Global Indigenous Studies graduate inspired by her community, to help her community

Thursday, 13 July 2023

For proud Gommeroi woman, Kyiesha Faulkner, her family was her biggest inspiration and motivation to study a Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies combined with Law.

“Growing up my Nan lived in a tent on a riverbank in Gunnedah. In Curlewis she lived in a tin shed, and then on the common in shelter made from hessian bags. She didn’t have access to proper housing.

“I wanted to learn more about how I can better help my community,” Kyiesha explained.

This week will mark the culmination of Kyiesha’s Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies degree, when she will cross the stage to officially graduate – with her Nan (pictured) among a sea of supporters in the Great Hall.

Kyiesha with her Nan

While she is only part-way through the Law component of her combined degree, Kyiesha has already made a tangible impact in the field. She was instrumental in the creation of the Indigenous Business Handbook – an information guide to help First Nations’ business owners understand their legal obligations.

“I led the stakeholder review which involved consulting with Indigenous people from around the region who are running their own businesses.

“It was a really good experience to work with communities to make sure the Handbook is culturally appropriate, and the language is accessible,” Kyiesha said.

When considering where to study, University of Newcastle was a natural choice for Newcastle-born-and-raised Kyiesha, whose father also teaches at the institution. The opportunity to gain early entry to her dream degree via the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme was a bonus.

“I found out I was accepted into the University of Newcastle before I sat my HSC exams. So that was a huge weight off my shoulders,” Kyiesha said.

While the transition from school to university is daunting for most, Kyiesha said she felt comforted knowing she would have a strong support network at The Wollotuka Institute, affectionately known as ‘Wolli’.

“In high school you are given the impression that once you go to Uni you won’t have as much support. But my experience with Wollotuka proved that is not the case and people genuinely want to watch you succeed,” she said.

“I loved using the Wollotuka space and the tutoring services.

“Knowing that there’s a place that you can go to talk to people and have people support you was really helpful.”

Wollotuka is a culturally safe environment at the University and home away from home for Indigenous students to connect and access support.

Kyiesha said she particularly liked that combined study allowed her to use her cultural knowledge and law degree together.

“As a grassroots Indigenous person, my family is very active in the community. And I’m thankful to my Mum, who is non-Indigenous but taught us so much about reconciliation and our culture.

“I’m doing a placement this year with the University of Newcastle Legal Centre. The Centre provides free legal advice to the community and they also have specific clinics for Indigenous people.

“It’s been a really interesting experience,” Kyiesha said.

Kyiesha has had the opportunity work on a wide range of legal cases from will disputes and family matters to helping prisoners who feel they were wrongly accused.

“It’s definitely shown me that I’m on the right path.”

Kyiesha will graduate with a Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies on Thursday 13 July, with some of her biggest supporters cheering her on – her family.

Kyiesha is one of 1,400 students graduating this week. Read more about our Callaghan graduation ceremonies here.

STUDY BACHELOR OF GLOBAL INDIGENOUS STUDIES

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