Building Cultural Bridges: A Journey of Legacy, Leadership, and Cultural Strength

In this episode of Daa'ring Yarning – Voices from the Frontline, host Kerry sits down with Thelma Schwartz, Executive Director of Legal at the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), to unpack QIFVLS's cultural participation program, which was co-designed with the Queensland Police Service, to help build cultural capability and understanding in responses to family violence. Kerry and Thelma also yarn about her connection to culture, with Thelma sharing her deep cultural lineage connecting Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the Torres Strait, and how her heritage shapes her leadership and advocacy. In her closing reflections, Thelma speaks about the importance of walking in two worlds — maintaining her cultural identity while navigating the legal system. "For a long time, I felt pressure to hide my culture. I thought I had to fit the mould — like the lawyers I saw on TV. But pretending made me miserable. I've learned that culture is my strength. It's what connects me to people, to purpose, to Country." She now encourages young First Nations professionals to embrace who they are and to lead with cultural integrity. "Don't suppress who you are. Your culture is your strength. It's what will carry you through."