Proud Yaegl and Bunjalung woman Aneika Kapeen is helping young First Nations people connect with culture through art, language and sport.
Aneika was deeply concerned that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Clarence Valley were facing compounding challenges including staying engaged with formal education, loss of cultural identity and pride, and social and financial disadvantage.
In response, Aneika established the Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation in 2019. The not-for-profit organisation transforms lives by enabling young people and their families to connect and engage with education in a comfortable and culturally appropriate manner.
Aneika supports families at crucial transition points such as starting school and entering high school. Under Aneika’s leadership, the Community Preschool Engagement Program has delivered more than one million hours of learning and play time for children through local kindergarten, preschool and school partnerships.