Australia – Ngarra Nonprofit Project

our work

making a real difference

sharing stories.
creating connection.
making lasting change.

The work we do is a fire we all gather around, each of us bringing something to keep it burning - not for ourselves, but for the stories yet to be told & the lives yet to be lived.

The core of the NGARRA project lies in its commitment to authentic storytelling. By providing cameras and comprehensive training to youth around the globe, the project empowers them to document their lives, traditions, and environments from their own vantage points. To share their story, their way. This approach stands in stark contrast to traditional media representations, which often portray marginalized communities through an external, sometimes stereotypical, gaze. The images and films produced by Ngarra participants offer an intimate and unfiltered glimpse into their worlds, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their cultures.

What sets us apart is its emphasis on reciprocity and community ownership. A fundamental principle of the project is that 100% of the profits generated from the sale of the young artists’ work are reinvested directly into their communities. This sustainable model ensures that the creative endeavors of these youth translate into tangible benefits for their families and communities, supporting initiatives that range from educational programs to infrastructure development. This not only provides economic empowerment but also reinforces a sense of pride and agency among the participants, demonstrating the direct impact of their artistic contributions.

Our work is more than something we do, it is a way of being, a way of knowing, a way of braiding stories and lives in the pattern of creation that connects us all. It’s the Project’s young voices capturing their world through a lens, the Exhibitions that carry those stories across oceans, the Archives that open portals into lives and places we might never have seen, and the Journeys that invite others to experience, to step into the rhythm of this work themselves. Every thread – every project, every photograph, every conversation – is part of something so much larger; a story of connection and reciprocity that spans generations.

thank you quyana yup'ik, alaska native

thank you miigwech anishinaabemowin / ojibwe, turtle island

thank you wela'lin mi'kmaw, eastern canada

thank you ngun-godjin taungurung, australia

thank you maru-ba wiradjuri, australia

thank you hay cxʷ q̓ə hunqiminum, british columbia

thank you maasee tanana, alaska

thank you mosiy' denak'i / upper kuskokwim, alaska

thank you tsen'ii benhti kenaga' / upper tanana, alaska

thank you guni-guni gamilaraay, australia

thank you ya'at'eeh navajo, southwest usa

thank you pilamayaye lakota, north america

thank you mahsi' choo' gwich'in & hän, subarctic canada

thank you dogedinh deg xinag, alaska

thank you kia ora māori, aotearoa (new zealand)

thank you ahéhee' cherokee, southeast usa

thank you medaase akan, ghana

thank you oyiwaladonn ga, ghana

thank you akpe ewe, ghana/togo/benin

thank you ti pagi da dagbani, ghana

thank you na gode hausa, west africa

thank you siyabonga zulu, south africa

thank you ndiyabulela xhosa, south africa

thank you ke a leboha sesotho, south africa

Bridging Worlds: Cultural Exchange + Global Dialogue

The impact of the projects extends far beyond the local communities it serves. Through exhibitions, online platforms, and partnerships with international organizations, the project brings these powerful visual narratives to a global audience. This exposure facilitates a vital cultural exchange, challenging preconceived notions and fostering empathy across diverse populations. The stories told through the lenses of these young artists serve as a bridge, connecting remote indigenous communities with the wider world and initiating crucial dialogues about cultural preservation, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

Ngarra plays a crucial role in preserving indigenous knowledge and traditions. As young people engage with their heritage through photography, they become active participants in documenting and celebrating their cultural identity. This process not only strengthens their connection to their roots but also ensures that invaluable cultural practices and stories are passed down to future generations.

In a world grappling with complex challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and cultural fragmentation, the project offers a beacon of hope. It reminds us that the solutions to these problems often lie in rediscovering ancient ways of knowing, in listening to the voices that have been marginalized, and in embracing the profound truth that we are all, indeed, ‘together as one.’ Through the power of visual storytelling, Ngarra is not just documenting the world; it’s actively shaping a more connected, equitable, and sustainable future.