Are We Ready? - Culture is Life

‘Are We Ready’ asked all Australians to deepen their connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures during NRW 2017 (May 27 – June 3, 2017) by reflecting on the ways friendships between Aboriginal and non–Aboriginal people have reshaped individual perspectives and enriched lives.

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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

Sep 10

CW: Suicide ⚠️

Today, September 10th, marks World Suicide Prevention Day. As we wind down from the day, we invite you to light a candle and take a moment to honour and remember those we have lost to suicide. A simple but meaningful wellbeing ritual that you can continue throughout the rest of the year. 🕯️

As always, we stand together as a community, honouring our Ancestors and strengthening our connection to Country, culture and community. Together, we can find strength and healing. ❤️‍🩹

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 immediately.

For more help, you can contact:
Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
or 13Yarn on 13 92 76

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD #WSPD2024

Sep 3

Today, Wednesday 4th September, is Indigenous Literacy Day! An annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ stories, cultures and languages to promote Indigenous literacy. 🥳

For this year’s theme ‘Be a Proud Voice for Country’, we’re sharing a collection of resources that explore the deep and diverse ways children, Elders and families connect with Country; and the significance of Country in Aboriginal Communities. We invite you to explore these First Nations’ stories for all ages and share them with your friends, family and community. 🍃

You can also celebrate today by donating to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and help provide culturally relevant books, books in First Languages, and learning resources to children and families living in remote Communities across Australia. 🤲🏽 donate.ilf.org.au

READ
📖 Bidhi Galing by Anita Heiss
📖 The Art in Country by Bronwyn Bancroft
📖 The First Astronomers by Duane Hamacher
📖 Talking To My Country by Stan Grant
📖 Took The Children Away by Archie Roach
📖 Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra by Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood

WATCH
📺 Little J & Big Cuz (Series)
📺 The Australians Wars (Series)
📺 All My Friends Are Racist (Series)
📺 The Drovers Wife (Film)
📺 Sweet As (Film)
📺 Redfern Now (Series)

LISTEN
🔈 Dreamy (Podcast)
🔈 Big Tidda by Barka (EP)
🔈 Black Magic Woman (Podcast)
🔈 Catching Teller Crow (Audiobook)
🔈 First Things First (Podcast)
🔈 Tribal Voice by Yothu Yindi (Album)

#IndigenousLiteracyDay #ILD2024 #ReadingOpensDoors #IndigenousLiteracyFoundation

Aug 7

Some highlights from the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC) held on the lands of the Seneca Nation! 🌎

Our delegates travelled across the world to connect with Indigenous peoples from all over, learning from one another and sharing culture. 👣

Special thanks to our partners the Centre of Best Practice of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), Anika Foundation and the University of Western Australia. 💛

#WISPC2024 #Indigenous #SuicidePrevention

Aug 6

Yarning up with Professor Pat Dudgeon, respected Elder, trailblazer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention and Co-Chair of Culture is Life! 💬

Aunty Pat talks about psychology within Indigenous communities, collaboration with Aboriginal medical services, reviving traditional ceremonies for holistic health, the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project and innovative ways to engage and support young people on the episode 149 of the Black Magic Woman podcast with Mundanara Bayles. ✨

Jul 25

We're joined at the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC) this week with a cohort from the University of Western Australia (UWA)! 🎓

In collaboration with the Centre of Best Practice of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), our Fullaship Program alumni will be attending WISPC alongside Mark Nannup, Dr Roma Winmar and Tjalaminu Mia (Aunty Tj) from Aunty Tj's TikTok program. 🤳🏼

Special thanks to our partners CBPATSISP, Anika Foundation and the University of Western Australia. 💛

#WISPC2024 #Indigenous #SuicidePrevention

Jul 23

“We honour the flame of the fire, kindling the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.” - Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley AO (Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi) Co-Chair, National NAIDOC Committee 🔥

We wanted to pay our respects and give a special shout out to Aunty Lynette Riley AO, for her leadership and guidance in all that she does but particularly with the Official 2024 NAIDOC Week Education Resources. 🎓

Aunty Lynette is holding a virtual workshop with the 2024 Fullaship Program, to discuss the education resources, her long history of decolonisation within the education space and share her knowledge and perspectives with some of our deadly emerging leaders. 🥳 Thank you Aunty Lynette for everything you do! 🙏🏽

📸 Steven Satour and Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley AO, Co-Chairs of the National NAIDOC Committee at the 2024 NAIDOC Week VIP Luncheon via @koorimailnewspaper

#NAIDOC #NAIDOCWeek #FullashipProgram

Jul 22

Culture is Life is at the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC) this week on the lands of the Seneca Nation! 🌎

Our cohort includes four Fullaship Program alumni, along with Culture is Life's General Manager (Programs), Thara Brown and a cohort from the University of Western Australia (UWA) who have made the trip to connect with Indigenous peoples from all over the world to yarn up about suicide prevention. 💬

Special thanks to our partners the Centre of Best Practice of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), Anika Foundation and the University of Western Australia. 💛

#WISPC2024 #Indigenous #SuicidePrevention