Makayla funded to attend World Indigenous Conference
鈥淚 came home with a fire in my belly to continue the fight for equal rights, recognition, and respect for Indigenous people at ANU and in Australia.鈥
Makayla-May Brinckley is a fourth year Science (Psychology) and Arts (Gender and Cultural Studies/Australian Indigenous Studies) student at ANU. In 2017, she attended the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE), thanks to funding by The ANU Fund.
Makayla-May has advocated for Indigenous peoples and women both on campus and nationally and was keen to take part in WIPCE as the workshops and networking opportunities would strengthen her knowledge on issues faced by Indigenous women.
"I wanted to learn about worldwide Indigenous issues, recognising that colonial history has a similar effect on Indigenous peoples no matter where they are from. I also wanted to attend WIPCE for my own personal journey of self-understanding and connection to my culture."
Attending WIPCE exceeded Makayla-May's expectations and she returned with far greater awareness of how issues faced by Indigenous peoples in Australia are shared with many other First Nations communities around the world.
"I came home with a fire in my belly to continue the fight for equal rights, recognition, and respect for Indigenous people at ANU and in Australia."
Makayla-May also appreciates how WIPCE gave her greater confidence in her own advocacy.
"I saw the impact young people can have and should have in shaping culture and community, and I left WIPCE feeling incredibly confident in myself and my abilities."
These experiences have also been helpful as she works towards her ambition of becoming a clinical psychologist, specifically out on country with Aboriginal women.
Indigenous students at ANU who attend WIPCE are supported through funds raised by donors to The ANU Fund. By giving to The ANU Fund, you will support students like Makayla who are trying to make a difference at ANU and to our nation. Together, we can count the ways that we are helping students and creating a better future for us all. You can give to The ANU Fund today.
Makayla-May Brinckley is currently a fourth year Science (Psychology) and Arts (Gender and Cultural Studies/Australian Indigenous Studies) student at ANU, at the ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences.
