December 2024 SpeakWrite were lucky to collaborate with the Groote Eyelandt & Bickerton Island Enterprises (GEBIE) organisation to bring a collective of young Anindilyakwa Aboriginal women to Alice Springs and participate in a four-day experience. Twelve women, ten aged 14-20, travelled from Groote to Darwin and then on to Alice Springs. Facilitated by Cherisse and Jess and supported by Lachie, we jumped straight into the program heading out to the Desert Park, where the girls enjoyed holding a barn owl and walking through the nocturnal house.

The heat of the week did not deter then group, engaging in cultural learning led by staunch Arrernte women and Aboriginal entrepreneurs, business owners who showcased food, art and traditions of Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Welcomed by the women of Akeyulerre, women were smoked and welcomed to Mparntwe. Here they engaged in learning about local bush medicine practices. They visited stunning location around town, including the Desert Park, Olive Pink Botanical Gardens and even travelled to the West Macs, for a day of swimming at Ormiston Gorge.

Cherisse facilitated daily workshops with the women about wellbeing, self-care, consent and healthy relationships, women’s health and heard from awe-inspiring Aboriginal female guest speakers. Jess facilitated business planning workshops which encouraged the women to plan their future careers and consider life back on the island, how they can use their resources and tools to focus on building wealth through business.

With amazing Blak businesses profiled through the week such as Kungkas Can Cook and No Fixed Gallery, the women were amazed at what they learnt and returned home, to share their experiences with family. They are looking forward to the 2025 cultural exchange with SpeakWrite, visiting the Parrtjima Festival of lights.

We cannot wait to collaborate with GEBIE again and we love to support the growth of these 10 amazing young women and promote health, wealth and empower change to develop from within. Aboriginal women hold the power to their wellbeing and strength of these important conversations can inspire whole communities.

SpeakWrite were invited to host two workshops as part of Ninti One facilitated @ninti_one Stronger Communities (SCfC) for Children Knowledge Sharing Seminar. SCfC is a strong program aimed at giving Aboriginal and young people in the NT a better start for life through focusing on safer families and communities, nurturing educational environments, positive participation opportunities, and cultural events.

The workshops, discussing such topics as cultural IP, Aboriginal governance & Blak business (led by Jess) were well received, generating a lot of positive feedback. Participants were inspired to pursue business ideas and strong conversations were generated with Local Community Board members about the importance of valuing cultural knowledge.

SpeakWrite prepared a report of findings and recommendations for Ninti One to continue important dialogue around self-determination and self-governance.

Thanks to Kings Narrative for co-facilitating this important conversation. ❤️💛🖤👣

SpeakWrite were invited by Igniting Change to Naarm, on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung lands. SpeakWrite moderated a panel about the New Stolen Generation. There was expertise & experiences shared by Cherisse in her role as an Aboriginal midwife in Alice Springs, and George Newhouse, in his role as CEO of the National Justice Project, and the advocacy work they are involved in on this important issue.

Jess facilitated the discussion, organised by Igniting Change, as part of their ‘Meet the People, Feel the Issues’ conversations. We appreciate opportunities for truth-telling, historical fact checking & bringing our real-world experiences to the forefront.

This is an opportunity to drive progress through informed dialogue around the real issues, impacts & solutions, to widen the exposure to change policies that support, rather than hinder, First Nations people.

We are grateful for the opportunities given to us through philanthropic groups such as Igniting Change, who are using their platform to create prospects for First Nations people across the country. We do not take these experiences lightly and wholly advocate for meaningful and long-term changes for our community, bringing First Nations businesses, individuals and family with us where appropriate.