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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Jalen’s (Darumbal) message is powerful: young mob don’t have to fit into the narrow paths that have been laid out for them.
University, dance, sport, community, culture, creativity, there are so many ways to lead, grow and build a future on your own terms. ❤️💛🖤
Applications open September 18!
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnationsyouth #youngmob #powerful
Donny (Jaru) remembers that first Fullaship intensive in Naarm, meeting everyone for the first time and immediately feeling a sense of warmth, connection and belonging with the group, staff and other Fullaship members. ❤️💛🖤
Applications open September 18!
🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnationsyouth #youngmob #connection
Caleb (Meriam Mir, Erub Kebi Le) joined Fullaship to build their skills ❤️💛🖤
What they didn’t expect was how much it would grow their confidence, support their mental health and change the way they moved through the world.
Applications open September 18!
🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnationsyouth #youngmob #firstnationsleadership
Bek (Wakaya) talks about why she applied for the Fullaship program.
Applications open September 18!
🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnations #youngmob #youthprograms
From the very beginning of Culture is Life’s existence Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung woman - and our co-founder - Belinda Duarte has been there.
Wearing her heart on her sleeve in every discussion, with everyone she meets, there is never any doubt that her life is all about making sure that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are safe, thriving and know who they are.
She has shaped our every direction, taken us to where we are but the time has come for her to step away. After 10 years of tireless advocacy and transformational work, Belinda has made the big decision to step back.
The whole Culture is Life family have been inspired by Belinda’s unshakeable desire to see First Nations people thriving. She will leave big shoes to fill but we know that the foundations have been laid for us to keep doing our great work for years and years to come.
The team at Culture is Life
#cultureislife #firstnations #indigenousleadership #blakexcellence #thankyou
The wait is over…we are very excited for Fullaship 2027!
We’ve been busy refreshing the program design and we’re more than ready to work with another deadly group of young First Nations people next year ❤️💛🖤
Keep your eyes out for applications opening in September 👀
Earlier this year we wrapped up the 2025/26 Fullaship Program.
Coming soon we have some exciting news to share about the program.
Keep an eye out! 👀
Culture is Life would like to acknowledge two special people in our network who have both been recognised and nominated as finalists for this year’s National NAIDOC awards. Aunty Steph Armstrong (Gamilaraay/Bigambul) and 2025 Fellow Tyson Neal-Edwards (Gunditjmarra/Waddawurrung/Arrernte).
We are so proud of you both, your hard work and dedication has been amazing to witness first-hand.
With love,
Culture is Life
🤎
@stephanie.armstrong.7543 @kngwarrayee
