NAIDOC fashion show shines spotlight on youth wellbeing

Young indigenous models took to the catwalk during NAIDOC Week as part of a fashion show held in Roebourne.

The show, which was part of the Community Concert on July 14, saw 18 models between the ages of nine and 22 take to the stage and strut their stuff.

The parade was a collaborative project between Sandra Spadanuda, from the Blue Beanie Project, and Chanti McHenry, from Goolarri Media.

Ms Spadanuda said Goolarri Media ran the Pilbara Girl competition, which Ms McHenry won back in 2014.

“This is the first event we’ve done together and we really wanted to put young indigenous kids in the spotlight,” she said.

The show ended up featuring 18 participants, with all bar one being Aboriginal.

The Blue Beanie Project runs the Pilbara Shine project, which Ms Spadanuda said was all about building young people’s self-esteem.

“We try to build their social and emotional wellbeing, resilience and connection to community and through modelling and fashion shows,” she said.

Ms Spadanuda said the decision was made to do the show for NAIDOC Week because they believed it was important to celebrate local Aboriginal culture and people.

“Through both of our projects we both work with young people who are Aboriginal, so it was important to recognise and celebrate them,” she said.