Nurturing cultural safety is an important consideration for school-based staff who work with Aboriginal students. This idea is one the key pillars of the Educational Pathways Program’s (EPP) Aboriginal working group, who recently facilitated an Aboriginal art competition for aspiring young artists.

“We want to celebrate the students and put them on the map, while sharing the story of the EPP”, says Jazmin Williams, proud Wangkumarra woman from Western NSW, School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) Engagement Officer and member of the Aboriginal SBAT working group.

“The competition sought out to engage with talented young Aboriginal students, to help us to create unique artworks that told the story of ‘pathways and transitions to employment’, and to showcase the talent of Aboriginal students across the EPP network of schools” says Jazmin.

10 entrants into the competition won a $300 gift card to Officeworks, in addition to an online art workshop with Aboriginal artist Jakeob Watson.

The students will see their artwork featured on Aboriginal-specific resources for the EPP, to be rolled out in Term 1 2023.

The intention of including Aboriginal artworks within EPP resources is to enhance cultural safety for Aboriginal students, and add a meaningful visual story to compliment our messaging.

“We don’t get to hang up our identity hat on the door, it’s who we are as people”, says Jazmin.

“We are shaping the next generation through the work that we do, so it’s paramount that our resources reflect them and their experiences.”

Some of the artists and their beautiful artworks are featured below:

Dakotah is a proud Gumbaynggyirr student who lives on Country. Dakotah’s biggest inspiration are her mum and dad, who are always encouraging her to go for her goals. Many of the artworks submitted by Dakotah for the competition have already been sold at a local charity auction, with benefits going to Camp Quality.

Felicity is a proud Kamilaroi woman whose school is on Dharug country. She started exploring Aboriginal art when she was 12 and over the years it has helped her strengthen her connection to culture. Felicity’s artworks have been showcased in school NAIDOC celebrations, as well as on t-shirts and hoodies worn by friends and family.

Hope is a proud Wiradjuri women who goes to school on Yuin country. She started creating art in April 2023. Her greatest inspiration for her art is her dad, who passed away when she was young. She strives to make him proud through her artworks and dance.

Kade is a Dharug student whose school is on Darkinjung country. Kade has been creating Aboriginal art for two years and credits his dad as his greatest inspiration. He aspires to become a construction apprentice one day.

Kayla is a proud Bundjalung student who lives on Country. She says creating art is the activity that makes her feel most connected to her culture. Kayla’s aunty and uncle are her biggest role models, she says, particularly as her uncle “holds the legacy of her family, having knowledge about (her) people and culture”.

Kylinta is a proud Yuin student who has been making Aboriginal art her whole life. She loves playing netball and rugby league and is excited to show people what she is capable of with her art.

Everyone in the EPP would like to celebrate and congratulate this incredibly talented group of students. This is only the beginning of their journeys.

Disclaimer: These artworks have been commissioned for the Educational Pathways Program and do not have permissions for wider use.