Indigenous Education Foundation

Supporting Indigenous-led cultural and ecological education programs

To achieve our mission we focus on three pillars of education:

Language

Culture

Ecology

Join IEF in supporting Indigenous-led education programs strengthening connection to language,
culture & ecology

Join IEF in supporting Indigenous-led education programs strengthening connection to language, culture & ecology

Impact Stories

Aboriginal community fighting for justice

Aboriginal community fighting for justice

Large protests have been held around Australia in response to the State and Federal government’s decision to cut funding supplying water, electricity, and other basic needs – including jobs, to up to 274 remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. These cuts...

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Social Impact Documentary Film

To help maximise our impact within Mentawai, Indonesia and beyond, we're working in partnership with Suku Mentawai supporting the production of a feature-length documentary film called As Worlds Divide. The film, directed by Rob Henry who has been researching,...

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Suku Mentawai program update

Suku Mentawai program update

The Suku Mentawai team have been busy in Mentawai meeting with various groups, community officials, local government, partners, and also locating a practical space for the new office. It has been a very productive and positive few months. The outcomes of these...

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Our Commitment

Projects and education programs supported by IEF are designed and implemented by Indigenous Peoples themselves, in such a way that each program fosters full respect for Indigenous Peoples and their members’ identity, dignity, human rights, and cultural identity. IEF believes that by being Indigenous initiated and led, communities do not suffer adverse effects during the engagement process. From this starting point, social and economic benefits may be attained.

IEF ensures that all its programs are based on the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples during all phases of the project and campaigns, including the identification, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all project activities.

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Indigenous Perspectives

Future leader finding voice through indigenous education


The power of indigenous and modern education: It is often said that if you pursue an indigenous education you must forego a modern education, and it is also said that if you pursue a modern education you risk being educated out of your indigenous culture and identity. Read Martison Siritoitet’s story about how he was educated into his culture and avoided being educated out of it when he pursued an education at a modern university far away from his family and community in the Mentawai isles:

In 2019, Martison was invited to represent indigenous Mentawai youth and share story of his culture at the Indigenous Film Festival in Bali. In the 3 months leading up, Martison produced a short film focused on their Mentawai cultural learning hub program, which was screened at the festival.

Building proud and resilient communities

 

By learning at the cultural hubs we gain understanding about our Mentawai culture and how to grow, harvest and process the Mentawai staple foods.
Because we often receive opportunity to perform our cultural dance, skills and knowledge to lots of people across many locations.
Because we are Mentawai people and I am proud to be a Mentawai child.
Because I am so interested in learning via the Mentawai (YPBM) Foundation program and all the cultural activities we do each week are so enjoyable it makes me happy to be Mentawai.
To achieve our mission supporting Indigenous-led cultural and ecological education programs, IEF relies on support from public and private donors.

IEF supports the 2030 UN
Sustainable Development Goals
and Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples
.

ACN: 168 130 096

ABN: 67 168 130 096