More than 200 regional and remote Indigenous students from across Western Australia heard insights on\u00a0employment, training and furthering their education at this year\u2019s Future Footprints Expo, held at Curtin Stadium last night.<\/p>\n
The Future Footprints Expo is organised by the Association of Independent Schools of WA, hosted by\u00a0Â鶹ֱ²¥ and sponsored by Woodside.<\/p>\n
Three students from Christ Church Grammar School shared how they launched their own Indigenous tie\u00a0design company, Tied to Culture, and representatives from Penrhos College, Wesley College and Christ\u00a0Church Grammar School outlined how the program has made a difference to their pupils.<\/p>\n
Launched by three school friends, Year 12 students Isaiah Butters, Liam Henry and Dontay Bolton, the\u00a0idea for Tied to Culture was born while the trio discussed their post-secondary prospects and recognised\u00a0a gap in the market for Indigenous-inspired clothing.<\/p>\n
Funds from each tie purchased are donated to different charities including Beyond Blue, Pink Ribbon,\u00a0MADALAH and the Starlight Children\u2019s Foundation.<\/p>\n
AISWA coordinator Ms Roni Forrest said Future Footprints strived to engage and support Indigenous\u00a0students to stay at school and achieve post-secondary qualifications.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to give Indigenous children a place where they feel confident with the skills and knowledge\u00a0they have and offer guidance to help them succeed,\u201d Ms Forrest said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearing from the variety of speakers and exhibitors the expo had this year showcased the different\u00a0possible opportunities and enabled the students to think more broadly about what path they would like to\u00a0take and where they would like their career to take them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Centre for Aboriginal Studies Director Professor Marion Kickett said the expo offered an excellent\u00a0opportunity for regional and remote Indigenous students to engage with higher education and industry professionals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe expo brings together a number of industry professionals and representatives from across the higher\u00a0education sector to help regional and remote students gain a deeper understanding of the options\u00a0available to them once they have finished high school,\u201d Professor Kickett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtin is proud to support this expo as education is a vital step in the movement towards achieving\u00a0reconciliation and I look forward to seeing the bright futures these students create through the varied\u00a0pathways to success they navigate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students were able to find out more information from exhibitors including universities, government\u00a0departments, TAFEs and companies, including major sponsor of the event, Woodside.<\/p>\n
More information about the Future Footprints Program can be found here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.ais.wa.edu.au\/future-footprints-program<\/a><\/p>\n