Session 3: An Introduction to the Torres Strait Islands and a focus on Respectful Engagement with Torres Strait Islander Communities

Are you ready to expand on your journey of Cultural Responsiveness as an Early Years educator?

Join us for this unique and powerful two hour online professional development opportunity led by skilled Torres Strait Islander woman and educator, Deborah Belyea, of the Samuawgadhalgal people, and Founder of Zeyawgub Consultancy. Through Deb's guidance, you will build on your understanding of Cultural Responsiveness by building on your knowledge and understanding of Torres Strait Islander people, cultures and communities. 

Join Deb as she introduces you to the beautiful Torres Strait Islands, their unique people and culture. Through her unique cultural lens as a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, an educational leader and award-winning artist, Deb will take you on a journey of better understanding Torres Strait Islander identity, as she delves with you into viewing her own cultural identity through her Interconnectedness Framework™. 

Explore the unique Zenadth Kes region, its diverse cluster/nation groups and take this information and knowledge back into your classrooms to share with your children. 

Together, we will learn about Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols and how to respectfully engage Islander communities. 

This session is the third of a four-part learning series where Deborah will take participants on a journey to build their capacity as a Culturally Responsive Early Years Educator. 

Each participant will receive a PDF workbook and will be emailed the online event link one day prior to the event.  

Why attend this Workshop? 

• Learn about the Torres Strait Islander people, their culture, history and communities.
• Uncover ways to share this knowledge in your early years learning setting. 
• Explore Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols, how to respectfully engage Islander communities. 

About the facilitator: 

Deborah Belyea

"I am a proud Torres Strait Islander woman of the Samuawgadhalgal people who descend from the Guda Maluilgal people of the Top Western Islands of the Torres Strait. My roots also extend to the Dhoeybaw clan of Dauan, and the Bamaga-Saibai people of Cape York Peninsula. 

Zeyawgub (zay-ow-goob) is the Southern Wind that belongs to the Samuawgadhalgal people, and is essential in informing my cultural identity.

I have a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts), Bachelor of Education (Secondary, Humanities) and a Master of Social Studies (majoring in Indigenous Studies) and bring to Zeyawgub’s services an extensive knowledge set. My teaching career spans over 20 years, as a: classroom teacher, Head of Department (English and Humanities) and Head of Curriculum (Language and Culture), in school settings in remote Indigenous Australian communities and regional Queensland. I have also taught online at universities across New South Wales. 

As an artist, my art work has appeared in numerous exhibitions from the Brisbane Power House through to Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island. I have also been commissioned for corporate artworks, such as for 'The Perfect Pearl' for the Torres Strait Regional Authority's 30th Anniversary Celebrations and digital artwork, Muy Ngulayg (Inner Knowledge) for NITV's Indigenous Australian content.

Most recently, I was awarded the winner of the 2024 National NAIDOC Poster competition with my piece, Urapun Muy (One Fire)."

Join us for an engaging early years workshop where you’ll start your journey to becoming a Culturally Responsive Educator. 

Riley Callie Resources is dedicated to amplifying First Nations voices in the education space and is proud to partner with Zeyawgub to bring you this workshop. Participants will also receive a special discount code for our online shop of Indigenous educational resources.

Ticket is valid for one person. 

Please note this will be held 5:00pm - 7:00pm QLD time. If you are joining us from another state, please adjust your time accordingly.