EP9: 'Giving back with Cultural Choice Association', Connor Watson

In lieu of a sponsor this week, we have donated both the space and money associated to Cultural Choice Association to support their work in preventing Aboriginal youth suicide.

This is an issue we’ve spoken about before on the podcast and is one I’ll personally always make space to talk about, as it’s one of the issues I am most passionate about.

Unsurprisingly, this conversation also comes with a content warning as there are discussions of suicide and depression.

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In 2017, the latest published statistics revealed suicide as the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people between 5 and 17 years old.

And over the past five years, despite the fact that we only make up 2.8% of the youth population, one in every four Australian children who died by suicide was Indigenous.

Prior to invasion, suicide was not a concept known nor seen in our communities, and a senate enquiry into this epidemic facing our young people today has revealed it is directly correlated to the intergenerational trauma, disconnect from culture and related disadvantage caused by colonisation.

Each of these numbers represents a child. A name. An empty seat at the dinner table. A life full of opportunity, never to be fully realised.

This issue is one of the hardest to discuss, because often, the deeper you go, the more questions you have rather than are answered.

But it has to be talked about, and thankfully, like my guest on today’s episode, there are incredible people out there committed to making a difference.

Connor Watson, proud Gamilaroi man and Newcastle Knights player, was set on a few things from a young age - he was going to play in the NRL and no matter what, he was going to find a way to give back to our mob when he got there.

Connor, alongside his amazing mum Jodie, dad Mark and younger brother Fletcher, have turned family tragedy into passion and hard work driven toward Aboriginal youth suicide prevention through their non-profit, Cultural Choice Association.

I’m privileged to have seen the work the association does on the ground and the impact it has on our young ones, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing you Connor’s story and a glimpse into that work in today’s chat. 

Throughout this discussion please remember, it is ok not to feel ok, but it isn’t ok not do do something about it, if you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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Thank you so much Connor for taking the time out to jump on and share your story today. If you want to support Cultural Choice Association please check out their Instagram, Facebook and website and consider donating whatever you can to their GoFundMe: https://gf.me/u/yf7p94

You can also help by sharing this episode and their page on your own socials or with friends/family too!

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Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories is Written, Hosted and Edited by Marlee Silva and now produced with help of Keely Silva, on the unceded lands of the Dharrawal people. We pay our deepest respects to those people and their Elders past and present, whose connection to this place has remained unbroken for over 60 thousand years.

Follow us on Instagram @alwaysourstories

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Theme Music: 'Run' by Tristan Barton 

Podcast Artwork: @wuruhi.auaha