We’re excited to welcome new and familiar faces to our 2026 First Nations Youth Advisory Group.
This year, the group are working with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to progress Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct.
Ngurra is a nationally significant initiative which aims to create a world-class cultural precinct to preserve, recognise and celebrate the rich heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In 2022, the Australian Government announced it would invest $316.5 million to build Ngurra.
Ngurra will be located on the Acton Peninsula in the Australian Capital Territory, aiming to close the gap among existing National Cultural Institutions by creating a dedicated place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling.
To effectively contribute to the project, the key objectives of the Youth Advisory Group are to:
- ensure the perspectives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are incorporated in the planning and design of Ngurra
- incorporate young people’s ideas on culture, education, innovation and connection to Country, and
- support the development of future First Nations leaders.
Throughout the year, AIATSIS and the group will work together on individual elements of the project from design and implementation, all the way through to making legacy plans for future generations. Planning begun during their first in-person meeting of the year at Youth Meets Parliament Week in March 2026, which provided a valuable opportunity to share ideas and develop the key objectives.
During Youth Meets Parliament Week, our Youth Advisory Group member Tilly shared,
“It’s critical that First Nations young people are heard, present and embraced in government spaces. First Nations people are sovereign people, not just as Australians but also as culturally diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s important for government not only to embrace us, but to walk alongside us in building a self-determined future.”
Congratulations team! Your work is making a difference and we’re really excited to hear your voices contribute to such a culturally meaningful project.
To meet the members, visit: First Nations Youth Advisory Group - Office for Youth, Australian Government