Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People SA

28/05/2026

Awesome job Tauondi College for putting on another fantastic Rec in the West!

27/05/2026

ALL IN - RECONCILIATION WEEK BREAKFAST

This morning we joined thousands of South Australians at the “All In” Reconciliation Week Breakfast.

Thank you to Uncle Moogy Sumner for the Welcome to Country and Allan Sumner for the Smoking Ceremony, grounding the morning in culture, spirit and connection.

Otis Cater opened the morning beautifully through yidaki, creating a moment of stillness and connection.

We paid tribute to the life and legacy of our greatly respected leader, advocate and educator, Professor Peter Buckskin. His work, leadership and commitment to our people continues to guide and inspire so many across South Australia. Thank you to Jeremy Johncock for the moving tribute and reflection.

Deputy Premier and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher acknowledged both the opportunities and challenges we continue to navigate in the post-referendum environment, with a powerful message of community, culture, truth telling and shared responsibility.

Aunty Ros Cameron shared her deeply personal journey as a Stolen Generations survivor, speaking with strength, honesty and hope. Her story of connection, healing and the work through Flaxley Woven, including the ongoing efforts to keep Flaxley Church in community hands, was a reminder of the importance of truth telling and healing.

Nathan May brought a message of hope with “It’s Gotta Start Somewhere”, reminding everyone that change begins with action after we leave the room.

Eddie Betts delivered a powerful keynote reflecting on growing up and navigating a position of poverty and disadvantage and trying to break into systems designed to not have Aboriginal people succeed in. His shared his story of family supporting family, determination, persistence, and drive to overcome.
His message was strong. We do not lack intelligence. We do not lack solutions. Too often, we lack the resources, investment and backing. Aboriginal-led solutions remain the answer.
He also shared an important message with allies, that to truly be “All In”, sometimes means being “All Out” of the driver’s seat. Trust community. Listen deeply. Walk alongside. Let Aboriginal community experts lead.

Casey Donovan then lifted the room with her words, strength and music.
Her powerful performance of “This Is Me” resonated deeply and felt like a shield of strength as we continue this journey together.

Reconciliation is not a one-week event.
It is ongoing work.
It is truth-telling.
It is shared responsibility.
It is All In.

And importantly, it is ensuring our Aboriginal children and young people grow up strong in culture, in identity, in community, and with access and opportunity.

26/05/2026

Today, on National Sorry Day, we pause to remember and acknowledge the Stolen Generations and the profound impact of past government policies on Aboriginal children, families and communities. These unacceptable policies were deliberately designed to disrupt families and forcibly remove children from their culture, identity and connection to Country.

We honour the strength, resilience and courage of those who were taken, and we acknowledge the enduring pain and suffering experienced by families whose children were removed.

We stand in strength with survivors, their families and communities as they continue to share their stories in the pursuit of truth, healing and justice.

As Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in South Australia, I am reminded of the responsibility we all share to ensure the rights, voices and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people are upheld, today and into the future.

National Sorry Day calls on all of us to reflect, to listen, and to commit to ensuring these injustices are never repeated. Our systems and institutions must be reshaped to support Aboriginal children to grow up strong in their culture, connected to their families, communities and Country.

The work ahead remains critical. We must remain steadfast in advocating for meaningful, inclusive change that delivers safer, fairer and more equitable outcomes for all children and young people.

22/05/2026

Today we acknowledge with sadness the passing of Professor Peter Buckskin.

This is a significant loss for South Australia and for Aboriginal education, leadership, and community.

Professor Buckskin contributed greatly across education, language, culture, leadership, and advocacy, and his influence will continue through the many people and systems he has shaped.

Professor Buckskin was a respected Aboriginal leader, educator, and advocate whose contribution to our people, communities, and future generations has left a lasting legacy across South Australia.

His work strengthened Aboriginal education, culture, language, and identity, creating pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal children and young people to thrive.

He was deeply committed to ensuring culture and knowledge systems remained strong and visible, and that Aboriginal voices continued to be heard and respected.

Many young people may never have met Professor Buckskin directly, but they continue to benefit from the pathways he helped create.

On behalf of the Office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, we extend our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who are mourning his passing.

We thank him for his leadership, service, and dedication to community.

May he rest peacefully and may his legacy continue through our young people and communities.

(Professor Buckskin’s name and image are supported with the consent of his family)

05/05/2026

The Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People has today made an official statement.

04/05/2026

Last Thursday we attended the launch of the Department for Education Blueprint framework. Blueprint sets out Outcomes in Public Education: Our collective approach to building strong systems foundations.

