Mentoring Program

"It's good for me to build my skills for the future."

Christine Motatj Garawirrtja

Mentoring Program

Mentees often go on to lead language work and cultural media production both with SharingStories and independently.

We support young people identified by community as emerging cultural leaders and/or producers.

We transfer a range of new media arts skills that build capacity for recording, documenting and interpreting important cultural stories and language.

We mentor, train and support young people already working with local or regional media and arts organisations.

“This has been the first time I’ve done community work, in an Aboriginal community. I’ve been to many but doing a community project with a story, I haven’t done that before.”

Nathan May, SharingStories Mentee and Sound Recordist on Nyikina and Adnyamathanha Programs

Our Mentees

“My name is Christine Motatj Garawirrtja and I’m from the Gupapuyŋu clan and I live on Elcho Island. I’m interested in making a career in film and multimedia and have been working with the Aboriginal Resource & Development Services (ARDS) and Strong Traditions on Galiwinku . During the Wägilak Project that I went on with SharingStories Foundation, we went to a lot of different Homelands recording the songs and stories from Roy Wunupingu and the Wägilak Clan, they were different to Galiwinku Homelands where I live, we don’t have the Wägilak Clan in Galiwinku.

I learnt a lot about history, how the Wägilak connect to one another and how they are connected to me. I learnt about different techniques and how to use two different steadicam rigs that allowed us to take long shots and move freely with the camera. I learnt something about the idea of single shot cinema from the cameraman that was working on the project and different ways of making films which was interesting. I’d really like to come and join with SharingStories again, it’s meinmak , it’s good, to get away and learn new things about different culture and different ways of approaching film making. It’s good for me to build my skills for the future.”

Christine Motatj Garawirrtja

“My name is Emily Johnson and I am a Barkindji and Birri Gubba woman originally from Broken Hill NSW, my father is from Wilcannia, Far Western NSW and my mother is from Cherbourg, QLD. As a visual artist in my spare time, I have often created illustrations and paintings. Working with the SharingStories team, I have started creating digital designs and illustrations through gaining skills in creative tools like Photoshop and InDesign. With this additional training, I hope to continue and develop my career in the arts and design industries.”

Emily Johnson

“My name is Nathan May I was born in Darwin and I’m part of the Arabunna clan. Liz Thompson rang me and asked me to come down for an experience with SSF, and once I got the call up I was excited and happy, I got lots of new experiences in animation and sound. I’d never done it before, normally I’m in the studio. This has been the first time I’ve done community work, in an Aboriginal community. I’ve been to many but doing a community project with a story, I haven’t done that before… I’ve met a lot of amazing people and I’ve been reconnecting with a lot of family through this work. I experienced a lot of new things, connecting with the SharingStories crew, the community as well, its been amazing experience."

Mentoring Program