Knowledge Streams from the Arctic to the Pacific

You’re invited to join a thought-provoking discussion hosted by Multicultural Greens Victoria.  

Veronika Levhenkova will be in conversation with two influential First Nations women from across the globe: Terori Hareko-Avaivilla and Sargylana Kondakova.

Sargylana advocates for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Russia. Her work draws attention to the plight of first nation communities under authoritarian rule and highlights the impact of war, militarisation and mining on Indigenous communities in Siberia.

Terori is a saltwater woman with a rich tri-cultural heritage. Her cultural roots span across Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands and Samoa. Through her songlines and cultural practices, Terori shares a unique worldview shaped by these traditions.

Both women will share their cultural knowledge and experiences as First Nations activists. They will explore some of the unique challenges they face, including the risks of climate change.

They will discuss why it is important for women knowledge holders from around the world to unite and share cultural knowledge. This enables women to learn from one another about the challenges they face and the solutions for addressing them.

FEATURING:

MC:

Veronika Levchenkova is the Greens candidate for Melton in the upcoming state election. Born in Siberia, Veronika’s background is in human rights legal advocacy in Russia, Middle East and here in Australia. 

Panelists: 

Terori Hareko-Avavilla has a strong Islander identity, being Torres Strait, Papuan and Samoan. Terori is a First Nations cultural educator, artist, story teller and wisdom holder of water and koko ceremonies for women.  

Sargylana Kondakova is a representative of the Yukaghir Indigenous people of the Arctic, originally from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia. She is an Indigenous human rights defender and co-founder of the Free Yakutia Foundation. 

FOOD & DRINKS: 

We will be serving delicious vegan and vegetarian treats, please indicate below if you have dietary preferences so that we can cater for your needs.

KID FRIENDLY EVENT: 

This is a kid friendly event and we will be having a kids zone. 

ACCESSIBILITY: 

♿ Fully Wheelchair Accessible.

Please notify us of your access requirements when booking online so that we can assist you with your visit. Seating may be limited. Let us know if you require a chair. 

TICKETING: 

After covering the cost of food and beverages, proceeds from ticketing will go to the First Nations Women's Collective. Formed in 2024, The First Nations Women’s Collective (FNWC) is a collaborative initiative that brings four First Nations cultural groups together in a space of cultural practice and knowledge sharing. 

Nobody will be turned away from this event because they are unable to afford a ticket, so free tickets are available in those circumstances. To request, please send an email to apsara.sabaratnam@vic.greens.org.au.

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Please note that, under Victoria's funding and disclosure laws, contributions through this page are for a State electoral or General purpose. A portion (up to 100%) of any payments will be counted towards your individual contribution cap for State Election purposes.