Proud Noongar man Kienan Davis has been crowned Mr NAIDOC, 2023.
Mr Davis is the second person to take home the title of Mr NAIDOC, with the category being introduced last year.
The 23 year-old has called Whadjuk Boodja home since he can remember. He is a Davis on his father's side with bloodlines back to Northam and an Ogilvie on his mother's side with connections to Northampton.
In 2013 Mr Davis attended Belmont City College where he joined the program 'Follow The Dream' and he has remained an enthusiastic and motivated member of the program throughout his school years.
He proudly participated in NAIDOC week, Harmony week, local community Noongar dances, and participated in an out of school program called 'AIME' at Edith Cowan University. These programs taught him to become a leader within his school, community and culturally aware of his identity.
In year 11, Mr Davis had the opportunity to work with Qantas as a part of his 18 month school-based traineeship, which followed through until he graduated high school.
Following his traineeship, he completed a certificate II in Business and was awarded 'Australian Super West scheme Division Award for Excellence in VET'.
After graduating, Mr Davis won the award as WA's top-performing Aboriginal student, a prize named after the late Aboriginal human rights advocate Rob Riley, and was offered a job with Qantas as a Regional Flight Attendant in WA.
During his three years with Qantas Mr Davis developed his skills such as leadership, dedication, and most importantly a greater understanding of the many different Aboriginal cultural groups.
He said he knew that every time he was flying he was representing "myself, my family and my heritage". Travelling around WA and seeing his Country was special.
Mr Davis now works as a funeral director, assisting families during their time of loss. His goal is to be a person within the Aboriginal community on whom families can rely during hard times; Something that hits close to home, as Mr Davis lost his father at a young age.
Mr Davis joined the Mr NAIDOC program because he wanted to develop his skills as a leader for his people and the younger generation, and to also deepen my understanding of his bloodline and cultural connections.
He hopes to build long life friendships with other Aboriginal men within the program and to be a role model for his young son.
Other NAIDOC winners:
Miss NAIDOC Perth 2023 - Cherralee Clark
Runner-Up Mr NAIDOC Perth 2023 - Ignatius Hunter
Runner-Up Miss NAIDOC Perth - Raquel Cross
Doolann Award 2023 - Corey Czirr
Moorditj Maarmun 2023 - Jayden Caldwell
SRG Traineeship Award 2023 - Jade Dalgety
Doolann Award 2023 - Vai-Lee Nelson
Kwobordok Yok 2023 - Sacha Ogilvie
