Episode 13: Listening to Young People: Building the SNAICC Youth Voice

Episode Description

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, Joel Matysek yarns with Karrii Johnstone and Jaharn Mundy-Drazevich about the launch of SNAICC’s Youth Voice Engagement Report and young Mob’s contribution to SNAICC’s advocacy.

SNAICC’s Youth Voice engagement lead Joel Matysek is joined by Karrii Johnstone and Jaharn Mundy-Drazevich, two members of SNAICC’s Youth Advisory Group, to reflect on the journey from SNAICC’s Youth Advisory Group to the establishment of the Youth Voice sub-committee, a key part of SNAICC’s strategy to create more space for young people to build skills, strengthen connections and inform and influence decisions that affect their communities and beyond.

This episode highlights the strength, knowledge and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for their voices to be heard. Karrii and Jaharn share their experiences of joining the Youth Voice sub-committee, building confidence, learning from other young people, and helping shape what the Youth Voice will look like into the future.

If you would like to speak to someone in the SNAICC Youth Advisory team, feel free to reach out to them at youth@snaicc.org.au.

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.

This artwork was created to visually represent Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, a podcast by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.

At the heart of the artwork is a central motif drawn directly from the SNAICC Marulu design – a symbolic anchor that represents SNAICC’s identity, purpose, and vision. This central element grounds the piece, reflecting SNAICC’s leadership in advocating for the rights, wellbeing, and futures of our children.

Surrounding this are three figures, symbolising a community in conversation. These figures represent not only the act of yarning, but the diversity of voices – children, families, Elders, leaders, and community members – who will be heard through the podcast. The figures are encircled by layered soundwaves that ripple outward and inward, capturing both the expression of voice and the act of deep listening.

These soundwaves reflect how stories, knowledge, and lived experiences are shared, received, and echoed across communities – from grassroots voices to national conversations. The design intentionally shows sound as both something that travels outward to inform and inspire, and something that returns inward to strengthen identity, connection, and culture.