Three Canoes is a First Nations, youth-led project that brings young people from across the Nambucca Valley together through On-Country learning, storytelling, bushcraft, and cultural and arts activities. The project fosters connection, confidence, cultural pride, and community cohesion. It will culminate in a youth-led showcase and celebration, where participants share their stories and culture with the wider community.
The Three Canoes project emerged from Becoming U’s place-based initiative, Nambucca Valley YOUth Speak. Through the YOUth Speak survey (594 respondents, 29% Aboriginal) and youth forum (206 participants, 25% Aboriginal), young people clearly identified their priorities and concerns.
Racism was identified as the third most critical issue facing local youth. Experiences such as racial profiling, slurs, and mocking behaviour were reported as contributing to low self-esteem and confidence. Young people highlighted the need to strengthen pride in the local Aboriginal community—particularly among youth—and to build greater understanding and connection with the broader community.
Emerging youth leaders also identified in-fighting between communities and families as a significant issue they were keen to address.
Aboriginal young people expressed a strong desire for more On-Country opportunities to learn and develop work-ready skills within a cultural context.
Young people proposed the idea of a youth-led cultural festival and wanted hands-on roles in its planning and delivery. These ideas were reinforced through ongoing yarns and direct consultations with Aboriginal youth at all three local high schools.
Following the forum, several project ideas were discussed, with strong enthusiasm for the canoe-making concept and for gaining real-world experience in delivering a cultural festival.
In response to the YOUth Speak findings, the Youth Opportunities Program Grant was identified as a suitable funding pathway. An application was developed directly from the voices and ideas of young people in the Nambucca Valley, resulting in the creation of the Three Canoes Project.
As the project unfolds, the focus has naturally shifted from canoe building to didgeridoo making and cultural storytelling, reflecting the interests and cultural direction of the young people involved. The final project will be proudly showcased in the Nambucca Valley in the early to mid part of 2026.
