The recent First Nations Women in Leadership Summit, held in Sydney, saw Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women from around Australia come together to share, learn, and be inspired by stories of resilience and success.
As an initiative of our Reconciliation Action Plan, LiveBetter sponsored staff members Alana Bennett and Eden Power, both HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) Mentors, to attend the three-day event and it was an experience that opened their eyes to a world of possibilities.
“It made me realise that I can be more – and that I am more than what I give myself credit for,” said Eden.
The two arrived at the Summit eager to soak up the stories and experiences of those First Nations women who have already walked this path. They wanted to learn how they got to where they are today and to understand how they navigated some of the obstacles they faced along the way.
“Being there gave you such a sense of pride. Just to see all these women, and what they’ve achieved, ” said Alana.
“To hear that most of them are mothers, they’ve managed to juggle being a parent and having a career.
“We’re both parents, so that was so good to hear.”
For Eden, it was her first experience at a Summit or conference and she was unsure of what to expect.
“Everything was new, and although it was a little overwhelming, I just took it all in,” she said.
“I guess what stood out for me was learning about culture.
“Finding the links between colonised ways and our cultural ways, and the importance of keeping culture alive.”
“I learned to know who I am and to be proud of that.”
An event highlight was the pre-summit workshop facilitated by Leanne Philips, founder of Healing to Employment (H2E). H2E is a business that takes a holistic approach to building long-term employment capacity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. During the workshop, each participant was taken on a journey of self-discovery, learning more about themselves, realising their strengths and exploring their values.
“The workshop was amazing,” said Alana.
“I learned how, as women, we are good at highlighting other people’s strengths, but not our own. It opened my eyes to my own value, and my own abilities.
“It showed me how, if you believe in yourself, you can go far.”
For Eden, the workshop helped her feel more confident about what might be possible.
“The whole experience has inspired me to want more.
“I want a career, I want to build myself into something, To not be afraid and to know I can do it.”
At the Summit, panellists discussed the importance of having a female mentor, prompting us to ask Alana and Eden about mentors they’d had in their own lives.
Alana told us about her grandmother, who had a huge influence on her life. One of the Stolen Generation, her grandmother taught her about resilience and about forgiveness.
“Even though she was taken away from her family, she was never negative about it,” said Alana.
“She always spoke about the positive effects that it had on her childhood and her adult life.”
Alana described a woman who never blamed others for her problems. A woman who raised ten children by herself while working hard for her community.
“She fought for Aboriginal Rights,she was one of the last living Elders for the Barkandji People when we got Native Title.”
“My grandmother was an amazing woman.
“She has passed away now, but to this day, the things she has taught me have stuck with me.
“She said you must always be humble and kind, even when people aren’t kind to you. Just be forgiving.”
Eden said she has had many female mentors in her life, but there is one who particularly stands out.
“As a child, I had a mentor, she was wonderful. She wasn’t Indigenous, but still, she was amazing.”
“Growing up was difficult for me, but she helped to keep me on the right path.
“She showed me what else is out there.
“She wanted me to experience different things, and those experiences helped me to realise that there is more to life, there is more out there.”
So, what’s next for Alana and Eden, and do they see leadership as part of their future?
I’d like to work in Child Protection or with Youth,” said Alana.
“I’d like a role where I feel I’m changing people’s lives and helping them to become the best that they can be.”
“You know, growing up in Menindee, a small community, there weren’t a lot of mentors.
“For many young people, there weren’t a lot of people to look up to to help them to see that they can be something else.”
Eden is also keen to help other young Indigenous people.
“I do see leadership as being part of my future.
“My life experiences have made me want to be there for young people and help influence their perspectives, just like others have done for me.
“So many Indigenous young people just don’t have that.” She said.
The First Nations Women in Leadership Summit helped to show Alana and Eden not only who they are, but who they can become.
At LiveBetter, our commitment to partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our workforce has always been a priority and it is through initiatives such as this that we ensure this commitment is both active and meaningful.
We’re proud to have supported these two future leaders to participate in such a transformative experience and we look forward to seeing where the future may take them.
