In only its second year, Mr NAIDOC Perth is an Empowerment and Leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Perth from 18 to 30 years of age.

As the crowning of Mr NAIDOC fast approaches, the National Indigenous Times spoke with the 2023 finalists to share their inspiring stories.

Jayden Caldwell

27-year-old Jayden Caldwell was born on Whadjuk Boodja, where he's lived his whole life. Some of his mob connections are Muir, Yates, Taylor, Peterson, Borsic, Mallard, Poland, and Phillips and his family line also originates from Arrente land as well.

Growing up in Maddington and attending East Maddington and Yule Brook high school, Caldwell was always up to something, running around the streets, at the skatepark, kicking the footy or just chilling with his mates.

He got into the habit of making what seemed to be all the wrong choices and found himself facing the consequences, however he was lucky enough to to have been given many second chances.

Turning his life around from going down a path that would have led him into more trouble to becoming an inspirational role model for others to look up to.

Two positive people that Caldwell looked up to as role models in his adolescence was his football coach, Craig Callaghan and Jennet Hansen, the co-ordinator of the Follow the Dream program.

One of his fondest memories during high school was teaching young Aboriginal Koolangars some footy drills and a bit about high school.

From the experience, Cladwell was able to find his inner confidence and it revealed a part of him that felt motivated to teach. Being a role model, feels like he helped make a difference and reach out to the youth.

After a few bumps in the road, Cladwell found his calling with an organisation called Noongar Well-bring Sports (NWS) and he instantly fell in love with the Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) and how they taught the kids.

Eight years later, Cladwell is still working at his dream job teaching Traditional Indigenous Games across the Southwest, Wheatbelt, Perth Region and within the Banksia Hill Detention Centre.

Reconnecting youth to bridge the gap between culture and belonging in society, creating a safe environment within all of the programs he delivers and ensuring the trust and respect he receives from others is returned.

The opportunity Cladwell was given all those years ago has certainly helped him find his true self and give back to the community.

He said there is no better feeling than seeing all the Koolangas smile every time they see him at the program and all the positive feedback he hears from others around him.

Kienan Davis

Davis, a 23-year-old proud Noongar man born and raised and has called Whadjuk Boodja home since he can remember. A Davis on his fathers side, he has bloodlines to Northam and an Ogilvie on his mother's side, with connections to Northampton to.

Throughout his childhood he had the absolute privilege of being raised alongside his siblings with the care of his Mum and Dad.

Davis was fortunate to have such a strong connection and upbringing with these special people in his life.

"Born to a large family I've had my fair share of rare glimpses of generational trauma. Although those events did not occur on a regular basis, I was aware of the dangers and the long-term effects it had on others around me which strongly encouraged me to break those barriers of generational trauma," Davis said.

In 2013 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.

Davis proudly participated in NAIDOC week, Harmony week, local community Noongar danced and participated in an out of school program called 'AIME' at ECU.

These programs taught him to become a leader within his school, community and culturally aware of his identity.

In year 11, Davis had the opportunity to work with Qantas as a part of his 18 month school-based traineeship, which followed through until he proudly graduated high school.

Following his traineeship he completed a certificate II in Business and was awarded 'Australian Super Westscheme Division Award for Excellence in VET'.

After graduating, Davis won the award as the State's top-performing Aboriginal student. He received a memorial prize, named after the late Aboriginal human rights advocate, Rob Riley.

Davis was offered a job with Qantas as a Regional Flight Attendant in WA. During his three years with Qantas Davis developed leadership, commitment and maturity, and most importantly the understanding of the many different cultural groups in the Aboriginal culture.

He knew every time he was flying he was representing himself, his family and his heritage. For him, travelling around WA and seeing his Country was special.

Now Davis works as a funeral director, which takes the role of assisting families during their loss in grief, his goal is to be the person within the Aboriginal community that families can rely on during hard times.

This role hits close to home for Davis as he lost his father at a young age.

Davis joined the Mr NAIDOC program because he wants to develop his skills as a leader for his people and the younger generation and to deepen his understanding of his heritage 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.

