NAIDOC Week 2025: From What the Knowledge Guides Us artwork by Thelrina Akene.
This NAIDOC Week, Edify are proud to celebrate The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy through the talented and powerful lens of a young First Nations voice.
To honour the theme, Edify commissioned an artwork by Thelrina Akene, a proud Torres Strait Islander artist from Yam Island, currently boarding at NRL Cowboys House in Townsville, while studying Year 10. With a strong interest in engineering and a clear vision for her future career, Thelrina is actively involved in programs that support her passion for STEM. This includes being a member of STEM Changemakers, a regional initiative that empowers young women to connect with local industries and solve real-world challenges.
In addition to her STEM achievements, Thelrina plays AFL and is a talented artist. Through her art, she shares stories of culture, identity and community — a powerful expression of this year’s theme.
Her piece, titled “From What the Knowledge Guides Us,” reflects the intergenerational flow of wisdom and cultural strength — from Elders, to present-day knowledge holders, to the next generation.
In Thelrina’s words:
“Central to the artwork is the theme of Past, Present, and Emerging.
The figure dressed in black represents the Elder—the past. His black clothing signifies the deep knowledge of old ways, while the dot painting on his garment symbolises the stories he continues to share. These stories, once passed down to him, are now his to carry forward.
The woman represents the present. Dressed in purple, a colour of wisdom and growth, she wears the pattern called the Flow of Knowledge, symbolising how present-day guardians—especially mothers—pass on cultural teachings.
The final figure, a young boy dressed in green, symbolises the emerging generation. His shirt features the symbol of Connection, representing his role in maintaining and continuing the cultural lineage into the future.
In the top left corner of my artwork, I feature the Torres Strait Islander headpiece known as the Dhari. This powerful and iconic symbol, which also appears on the Torres Strait Islander flag, represents identity, culture, and pride. Surrounding the Dhari are stars and constellations, which are more than just celestial bodies—they tell stories from the rich history of the Torres Strait and serve as ancestral guides. Encircling this are Aboriginal symbols for people, illustrating the community gathered around the Dhari, united in sharing these ancient stories.
To the right side of the artwork, a symbolic link connects the present to the past. This represents a meeting place, where people from all walks of life can come together to honour, reflect on, and continue the stories and traditions of the past. Surrounding this meeting place is a landscape of dot painting, representing the lands and saltwater Country of the Upper Region—lands that have been cared for and respected by Torres Strait Islanders for countless generations.
Below the Torres Strait–themed section are footprints ranging from large to small, symbolising the journey of cultural transmission. By walking in the footsteps of our Elders, we carry forward our heritage. This path ensures that the wisdom and traditions of the past continue to guide present and future generations. Beneath the footprints are kangaroo tracks, which remind us that while it is essential to honour and look back on the past, it is just as important to look forward—to what lies ahead for our children and future generations.
Finally, the River of Knowledge flows through the piece—much like the Flow of Knowledge—representing how knowledge can be passed on at sacred meeting places. These include teachings about traditional practices such as fishing, dancing, and hunting. The river is a source, a journey, and a legacy all at once.
From What the Knowledge Guides Us speaks to how culture, wisdom, and tradition are carried across generations. Whether through storytelling, sacred gatherings, or simply observing and learning from Elders in our daily lives, knowledge is constantly flowing. It is a sacred inheritance—one we honour, preserve, and pass on.”
Our deep thanks to Thelrina for sharing her vision of this year’s NAIDOC theme, and to Cowboys House for your ongoing partnership. Thelrina is an impressive young woman who embodies the power of the Next Generation — leading with purpose, inspiring others, and keeping her proud culture strong.
