Utyerre Apanpe has brought together more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators, cultural leaders, knowledge holders and academics from 36 Nations on Arrernte Country.

Across all our Nations, First Nations education systems continue to live. We are working to protect, revive and strengthen these systems so our children can access high-quality education that reflects who they are and grows them strong in culture, language and Country.

We walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and recognise the urgency of this work while our Elders are still with us and as we carry responsibility for future generations.

Our educators include Elders, cultural knowledge holders, teachers, Rangers, traditional healers and those with cultural authority for land, language and lore.

The evidence is clear: the mainstream education system is failing our children. Our communities are calling for real reform, not changes, to the mainstream system. They are calling for the establishment of a national First Nations education system, led and governed by our people and grounded in each Nation's right to design and deliver education for their children.

Language is central to our identity and must be fully supported, especially as we move through the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Our curriculum must be determined by our communities, grounded in First Nations culture, language, lore and knowledge, alongside English and global knowledge.

Utyerre Apanpe is a national network that welcomes all First Nations educators, cultural leaders, knowledge holders, organisations and communities. It is an open invitation to others who share this vision to walk alongside us as we strengthen First Nations education.

We cannot wait for another generation of children to be failed or another generation of Elders to pass. We have presented a Roadmap for Reform and call on the Minister for Education and the Minister for Indigenous Australians to meet with us urgently to progress a self determined First Nations education system for Australia.

This statement was prepared by the Utyerre Apanpe First Nations Education Network Forum, 3 July 2026, Mparntwe / Alice Springs.