Agenda
DAY ONE | Wednesday, 17 September 2025
9.00
Opening Keynote: Transforming Indigenous youth mental health through culturally informed prevention
9.25
Governance Yarn: The importance of First Nations led decision making for Indigenous youth care
How to implement First Nations governance in a mainstream organisation
Looking to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as a model for best practice
Understanding your strengths and weakness to mitigate challenges that arise
10.00
A voice for our young people
What a dedicated voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people has the potential to do
Understanding the functions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner
Engaging with the commissioner to ensure shared decision making
10.20
Morning Tea
Connection to Culture and Identity
10.55
Weaving culture into family inclusive care for young people
Engaging the whole family system in therapeutic healing through family counselling and support services
Placing culture, kinship and community at the centre of care
Achieving stronger outcomes in SEWB programs with active participation from family
11.25
Case study: Our culture is healing – Bawamarra Cultural Services
Showcasing the transformative impact of culture camps for Indigenous young people
Evidence that culture must be central to any effective mental health strategy for Indigenous youth
Exploring the design and outcomes of a holistic care model
Jason May, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bawamarra Cultural Services
12.00
Cultural connection and yarning (breakout sessions)
Ensuring the inclusion of LGBTQI+ voices in addressing culturally grounded SEWB and mental health services for young people
Weaving workshop: Connect with culture as you engage in a mindful activity and yarn with your peers
Staying deadly online: Understanding the role of technology in young people’s minds
Deep listening and meditation: Take a moment out for yourself and learn the art of deep listening to influence your practice and own wellbeing
1.00
Lunch
Social Determinants of Youth Mental Health
2.15
Panel: The intersection of justice and youth mental health: Insights from the NT
How Indigenous leadership in the NT is reclaiming safe spaces through family-inclusive, trauma-aware, and culturally responsive models
How policy can better reflect local strengths, solutions, and leadership to transform systems of care and justice
Aboriginal organisations driving change at the intersection of justice and youth mental health
3.00
The need for culturally guided care in prisons for young people
Addressing drug and alcohol use in young offenders
Supporting young people in prison to pathways of rehabilitation with culturally informed programs
Using data to enhance prison-based programs for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples
3.30
Afternoon tea
Weaving Culture into Clinical Practice
4.00
Cultural humility: The foundation for a better future for all First Nations young people
How cultural humility can lead to healing pathways for First Nations young people
Understanding the definition of healing through culture
Creating space for young people to process trauma safely and reconnect with their culture
Tammy Wallace, Director, Cultural Capability and Strategy, Act for Kids
4.35
Fostering innovation and improvement in social and emotional wellbeing practice, policy and research
Innovative Aboriginal led solutions to deliver practical outcomes and transform service delivery
Expanding access to SEWB in ACCOs and mainstream health services through collaboration and widespread consultation
5.00
End of day one