Our Story

2017 - Suicide Prevention Roundtable

A suicide prevention roundtable was held in Broome with Federal Government representatives and Indigenous leaders to address the high suicide rates among young people in the Kimberley. Minister Nigel Scullion committed $50,000 to support the facilitation and hosting of the first-ever forum on suicide prevention for Kimberley youth.

2017 - Youth Suicide Prevention Forum

The Kimberley Aboriginal Young Leaders Committee, under Aarnja, organised the Youth Suicide Prevention Forum and submitted key recommendations to the Commonwealth, including:

• Increasing support for peer-to-peer role models

• Providing further support for emerging young leaders in the Kimberley

• Introducing a multi-faceted educational approach to reconnect with culture and build resilience

• Enhancing youth engagement through sports, arts, and cultural activities

2019 - EYL Forums and Reports

Two Empowered Young Leaders forums were held in Broome and Kununurra to inform a report outlining several actions which were identified by young Kimberley Aboriginal leaders across both locations.

2020 - KAMS establishes EYL

The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS) received funding to establish the suicide prevention trial in the Kimberley region, leading to the creation of EYL.

2021- Commitment with Investment

The Department of Communities responded to the 86 recommendations arising from the Message Stick report of the Inquiry into Aboriginal youth suicide in remote areas, as well as the EYL forums report by committing $1.3 million over three years to support EYL. KAMS also committed to supporting Kimberley youth, aiming to further elevate their voices and enhance their social and emotional well-being.

2022 - EYL Gathering in Kupartiya

The EYL held the inaugural Kimberley Young mob gathering in the Kupartiya Community. The gathering was an opportunity for Kimberley Aboriginal young people to come together in their cultural blocs and represent themselves.

2023 - Legal incorporation process

In early 2023, the EYL Design Committee shaped the legal incorporation process and organisational objectives for EYL. The incorporation was approved as a registered corporation with Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. The first AGM was held at Home Valley Station on Monday 4 September 2023 in collaboration with the Kimberley AGM’s. The Design Committee has now transitioned to the EYL Board of Directors.

Thank you to the 2023 EYL Design Committee Members who shaped EYL’s legal incorporation process, and organisational objectives.

• Stewart Jan

• Kiarnee King-Baguley

• Jacob Corpus

• Keanu McCumstie

• Tremane Baxter-Edwards

• Stacey French

• Dwesmond Wiggan-Dann

• Wynston Shovellor-Sesar

• Jesslyn Sampi

• Hazali D’Anna

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the past staff and young leaders who have previously contributed to the Empowered Young Leaders movement. We have come such a long way since the initial gathering in 2017.