Tiffani Seaton has embraced and become involved in her Aboriginal heritage since the age of 14, sparked by a family discovery of her great-grandmother’s links to the Kamilaroi people of the Tamworth region.
Since then, The University of Queensland student has set her sights on study and career choices enabling her to support young people, and particularly Indigenous youth.
She was overjoyed recently to receive a generous Arrow Energy ‘Go Further’ Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship which will enable her to spend more time on campus in 2023, away from her paid work with the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
“Early in my degree when I was living on campus, I appreciated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit as a supportive network. I’m looking forward to re-engaging with the sense of community and sense of belonging available through ATSISU in 2023.
“Once I complete my Bachelor of Arts, I’m keen to progress into a Master of Teaching degree as part of my deep passion to teach in rural and Indigenous communities, to bolster equality of opportunity,” Tiffani said.
“I already work on various youth and school-based initiatives through the Kokoda Youth Foundation (KYF), including On The Right Track (OTRT) and the Kokoda Pathways Program (KPP), addressing career options and fulfilling potential for bright futures.”
Tiffani’s KYF role also extends to the Digital Detox Program (DDP), aimed at helping young people establish healthy connections to technology.
“In this program, we place a lot of emphasis on the importance of land and nature, linking back to Indigenous cultures. We believe it is important to teach young people about Indigenous history as well as the history of the diggers,” she said.
“My official job title with the Kokoda Foundation in 2023 will be Community Engagement Officer and Youth Worker.
“A core focus of mine will be reaching out to various communities to ensure Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander families have access to the KYF's free programs.”
Tiffani is also a regular community volunteer, making time to support the surfing with the disabled initiative and RSL and veterans’ events. She also advocates that Indigenous diggers deserve more historical recognition.