In this episode of Kids, Culture, and Community – SNAICC Yarns, we take you right to the main stage of the SNAICC'25 Conference for the Youth Voice plenary.

Join Meuram man Joel Matysek, SNAICC’s Youth Voice lead, and Youth Advisory Group members Samuel Dela Bon, Rylie Cadd, Kasey Kopp and Jaharn Mundy Drazevich as they yarn about the work of establishing a formal youth structure within SNAICC.

Listen as the panel shares what makes them deadly and dives into the motivations behind creating the Youth Advisory Group. They discuss the eight-month co-design journey from nationwide consultations to their key principle of not duplicating existing community efforts but building from them. The group reflects on the importance of creating culturally safe, flexible spaces where young people are the experts in their own lives and can influence the policies that affect them.

Hear their personal stories of navigating the anxieties and triumphs of leadership, the importance of collaboration, and the need for an ‘ecosystem approach’ that amplifies voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth from urban, regional, and remote communities. This conversation is an inspiring testament to the power of youth voice, cultural identity, and the responsibility of organisations to listen, support and act.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, we celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day — a national day that honours the rich stories, cultures, and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, Strength in Our Stories – For Now and Future Generations, is a reminder that languages and cultures are alive, strong and thriving, and that sharing language and stories with children and adults across Australia helps ensure they continue for generations to come.

Eastern Arrernte and Gurindji woman Dakoda Lally hosts this special episode, reading I Saw We Saw — a beautiful book created by Yolŋu students at Nhulunbuy Primary School in North East Arnhem Land. Developed through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Community Publishing Program, the story was crafted in both English and Dhaŋu, a Yolŋu Matha language, with guidance from Yolŋu Elders and support from Ann James and Ann Haddon. With its vibrant illustrations and bilingual storytelling, I Saw We Saw opens a window into Yolŋu Country and culture through the eyes of children.

Dakoda also reflects on the significance of Indigenous Literacy Day, held each year on the first Wednesday of September — a day of listening, learning and celebrating the incredible diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and stories.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle is on Gumbaynggirr Country on location at Kulai Preschool, where the community has gathered to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day on 4 August.

Catherine sits down with Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman Aunty Julie Carey, who has been the Director of Kulai Preschool for over 30 years, and Gumbaynggirr man Clark Webb, CEO of Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School, New South Wales' first bilingual Aboriginal language school.

Together they yarn about what Children's Day means to the Gumbaynggirr community, as well as why culturally safe education and language revival are essential to supporting children to thrive. They discuss Kulai Preschool's history and current impact, which has been a cornerstone of the Gumbaynggirr community since 1962. Clark describes the Freedom School's journey since its inception in 2022, as well as their shared vision of what lifelong culturally safe education looks like for the community.

The three also discuss the challenges and opportunities of embedding language, culture and listening into learning while navigating Western education benchmarks, and how both Kulai and the Freedom School adapt by letting the children guide the way. They share stories of community unity, intergenerational leadership and the incredible resilience of Aboriginal-led services in shaping confident, culturally proud young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.