Fifty indigenous youth parliamentarians have arrived in Canberra for a week-long leadership summit to mark the 50th anniversary of aboriginal Australians getting the right to vote.
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The democratic engagement program, coordinated by the Australian Electoral Commission, coincides with a momentous week celebrating 25 years since the Mabo land rights decision, 25 years of the Torres Strait Island flag, and 20 years since the Bringing Them Home report on stolen generations.
Six participants from each state and territory and two from the Torres Strait will debate bills, learn more about the parliamentary process, and speak their mind on issues they are passionate about in an adjournment speech.
The bills canvas indigenous human rights and race discrimination, youth mental health, restorative intervention and young offending, and access to alcohol and drug rehabilitation services in rural and remote communities.
Hope Davison, of Curtin, is a proud descendent of the Yuin nation working in Canberra in the indigenous health division of the federal health department.
Taking part in NIYP 2017 was a chance for her to give current leaders food for thought about better addressing mental health concerns for indigenous youth.
In the ACT bill she is putting the case for a national helpline for those that experience racism.
But her adjournment speech will draw on challenges she has encountered and mental health risk factors for indigenous youth, particularly those that identify as LGBTI.
"I lost my best friend a year ago to suicide so that's something I have been trying to advocate on since that happened," she said. "The day I deliver my adjournment speech will be his one year anniversary so it will be very emotional."
The aboriginal woman, who identifies as LGBTI, said an integrated policy approach was sorely needed to assist those most at risk.
Talei Elu, a young Torres Strait Islander woman from Seisia in the Cape York Peninsula, lives in Kingston and works for Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Through the group's bill she is calling for a grants program to support indigenous university students to better understand the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The move would strengthen leadership by building a cohort of students who were well-versed in the declaration and what it required of member states.
Along with hearty debate, participants will meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, dine with Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Ken Wyatt MP, visit the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and other cultural sites.
After spending a short time with the large group from all walks, both Ms Elu and Ms Davison felt the experience had awakened something in them.
"It is really inspiring the conversations with so many indigenous youth that are all trying to bring positive change in their community and for indigenous Australia more broadly," Ms Elu said.
Ms Davison felt emboldened to talk more about the toughest issues facing indigenous people.
"We just go along with our jobs being in the public service, but this program has really sparked a fire in our bellies to have those important conversations," she said.
