Thank you for supporting First Nations children's right to an education system that honours their language, culture and Country.  

Last week, a delegation of senior Leaders, Elders and First Nations education experts travelled to Ngunnawal Country to meet with parliamentarians, key stakeholders, partners and supporters at Parliament House. While in Canberra we advocated for the need to establish a First Nations education system and to launch the M.K Turner Report - a roadmap to First Nations education reform.

Our senior leaders and Elders met with:

• Commissioner Mr Romlie Mokak, Productivity Commission 
• Secretary Mr Tony Cook PSM and key senior staff, Department of Education 
• Deputy CEO Ms Julie-Ann Guivarra and key senior staff, NIAA 
• Secretary Mr Blair Comley and key senior staff, Department of Health 
• Deputy Secretary Ms Liz Hefren-Webb and key senior staff, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
• The Hon. Linda Burne MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians. 

Children's Ground also held a special presentation at Parliament House on Wednesday night (28 February) which was attended by many key parliamentarians, key stakeholders, partners and supporters. The event was hosted by the Hon. Marion Scrymgour.

Our Leaders stood together, strong and dignified as they asked the Australian Government to work with us towards improving education and opportunities for our children, and to work to close the gap. 

We presented this petition, showing the government that more 80,000 people are calling for the establishment of a First Nations education system. Conversations have begun and will continue. This is a major step in our journey towards education reform and we look forward to keeping you updated.

Please continue to share our petition, and make sure to sign our other petition on our website.

To echo the words of NAIDOC Elder of the year 2023 and Chair of Children's Ground, William Tilmouth - 

“Our First Nations Education system will Close the Gap, will improve our productivity and will give us a voice."

“Education can transform a family in one generation."

“It will restore our dignity, our cultural authority and give our children agency and freedoms."

“We can create transformational change."

“We now need political commitment. Education in our hands."