2025 National First Nations Substance Misuse and Addictions Conference

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY

In Australia, the protocol is to recognise the Traditional Owners of the land to which we are gathering. Therefore, all presentations must begin with an acknowledgement to country and to local Traditional Elders: “We wish to acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we are to meet upon. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of Aboriginal peoples to Country. We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal peoples visiting / attending from other areas of Australia who are present here”.

Indigenous Conference Services acknowledges and pay our respect to the Traditional people of the Country. "Welcome to Country" ceremony and "acknowledging the traditional custodians" of the land shows respect for Aboriginal people as Australia's First Peoples. Ceremonies and protocols are a fundamental part of Aboriginal cultures.

THE CONFERENCE

The 2025 National First Nations Substance Abuse and Addiction Prevention Conference is scheduled to be held at the Hilton Hotel Gold Coast on July 28-30, 2025 which aims to bring together AOD workers, community mental health workers and Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander Emotional and Social Well-being workers from Indigenous and Non-Indigenous organisations throughout Australia and presents unique opportunities for Alcohol and drugs workers to meet and discuss issues specifically centered on addictions and substance misuse in First Nations communities. The ongoing alcoholism and drug addictions in our communities leads to severe co-morbid mental health and well being issues which has reached a crisis level through the length and breadth of this country. However this is not news to Indigenous peoples. Communities have proclaimed the need for action to address the needs of the many First Nations peoples with addictions and substance abuse issues.

This year’s conference theme will be based upon the principles that we all have a role to play in healing wherein range of issues brought to the forefront by our communities will be examined and as such, will endeavour to heighten the need for Australian Government, Non-Government, Health and Community organisations to refocus on their duty of care to First Nations peoples.

CONFERENCE AIMS

Provide an open and frank forum for discussions
Highlight inspiring initiatives, successes and challenges faced by AOD workers, mental health workers and Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander social and emotional well-being workers
Lend support to individuals and groups working in the field of Indigenous Mental Health & Wellbeing, Substance abuse and prevention
Help grow a network for the sharing of information and resources
Bring together both government and non-government agencies working in the field of Indigenous Health
Show that poor health is no longer tolerated or acceptable in today’s society
To bring together organisations as a united voice in closing the gap
Exchange information regarding the successes of community projects in the field of Indigenous Health in general
Reduce incidence of poor health at all levels within the community
Strategies for linking holistic policy with health interventions
Explore methods for improving accountability at all levels to ensure sustainable progress
Provides opportunity to network and meet face to face to exchange ideas, valuable information and successful programs in place in their communities.

CONFERENCE THEMES

This year's conference themes aim to incorporate cultural values and practices while addressing the complex issues surrounding substance abuse and sharing community-led programs for addiction prevention within First Nations communities which includes the following:

Healing Through Culture and Tradition: Exploring how traditional healing practices, ceremonies, and cultural connection can play a central role in preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery within First Nations communities.
Strengthening Community Resilience and Wellbeing: Focusing on the importance of community-led initiatives that empower individuals and families to build resilience, strengthen social support networks, and promote wellbeing in the face of substance abuse challenges.
Empowering Youth: Prevention and Early Intervention: Addressing the unique needs of First Nations youth, fostering education, and prevention programs that focus on resilience, healthy lifestyles, and leadership to combat substance abuse before it starts.
Culturally Safe Support Systems: Ensuring that addiction prevention and treatment programs are culturally appropriate, safe, and sensitive to the experiences and values of First Nations peoples, including the integration of Elders and community leaders in service delivery.
Breaking the Cycle: Intergenerational Healing and Prevention: Examining the impact of intergenerational trauma on substance abuse and exploring pathways to healing that support families and communities in overcoming cycles of addiction, fostering long-term recovery

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Before European settlement and the introduction of foreign diseases, alcohol and other determinants, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture was vibrant and strong with spiritual and family lores that were guiding principles to a way of life that for centuries has now succumb to bright lights and the trappings of modern-day society.

Throughout the decades we have seen the erosion and destruction of our language, custom and spiritual wellbeing. The dynamics of contemporary Australia showing seventy percent (70%) of Indigenous people live in urban setting. A question we ask you to consider - What if Captain Cook didn’t land on the shore of the East Coast of Australia, but in a far more remote area? Would Australia’s east coast be what it is today?

The backbone of our existence is family, custom & spirituality. During group discussions, we would like to explore past and present experiences and therefore leading into future strategies & goals to empower our men to be strong leaders in their communities. We believe that through sharing of experiences and knowledge, we become stronger as a collective. This opportunity to discuss First Nation’s issues in an open, transparent and culturally sensitive forum has become a vital networking source to develop collaborative approaches for the betterment of First Nations communities.

