ACT Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grants will support study, encourage future leaders and keep culture and heritage strong in the Canberra Community.
Grants worth more than $145,000 have been allocated through the latest round of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship, leadership and cultural grant program.
The program aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to undertake study and leadership training and promotes events and activities that showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Scholarship grants will support many people who have moved to online training and studying due to COVID-19. These grants will further enable recipients studying courses including nursing, law, psychology and social work.
The CIT Student Association has received $25,000 to support student training and online learning at the CIT Yurauna Centre, CIT’s dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre of Excellence.
One individual received funding to attend the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education. WIPCE includes Indigenous representatives from across the world to share successes and strategies for culturally grounded education.
Four leadership grants have been allocated, including funding for two women to participate in the YWCA She Leads Program. The nationally accredited She Leads Diploma of Leadership and Management will provide these women with the opportunity to further their leadership skills to use within their workplaces, families and the wider Canberra community.
Several local community groups and organisations will be funded to support activities and events that foster a deeper understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
WhISpers Softball Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation have received funding for a program that focuses on reconnecting the community by participating in traditional activities, cultural site visits, cultural training and a “Reconnect” softball tournament.
Baringa Child Care Centre Association in Spence will build on its existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early education curriculum. Partnering with Aboriginal businesses and community leaders, Baringa will develop an interactive, play-based program to teach children about Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The program includes creating Aboriginal artwork, building a bush tucker garden and a traditional Smoking Ceremony during NAIDOC week.
Forrest Primary School Parents and Association will work with a local Aboriginal artist to create a school mural. Students will work directly with the artist to create a mural that represents the school’s commitment to caring for country.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural, Leadership and Scholarship program supports the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028. Cultural integrity, lifelong learning and community leadership are key areas under the Agreement.
As stated by Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith:
“We’ve had a great response to the latest round of Cultural, Leadership and Scholarship grants. The individuals and projects supported through this funding demonstrates the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures in the ACT.
“We’re also seeing mainstream organisations working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to instil an understanding of our nation’s true history and the oldest living culture on earth.
These grants continue to support the ACT Government’s commitment to self-determination and cultural integrity as articulated in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement with the Elected Body.”
As noted by Jo Lesiputty, a Director of whISpers Softball Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation:
“Our community is going to use our grant for healing, health and cultural reconnecting as the pandemic eases and we need to kick start 2020.
“The Reconciliation Softball carnival will be a fun day out for families in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the wider community in the spirit of reconciliation as we come back together on Ngunnawal country.”
For a full list of grant recipients: www.communityservices.act.gov.au/home/grants