It is encouraging to see schools, communities and partners coming together with a shared commitment to strengthening outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people across public education system.

The Office will continue to work with and hold systems accountable to be more incisive and create stronger pathways for young people to feel included with educational achievement as they work towards a better future for themselves, their families, and our communities.

Blueprint will be going live today, see link below:

https://edi.sa.edu.au/educating/aboriginal-learners/blueprint

01/05/2026

This is a deeply sad and heavy time for our people.

We acknowledge with great sorrow the devastating loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby. Our hearts are with her family, her community, and all those across Central Australia and the Nation who are carrying grief at this time. There are no words that can truly ease the pain of such a loss, no family should ever have to endure this.

We stand alongside her loved ones and community in this time of deep sorrow, holding them in our thoughts and prayers. We also acknowledge and thank everyone who came together to support the search efforts and stand with the family, that collective care and strength reflect the deep love our communities carry for our children.

As we grieve, we must also remain united. We remember that at the centre of this is a little girl who was deeply loved, and a family and community now navigating unimaginable loss.

The hope we held for Kumanjayi Little Baby's safe return must now be carried forward into a stronger commitment to all of our children. Every child has the right to be safe, to be protected, and to grow up with opportunity, love and support around them.

This moment calls on all of us, as leaders, as systems, and as a community, to reflect and to do better. We must continue to push for accountability, for justice, and for stronger systems that genuinely protect our children and uphold their rights.

We also support calls for deeper examination of the systems and decisions that may have contributed to this tragedy. Our children deserve nothing less than a system that places their safety and wellbeing at the centre of every decision.

Rest peacefully, Kumanjayi Little Baby. You will always be held in the hearts of your family, your community, and our people.

If you or someone you know is struggling during this time, please reach out for support. You can contact 13YARN (13 92 76) for culturally safe support.

Official statement from the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People - Sue-Anne Hunter.

24/04/2026

Aboriginal Youth Summit 2026 – Recap

Back in March, Aboriginal young people from across South Australia came together for a powerful one-day Aboriginal Youth Summit hosted by the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, a day centred on culture, connection, and strong youth voice.

From the moment the Summit began, it was clear this was a space shaped by and for young people. The day created a culturally safe and welcoming environment where participants could yarn openly, share their experiences, and speak to what matters most in their lives and communities.

Commissioner Dale Agius joined the group to reinforce the importance of young people standing proud in their identity and using their voices to influence decisions that impact them, a message that resonated throughout the day.

Through keynote reflections and interactive moments, young people explored themes of identity, belonging, and creative expression, alongside workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing, racism and discrimination, and education and employment pathways. These conversations were honest, insightful, and driven by the lived experiences of those in the room.

The presence of Elders Uncle Ivan Copley and Aunty Ros Coleman grounded the day in culture and wisdom, reminding everyone of the strength that comes from community, respect, and shared responsibility.

Throughout the Summit, young people built connections, exchanged ideas, and showed strong leadership in shaping how their voices can be heard by decision-makers. The energy, courage, and vision shown on the day is a powerful reminder that when Aboriginal young people are supported to lead, real and lasting change can follow.

We are incredibly proud of every young person who took part, and grateful to all facilitators, Elders, and supporters who helped make the day such a meaningful success.

Watch the highlights and take a look through more photos from the day:

https://vimeo.com/1177500747/16a9925268

22/04/2026

TARPARI WELLBEING DAY 2026 – On Nukunu Country, Port Pirie ☺️

It was so good to spend time on Nukunu Country in Port Pirie for the TARPARI Wellbeing Day, seeing community come together in such a strong and positive way 👌🏾

Days like this show what works best in bringing services and community into the same space, where people can yarn, connect, and access support in a way that feels comfortable, welcoming, and grounded in culture.

We know not all services are available locally across every region. That’s why it’s so important to see organisations travelling in, setting up, and making themselves accessible to community. It creates real opportunities for families, young people, and Elders to engage directly, ask questions, and build relationships with people they can speak directly to.

A big shout out to TARPARI Health Service for the work they continue to lead in community. Events like this don’t just happen, they are built on strong relationships, trust, and a genuine commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our people ❤️

It’s not just about services being present, it’s about how they show up. Respectfully. Openly. Ready to listen, and today this was clearly evident 🤝

Was great to catch up with so many people, connect with services, and see the awesome art work from the local school 🤩 🤩

Strong community, strong culture, and strong connections are what continue to support our children and young people to thrive ✅