be inspired by the hopes and dreams they carry for our shared future ✨
Here are just a few of the many highlights from our year 👇🏾🎬
#cultureislife #firstnations #blakexcellence #youngmob #alwayswasalwayswillbe
“Our ways are not just better for working with our mob, they’re just better. They’re more human ways of working.” ✨
In December, Genevieve Grieves (Worimi) from GARUWA and Shifting Ground presented to the 2025 Fellows on her journey and lived experience navigating institutions 🧭🏛️
Genevieve shared powerful advice and deep insights into how systems really operate ⚙️💡, while highlighting the importance of having strong community around you 🤝🏾🌿
#cultureislife #firstnations #blakexcellence #indigenousleadership #communityfirst
In November 2025, Fellow Tyson Neal Edwards (Waddawurrung, Gunditjmara & Arrernte) shared powerful insights with his peers about the work he and his team led during the Gariwerd (Grampians National Park) fires 🔥🌿
Their leadership in forest fire management, cultural heritage protection and disaster recovery has since been recognised nationally 👏🏽🏆
Big shoutout to Tyson and the incredible work he continues to do. We loved hearing the passion and care you bring to protecting Country 🖤💛❤️
Victoria’s Treaty is here! Victorian Parliament has passed legislation to make the first Treaty with First Peoples in this country a reality. First People’s Assembly of Victoria has organised a celebration in Naarm to officially mark the new Treaty era. It’s a moment for everyone who calls Victoria home to reflect on this long journey and celebrate! 🖤💛❤️
We’re still recovering from the heat wave ☀️💺 but absolutely buzzing after our week on Larrakia Country.
So many thought-provoking convos, deep learnings, and moments that’ll stay with us for a long time.
Huge shoutout to the 2025 Fellows for showing up with heart, courage and curiosity, and to everyone we connected with along the way.
Community, culture and Country… that’s the real magic. ✨
#Fullaship #CultureIsLife #larrakiacountry
