Blak Up!
Rest, Reconnect, and Organise for change.
BlakUp! is back. Join us on Noongar Country for five powerful, all-expenses-paid days of rest, culture, connection and change – created by and for First Nations young people.
BlakUp! is a national gathering led by First Nations young people and organised by the FYA First Nations Team and BlakUp! Working Group. More than an event, it’s a movement – a space to connect across Country, share stories, create art, organise for change, and explore what healing and community care can look like.
Here’s what you can expect:
- A space to rest, recharge and reconnect
- Connections with deadly young people all across the nation
- Cultural grounding, healing practices and creative sessions
- Workshops led by First Nation organisers, artists and campaigners
- Hands-on skill building, resources and toolkits to support your campaigns and movements
- All meals, shared accommodation and travel provided
Watch highlights from BlakUp! 2022 to get a feel for the vibe ↓
Why does it exist?
We know that First Nations young people are already leading in our communities — showing up with strength, imagination, and love. But we’re often doing this in systems that weren’t made for us. BlakUp! Exists to create space for young mob to slow down, focus on wellbeing, and build power with other young mob who get it. It’s a chance to learn, recharge, and feel supported to lead even more powerfully.
Where and when is it taking place?
Location: Nanga Bush Camp, Dwellingup, WA
Dates: Monday 1 – Friday 5 September 2025
You’ll stay in a camp-style venue surrounded by bush, with all travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Who can apply?
BlakUp! 2025 is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 16-35 who want to:
- Connect with deadly young mob from all over the continent
- Learn from First Nations organisers, artists, and Elders
- Build skills in campaign work, storytelling and self-care
- Take time out to rest, heal and dream bigger
- Be part of a growing movement grounded in culture, justice and collective care
If you previously applied to BlakUp! 2022 you can submit a new application for this year’s event.
We encourage and prioritise mob who have lived experience in the justice system, state care, mental health system, housing precarity and those mob who live remote, rural or regional. FYA First Nations seeks to ensure Blak Up is an inclusive and safe place for parents, people with criminal records, disabilities; and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Applications open Thursday 17 July 2025 and close Sunday 3 August 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 8 August – so we can organise travel and accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect each day at BlackUp! While the full program will be shared closer to the event, this overview gives you a feel for the flow of the event:
- Morning grounding circles
- Activism and campaigning workshops
- Creative skill building sessions
- Lunch
- Panel with Blak organisers and activists, and First Nations knowledge holders
- Opt-in activities
- Evening reflection circles
- Dinner
- Bonfire, poetry, and movie nights
BlakUp! is led by the First Nations team at FYA and co-designed with the BlakUp! Working Group, a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people guiding the vision, content and cultural direction of the gathering. You can check them out here.
Over the five days you can expect to hear from a powerful line-up of First Nations facilitators, artists, campaigners, and knowledge holders.
There will also be a small number of non First Nations FYA staff supporting the logistics and behind-the-scenes organising. These staff are there to ensure things run smoothly and are committed to working in a collaborative, respectful and accountable way.
Decisions about the program, space, and participant experience are led by First Nations people, for First Nations people.
We’re looking for a mix of people, from those new to this space to experienced young changemakers. We aim for a cohort of diverse identities, experiences and knowledge. We’ll prioritise regional, rural, and west coast participants in the selection process.
BlakUp! is a full 5-day program, and we need you to attend the whole time and participate in a pre-camp online check-in. After the camp, we’ll offer optional ways to stay connected and keep the momentum and new connections going.
There is no cost to participants. FYA will provide all travel, accommodation and catering for the full length of the event, this includes travel/meal allowance, if required.
We are committed to making BlakUp! Inclusive. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and we will work with participants to meet their needs such as interpreters, dietary requirements or sensory spaces. If you have access needs, let us know and we’ll work with you to find a way to support you.
We will be following the FYA Covid policy and a Covid plan. We will supply rapid antigen tests (RATs), hand sanitiser and N-95 face masks. There will be an air filter running at the venue. To attend the event, you need to:
- Do a RAT the day before or morning of the event, with a negative result
- Not have cold or flu-like symptoms or be waiting on COVID-19 test results
- Not have recently been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- And it is recommended that you are vaccinated against COVID-19
If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 during the gatherings, you need to immediately let staff know. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste.
If you do develop symptoms during the gatherings we will need to ask you to put on a face mask, isolate you at the venue and we will arrange for you to be safely transported back home, where you’ll need to get a COVID test. You’ll only be able to attend the program again after receiving a negative test result.
We can send you RAT’s, facemasks and/or other Covid-safe items ahead of the camp.
For more information get in contact with Jordan, our First Nations Director at jordan.wimbis@fya.org.au.