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Wanju (Welcome)
Walkern Katatdjin is a national research project that aims to understand and promote the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual+) young people, and to work with services to develop appropriate interventions.
'Walkern Katatdjin' roughly translates to 'Rainbow Knowledge' in the Noongar language.
There is very little locally-specific information and guidance available for services that work with young people on how best to support someone who is both Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Asexual (LGBTQA+).
This means that young people (14-25 years) who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQA+ may not receive the same level of social support and health care as other members of the community.
This project has 3 phases:
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Yarning with Aboriginal LGBTQA+ young people about their needs and experiences
An online national survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people's mental health and social and emotional wellbeing
Co-designing a Roadmap with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people, community, and services
We have decided to use the acronym LGBTQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual, plus), but we acknowledge and welcome all members of the community.
What else are we working on?
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Developing LGBTQA+ inclusive practice training for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
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Testing the Pride Yarns program to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people and supportive Elders to yarn
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Talking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people in Broome & Kununurra about their needs and experiences
We came together for the second Walkern Katatdjin Roadmap Forum in Feb 2025
We brought together members of the community to co-design ideas based on the National Survey
Listen now at joy.org.au/thelatest
We came together for the second Walkern Katatdjin Roadmap Forum in Feb 2025
This year our team collabed with Youth Pride Network, along with young LGBTQA+ mob and local Elders to produce Tiktok resources for the community
The Walkern Katatdjin Roadmap sets out a plan to work together to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ young people to thrive. The end goal of this Roadmap is simple: to empower individuals, families, communities, services, and governments to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ young people are safe, healthy, and thriving.
You can read the full Roadmap Report here or find out more on the Roadmap page.
Figure: The Walkern Katatdjin Roadmap Model
We are looking for people who are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ mob to join our Governance Committee and Youth Advisory Group.
The Governance Committee will oversee the Walkern Katatdjin project design, procedures, data management, and translation of findings to ensure meaningful impacts from the project.
Applicants should be:
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Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
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LGBTQA+
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Experienced in healthcare, community work, activism or other related fields.
To find out more about the role of the Governance Committee click here.
Members of the Youth Advisory Group will guide the research design, recruitment, data analysis, reports and publications and data management.
To join the Youth Advisory Group, you must be:
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Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
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LGBTQA+
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14-25 years old.
See here for more information about joining the Youth Advisory Group.
Find Support
If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, we encourage you seek help and support.
We've put together this handy list of places you can go for support for your mental health and social emotional wellbeing.
Resources
Our team has been working hard to produce these resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people, their families, friends, and service providers.
Community Organisations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ community groups across Australia offer support and belonging. We've put together a list of community groups across Australia.
Artwork by Kaeya Milton
Visit About the Artists to learn more about the artwork we commissioned for this project
Our team members' institutions
Our supporting organisations:
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