As we kick off NAIDOC Week around the country I feel incredibly positive about what is happening and what is possible for the future of our mobs. I choose to be a half-glass full kind of girl and actively seek out the ‘good’ in people and society. I haven’t had to look far for inspiration in our communities, and today I’m just going to list five gratefuls in recent weeks that keep me smiling today.
Inspiring QIYLP participant Jacob Ridgeway
QIYLP: Last week I stood in the Undumbi Room of Parliament House in Brisbane, as a guest speaker at the QLD Indigenous Youth Leadership Program and I was not only inspired by the words of wisdom by Uncle Hughie Kirk (who also plated the gum leaf) and Uncle Thomas Sebasio, but I was in awe of the young Murri people there who had begin their own leadership journeys. One has already posted on my blog (you can read Kayannie’s words here), others will be writing for me shortly. The group came from across the state and had different stories and dreams, but all share the sense of knowing what they can achieve as individuals and give back as community members. A huge shout out to the coordinator of the program, Miss Louisa Panuel (pictured with me above), a deadly Senior Program Officer Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.
Uncle Chicka Madden gives a warm welcome to country at the IDEA Summit
IDEA SUMMIT: An initiative of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), the Indigenous Digital Excellence Agenda is a partnership between the NCIE and the Telstra Foundation and an innovative program to ensure that Indigenous youth and communities generally are part of the digital revolution.
Talking about the future with Belinda Duarte and Rhianna Patirck
With words of support and encouragement (and the cash!) from Tim O’Leary (CSO, Telstra) the two day summit saw co-designers, presenters and invited participants develop a greater understanding of the obstacles to digital inclusion, but also the steps required to be part of the process, and even leaders in the field. Lead by IDEA Facilitator David Hood, participants had opportunities to hear from and quiz experts in the field and develop and present a pitch. It was awesome! The digital future is bright with the right support, which is being provided by the Telstra Foundation and the NCIE! Thank you!
We were full of enthusiasm and energy at 7am when we started!
CITY2SOUTH: Yes, this is something I am still celebrating because we’ve only just got the final tally for our run for reading. Our team – the All Stars – raised just over $5000 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, http://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/ as we ran 14km on a cold Sunday morning around the city of Brisbane, over to UQ and back to Musgrave Park. It was inspiring training and getting fit with my awesome Murri sistas while collectively we raised awareness of the need to get books into the hands of our most disadvantaged kids in remote Australia. We are in training now for the Sunshine Coast marathon on August 25.
There was a real sense of achievement at the end!
GOMA: The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane has to be one of the city’s greatest landmarks, with its walls always dripping with the best artwork from around Australia and the world. The current exhibition ‘My Country, I Still Call Australia Home: Contemporary Art from Black Australia’, is GOMA’s largest ever exhibition of contemporary Indigenous Australian art. Featured are some of our finest including Vernon Ah Kee, Doreen Reid Nakamarra, Michael Riley, Vincent Serico, Brook Andrew, Christopher Pease, Judy Watson, Warwick Thornton, Archie Moore, Mirdidingkingathi Juwarrnda, Sally Gabori, Richard Bell, Tony Albert, Dickie Minyintiri, Wakartu Cory Surprise, Destiny Deacon, Bindi Cole, Fiona Foley and Christian Thompson. Give yourself the afternoon off and immerse yourself in some powerful imagery and extraordinary talent. I did. And I’m going back!
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