Ancient traditions launch discussions on youth aspirations

A group of young Aboriginal people stood side by side, as the tone of the day was set.  

With the crackling of the fire and a sense of anticipation, excitement and passion in the air, Aboriginal Elder Aunty Julie Coombes imparted some wisdom upon the group as part of a Welcome to Country on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. 

'As you come together to share ideas on this youth yarning event it is promising and absolutely encouraging to know that you have engaged young First Nations leaders to work alongside your team, towards a project that will allow them to reflect on their Aboriginal culture and personal values,' she said.  

'I'm positive this partnership that came out of the Reconciliation Action Plan will correspond with First Nations’ values as this opportunity allows our young First Nations leaders that voice, the freedom to share their input and their ideas in a safe space.'

The 'Youth Yarning with Mob' program, a collaboration between Koorie Academy and Parliament of Victoria, will see the group of young people, who are active in their communities, design a project centred around the perspective of young Aboriginal Victorians that can be delivered in association with Parliament.  

Gunditjmara, Arrernte and Wadda Wurrung woman Yalanda Edwards said Parliament had given the young people the opportunity to be involved in a culturally sensitive way.  

‘The significance of us being here is for Parliament to take on the responsibility of building meaningful relationships with young people, young First Nations people,’ Yalanda said. 

‘It was a very grounding way to start off the day and connect.  

‘For them [parliamentary staff] to come out on Country and sit with us and listen to how we want to get our visions and voices, strengths, issues heard was an important start.’ 

A yarning circle was set up adjacent to an oak tree in the parliamentary gardens, a cultural tradition that has been practised by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. 

‘Going around the circle and hearing the power and the fire in each and every one of our bellies and watching that come to light is what fills my cup,’ Yalanda said.   

‘I look at places like this and I want to show the world, I want to show other young people that we are in this room.’ 

A message stick hand carved by Koorie Academy founder Uncle Ricky Baldwin was passed around the circle as the young people yarned with Elders and parliamentary staff. 

The message stick has a number of traditional symbols, including the symbol of long journey, which represents the distances travelled by the young people. 

‘It’s all of them walking together today, coming into Parliament House and sitting down in a safe space and having their voices heard,’ Uncle Ricky said.

‘The reality is, Mob do get left out. We get locked out, so for them to come here, we are making history.’ 

Culture is an important focus of Uncle Ricky’s work at the Koorie Academy. 

‘There's a bit of disconnection to culture when it comes to the young people, so when they can come in and see all those different artefacts, we can explain, what they are and what they do,’ he said.  

The team at Koorie Academy travels across Victoria and delivers basketball workshops to young Aboriginal people.  

‘Koorie Academy is about inclusion at grassroots level for all the young First Nations kids,’ Uncle Ricky said. 

As part of the program with the Victorian Parliament, the group of young people also met with two MPs, Sheena Watt and Ellen Sandell.  

‘We have to be able to work together to create better outcomes for First Nations people across the board,’ Uncle Ricky said. 

‘If we can all collaborate together in a productive way where it's First Nations led and we bring Parliament along on the journey, we're going to in time have some really good social outcomes.’