Hello Everyone,

We welcome you all to come and celebrate a special edition webinar for International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples with us following the theme “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.”

Indigenous women are the backbone of Indigenous peoples’ communities and play a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of traditional ancestral knowledge. They have an integral collective and community role as carers of natural resources and keepers of scientific knowledge. Many Indigenous women are also taking the lead in the defence of lands and territories and advocating for Indigenous peoples’ collective rights worldwide.

Join our facilitator Larisha Jerome, a Jarowair, Wakka Wakka & Wulli Wulli woman as she hosts panel discussion with Rachael Cavanagh, who is a Minyungbal mibany from the Yugambeh/Bundjalung nations of South East Qld and Northern NSW and Kaye-Maree Dunn, who is from Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Te Rangikoianaake, Ngāti Mahanga me Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and resides in Wainuiomata Wellington.

Rachael Cavanagh is the Community Programs & Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation (AUS)

Rachael is a cultural knowledge holder for Minyungbal and a mentor to many young Indigenous people. She is a member of the executive leadership team for Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation. In her role as Community Partnerships and Stakeholders Engagement Manager, she uses her passion and applied knowledge for protecting and strengthening Cultural Fire Practices, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Contemporary and Traditional Land Management to make culturally informed decisions.

Rachael is cultural advisor to many schools and community groups, providing support in building capacity and empowering First Nations communities by supporting growth, training and economic development opportunities. Recently, Rachael has undertaken a number of consultative positions to provide strategic advice for planning, environmental, cultural, social impact issues in her local area. She uses a solutions-based approach to bring Blak issues to the forefront and provides pathways to overcoming barriers.

Rachael holds the position of Executive Director of Yabulgu Rangers, a not-for-profit organisation working to increase the number of Minyungbal rangers implementing traditional land management practices on Country. Rachael’s diverse professional background includes working within the private sector and all levels of Government, specifically working in the environmental sector.

Kaye-Maree Dunn is the Managing Director at Make Everything Achievable (NZ) Described by various media as a ‘wahine Māori tech entrepreneur’ who has made her mark in the digitech industry, she says she loves what she does within MEA and aspires to ‘use our influence for social and collective impact and to help transform the lives of others.’ Ultimately she would love to see the waka heading to ‘where our team are healthy and thriving, that we are all financially and emotionally wealthy, that we have time to spend on ourselves and our whānau and where inner peace is the ultimate goal for all.’ She is also the Managing Director of Ahau NZ Limited and Indigital Blockchain Limited and currently on the Interim Māori Spectrum Trust Board, North Hokianga Development Trust, Āhau Tātai Hono Trust and is a Sir Edmond Hillary Fellow and a Senior Atlantic Fellow through the University of Melbourne.

This online event is open for everyone and people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds are encouraged to join in celebration of First Nations women.

We would love to see you all at our webinar!