Corey Czirr

Corey Czirr is a Palawa man with links to Northern Tasmania, raised as a guest on Boorloo Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar.

Czirr resides in the south of the beautiful Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), an area he has called home for the past 21 years.

Czirr grew up in a comparatively small family with little knowledge and contact with his extended family, resulting in a lack of identity.

Having identity issues contributed to Czirr being ashamed about his past, upbringing and isolation from his family and he feels as if he has been robbed from the privilege of growing up with a strong culture.

Czirr also has struggled with his mental health, however, he has noticed the positive outcomes when being actively involved in his community and how it makes him feel better about himself.

Learning to prioritise his own mental health through his struggles, Czirr has developed strong values which formed his passion for change.

Czirr's professional and personal life bleed into one another as he takes pride in using his personal time to take part and volunteer in community events such as organising the Aboriginal Youth Standing Strong NAIDOC Ball, and Men's Yarning Circles.

He is also a Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute Aboriginal Emerging Leaders Program, Noongar Language partiaipant.

Through these programs, work and interactions, Czirr has begun to recognise his own value and potential.

Currently Czirr is the acting project officer in the Aboriginal Outcomes Division of the Department of Communities, where he is involved in the development and fulfilment of the Aboriginal Representative Organisations Pilot Project, whilst also studying full-time.

Czirr believes the NAIDOC theme 'For our Elders' is a key step to giving power back to our Elders, while acting as a call for action from the Government and from mob too.

As someone who did not grow up with culture celebrated or with a blak role model, Czirr is thankful he was encouraged to participate in this program. He's eager to keep learning more about culture and Country.

He has plans to use his learning from this program to develop as a leader and encourage and enable our youth to do the same.

Ignatius Hunter

Ignatius Hunter is a 27-year-old Bardi tribe member from the West Kimberley region.

In his upcoming biography, he plans to incorporate his ancestral community and its unique dialect.

As a proud Aamba (man) and a representative of his Ambooriny (people) and tribe, Hunter goes by 'Dinga' - his bush name given to him by his grandparents in accordance with their culture's tradition of keeping their ancestors' names alive and remembered.

Hunter wants to share his rich cultural heritage and his unbreakable bond with his Liyarn (spirit) and the land. His roots are firmly grounded in the traditions of his people and he is honoured to carry on the legacy of my ancestors.

He has a strong connection to his ancestral Doorr (touch) and his connections and cultural upbringing have played an integral role in shaping Hunter into the person he is today.

Growing up as a saltwater Kimberley Aamba in Broome at Bottom Camp Budgargoon which is also known as Morgan's Camp, Hunter became deeply connected to his culture and land.

His grandfathers and great-grandfathers made their careers in the rich pearling industry, prominent in the camp's history.

Hunter's family played an essential part in his upbringing, passing down their ancient knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next.

They taught him to fish, hunt, and gather, and shared Boogarri (dreamtime), Niyangala (tongue), stories around the Noorroo (fire).

As a warrior of his Ambooriny, Hunter is determined not to be silenced or forgotten and he recognises the responsibility that comes with my experiences and knowledge.

Hunter shares his Niyangala story and advocates for justice and reconciliation through his art, activism, and advocacy, paying tribute to his ancestors.

Inspiring the future generations to reclaim their Dalang (vein), heritage and their future.

Hunter has returned to the University of Western Australia to pursue a degree in law and society, his passion coming from a time when he found his world turned upside down after being falsely accused of a crime.

He experienced injustice within the legal system, which left him hurt and confused, however Hunter refused to let it define him. Instead, he channelled his pain and frustration into something positive.

Hunter's ultimate goal is to become a legal advocate for his Ambooriny and to be a catalyst for change within the legal system so that it can serve all members of society equally and justly.

As a Mr NAIDOC finalist, Hunter is fuelled by a strong passion to preserve our cultural heritage.

Through his participation in the program, Hunter aims to serve as a positive role model for our community, highlighting the importance of respecting and learning from our Elders while striving for success and embracing our unique cultural heritage.

The 2023 Mr NAIDOC Perth winner will be crowned alongside Miss NAIDOC Perth a combined event on Saturday 3 June.