Mentoring programs are designed to help you get the most out of your education, support your wellbeing, or open up new and exciting opportunities. Mentors could help you achieve all that and more by working on building your confidence, providing inspiration, motivation, and support, and believing in your abilities. We’ve found some great mentoring programs tailored to Indigenous youth – see if there’s one that interests you.
What is mentoring?
Mentors are people with experience and wisdom in a particular area or field who are happy to spend time sharing their knowledge with others who could benefit from it. They’re not always old – even young people can make great mentors.
Mentors can provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modelling. They could also help you with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts (networking), and identifying other useful resources you might like to engage with.
Indigenous youth mentoring programs that could suit you
Start off by speaking to someone at your school and see what programs or initiatives they already have on offer. If you know someone who has expertise or skills in an area you’re interested in, then you could approach them directly and ask if they’d be willing to mentor you.
Or check out these Indigenous youth mentoring programs:
Aurora Education Foundation High School Program
This program provides you with academic, wellbeing, and cultural support over a 7-year period (from the start of Year 7 all the way through to graduation). Through the program, you and your family will be connected with Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors through regular engagement activities. All mentors engaged in the program are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
You can read more about the program here.
Strong Brother Strong Sister
Strong Brother Strong Sister’s mentoring program is led and run by Aboriginal youth specialists and professionals who possess a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Aboriginal young people. It’s designed to cater to the unique cultural, social, emotional, health, and wellbeing needs of each individual, and it provides 1:1 personalised support, group support, and social, emotional, health, and wellbeing support.
Read more about the program here.
The Smith Family
The Smith Family offers opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth living in remote communities. Their programs provide exposure to social and work experience you might not otherwise have access to.
There are a few programs you could sign up for, including Girls at the Centre and the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.
Karreeta Koornong Maar
This new and exciting program is for young people in the Heywood/Portland/Hamilton area. The program will support young people aged 12 – 25 with a three-year mentoring program which aims to connect them to culture, build leadership skills, and support their future goals.
You can find out more about the program here.
Deadly Mentorz Saltwater Young Leaders Program
The Deadly Mentorz Saltwater Young Leaders Program is a cultural mentoring program for primary and high school students. It aims to empower youth across the community who may be at risk of disengaging. Participants will foster and grow their confidence as young leaders through hands-on cultural workshops that align with traditional First Peoples cultural practices, and through participation in peer/peer mentoring.
See more about the program here.
AIEF Mentoring Program
AIEF Scholarship Students are paired with an AIEF Mentor at the beginning of Year 10. You’ll meet at school monthly and take part in group activities with other mentors and students twice a year. Mentors support students by listening, providing advice and guidance, and by acting as a sounding board for ideas and problems.
Read more about the program here.
Find out more
We have lots of other resources for First Nations youth, or you might be keen to read about study and work.