2021 Koorie Youth Summit
Barring Djuwima (Sharing Journeys): Heal, Grow, Thrive
Thursday 9 November until Saturday 27 November 2021
The Summit is a space for us to come together from around the state to connect, discuss what is important to us, be proud, learn, and share.
As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we have been healing and adapting to change over centuries. The 2021 Summit Theme speaks to moving forward from the challenges and sacrifices we made in 2020 and 2021—defining years in our journey—to grow and thrive in our communities and be the best that we can be.
Barring Djuwima means ‘Sharing Journeys’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language. Barring Djuwima (Sharing Journeys) is about reflecting on the year that was, creating space to share our experiences and hold knowledge through each other. To heal is to acknowledge our strength and resilience, and the ways our communities have connected and looked after each other during these unprecedented times. To grow is to take all that we have learned to make new teachings for the future. And to thrive is to celebrate our connection to our culture and communities, to inspire our ongoing journeys as young people so we can continue to heal, grow and thrive for centuries to come.
The 2021 Koorie Youth Summit was online with nine sessions running across three consecutive weeks in November.
Sessions were a mix of panels, workshops and interactive yarns.
Each week focused on an aspect of the Summit theme — Heal, Grow, Thrive — with our overarching theme, Barring Djuwima (Sharing Journeys), guiding all our deadly yarns.
- Week 1 – Heal – 9-13 November
- Week 2 – Grow – 16-20 November
- Week 3 – Thrive – 23-27 November
The program included over 15 deadly speakers from our communities and the world stage sharing inspiring stories covering topics such as:
- Protecting Country
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Justice
- Personal finances
- Weaving (+ weaving kit included)
- and more!
We acknowledge Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation for giving us permission to use their language for our 2021 Summit theme.
Meet the 2021 Summit artist
Alkina Edwards is a very proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi and Wiradjuri woman living on Yorta Yorta Country (Echuca). A digital finger artist and designer, the body of works she creates are about self expression, self-determination, identity, culture, family, community and love.
Alkina has been creating art since she can remember. She always loved sitting back and watching her family members draw, paint and talk about cultural stories through their art. It always kept her strong in her identity, values and beliefs.
Artwork story
“The people represent the stories being told and passed down through the generations for our history and culture to continue. The circle campfire signifies the safety and warmth we get from the yarning circles as well as allow our people to come together to share our stories and history. The paths you see leading into the yarning circle signifies all the different journeys we have taken as a people and how those journeys have led as to sharing our history and truth with each other. The colours hold meaning as they bring a sense of calm and warmth which is an important aspect when sharing our stories and journeys with each other.”
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