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Agenda

Day 1

Day 1, March 4

7:30

Registration and Welcome Coffee

7:50

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony

8:45

About AIPA and the Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum

  • Outlining the purpose of the Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum

  • Identifying who AIPA is, their history and what they do

​Vanessa Edwige, Chair, AIPA

8:55

Chairperson’s Introduction

Incoming

9:05

Introduction to the Wellbeing Team and Grounding Exercise 

9:15

Justice, Healing, and Cultural Safety: Indigenous Solutions for Suicide Prevention

Drawing on her work with the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Sue-Anne Hunter will explore
how addressing systemic injustices and promoting cultural safety can contribute to meaningful
solutions in mental health and suicide prevention for First Nations communities.

Sue-Anne Hunter, Commissioner, Yoorrook Justice Commission

9:40

Elders Panel

Looking to the wisdom of Elders is an important aspect of social and emotional wellbeing and
suicide prevention initiatives. Join the panel of local Elders as they impart their cultural
knowledge and lived experience to continue guiding this important work.

​Reserved

10:25

Morning Tea

10:55

Lived Experience Keynote

Join the Hon. Linda Burney MP for a powerful keynote on lived experiences, highlighting Indigenous perspectives on suicide prevention, resilience, and healing within our communities. ​

​

Hon. Linda Burney MP, Member for Barton

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams **

STREAM ONE: HOW CAN FIRST NATIONS RESEARCH, POLICY AND FUNDING TRICKLE DOWN TO MEANINGFUL ACTION WITHIN COMMUNITIES?

11:25

POLICY YARN: What Policies and Partnerships in Suicide Prevention are Currently Working for Communities?

  • Understanding the overarching frameworks in Indigenous suicide prevention and how they
    translate to meaningful action in communities

  • Highlighting the importance of integrating Indigenous cultural knowledge and practices into national and regional suicide prevention frameworks

  • Identifying systemic challenges and gaps in policy application, and discussing strategies for
    overcoming these

Pat Dudgeon, Professor of Indigenous Studies and Project Director, Centre for Best Practice
in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, University of Western Australia

Rachel Fishlock, Chief Executive Officer, Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit Australia 

12:05

PANEL: Perspectives on Emerging Opportunities in Funding and Policy Directions  for SEWB and Suicide Prevention

  • How can organisations tailor their programs to align with emerging funding opportunities

  • Key insights to help you plan for policy directions in suicide prevention and SEWB

  • Understanding where the gaps in service delivery are

Dr Clinton Schultz, Director, First Nations Strategy and Partnerships,The Black Dog Institute

Nicole Turner, Director, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)

Senior Representative, NIAA  

STREAM TWO: ADDRESSING INTERSECTIONALITY TO EMPOWER ALL ABORIGINAL
AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES

11:20

INTERACTIVE SESSION: Yarns Heal

  • Bringing together support, community, and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
    LGBTIQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy folks

  • What can we learn from the yarns heal project

  • Amplifying culturally safe environments to support suicide prevention in Aboriginal and Torres
    Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+, Sistergirl, and Brotherboy communities

Rebecca Johnson OAM, Special Advisor, Yarns Heal

Rocky Byrne, Chief Executive, 2Spirit

12:10

Advocating for the Critical Work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sex
Worker Advisory Group (ATSISWAG)

  • Understanding the mental toll associated with sex work stigma

  • Ensuring services for First Nations sex workers adequately reflect their needs

  • Looking after our emotional and mental wellbeing

Aunty Rusty Nannup, Aboriginal Outreach Worker, SWOP; ATSISWAG

1:00

Lunch

STREAM ONE: HOW CAN FIRST NATIONS RESEARCH, POLICY AND FUNDING TRICKLE DOWN TO MEANINGFUL ACTION WITHIN COMMUNITIES?

2:20

Community Controlled Healing through Culture Care Connect

  • How Culture Care Connect places culture and an Indigenous holistic perspective at the center
    of care services to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

  • Best practice principles for Culture Care Connect to succeed in your community

  • Addressing challenges that arise when implementing the Culture Care Connect Program

Monica Barolits, Executive Director, NACCHO

STREAM TWO: ADDRESSING INTERSECTIONALITY TO EMPOWER ALL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES

2:20

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Living with Disability

  • Providing culturally safe support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People living with disability

  • Understanding and addressing the specific needs of First Nations People with disabilities and
    their families

  • Ensuring everyone can access the government services they are entitled to

Jody Barney, Manager and Owner, Deaf Indigenous Community Consultancy

2:40

Yarning to Reflect

3:25

Afternoon Tea

SUPPORTING THE ABORIGINAL MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE

3:50

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre

  • Elevating the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experiences to deliver culturally
    safe, trauma informed, programs and care

  • Creating mental health and suicide prevention solutions that work for Aboriginal and Torres
    Strait Islander cultures and people

  • Understanding the value of lived experience in informing initiatives to improve social and
    emotional wellbeing

Vicki McKenna, Head, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre, The Black
Dog Institute

4:15

PANEL: What can we Learn from the Lived Experience of Aboriginal Mental
Health Clinicians

  • Recognising and building on the strengths of the Aboriginal mental health workforce

  • Inspiring and supporting Aboriginal young people to enter the mental health workforce

