Meet Uncle Arna – Iman Traditional Custodian
We are honoured to welcome Uncle Arna, a respected Iman Traditional Custodian from the Upper Dawson River region near Taroom, Central Queensland. He now calls the Mackay region home and brings his deep cultural knowledge to the Younga Yarns team.
A Keeper of Culture and Knowledge
Uncle Arna holds deep knowledge of Aboriginal culture, history, and people. He shares his stories with honesty, warmth, and generosity. Through his yarns, he helps audiences connect to Country, community, and spirit.
His words create understanding between cultures and generations. Above all, he reminds us why respect, identity, and belonging still matter today.
A Survivor and Truth-Teller
Uncle Arna lived through Australia’s true history. He is both a survivor of the Stolen Generations and a worker from the Stolen Wages era.
He speaks with courage and clarity about these experiences. His talks reveal not only pain and loss, but also strength, humour, and hope. As he often says, “The past shapes who we are, but learning keeps us moving forward.”
Duration: 1 Hour | Cost: $60 per person | Group Size: Minimum 10 – Maximum 30
A Lifelong Educator and Cultural Leader
In the 1990s, Uncle Arna taught Aboriginal Studies at Mackay TAFE. His leadership helped many people understand and respect Aboriginal culture.
Today, he continues to teach, mentor, and inspire through storytelling and education. Each yarn he shares keeps cultural knowledge alive for future generations.
Sessions with Uncle Arna
Each session with Uncle Arna runs for one hour. Programs can be tailored for schools (Grade 6+), community groups, and corporate audiences.
These sessions offer a rare chance to listen, reflect, and learn from an Elder who carries both history and hope.
Session Topics
Spirituality (Grades 6+)
Discover Aboriginal connections to Country, spirit and lore, and how these guide daily life and respect for all living things.Colonisation (Grades 6+)
Understand the impacts of invasion and dispossession, and how these continue to shape communities today.Stolen Generations and Stolen Wages (Grades 6+)
Hear firsthand stories of resilience and survival, offering a human perspective on Australia’s past.Lifestyle and Customs (Grades 6+)
Learn about traditional practices, including marriage customs, lore and community life before colonisation.Artefacts (All ages)
Engage in hands-on learning with cultural objects, discovering their purpose and meaning.Bush Foods (All ages)
Explore traditional knowledge of native plants and foods, and how they sustain both body and spirit.