Meet Skye. She's in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts and is passionate about educating herself and others about Aboriginal communities. ??????
Skye is an Aboriginal woman with mob from both Noongar country and up north in the Kimberley. On Noongar country, she's Whadjuk and Balardong, and in the Kimberley she has relations in Jaru country. Once she graduates (with majors in Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage and Psychology in Society) she aims to broaden her knowledge of global Indigenous communities and develop solutions to the challenges that continue to affect her community.
Her favourite UWA moment was helping with the School of Indigenous Studies outreach programs last year and meeting mob in year 12 who are thinking of going to uni.?
There is so much value in education. Seeing young Indigenous mob coming through is important to me because it means we will continue our representation within the university environment and create further positive outcomes. I did one of the outreach programs when I was in year 12, and it let me explore different pathways within and outside of university.
At UWA, she's been inspired by mob who have come before her. "Like many other people, I didn't know a whole lot about university – however, meeting students and graduates from the same and different areas of study gave me more insight, and also enhanced my motivation and self-determination to complete my degree, despite the barriers I faced. I hope other Indigenous people that are coming through have the same opportunities," she said.
On NAIDOC Week's 2022 theme 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up,' Skye explains,
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for everyone to come together, expand knowledge, and educate others on our culture and history, and (just as importantly) recognise our achievements. This year's theme, 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up', means everyone should speak up on the continuous need for social change, to act on social inequity and to recognise actions and issues that affect Indigenous communities. This theme is not just relevant during this week, but it has been and will continue to be relevant.