The Conference Agenda

This draft conference agenda is subject to change without prior notice. It is published only to guide those submitting papers.

Day 1: July 28, 2025 – Acknowledging Trauma, Addressing Generational Impacts, and Charting the Path to Healing

8:30 AM Arrival, registration, and meet & greet

9:30 AM Keynote Session: Master of Ceremony - Welcome & Safety Announcement

9:15 AM Keynote Session: Welcome to Country, Acknowledgment of elders and community leaders & Traditional Performances

9:45 AM Keynote Session: Understanding current health disparities & Overview of Substance Abuse Issues in First Nations Communities

10:30 AM Morning Tea

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Keynote Session: The Glen - Culture as Healing: Importance of Substance Abuse Prevention in First Nations Communities

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Keynote Session: New approach in New Zealand towards Methamphetamine Use and Depression

12:30 PM Lunch Break

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Breakout Sessions 1

Break-Out Session A: New Directions program re-join their community after a prison
Break-Out Session B: Cultural Healing Practices to breakout the cycle of substance abuse (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Session C: Water and Rock: The Journey of Healing - Breaking the Addiction Code - Supporting Allied Health Professionals in Private Practice to Work with Addiction Families whilst staying in their own business
Break-Out Sessions D: Youth-led Engagement Strategies (Calling for Papers from Communities)

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions 2

Break-Out Session A: Latest Research Findings and Evaluation of AOD programs (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Session B: Data Collection and Analysis for Evidence-Based Policy (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Session C: Latest research and resources to support prevention efforts (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Session D: Data-driven Approaches to Prevention (Calling for Papers from Communities)

3:00 PM: Afternoon Tea

3:30 PM Keynote Session: Revitalizing System of Care: Youth Addictions Prevention, Treatment and Early Support Services program

4:15 PM Keynote Session: Exploring Best Practices for Indigenous Youth Suicide Prevention

6:30 PM Conference Dinner: Conference Networking Dinner

Day 2: July 29, 2025 – Culturally Safe Solutions, Empowerment, and Collective Action

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Keynote Session: First Nations Wellbeing and Healing

9:45 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Session: A culturally safe, supportive environment to recover

10:30 AM Morning Tea

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Breakout Sessions 1

Break-Out Session A: Impact of stigma of substance use in smaller communities - A Tasmanian perspective
Break-Out Session B: Community-led Solutions in Indigenous AOD Programs
Break-Out Session C: Partnering with NGOs in codesigning collaborative strategies for Effective Prevention Programs
Break-Out Session D: Support the Family - Improve the Outcome

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Breakout Sessions 2

Break-Out Sessions A: Providing legal assistance to address systemic issues contributing to substance abuse (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Sessions B: Empowering youth through education and leadership roles in prevention efforts (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Sessions C: Substance Misuse Issues within Our Communities
Break-Out Sessions D: Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing - Head to Health Mental Health Program (Calling for Papers from Communities)

12:30 PM Lunch Break

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM: Breakout Sessions 3

Break-Out Sessions A: Developing policy that support addiction prevention and treatment in Indigenous communities
Break-Out Sessions B: Suicide Prevention In our Community Programs (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Sessions C: Culturally sensitive assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of prevention efforts (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Sessions D: Indigenous-led holistic approaches to alcohol and drug abuse prevention toward healthier futures. (Calling for Papers from Communities)

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions 4

Break-Out Sessions A: Partnership with Communities - First Nations ways of knowing (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Sessions B: Yoora Maltha, meaning "You All Strong Mob"
Break-Out Sessions C: Early Childhood, Youth Wellbeing and Reducing Out-Of-Home Care (Calling for Papers from Communities)
Break-Out Sessions D: Reduction of First Nations Children in Care and Detention (Calling for Papers from Communities)

3:00 PM Afternoon Tea

3:30 PM Keynote Session: Health-Justice Partnerships to Reducing Negative Legal and Domestic Outcomes

4:15 PM Keynote Session: Reflections & Panel Discussion on Key Takeaways

5:00 PM End of Conference

Day 3: July 30, 2025 - Post-Conference Masterclass Healing Circle Works

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM Post-Conference Masterclass A: Healing Circle Works

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Post-Conference Masterclass B: Indigenous-led trauma informed care and suicide prevention

Why Attend

This conference presents a unique opportunity for delegates to participate in a positive environment that is dedicated to the sharing of information and the empowering of all who attend. In our everyday working environment the day to day stresses of our positions tends to limit us in expanding our knowledge and networking. Whether you work at a community level or at governmental level the opportunity to network and gain contacts outside of your local region tend to be limited, this is why this conference will be so valuable to participants. Hence, all Indigenous people and non-indigenous people whether professional or community-based, who have a vested interest in juvenile justice are invited.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING FOR THE EMPLOYER

As an employee, we are asked to present valid reasons why we should attend. Listed below are valid points that can be raised with your employer to justify your attendance: Staff attending conferences regularly tend to become long term employees. An event such as this adds to the positive morale of staff.

