Truth-telling

As parents, carers and educators we hope to instil in children the values of empathy, awareness, respect and truth. 

These could be the values we strive to as a nation and can be delivered by a process of truth-telling, as it is outlined in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The process of truth-telling is pivotal to reconciliation. It is the act of sharing our stories, telling our truths, and shining the light of knowledge into the dark corners where misinformation and denial festers.

We must have a Makarrata Commission that is empowered to drive shared understanding of Australia’s colonial history and its contemporary impacts, where truth-telling can drive out misinformation so our children will never again be political footballs.

We will be talking more as the year progresses about the importance of truth-telling and adding our voice to the calls for a Makaratta Commission to be established to oversee the process.

Youth Voice

SNAICC is developing a Youth Voice so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people can inform and influence our work. The platform will allow the perspectives, ideas and solutions of young people to enhance the relevance and impact of SNAICC’s policy, advocacy and program work.

Work is already underway with a nationwide co-design process of speaking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, organisations and communities to hear what they think is important in a Youth Voice model. 

You can hear about why a Youth Voice is important to young people in the video below:

We have now opened online submissions so more people can have a say in what the Youth Voice will look like.

Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns

We’re thrilled to share that our brand-new podcast Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns is now streaming and ready for you to tune in.

This is SNAICC’s official podcast! Created to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. Each episode shines a light on the real issues affecting our children and families across the country with a strong focus on community-led solutions and the work that is happening across the sector.

More episodes are on the way and will be released monthly. So, tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts!

You can listen now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Podcast Index

Register for SNAICC’25 

We made a promise that SNAICC’25 would be interwoven with culture, music and dance so we’re excited to update you on just some of the wonderful performers set to hit the deadly stage.

We can now announce that our headline act for the gala dinner is ARIA Award winning Christine Anu! SNAICC25 will also feature performances from Chris Tamwoy and the masterful Mark Atkins. We’re also excited to showcase a number of dance groups and children’s choirs (always a fan favourite). The hub of the conference, the Exhibition Hall, will feature a market with local artists and makers showing and selling their work.

This is just some of what’s you can expect at Australia’s largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children-focused conference in Australia – SNAICC’25!

Talking up SNAICC and the Boori Milumba Program!

SNAICC was proud to be a part of the conference, Reconciliation and Truth Telling Conference. The team took part in yarning circles with local Elders and hearing from them about their experiences of working in educational roles, their personal and family history and connections to the Illawarra area and their high aspirations for children, families and communities.

As part of the conference, SNAICC’s workforce team presented alongside Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre about cultural authority within the co-developed program. Miranda, our National Workforce Manager was also able to present on SNAICC, providing an overview of the organisation, our history, the services and resources we provide, our advocacy efforts, and how services can engage with us.

First Nations Playgroup – Continuing Strong in 2025 

We’re thrilled to welcome Tangentyere Council into contract as part of the First Nations Playgroup Pilot Program. Their involvement marks another step forward in strengthening culturally safe early years support for families. 

In April, Playgroup grantees came together for a Raising Children Network Information Session. The session provided valuable insights and resources to support families and sparked important conversations about how we can continue to deliver high-quality, community-led playgroups. 

As we move through 2025, we’re proud of the continued momentum and the many ways Playgroup is enriching the lives of children and families across the country.

Jurisdictional NSW/ACT Network

The SNAICC Connecting Beginnings team facilitated the first online workshop for NSW/ACT CB sites. This was an exciting opportunity for all NSW/ACT CB sites to express their views and play a part in shaping the new Jurisdictional Network.

This network will bring together Connected Beginnings Education Backbone and Health Partner organisations to strengthen collaboration, share learnings, and drive collective impact for our children and families.

The purpose of this network is to:

• facilitate robust discussions on jurisdictional topics, key issues, and opportunities relevant to Connected Beginnings sites in NSW/ACT
• support peer-to-peer learning through initiatives such as a mentoring or buddy system
• best equip sites to conduct their own analyses and determine their own pathways for addressing key issues and driving change.

The next meeting will be towards the end of June 2025.

SNAICC Board Members

Last board meeting we welcomed four new board members, we’re thrilled to have experienced and deadly leaders on our board.

Calls for Expressions of Interest to join the National Family Matters Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is calling for Expressions of Interest from passionate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to join the National Family Matters Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group.

The Family Matters Leadership Group provides expert advice and guidance on the publication and promotion of the Family Matters Report, which tracks progress and recommends action to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. We are seeking individuals, including young and emerging leaders, with experience and expertise in child safety, wellbeing and development. As a member, you will help shape the focus of the report, guide advocacy efforts and champion its messages within your networks.

If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and are interested in joining the National Family Matters Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group to work towards improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, please email submissions@snaicc.org.au with a brief outline of why you would like to be a part of the group and how you believe your skills and expertise can help drive the success of the Family Matters Report.

Find out more in the attached document.