I’M NOT WHO I AM WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY COMMUNITY Every time I do something for the first time I have my mothers voice in my head saying “just give it a go bub, just give it a go”. I remember when I was growing up she would be annoyed when I would be too shame or not give something a shot, it’s what’s allowed me to freely explore multiple platforms I’ve been able to navigate for the last 5 years. When I was at University studying dance, I had friends whose parents hated the fact that they danced as it wasn’t considered a “real” profession/job, they’d come to uni crying due to the lack of support. One holiday I ask my father, a staunch footballer & public servant, why he allowed me to/encouraged me to pursue this career in the arts even though it was an unfamiliar career path for our family to navigate, his response “what’s the worst that could happen, you fail and come back home...?” Last night I got the opportunity to attempt another first (I gave it a go mumma), hosting The 2022 First Nations Arts Awards with the deadly Karla Grant @karlag28 on @nitv_au . I’ve been blessed to rub shoulders with a lot of people I’ve watched (on stage, on tv, in magazines) growing up and a lot of them have not only given me the support and opportunities but the patience for me to make mistakes, fall over, then show me the other ways of doing things. So to everyone that has given me space, time and patience to explore new fields and those that witness from afar and support my work, THANK YOU 🙏🏾 I’M NOT WHO I AM WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY COMMUNITY #Aboriginal #TorresStraitIslander #Indigenous #indigenousrights #firstnations #islandwarrior #ancestors #culture #lore #protest #cultural #pride #IndigenousAustralian #reconciliation #Australia #AboriginalFlag #alwayswasalwayswillbe #naidoc