Staff attending conferences regularly tend to become long-term employees.
An event such as this adds to the positive morale of staff.
Conferences are a great way of providing ongoing training.
Provides the opportunity to further enhance the organisation's knowledge base.
The opportunity for saving organisations money because of the short duration of the event.
Allows delegates to showcase the organisation nationally and internationally.
May provide organisations with new ideas.
Gives organisations a showcase and voice at a national level.
Provide an opportunity to evaluate various programs.
Because this event is conducted over a short period, staff are only absent for a minimal number of days.

CALLING FOR PAPER

To ensure grassroots community programs are highlighted, no less than 50 per cent of the conference proceedings are and is devoted to community groups. If your paper is selected, you may have more than one presenter to present your paper. However, only two presenters will be entitled to the registration discount. If you are chosen to present at the conference, your paper will form part of the conference proceedings and be distributed at the conclusion of the event with all other presentations.

Guidelines in Submitting Paper:

Papers should not contain offensive language and take into account cultural sensitivities of Australian first nation people.
Papers must treat the themes in a manner that contributes to further discussion of conference aims.
Conference papers must be presented in the finished format not less than 60 days prior to the event.
Papers that are not chosen in the first round may be resubmitted in the second round.
Papers MUST be submitted in Microsoft Word format. Papers in other formats will NOT be considered.
Authors of papers presented at the conference will be formally notified of their acceptance in writing.
A registration fee of $850 will apply to all persons submitting papers, payable within 7 days upon notification of acceptance.
Papers should explore ways in which the themes show up in the philosophy of the conference.
All papers must be presented in a positive and informative light.
To submit a paper, please complete the online form at this link: SUBMIT A PAPER HERE.
Conferences are a great way of providing ongoing training and provide the opportunity to further enhance the organisation's knowledge base.
Allows delegates to showcase the organisation nationally and internationally.
May provide organisations with new ideas and gives organisations a voice at a national/international level.
Provides an opportunity to evaluate various programs.
Because this event is conducted over a short period, staff are only absent for a minimal amount of time.

GUEST SPEAKERS

The event is blessed with a kaleidoscope of guest speakers, sharing stories, successes and challenges they’ve overcome, presenting great opportunities and inspiration for delegates to participate in an event that is devoted to the sharing of Culture, Empowerment, Education & Networking. Drawn from a variety of cultural backgrounds, professional careers, and grassroots community commitments, this year’s conference speakers are the difference between an ordinary and extraordinary event; one that is soon forgotten and one which lingers in attendees' memories, a source of tremendous benefit long after the conference is over.

REGISTRATION

Register early to get a discount! Please note that registrations are set out in an affordable way for organisations, which changes on a monthly basis. Hence the earlier you register, the more savings for your organisation. Registration fees include all-day access to the event, available conference papers, daily lunch, and refreshments for registered delegates only. Fees do not include travel costs or accommodation. Registration fees must be received within 7 DAYS from being issued an invoice. Otherwise, bookings will not be considered. To register, please click on the registration button and complete the form. Upon receipt of your completed registration form, we will email you the tax invoice.

SPONSORING THE CONFERENCE

Flexible sponsorship packages are available. Sponsorship opportunities are only open to businesses and private enterprises, not individuals. To showcase your organisation to all conference delegates, ICS has developed hassle-free promotional opportunities and sponsorship packages according to your budget and tailored to your organisation’s needs.

Gold Sponsorship ($10,000) includes: Keynote session or Break-out sessions, Waived registration fees for your selected staff, Complimentary seats at networking conference dinner, Complimentary display table & USB with photos for reporting purposes.
Silver Sponsorship ($7,000) includes: Keynote session, Waived registration fees for your selected staff, Complimentary seats at networking conference dinner, Complimentary display table & USB with photos for reporting purposes.
Bronze Sponsorship ($5,000) includes: Break-out Session, Waived registration fee for your selected staff, Complimentary Display Table & USB with photos for reporting purposes.

To sponsor the conference, please contact us. Indigenous Conference Services (Australia) will be of further assistance in tailoring your sponsorship arrangement. Please phone us on +61 4557 76 668 or send us your expression of interest to admin@icsconferences.org.