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The first intensive for 2023 was held in Sydney, on the lands of the Gadigal People. This was the first time the fellows had met in person and there was lot’s of excitement and anticipation, some visiting Sydney for the first time! Arriving from Polouma Island, Townsville, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

 

We stayed at a central location to the harbour and surrounds, and kicked the informal part of the program off at Accor Stadium, for some socialising, and Rabbitohs NRL Experience.

 

 

 

On Sunday we traveled to Kuringai Chase National Park where we met Uncle Laurie Bimson, a Guringai man, who runs Guringai Aboriginal Tours. Uncle passed around and shared knowledge on weapons and tools and participants got to practice their return boomerang throwing skills. We walked along The Basin track to The Basin Aboriginal art site with its rock engravings, where Uncle shared knowledge about this site and how it links with others nearby, and visited beautiful ochre hand-prints. 

 

Finished by a rest at West Head, one of Sydney’s best lookouts, to take in stunning ocean and coastal views before a beautiful native ingredient infused lunch catered by Cafe Dreaming.

 

The next morning we met Uncle Shane Phillips at NCIE in Redfern, who took us on a walking tour of Redfern sharing it’s stories of resistance and pride, visiting Dreaming Cafe, and Aboriginal services, before heading back to NCIE for a personal development project session with Thara & Sofii. 

 

 

 

Participants got to meet the newly appointed Programs Officer Madeline, our former project officer who misses us, Jayden Oakley, Aunty Steffi Armstrong, Aunty Lynette Riley and board members, Jane Pound and Faye McMilan for lunch. Lunch was catered by the incredible Aunty Beryl, who is still cooking and delivering hospitality training in her eighties – a true inspiration!

 

Tanja Hirvonen delivered a wellbeing workshop at NCIE that evening and seeded some great ideas for SEWB support throughout the program, before a much needed dinner and games night.

 

The last morning was spent at Palms Studio, recording video messages from the fellows ‘For Our Elders’ NAIDOC resources and promotion. And a photo shoot with Gammin Threads and Clothing the Gaps merch to use throughout the year. Shelley Ware then delivered her media training workshop offering some incredible tips and tricks from her years of media training and teaching to develop participants’ confidence in public speaking and presenting.

 

The final closing circle came around quickly with participants sharing some great insights, highlights and challenges of the intensive, what they will take with them and a compliment to their fellow participants. The feedback was recorded to inform our future intensives as well as staff feedback. Overall, a successful jam packed intensive and looking forward to reconnecting with some more culturally grounding , wellbeing and professional development focused sessions in WA in September.

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Culture is Life welcomes yesterday’s historic legislation that gives powers to the National Commission for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People — a landmark step for the rights, voices and wellbeing of First Nations children and young people.

“Our children have a right to rely on the systems that were purposefully built to support them. Putting it bluntly, our governments are not delivering on this and have been consistently turning a blind eye to what is happening.”

“The only people who are paying the price are First Nations, children and young people.”

Thank you to all who advocated for and are leading this important work. Our congratulations to Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter on your leadership. We are so grateful that over the last couple of years, the young people involved in our programs have had the honour to be able to spend time with you, listening and learning.

First Nations young mob deserve to thrive. 🖤💛❤️

@sueanne_hunter @snaicc_ @ncatsicyp

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Open post by cultureislifeorg with ID 18333121084264919
Culture is Life welcomes yesterday’s historic legislation that gives powers to the National Commission for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People — a landmark step for the rights, voices and wellbeing of First Nations children and young people. “Our children have a right to rely on the systems that were purposefully built to support them. Putting it bluntly, our governments are not delivering on this and have been consistently turning a blind eye to what is happening.” “The only people who are paying the price are First Nations, children and young people.” Thank you to all who advocated for and are leading this important work. Our congratulations to Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter on your leadership. We are so grateful that over the last couple of years, the young people involved in our programs have had the honour to be able to spend time with you, listening and learning. First Nations young mob deserve to thrive. 🖤💛❤️ @sueanne_hunter @snaicc_ @ncatsicyp