Engaging with Elders and Cultural Educators in Your Local Community (Online webinar)

In line with this year’s NAIDOC theme “For Our Elders”, Reconciliation NSW is proud to invite educators across the state to join us for our webinar ‘Engaging with Elders and Cultural Educators in Your Local Community”. This webinar will include a panel discussion with our esteemed panel of Elders and Cultural Educators (pre-recorded) as well as a live Q&A session.  

Throughout this webinar we will explore topics including: 

• the significant roles Elders play in our communities
• ways to show respect to Elders and create a welcoming environment at schools/services
• ways to build authentic and meaningful relationships with Elders, Cultural Educators and community
• potential barriers to Elders being involved in schools/services and ideas for overcoming these
• creating culturally safe learning environments for staff and students

OUR PANEL 

Uncle Peter Williams (Ngiyampaa)

Peter comes from Brewarrina in far Western NSW, currently residing in the Blue Mountains. A descendent of the Garul Giyalu Clan of the Ngiyampaa Nation. Peter is an Aboriginal performer, artist, artefact maker, song writer, storyteller of the stars and cultural educator. Peter has been painting and performing for more than 30 years. Peter takes pride in his artwork to share his knowledge of his culture, stories and spirituality. Peter incorporates traditional symbols, engravings and stories found on cave walls across the Ngiyampaa tribal area into his art and dance, and uses his culture to voice his powerful interpretation of his thoughts, love for country, and his strong connection to Mother Earth. The artwork that Peter creates are coined from his personal experiences, interests, cultural stories and spiritual connection. He uses his culture knowledge as a communication tool as he feels that his ideas and experiences are perceived better though his art and dance than when spoken. As an artist and performer Peter is forever changing and adapting his own unique styles. Peter aims to incorporate his Traditional dance and song into a living evolving art exhibition to create awareness of caring for country and for protecting his stories, song lines and Mother Earth.

Ann Flood (Ngiyampaa & Wiradjuri)

Ann Flood is a proud Ngympa/Wiradjuri woman who has lived on Darug country for 53 years and is known and accepted by the community as an Aboriginal woman. Ann began her journey with Aboriginal education after doing her HSC through NSW TAFE in 1982 after having her three children. 1986 saw Ann as the Aboriginal Education Assistant at Bidwill Primary School primarily working with Aboriginal students and supporting the teachers. Whilst employed by the Department of Education Ann attended the University of Sydney and attained a Diploma in Aboriginal Assistants Education (1990) and a Bachelor of Education (Primary) in 1994. This led to Ann's academic career with employment at the University of Sydney as a Lecturer and University of Western Sydney as the Director of Goolangullia Aboriginal Education Centre. Ann also taught at the University Newcastle, University of NSW and Macquarie University.  Ann also has a Certificate IV in Assessment Workplace Training through NSW TAFE and worked for Aboriginal Housing Office and Department of Community Services as a Trainer. Ann retired in 2007 and lives with her husband in Penrith.

Dennis Moran (Anaiwan)

Dennis is a proud Anaiwan man from Armidale. His current role is that of Senior Culture Educator & Mentor at Muru Mittigar, Rouse Hill. Dennis finished school at 17 completing Yr 11 at Duval High School. He played professional rugby league both in NRL and Super League UK for 12 years. After retirement, Dennis worked as a Youth worker for Centacare, before moving onto Country Rugby League as a Welfare and Education officer for 3 years. Dennis started his own mentoring business “Nanyabura Mentoring” working with Department of Education in the central west. When Covid set in, he ran a Covid cleaning business with 148 staff and 75 sites around NSW.

Jessica Farrell (Yuin Walbunja, Dunghutti & Gumbaynggirr)

Jess is a proud Yuin Walbunja, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr woman who’s bloodlines stem from her strong matriarchal side. Growing up, Jess would spend time with her Aunty in Maitland who would share culture and take her out on country to learn and practice culture and learn knowledge with mob from up Wollombi way.  Jess would also learn and listen to cultural and family stories of her family from both her mum and Aunty. Jess comes from a very creative family who have always inspired her and her siblings to be creative, expressive and tell story through and painting, drawing, creative arts, and weaving. This something that has been passed down to her through her family. Despite not growing up on her mob’s countries, Jess was born, grew up and is accepted on Dharug country in Penrith. Jess started her educational career off in the small Aboriginal community and primary school of Kingswood Park, which she attended as a student. Using her Certificate III in Early Childhood Services Jess undertook the role of Aboriginal School Learning Support Officer (ASLSO) within the Department Preschool of Kingswood Park Public School, before becoming the Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO). During this time Jess also completed her Associate Degree in Indigenous Education and finishing with a Bachelor of Educational Students at ACU. Jess currently works across several schools including Cambridge Park and Warragamba Public Schools. In 2021 Jess was elected in at her local Yarramundi Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group Inc. (AECG) as Vice-President and is still the current Vice-President for the Local Yarramundi AECG for her local surrounding schools. Jess is extremely passionate about sharing her culture and knowledge with others and feels working towards becoming a leader for the not only for the next generations but also for educators in the education systems is extremely important. As a proud Aboriginal woman, Jess believes her cultural experiences, learnings and teachings are ever evolving and she is always learning, listening and being guided and holds the highest respect for her ancestors, family, Elders and Custodians of the land she works on.

Stephanie Taylor (Wiradjuri)

Stephanie is a proud Wiradjuri woman. Her current role is that of Culture Educator at Muru Mittigar, where she has worked for the past 3 years. Stephanie facilitates culture programs for learners from early learning through to high school both on and offsite. Stephanie has contributed to the structure and development of culture programs at Muru Mittigar. In doing so, she has found the drive to continue to love the work that she does. "It is a passion and privilege of mine to be out teaching my own culture, and sharing my knowledge."

Hosted by:

Wayne Cornish (Ngiyampaa) - Executive Officer, Muru Mittigar

Wayne is a proud Ngympa man who has worked with Aboriginal communities in various locations for the past decade. Wayne has been employed at Muru Mittigar since February to 2020. Wayne is the executive officer of Muru Mittigar and oversees the Culture and the Community Finance team. 

Wayne is known and accepted as an Aboriginal Man within the Mt Druitt, Penrith, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, and the Blue Mountains districts. He has worked as an Aboriginal mentor in the Mt Druitt and Penrith area and has previously managed two Aboriginal organisations in the Hawkesbury and Katoomba regions. Wayne has developed successful Aboriginal programs such as the Young, Strong, and Deadly program. The leading Alcohol, Drugs, and Suicide Prevention Program, previously run in the local Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, and Lithgow districts.

Wayne co-designed the Aboriginal family circle program funded by the Department of Community Justice in the Mt Druitt and Penrith district, that works within a holistic framework. Wayne has served as Chairperson of the Blue Mountains NAIDOC Ball and Chairperson and Curator of the Aboriginal Art Exhibition for five years. Wayne served as the Cahir person and Mc for the Hawkesbury Naidoc community day and has served as the Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drugs Youth Committee and the former Vice-Chair of the Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee, BMCC Aboriginal Advisory Council Representative, and the Local Sydney Land Services Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

 Panel Facilitators:

Tristan Tipps-Webster, CEO Reconciliation NSW

Danielle Sampedro, Project Officer Reconciliation NSW

With thanks to our event partners: