What is Youth Voice?
Youth Voice is a space for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share their ideas on important matters while feeling safe, supported and respected in culture.
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is establishing a Youth Voice initiative to make sure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people help shape our work on the policies and programs that impact their lives now and for generations to come. The SNAICC Youth Voice is about bringing young people onto our journey of long-term, generational change by giving them the tools, skills and connections to be leaders, influence decisions and make a difference in their communities and at a larger scale.
Young people have the right to be heard. The decisions made today will shape the future, which means young perspectives must be at the centre of policies and programs.
Young people are the experts in their own experiences. Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know what is needed in their Communities and their voices should be heard to influence governments, organisations and SNAICC, the national peak organisation that represents them.
We will connect with young people in person and online, visiting different Countries and Communities, and work alongside other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to ensure young voices from all over Australia are heard. By listening to young people, we make sure SNAICC’s work and advocacy reflect what truly matters to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Your voice matters and we’re here to make sure it’s louder.
Paths to Purpose
Created for SNAICC’s Youth Voice initiative, this artwork represents the strength, leadership, and unity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people coming together to shape the future. The Youth Voice project centres young people in national advocacy and policy, creating supported spaces for them to be heard and lead.
In this piece, two silhouetted figures represent young people from different places who have each made a journey—walking across Country to meet at the top of a hill or mountain. The peak represents clarity, courage, and perspective. As they meet in the middle, they begin an important conversation, ready to look ahead and unlock new possibilities together. It symbolises young people rising, connecting, and stepping into a shared space to start shaping change together. Their meeting in the middle reflects unity, leadership, and the power of coming together from different backgrounds to create a stronger future.
The surrounding elements reflect connection to land, culture, and community, with layered textures and colours symbolising the diversity of voices and Nations involved.
Tovani Cox
Tovani Cox is a proud Bunuba, Gija, Karajarri, Yawuru, and Miriwoong woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Born in Broome, Tovani is passionate about art and design and often her inspiration is from her long standing commitment to self-determination and rights of first nations people and communities.
She was predominantly raised in Noongar country in Perth, and since early 2017 has been living in Melbourne on Wurundjeri country, and travels home to the Kimberley as often as she can to connect with kin and country.
Tovani has qualifications in Digital Graphic Design from RMIT University, and wants to pursue further skills and training using art as therapy and healing.
More information on Youth Voice
Youth Voice is a key initiative by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, designed to ensure that the work we do reflects the views and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
As the national peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, SNAICC advocates for policies and systems that support young people, children and families. SNAICC pushes for change at all levels of government to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people grow up healthy, strong, safe, and connected to culture and Community.
SNAICC created Youth Voice to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people a platform to voice their concerns on the issues that matter most to them and to make sure young people’s ideas, experiences and goals are at the heart of our work, and provides a safe and supportive space where young people can speak up and drive real change in the policies and programs that affect them.
Youth Voice is being developed with young people for young people. By listening to young people, we make sure SNAICC’s work and advocacy reflect what truly matters to them.
How to contact us
Contact SNAICC at youth@snaicc.org.au if you would like to speak to someone about Youth Voice.