The Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF) has just held their annual Garma Festival in Gulkula, North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

The festival showcases the vibrant culture of the Yolngu people and the Key Forum enables discussion about issues of importance among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Australian Government is an ongoing supporter of the Garma Festival and its Youth Forum which brings together school students from all over the country.

This year the Youth Forum included workshops from R U OK, Recognise This (the youth led movement to Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution) and music and dance workshops with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP).

In the workshops with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects, Garma youth participants produced a music video with Emma Donovan about the importance of getting an education, knowledge being power and setting up a good future.

Michael Farah, Manager of Indigenous Hip Hop Projects said that the music video is a IHHP record.

”We recorded, produced, filmed and edited in just over 48 hours. What helped us was the talent of the performers,” he said.

“The great leaders of the Foundation for Young Australians did a great job in running the Youth Forum, and proving that they are deadly singers and performers too,” he said.

The Garma Youth Forum is facilitated by volunteers from the Foundation for Young Australians IMPACT programme and National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA). These programmes aim to inspire young Indigenous people to lead positive change through developing networks of likeminded young people.

Garma Youth Forum Coordinator, Madge Fletcher, worked collaboratively with the local community, YFF, workshop leaders, presenters and school groups to make sure the Youth Forum was a safe and friendly space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.

“It gives the youth the chance to explore, create and communicate with each other and to share knowledge with one another,” she said.

Madge also recognised the importance of involving young leaders in developing the programme for the Youth Forum as it gives youth an opportunity to practice leadership skills.

Denise Bowden, Chief Executive Officer of YYF said a vast and impressive group of youngsters coordinate, run and deliver the Youth Forum themselves and the YYF enjoys the idea of youth being in control of their own agenda and setting a bright future for themselves.

“Who better than the voice of the youth, the next generation, to share with our Garma guests how best to build a national future, working together to find the right fit forward,” she said.