  • The need for culturally safe support for Aboriginal mental health workers

Moderator: Tanja Hirvonen, Clinical Psychologist; Board Member AIPA, Thirrili, The Black Dog Institute
Tahnee McBean, Clinical Lead of Family Counselling Service, VAHS
Shannon McNeair, Psychologist, McNeair Aboriginal Psychology Service
Matthew Craig, Seasonal Academic; Managing Director; Aboriginal Mental Health Clinician;
University of Newcastle; NeuroKind; ABSTARR

5:05

Comedy Set

Let go of the day and get some comedic relief with a deadly First Nations comedy set

5:20

Closing Comments

6:30

Gala Dinner

Day 2

Day 2, March 5

7:30-8:30

CULTURAL AND HEALING ACTIVITY AVAILABLE IN BREAKOUT ROOM

​TRAUMA INFORMED YOGA | Jacqui Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer, Nura Yoga

8:50

Chairperson's Opening Address

Kim Mulholland, Cultural & Spiritual Wellbeing, Practitioner/ Advisor, Founder, IvolveGen

9:00

Grounding exercise

9:20

International Keynote

Hear Michael Naera as he presents his PhD research on the effectiveness of Māori communitybased
strategies in suicide prevention, highlighting the importance of culturally grounded healing
practices for addressing spiritual well-being in Indigenous communities.​

Michael Naera, International board member, World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference

9:50

Youth Keynote

Dante Rodrigues, 2024 NAIDOC Youth Award Winner is empowering young men to get their lives
back on track through the organisation he co-founded, One Percent. Hear Dante unpack the
power of small, collective actions in building stronger, resilient communities.

Danté Rodrigues, Co-Founder, One Percent Program; 2024 NAIDOC Youth Award Winner

10:35

Morning Tea

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams **

STREAM ONE:
ABORIGINAL LED HEALING AND EARLY INTERVENTION

​STREAM TWO:  
YARNING WITH YOUTH: HEAR FROM THE NEXT GENERATION ON WHAT IS WORKING IN COMMUNITIES TO EMPOWER ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER YOUNG PEOPLE

10:45

CASE STUDY: Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation

  • Addressing a gap in service delivery to advocate for Stolen Generation survivors and their families

  • Demonstrating the importance of survivor and descendant led healing when dealing with
    intergenerational trauma from the impacts of colonisation

  • Introducing the Walking Together Program Model

Tiffany McComsey, Chief Executive Officer, Kinchela Boys Home

11:10

Understanding the Interconnected Factors that Put Individuals and Communities at Risk

  • Addressing Family Violence, Drug and Alcohol, and Trauma as early intervention

  • Demonstrating the causal link between early intervention programs and suicide prevention

  • Facilitating culturally safe spaces to yarn, build relationships and heal

Scott Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council

11:40

Elevating Grassroots Solutions to Prevent Indigenous Suicide

  • Emphasising the critical role of a First Nations workforce in designing and implementing
    effective suicide prevention strategies

  • Understanding that First Nations clinicians, healers and support workers are deeply connected to the lived experiences and realities of those they serve

  • Elevating grassroots solutions through a collaborative effort to enhance the resilience of the First Nations workforce

Edward Mosby, Psychologist, Founder, Wakai Waian Healing

10:45

YOUTH PANEL: Amplifying Youth Voices into all Aspects of Community Building

  • Understanding the aspirations and lived experiences of First Nations Young People

  • Centering youth voices as the innovators and future leaders of our communities

  • Empowering First Nations youth to be strong in spirit and culture

Moderator: Manny Williams, Programs Officer, Fullaship, Culture is Life
Hamani Tanginoa, First Nations Youth Voice Coordinator, YMCA NSW
Derek Nannup, Sydney Program Team Leader, NASCA
Ieyesha Roberts, Aboriginal Health Advocate; Student; 2024 NAIDOC Youth Award Finalist,
University of Sydney

11:40

Case Study: Redfern Youth Connect Empowering Our Next Generation of Leaders 

  • Helping youth to reach their goals and fulfill their highest potential  

  • Creating a culturally safe space for young mob to connect, learn and have fun  

  • Providing the resources needed for today’s youth to be the leaders of tomorrow

​

Margaret Haumono, Executive Director, Co-Founder, Redfern Youth Connect 

Aaliyah Haumono, Compliance and Partnerships Coordinator, Redfern Youth Connect 

Youth Representatives, Redfern Youth Connect 

12:10

On Country Yarning Circles

1:10

Lunch

2:25

Combating Racism in the AFL and Promoting the Social and Emotional
Wellbeing of Players

  • Providing holistic programs that address not just physical fitness, but also mental health support, cultural connection, and leadership development

  • Promoting understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures, with a focus on supporting players’ mental and emotional well-being.

  • Implementing policies that take a zero-tolerance approach to racism

CENTRING CULTURALLY INFORMED CARE

2:50

Cultural Safety in Trauma-Informed Practice from a First Nations Perspective

  • Addressing complex trauma from a First Nations Lens

  • Building culturally safe healing practices

  • Promoting resilience through community led approaches

​Kelleigh Ryan, Co-Founder, The Seedling Group

3:20

Afternoon Tea

3:45

The Importance of Community Partnerships for Holistic Place-Based After Care

  • Delivering programs and services that address specific community needs in the aftermath of suicide

  • Providing culturally appropriate after care through drawing on cultural ways of knowing, doing and being

  • Ensuring all communities have access to aftercare regardless of their locality

Kerry Colbung PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Thirrili

4:15

Yarning to Reflect
.

4:50

Grounding Exercise

5:00

Closing Comments

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