Desert Pea Media has launched DPM Futures, a new Creative Development Program for emerging Indigenous creatives in NSW.

For 22 years, Desert Pea Media has completed over 200 community media projects with Indigenous youth and communities across Australia.

Recent projects include 'All That You Need' by 28 on Top, Butterfly by The Hill and B-Town Biz by the B-Town Warriors.

With funding from Create NSW, DPM Futures aims to develop skills and confidence among successful applicants, focusing on building foundations and capacity in communities.

Bundjalung hip-hop artist Jannali Doncaster, also known as Narli, shared his experience with Desert Pea Media.

"DPM has had huge impacts in my life both personal and professional," he said.

"On a personal level, it's given me the confidence to step up and become a role model for the next generation.

"When I'm in the community giving back to my mob and these young ones, it gives me a sense of fulfilment, and that has had massive impacts on my life."

Narli highlighted the struggles many Indigenous people face.

"Like most Indigenous Australians, we are born into adversities and struggles that can be hard to navigate," he said.

"I've personally experienced many of these hardships, and it's that personal experience that has given me the drive and sense of responsibility to teach and make better choices for myself, in turn giving the youth guidance and showing them there are other pathways we can take as young mob growing up.

"DPM is a vessel for me to create change in the community through media, music, and storytelling."

DPM Futures will engage past project participants and leverage Desert Pea Media's network of professional artists.

The program will focus on professional development by providing media skills and industry training, personal development through social/emotional wellbeing and leadership, and creative project facilitation and employment pathways.

Narli discussed the skills he gained from DPM.

"Over the years of working with DPM, I've earned the experience and skill sets it takes to facilitate and hold workshops in the community," he said.

"Over the years, I've picked up many different skills, from filming to directing films to vocal arrangements.

"All of these skills and experiences have been monumental in becoming the person I am today and in the current role I'm in today."

Selected applicants will attend a Creative Camp on Bundjalung Country in Northern NSW in December 2024.

This camp will initiate six months of creative, personal, and professional mentoring.

Participants will receive support for self-determined creative projects, access to resources and services, and employment opportunities as facilitators in future DPM projects.

Narli also spoke about the impact of working with DPM on his connection to culture and community.

"My connection to culture has always been there; like all my mob, we all have that inside of us," he said.

"I think working with DPM has given me a lot of eye-opening experiences and even stoked that fire inside me, so I would say there has been an impacting factor in that sense."

Narli described DPM Futures as a valuable opportunity for young First Nations creatives to advance their skills and take responsibility, supported by DPM's expertise and resources in media and storytelling.

"DPM Futures is a massive opportunity for young First Nations creatives to take that next step and take ownership and responsibility," he said.

"DPM can offer a world of expertise in the realm of media and storytelling, having the resources and networks to help you take that next step."

Interested applicants can sign up for DPM Futures through the Desert Pea Media website.