The statistics are dire.

  • Suicide accounts for 6% of all deaths among Indigenous people (vs 2% non-Indigenous).
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Indigenous males (vs 10th non-Indigenous). It is the 7th leading cause of death for Indigenous females (vs 23rd non-Indigenous).
  • One-third of all Indigenous child deaths (ages 5 to 17) are suicides.
  • 23% of all suicide deaths in Australian children (ages 5 to 17) are Indigenous children.

Source: Black Dog Institute

This is our mission.

We believe that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have the right to thrive and flourish.

We partner with others to create meaningful lives for all our young people with a special emphasis on those experiencing vulnerability and who are at risk of self-harm and suicide.

We want to contribute to global knowledge and positively impact the health and wellbeing of this and future generations.

The Yarn Up Listen Up Report

We partnered with the Centre of Best Practice of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) to conduct consultations with 24 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18-27.

The aim of these consultations was to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peopleโ€™s perspectives on suicide prevention services/resources, and their lived experiences accessing these.

The young people who participated in this research project were provided with access to culturally safe wellbeing support throughout the project.


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"There is no force equal to the power of the First Nations Matriarchy." - Teela Reid (Wiradjuri and Wailwan), Co-Founder of @blackfulla_bookclub ๐Ÿ“š

This Mother's Day we recognise the Matriarchs, who lead us by example, showing us how to take each step with purpose. ๐Ÿ‘ฃ 

#MothersDay #Aboriginal #Matriarch

Source: Griffith Review (https://ow.ly/N9C350RCuXW.)
๐Ÿ“ธ Bobbi Lockyer
We've had a deadly few days in Gimuy (Cairns) for the Common Threads Summit. Connecting with mob from all over and yarning Treaty, protecting Country, justice, culture, advocacy and so much more. โœŠ๐Ÿฝ

Creating pathways into spaces like this for young mob is critical, for their own leadership and development, but also to have their voices heard in these important conversations happening in our communities. ๐Ÿ’ฌ

Thank you to Common Threads for having us, including their steering committee Dr Jackie Huggins AM, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts and Millie Telford, along with their partners @getup_australia and @ausprogress. ๐Ÿ’›

๐Ÿ“ธ Donny Imberlong (2022 Fellow), Belinda Duarte (CEO), Leyla Quartermaine (2022 Fellow), Thara Brown (General Manager - Programs), Anna-Rita Fauid (2023 Fellow) and Madeline Wells (Program Officer).

#CommonThreads24
Books have a profound impact in shaping young minds and fostering inclusive, safe spaces where everyone's voice is heard and valued. ๐Ÿ“–

โ€œI am reminded of the Native American saying 'When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realise that we cannot eat money.' It's from the elders that you get wisdom. But it all feels different to me now - there is a dislocation of spirit, a disconnect from the old story. Not just for blackfellas, but all of us.โ€ - Uncle Archie Roach (Gunditjmara and Bundjalung)

Source: 'Tell Me Why' by Archie Roach
We love seeing young mob thrive! โœจ The Singing Our Futures program was established by the Archie Roach Foundation in collaboration with Culture is Life. ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿพ

It has evolved from the rich legacy left behind by Uncle Archie Roach, one of storytelling, truth-telling and healing through music, as well as his passion for nurturing and creating pathways for emerging First Nations artists. โค๏ธโ€๐Ÿฉน

It was a deadly full circle moment to have one of the 2023 Singing Our Futures artists, Canisha, perform at our Fullaship Program Graduation 2023. Such a beautiful set and we can't wait to see where her journey leads. ๐Ÿ‘ฃ

#Fullaship #ArchieRoach #SingingOurFutures
"It's really important for teachers to be actively anti-racist." - Adam Brodie-McKenzie, Humanities Teacher and University Lecturer.

Itโ€™s important for teachers to be creating change in their schools, making it safer for all Australian students. How do you teach anti-racism in your school?

Watch Now ๐Ÿ“บ https://hubs.ly/Q02tJVfY0
Find Out More ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿฝ https://hubs.ly/Q02tJV8d0
Join The Campaign ๐Ÿซฑ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿซฒ๐Ÿพ https://hubs.ly/Q02tJV7m0
Education Resources ๐ŸŽ“ https://hubs.ly/Q02tJV7r0

#TheAustralianWars #HealOurHistory #Education 

๐ŸŽฌ Series by @blackfellafilms 
๐Ÿ“บ Watch #TheAustralianWars on @sbs_australia 
โค๏ธ In partnership with @blackfellafilms and @sharkislandinstitute
๐Ÿ“ธ  Photo by Sulaiman Enayatzada aka @lazyfairr
Today, we stand in solidarity, remembering the courage and sacrifice of our Ancestors and all who have served. On Anzac Day, we honor their resilience and commitment to protecting our lands. Lest we forget. ๐ŸŒบ
 
#Australia #AnzacDay #LestWeForget
Big mob shout out to the MC's of our 2023 Fullaship Program Graduation. ๐Ÿ–ค

Lillian Arnold-Rendell (Dharug and Kamiliroi) and Manny Williams (Kalkadoon, Pitta Pitta and Bundjalung) are two of our inaugural Fellows. 

We are inspired by the way in which our Fellows have forged their own pathways and continue to lead by example.

Our Alumni continues to grow and support one another, with the Culture is Life fam growing and thriving! โœจ

๐Ÿ“ธ @lazyfairr
We are hiring โš ๏ธ Culture is Life is seeking a Manager of Measurement and Evaluation. ๐Ÿ“Š 

In this role you will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of measurement and evaluation processes for all Culture is Life's program and project activities. Help us to strengthen and impact social and emotional wellbeing.

Apply Now โœ๐Ÿผ #LinkInBio
Watch the second video from #HealOurHistory Conversations yarn ๐Ÿ“บ #LinkInBio
 
Education Consultant for Culture is Life, Aunty Stephanie Armstrong, sits down with Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Leigh Ridgeway (Worimi), Fran McCarthy from the Mt Druitt Community School and humanities teacher and university lecturer Adam Brodie-McKenzie, to yarn about systemic responsibility and making a commitment for change in our education systems. ๐ŸŽ“

Watch the full videoโ˜๐Ÿฝhttps://hubs.ly/Q02sQJBP0
Find Out More ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿฝ https://hubs.ly/Q02sQJXQ0
Join The Campaign ๐Ÿซฑ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿซฒ๐Ÿพ https://hubs.ly/Q02sQJXX0
Education Resources ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ https://hubs.ly/Q02sQKH00 

#TheAustralianWars #HealOurHistory #Education

๐ŸŽฌ Series by @blackfellafilms
๐Ÿ“บ Watch #TheAustralianWars on @sbs_australia
โค๏ธ In partnership with @blackfellafilms and @sharkislandinstitute