First Nations Self-Determination Representation and Wellbeing Forum
First Nations Self-Determination Representation and Wellbeing Forum aims to bring community together, nurture relationships and create action.
The First Nations Self-Determination Representation and Wellbeing Forum aims to bring community together, nurture relationships and create action.
First Nations people have fought for over 175 years for self-determination, representation and equality. Today community moves forward sensitive to the needs and trauma experienced by generations.
Our aspirations are bound to the wellbeing of individuals, families, community and Country.
This forum brings First Nations people together, provides an update of where things are at, explores best practice, case studies and gives community the tools to grow using a strengths-based approach.
Our wellbeing is connected to our ability to be self-determining and how we are represented. The wellbeing of our future lies in our cultural sovereignty.
The First Nations Self-Determination, Representation & Wellbeing Forum is about First Nations community voices leading community engagement, and fostering intrinsic and benevolent relationships, as a foundation to growing strong, sustainable and empowering outcomes.
First Nations Self-Determination, Representation & Wellbeing Forum Objectives
- Education, Leadership, Empowerment and Networking
- To establish segmented community delegations that benefit from greater engagement and collaboration between forums
- To share knowledge, experiences and opportunities, and have conversations around current issues experienced by First Nations
- To empower communities, nurture innovation and facilitate authentic connections between people and place
- To embed the forum as a platform to come together, nurture relationships and create action
- By the third forum, community is reporting and presenting on their own agenda, facilitated in-line with regional strategies.
For additional information and insight into the Self-Determination, Representation and Wellbeing Forum, please read the event summary (PDF, 179KB).
Don't miss this important opportunity! Learn more about how to enable self-determination, representation and wellbeing in Your Community!
Past presenters
| 2021 | 2022 |
| Tegan Schefe - Bidjara, Kamilaroi; National Manager, Indigenous Suicide Prevention, LivingWorks Australia. | Christine Thomas - Wakka Wakka; CEO, Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding & Transformation. |
| Stephen Mam - Torres Strait Islander; Senior Advisor First Nations Partnerships, Sunshine Coast Council. | Stephen Mam - Torres Strait Islander; Senior Advisor First Nations Partnerships, Sunshine Coast Council. |
| Brian Warner - Kabi Kabi; Sunshine Coast Olympics 2032 Legacy Plan Community Reference Group. | Michael Douglas - Kabi Kabi |
| Edna Kina - Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation. | Debra Bennett - Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka, Kullali; Executive Lead Community Engagement and Cultural Advisor, Relationships Australia. |
| Suzanne Thompson - Chair, Statement from the Heart Working Group; Chair, Australian Native Foods & Botanicals Board. | Tegan Schefe - Bidjara, Kamilaroi; National Manager, Indigenous Suicide Prevention, LivingWorks Australia. |
| Les Malezar - Kabi Kabi; International Peoples Organisation; Chair, Foundation for Aboriginal & Islander Research and Action. | Brian Warner - Kabi Kabi; Sunshine Coast Olympics 2032 Legacy Plan Community Reference Group. |
| Anthony McAvoy SC - Wirdi; Senior Council / Queens Council. | Zeitha Murphy - Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, Ku Ku Yelanji; People Aboriginal Corporation. |
| Gracelyn Smallwood - Senior Cultural Adviser and Mentor, Thirrili . | Bill Lowah - Torres Strait Islander. |
| John Newie - Torres Strait Islander. | Vincent Forrester - Luritja Arrernte. |
| Adrian Burragubba - Wangan and Jagalingou Traditional Owners Council, Central Queensland. | Wayne Levy - Commeroi / Kamilaroi; Lakes & Wetlands Project Officer, Sunshine Coast Council. |
| Donna Burns - Deputy CEO, Healing Foundation. | Adrian Burragubba - Wangan and Jagalingou Traditional Owners Council, Central Queensland. |
| Debra Bennett - Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka, Kullali; Executive Lead Community Engagement and Cultural Advisor, Relationships Australia. | Gerry Turpin - Mbabaram; Senior Ethnobotanist, Australian Tropical Herbarium. |
| Glen Miller - Butchulla Traditional Custodian | Comm. Anthony McAvoy SC - Wirdi; Northern Territory Treaty Commissioner, Senior Council. |
| Brad Crosbie | Kerry Jones - Kabi Kabi; Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation. |
| David Williams - Executive Director / Founder, Gilimbaa. | Kerry Neil - Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka; Director, TribalLink. |
| Councillor David Law - Community Development Portfolio, Sunshine Coast Council. | Thomas Holden - Chairperson, Warrgamay Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. |
| Emma Whitehead - Chief Operating Officer, Primary Health Network (PHN) | Matt Rix - Yuwaalaraay; First Nations Talent Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers. |
| Linda Ryle - Executive Director CALM Assist; Cherbourg Community Legal Project, Supervisor; Solicitor admitted to the Supreme Court of Qld & High Court of Australia. | Councillor David Law - Community Development Portfolio, Sunshine Coast Council. |
| Zeitha Murphy - Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, Ku Ku Yelanji; People Aboriginal Corporation. | Lyndon Davis - Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodian. |
| Madonna Thompson - Partner, SEIA Thomson Consulting & Nyanda Cultural Tours; Managing Director Jagera Daran. | Duncan Kerslake - Palawa; Queensland Department of Innovation at Department of Tourism, Innovation & Sports |
| Kieron Anderson - Quandamooka, Kullilli, Wakka Wakka; Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group; Queensland Young Tourism Leader 2022,Young Advisor; TEQ First Nations Advisory Panel | QTIC Culinary Reference Group. | |
| Gary Oliver - Ku Ku Yelanji; Managing Director, Jalun Indigenous Facilities Services. |
Partnership opportunities
If you or your organisation are interested in supporting the First Nations community and this event by partnering, please contact the First Nations Partnerships team.
More information
Customer enquiries relating to the region’s Traditional Custodians, council’s Reconciliation Action Plan or other First Nations projects supported by council, can be emailed to the First Nations Partnerships team.