Cultural Contributors

The services delivered by Kultchafi have been developed over decades, working in consultation with Elders and Traditional Owners from across Australia.

The development was headed by Aunty Cheri Yingaa Yavu-Kama-Harathunian, a proud Aboriginal Australian woman of the Taribelang, Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng and Kabi Kabi peoples. She worked closely with Wongi Elder Aunty Josie Boyle.

Today, Kultchafi works to deliver accessible and inclusive cultural healing services for all peoples, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, staying true to the integrity and wisdom of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voices who are sharing their knowledge to support Reconciliation in Action.

We partner with Traditional Owners, Elders and academics from across the nation, and work directly with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and individuals including:

Yokai
Stirling Minniecon Family Trust
Yumpla
Lonweigh Aboriginal Corporation
Psychologist Alec Jones
Indigenous Conference Services (ICS)

Aunty Cheri Yingaa Yavu-Kama Harathunian

Aunty Josie Boyle

Jahavel Cultural Contributor First Nations Elder Wayne Fossey

Jahavel Cultural Contributor Aboriginal Elder Sarina Jan

Jahavel Cultural Contributor Aboriginal Elder Uncle Ray Minniecon

Uncle Wayne Fossey

Aunty Sarina Jan

Uncle Raymond Minnicon

Uncle Wayne is an experienced Principal, teacher and educator, and has been involved in research into Learning Communities across Australia and Torres Strait Islander communities. He is a member of the University of Southern Queensland Elders' and Valued Persons' Advisory Board.

Aunty Sarina is a Bardi descendent (Nyul Nyul clan) from the Kimberley region (family name is Hunter) and is strong in her Aboriginality, identity and culture. In 2018, she was awarded the Northern Territory Top End NAIDOC - Lifetime Achievement Award. She is also of Chinese descent and is proud of her Asian ancestry.

Uncle Ray is an Aboriginal pastor with roots in the Kabikabi and Gurang Gurang tribes of Queensland. Uncle Ray is an active Executive Member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation Australia (IPO), a national coalition of 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, community organisations and individuals who advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Teagan Cowlishaw

Aboriginal designer Teagan (TJ) Cowlishaw founded and operates the AARLI Aboriginal design house. Born in Darwin, she is a Bardi descendent and has family links to Chinese pirates.

Aunty Lurlene Henderson

Aunty Lurlene is a Kabi Kabi Elder. A Director of the Lonweigh Aboriginal Corporation, the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre and the Bunya People's Aboriginal Corporation.