Five Indigenous Australian youth, including one from Western Australia, and two Aboriginal Elders have travelled to the Seneca Nation in Niagara Falls, Western New York, for the 2024 World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference, bringing back vital knowledge to support their communities.

The Anika Indigenous Cultural Exchange, funded by the Anika Foundation and the Poche Centre of Indigenous Health at The University of Western Australia, aimed to address suicide prevention and wellbeing in Indigenous communities.

Funding and support enabled the five youth participants to attend the Cultural Exchange at the conference, held at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in July, including UWA Honours student and Yamatji Noongar man Mark Nannup. 

“The conference gave me great insight into how we can create a sense of cultural revival and ownership in a post-colonial society – truth-telling must be at the forefront,” Mark said.

Image: The WISPC Australian Cohort from UWA and Culture is Life.

Director of The Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, Professor Pat Dudgeon, from UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies, developed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project.

Professor Dudgeon said the conference enabled First Nations people from across the world to share culturally based approaches when addressing suicide prevention.

“As native nations across the world continue to struggle with preventing and recovering from the impacts of suicide among our people, our Australian cohort, including youth and Elders, networked, strengthened relationships and discussed enabling protective factors through building identity, resilience and culture,” Professor Dudgeon said.

“Through the sharing of stories and knowledge, alongside the showcasing of wise practices on prevention and intervention, we have emerged stronger in reducing suicide risks and life promotion.”

Tjalaminu Mia (Aunty TJ), UWA staff member and Elder was also part of the trip and said she welcomed attending the conference as one of the Elders for the Australian delegation.

“It gave me an opportunity to meet and engage with Elders from the Host Seneca Nation and to participate in all the cultural ceremonies with our group,” Aunty TJ said.

“The conference added to the lived experience of attending international gatherings off Country – especially for our youth – a wonderful, inspiring learning curve for them.”