Next week marks NAIDOC Week, a time to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is the longest living culture (over 65,000 years!) on the planet. This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. It celebrates past achievements and the bright future ahead, empowered by young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
Earlier this year, my seven year old Quincy and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Mparntwe (Alice Springs) as a guest of Children’s Ground, joining a small group to meet with local leaders, community organisations and families. Just being on Country was incredible, the landscape is majestic, jaw-droppingly beautiful and spiritual.
We spent time with Children’s Ground, an organisation reshaping education and community development through a 25-year, First Nations-led approach. Their work is holistic, grounded in culture, and driven by the communities themselves - ensuring children grow up strong in identity, supported by family, language, and Country. Last year, close to 1400 community members engaged with the program, which also employs 169 First Nations adults. The work they’re doing here is groundbreaking!
We also visited Purple House, a trailblazing Aboriginal-run health service that brings dialysis and aged care back onto Country, restoring both life and dignity for people living with chronic illness in remote communities.
And we met the team behind Kings Narrative, a social enterprise that works with Aboriginal men who have spent time in the justice system, and reconnects them to culture and healing through bush medicine, mentoring and narrative therapy. The over representation of Aboriginal men in NT prisons is shocking (96% of youths in detention in NT are First Nations, while representing 45% of the population), reflecting their intergenerational trauma. Their programs don’t shy away from hard conversations, but always centre cultural strength, self-determination and pride.
We were fortunate enough to spend the trip with Rona Glynn-McDonald, a Kaytetye woman and founder of Common Ground, Director of First Nations Futures, and incredible DJ, who is shaping a future where First Nations voices and systems of knowledge are seen not just as valuable, but essential. Rona has a one in a million energy about her, something that’s hard to put into words, but she fills me with hope and optimism about the future.
I went into the trip with an open heart, but also an awareness that I am not a First Nations person. I tried to listen more than speak. To reflect rather than explain. I really wanted Quincy to see and feel the stories of our country from a young age – to experience the wisdom and wonder.
What I saw and felt in Mparntwe was not only the weight of history and injustice, but also the beauty, humour, brilliance and hope that continues to shine in these communities. That strength is something I’ll carry with me, not just for NAIDOC Week, but every day.
At Kip&Co, we’re committed to learning how we can do better, how we can use our platform to elevate voices, support community-led work, and keep showing up. That means partnering with organisations led by First Nations people, continuing our reconciliation work internally, and staying open to feedback as we grow.
If you’re curious to learn more, here are a few places to start:
With deep respect and gratitude to everyone who welcomed us, shared stories, and offered their time, thank you.
Alex McCabe. Co-Founder, Kip&Co
