CDU student heading to New York to address United Nations

A First Nations Charles Darwin University (CDU) student will represent Australia at a United Nations forum that will discuss Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. 

Grace McColm-Monaghan, 21 a proud Nyikina women born and raised in Darwin will travel to New York in mid-April to attend the two-week United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. 

Ms McColm-Monaghan is one of six First Nations youth representatives from Australia who will attend and speak at the Forum, something that she is proud of. 

“I have previously been a UNICEF ambassador, so I am really interested in highlighting the issues that Indigenous Australians face,” Ms McColm-Monaghan said.

“I am not sure why they picked me to attend but I am excited to see the UN, a place where big decisions are made and discuss the topics that are important to Indigenous people, especially youths.” 

Ms McColm-Monaghan was selected to attend the forum by the Australian Ambassador of First Nations People, Mr. Justin Mohamed, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience.

As a first year Bachelor of Paramedicine student, Ms McColm-Monaghan is passionate about making a difference in the health space. 

“I just started my study as a paramedic but so far, I am loving it, it is fun and everything we learn is real world applicable,” Ms McColm-Monaghan said. 

“I have always wanted to have a job that makes a meaningful difference and an impact on the world.”

“Once I graduate, I am keen to work out in communities in the NT or even travel overseas and be a medic on the frontline,” she said. 

As a newly diagnosed Type One diabetic, Ms McColm-Monaghan knows some of the health challenges facing First Nations Australians. 

“Being a Type One diabetic gives me a different perspective as a paramedic. It could be their worst day of their life but as a paramedic it is just another day, so it is important to show empathy,” Ms McColm-Monaghan said.

“Having spent some time in remote communities I understand how health and education are connected and how a limited education can cause low health rates.”

“I am interested in learning how western medicine can be combined with traditional Indigenous medicine and how this could be beneficial and if it could improve health outcomes,” she said. 

Ms McColm-Monaghan will travel to New York to attend the Forum which brings together Indigenous peoples from across the world. 

This year’s theme is “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasising the voices of Indigenous youth.” 

The Forum runs from April 15 to 26.