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Institute takes pride in young leader from Yarrabah supplied by blue sky media 1 May 2014
C
ape York Institute is immensely proud of employee Kia Yeatman (pictured) who has been selected to attend National Indigenous Youth Parliament in Canberra this month. Kia is ecstatic to be one of six selected from Queensland out of a total of 220 applications. “I’m looking forward to public speaking and debating training before entering parliament to present issues and arguments with my Queensland team,” Kia said. Kia is passionate about making sure kids attend school, and educating young people about underage pregnancy. “Young people close to me have been pregnant. I really want to educate young people in this area,” she said Cape York Institute (CYI) CEO Fiona Jose said the 18 year old had a strong sense of community and a level of commitment well beyond her years. “She is a quietly spoken yet determined young lady whose humility and honesty define her as a strong leader. “Kia entered the CYI Leaders Program six years ago and she is now a supervisor on the program helping younger members to achieve their goals. Youth parliament has been a personal goal for Kia, so we are very happy for her,” Ms Jose said. “She has a number of areas that
she is passionate about and I have no doubt that she will raise them during this forum- with poise!” The National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP) is an exciting program run by the AEC in partnership with the YMCA and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. NIYP 2014 will be held from 28 May to 3 June 2014 in Canberra. Kia commutes from Yarrabah each day to work at Cape York Institute in Cairns. As a member of the Cape York Institute Leaders Program, she has travelled to many parts of Australia representing young Indigenous people. Kia helped to organise and was a supervisor of the program’s Academic Leaders Secondary camp, which brought together more than 70 local Indigenous young people. In her hometown of Yarrabah
there is no task beyond Kia when it comes to her community. She has played in the memorial rugby league team, helps to coordinate and supervise camps, she completed her Bronze Medallion to become a lifeguard at the Yarrabah Aquatic Centre, and fundraising for other local people to attend sporting and selfdevelopment events take care of her free time. Kia has addressed national Indigenous leaders on issues challenging young Indigenous people and looks forward to this opportunity to talk with the nation’s leaders about the issues close to her heart. “Education and training opens up so many opportunities and I want to be able to inspire other young people to pursue their dreams, just like I am doing.” Kia said.
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