Vanessa is a proud Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman, advocate, lawyer, writer and researcher at Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, and the Law Faculty at the University of Technology. She dedicates her work to transforming the forced removal practices of First Nations child removal and empowering Indigenous self-determination and justice for First Nations people and children both in Australia and globally. She is an inspiring force reshaping the world through her remarkable journey. Vanessa is a survivor of the Out of Home Care System (OOHC) where she was forcibly removed at the age of 10. Vanessa’s leadership and advocacy are changing the way Australia’s child protection system intervenes and surveils the lives of Indigenous people. Vanessa continues to be a driving force for Indigenous rights, and in particular, First Nations Children and young people and their voices. Honoured with the Australian Human Rights Medal, she is recognised as one of 10 Changemakers and a member of the Power Generation of emerging Indigenous leaders. Vanessa's book, Long Yarn Short, enlightens and unites people in the history and shared learning experience of Australia.
