Eva Jo Edwards - Hire Keynote and Guest Speaker

Eva Jo Edwards

A Mutti Mutti, Boonwurrung and Yorta Yorta woman and survivor of the Stolen Generations

Eva Jo Edwards has spent much of her adult life rediscovering and engaging again in the culture she lost as a child.

After being taken at 5 years old Eva Jo spent the rest of her childhood in State care, splintered from much of her family but emerging as a determined young woman who found work, reconnected with her family and has never stopped exploring her Aboriginal heritage. Eva Jo’s tenacity has seen her become a cultural educator who employs performance and public speaking as well as managerial, administrative and teaching skills in her diverse working life.

For the past 20 years Eva Jo, along with her cousin/uncle Kutcha Edwards, ran education workshops titled Banyip Kidjeka (brother/sister) which has led to Eva Jo receiving regular guest speaking roles in both the education and corporate sectors. She also offers Aboriginal cultural sessions at schools, libraries and festivals and most recently has been presenting Aboriginal Story Time as a cultural introduction for the very young.

A milestone in her life was February 13th 2008 when she travelled to Canberra for The Apology to the Stolen Generations where she had a seat in Parliament and met the Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd. A picture of Eva Jo with Mr Rudd appeared the next day on the front page of the Financial Review.

As a member of the Stolen Generations, Eva Jo has been actively involved in the reconciliation process and has been employed in many vital areas of work including the Justice System, Aboriginal Child Health Services, Link Up, with Stolen Generations Victoria, the Koorie Night Markets and Project Co-ordinator at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Minajalku Healing Centre. In 2016, Eva Jo joined Connecting Home, an organisation who attempt to connect Stolen Generations people with their families. She is also working alongside the State Govt on issues relating to the Stolen Generations and is currently back working in a managerial capacity with VACCA.

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Key Points for Eva Jo Edwards

Eva Jo Edwards, Boonwurrung, Mutti Mutti / Yorta Yorta woman, has spent much of her adult life rediscovering and engaging again in the culture she lost as a child.
At the age of 5 Eva Jo was taken from her family and spent the rest of her childhood in State care. Eva Jo’s tenacity has seen her become a cultural educator who employs performance, public speaking and administrative and teaching skills in her diverse working life.
Eva Jo was driven to incorporate Aboriginal culture into the lives of her family and formed the dance troupe Birri-on Lakidjeka, meaning ‘turning the children around’.
Along with her cousin/uncle Kutcha Edwards, