Our future leaders inspire at 2022 QATSICPP Conference and Awards
QATSICPP was proud to have the voices of First Nations young people at the forefront of our recent Member’s conference and Awards night. A total of ten (10) young people (aged between 16 and 25 years old) from a diverse range of communities across Queensland shared their knowledge and insights providing inspiration for conference delegates.
QATSICPP developed strong partnerships with this incredible group of young people through our Solid Voices of Tomorrow project, and through our connection with the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.
The young people participated in two sessions at the conference; the Solid Voices of Tomorrow Launch and Youth Voices Panel and the Solid Voices of Tomorrow: What’s it all about? Yarning Circle. The first session featured QATSICPP CEO Garth Morgan launching our new Solid Voices of Tomorrow guide, which is focused on how QATSICPP and our members can engage and support the voices of young people in service design, evaluation and research. This was followed by a panel discussion with ten young people facilitated by the amazing Semara Jose from Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) and the incredible Jaylen Wikmunea, one of the young people who had been part of the Solid Voices journey with QATSICPP. The purpose of the panel was to create a space for young voices at our conference, to inspire our members in the work that they do. The panel conversation was raw, honest, exciting, as the young people talked about the BIG issues in their communities, where they draw strength from and why it was so important to make the effort to yarn with young people about where they are at and the support they need.
“Whenever you are talking to a young person, make sure they are being heard and that you take what they say into consideration.” (Jacinta)
“What the media forgets is that it is not just Indigenous people who are doing the crime, but they make it seem like it is just us – it’s so unfair!.” (Tanika)
“It’s like a domino effect – if there’s not enough support for the family, then how could there be enough support for a child who is not supported through the education system or just not supported through living in a westernised world.” (Gullara)
Following on from the panel discussion, later in the day, QATSICPP staff and the young people co-facilitated a yarning circle exploring the Solid Voices of Tomorrow guide in more detail. During this session, young people Tanika and Walanbarra highlighted the 5 building blocks identified in the guide: Voice, Preparation, Finding and Engaging young people, Supporting and Resourcing Young people’s Involvement and Taking Action. This was followed by a yarn facilitated by Jaylen where young and other conference delegates reflected on the power youth voice had (or could have) in creating positive change within communities.
The young people’s courage, insight and energy had a powerful impact on our other conference delegates. QATSICPP received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback, with comments including:
I am inspired by the courage and strength you shared during your time with us. You are continue to grow in your confidence and ability to speak and share. I am so proud of you all
From my heart to yours. Thank you for your courage, resilience and speaking your truth! It gives me hope for the future and you are all inspiring deadly young people.
What a fantastic session! It was wonderful to hear your voices! As a Child Safety employee it is so important to listen and include the voices of young people and your session was a powerful reminder of this. You all spoke with conviction! What an amazing group of future Leaders.
Thank you for sharing your stories with such ‘solid voices’. I feel so proud of you all and excited for the future with you mob leading the way gives me hope!
Thank you for being so inspiring and we know our communities (land, country, sea, skies and oceans) will be so looked after. Esso ya pla 🙂
QATSICPP is continuing to work hard to have multiple ways to hear young people’s voices in our work and a strong presence of youth voices at conference is another step in this journey. Stay tuned for more exciting work in this space in 2023!
