Keep yourself informed on what  our indigenous stars have been getting up to. This includes profiles – think music like Jessica Mauboy – who starred in the film ‘Brand Nue Dae’; surfing – our own local Dale Richards taking it to the legend Kelly Slater; and Keil Williams-Weigel, NAIDOC 2011 Youth of the Year; and Ashleigh Barty, who is powering in tennis. They are putting in the work and showing the way!

We’ve put up some videos from YouTube to share what’s happening with some cool artists, musicians and people in our oz indigenous communities like the Mornington Island and Wilcannia mobs. We are going to look for some global crew as well so come back and have a look later.

Check them out! Go to the video pictures below and click on them!

Grew up strongly connected to the red soil of Darwin in the Northern Territory, part of a multicultural family, with an aboriginal mother and Indonesian father. After leaping into the limelight on Australian Idol in 2006, Jessica has gone on to become a massive star, signing a record deal with Sony and recording hit albums including: ‘The Journey’ (2007), ‘Been Waiting’ (2008) and ‘Get ‘em Girls’ (2010) which she recorded with Snoop Dog and Ludacris. In January 2010, Mauboy also made her acting debut in the film adaptation of the 1990 Indigenous musical, Bran Nue Dae. Jessica recently took some time out to fly to Canberra to be the face of the National Multicultural Festival and hang out with some of her young Indigenous fans.

“Growing up I never thought I’d be a role model. I just love what I do…  If I can give kids a little bit of inspiration that they can achieve their dreams, that’s awesome.”

At the age of 24 is already a University lecturer and a champion of Indigenous culture and education. Kiel was recently well-deserved winner of NAIDOC’s Youth of the Year award. Born and raised in Brisbane he is a proud descendant of the Mununjali people of the Beaudesert region in Queensland. After immersing himself in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Kiel developed a strong desire for a better life for Indigenous people in Australia. He was the first in his family to attend university, graduating with a Bachelor of Education from Griffith University.

He is now a literacy coordinator at Clontarf Aboriginal College in Western Australia and a lecturer at the University of Notre Dame, where he helps other teachers understand the needs of Indigenous school students. Kiel plans to study further study and hopes one day to be a principal in an Indigenous school. Through his dedication, passion and love for his people, Kiel has influenced many young lives. He is a role model for Indigenous students and an inspiration for other young educators.

Dale grabbed headlines when he qualified for the QuikSilver Pro surfing tournament on the Gold Coast in 2007, becoming the first Indigenous surfer to reach the main draw of a World Championship Tour event. His amazing performances against world champions Kelly Slater and Andy Irons marked him as a future surfing megastar. Dale is happy that he is seen as a role model for aspiring Indigenous surfers.

“I’ve got heaps of love for the sea. I really can’t go more than a couple of days without going in the water. Catching a perfect wave is just the best feeling in the world, especially if you’ve got heaps of friends around.”   “If they see me making some money and having fun and they get into it, that’s a good thing.”

Image: http://www.tracksmag.com/20090910134/Tracks-Features/General/Know-Your-Roots.html

Ashleigh is a rising star in the international tennis world. At 13 years of age, she won two International Tennis Federation (ITF) under-18 events in Ipswich, before completing an undefeated singles campaign for Australia at the ITF World Junior Tennis Competition in the Czech Republic in August, 2009.

Ashleigh was awarded Female Junior Athlete of the Year, at the Newcombe Medal awards in December, 2010. Ashleigh lists winning the 14′s and 16′s Nationals and an ITF Tournament back to back to back as her greatest achievements, so far. Her ultimate goal is to play in the main draw at Wimbledon. Ashleigh’s message to young Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders is:

“Always be positive and it doesn’t matter what people say. Be your own stereotype and do what you like.”