In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, proud Bunuba, Gija, Karajarri, Yawuru and Miriwoong woman Tovani Cox, Graphic Artist at SNAICC, joins host Michael Lynch on Wurundjeri Country in Narrm for a yarn about creating art and design for children, families and communities, and how art has a part to play in healing and therapy.

Tovani reflects on growing up on Yawuru Country in Broome and the Kimberley, where Country, colour and family shaped who she is today and her art; growing up in a family of artists with their sketchbooks that doubled as storybooks. Now a digital artist and graphic designer at SNAICC, living and working on Wurundjeri Country, she shares how she brings her life, culture and wellbeing into the storytelling of the pieces that go on to shape the visual identity of national plans, strategies and initiatives.

Michael and Tovani discuss how creativity is a strength, not a sidenote, and speak about healing through art, with Tovani explaining how she lets her liyan (spirit) guide her work, and how the support of family and mob keeps her grounded and inspired. They also reflect on the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, on 4 August, as we honour the journeys our children take as they grow, each step guided by culture, community and connection to Country.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In our NAIDOC Week 2025 bonus episode, proud Meuram man Joel Matysek, SNAICC Youth Voice Lead, sits down with host Mandy Taylor to yarn about how SNAICC is creating space for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share their ideas and shape the decisions, policies and programs that affect their lives, now and in the future.

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 and this year’s theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, Joel tunes into the conversation from Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country in Far North Queensland, with Mandy joining from Arrernte Country in Mparntwe. Joel reflects on how powerful the pillars of this year’s theme are—strength, vision and legacy—and how they speak to the next generation's continued growth into strong leadership and building their own legacy.

Together, Joel and Mandy discuss what young people have already identified through Youth Voice; the need for genuine influence in decision-making, stronger support for cultural identity and advocacy skills, and more flexible, accessible ways to be involved and make sure young voices are heard. Joel shares how Youth Voice is building a national structure led by young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—giving them the tools, skills and connections to be leaders, influence decisions, and drive long-term, generational change. They reflect on what young mob across the continent are telling SNAICC, and how those insights are already informing policies, programs and advocacy efforts.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.

In this episode of Kids, Culture, Community – SNAICC Yarns, proud Noongar woman and SNAICC National Workforce Advisor, Miranda Edwards, sits down with this episode's host Michael Lynch on Wurundjeri Country in Narrm for a yarn about the strength of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood education and care workforce.

Miranda reflects on her journey from secondary school teacher to the leader of one of the most respected Aboriginal-led early childhood centres, Lulla's Children and Family Centre on Yorta Yorta and Bangerang Country. She talks about the beginnings of Lulla's, the struggles services face with funding, the importance of culturally safe educational spaces, and what it means to support Aboriginal children to be school-ready from birth. Together, the two discuss how proper recognition and funding for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and community-led services mean that great things happen.

Miranda talks about the cultural knowledge and love of the job that educators bring to services and the long-overdue recognition that educators deserve. She unpacks the ECEC Workforce Retention Grant, which was announced in December 2024 and provides a 15% wage increase over two years to educators, and the role that SNAICC plays in assisting services across the continent in navigating the process—from eligibility to application—and the importance of applying by June 30, 2025. She discusses how SNAICC is assisting Aboriginal-led services with guidance on the wage increase to ensure educators are valued and retained—because, as she puts it, the workforce deserves it.

Keep the conversation going—follow, subscribe, and share this podcast to help amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. Visit SNAICC’s website to learn more, access resources and find out how you can get involved.