A proud Menang woman of the Noongar Nation, Ms Krakouer is a First Nations rights beacon, reshaping laws and advocating for the marginalised.
Ms Krakouer's far-reaching impact is visible across Australia as she passionately advocates at events and in her written work. Especially poignant is her call to action on the devastating rates of First Nations youth suicide, with a staggering 80 percent of Australian child suicides occurring among First Nations children aged 12 and below.
“I’ve seen too many life support machines turned off young ones before their time! We are not put on this earth to bury our children! We can't ignore the underlying causes: the crushing weight of poverty, the poison of discrimination, and the barriers to education that push these young souls to such desperation,” Ms Krakouer said.
“What's needed is unshakable support systems and taking decisive action. Concrete steps and direct assistance are what’s needed. It's on all of us to step up, shield these vulnerable lives, and nurture them with care and urgency!”
Amidst the disheartening rates of suicide within First Nations communities and the grim conditions at the Banksia Hill Detention Centre, Ms Krakouer, alongside Gerry Georgatos, established the National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project. The Project has served as a lifeline to more than 25,000 people, offering direct and comprehensive support ranging from financial assistance to psychosocial counselling.
Ms Krakouer's urgent plea for change resonates as she addresses the root causes – poverty, discrimination, and limited access to education – and emphasises the dire need for robust support systems, psychosocial interventions, and affirmative measures to prevent further loss of life.