For Narikah Johnson, the gap between her cultural and classroom experiences inspired her own education journey.
“I come from an era where, in schools, we’re taught that Captain Cook found Australia. Learning that and understanding my cultural background and my identity,” she says, “displaces my understanding of who I am as an Indigenous person. That’s what pushed me to go to uni and become a teacher.”
Narikah is embracing the powerful role education plays in promoting equity, expanding understanding, and building communities.
“One Koori kid came up to me and she said, ‘You’re Aboriginal, hey?’ She was so happy — she had the biggest smile on her face, and she started pointing out all the Koori kids to me.” Narikah says.
To see that impact for kids I didn’t know, I just felt it in my spirit and my soul and thought yeah, this career is for me.
Creating pathways for the next generation of Indigenous excellence is the golden thread that connects Narikah with the Robyn Kemmis Indigenous Scholarship and more than 100 women activists, educators and community members who banded together to make the scholarship a reality.
The scholarship was created through an outpouring of community support honouring the life and work of Robyn Kemmis, former UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, after her untimely passing in 2016.
The impact of these scholarships can be felt across the university, says Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, Robynne Quiggin, AO.
“We are continually building UTS’ ability to attract, celebrate and support Indigenous students like Narikah and their multiple contributions to education, research and culture on campus. Donations and community engagement amplify this work and provide an additional layer of support to students.”
The Robyn Kemmis Indigenous Student Scholarship is unique because it was funded primarily by women, for Indigenous women. With minimal restrictions and an annual living stipend included, the scholarship was thoughtfully crafted to maximise flexibility and impact.
When I got the phone call from UTS telling me that I’d received the scholarship, I was over the moon.
“A lot of scholarships aren’t catered to women, or there’s an age cap, or it’s for a specialty like law or education. There aren’t a lot of scholarships like this,” say Narikah.
Image caption: UTS Education Graduate Narikah Johnson with Christine Vella, Learning Development Lecturer at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research.
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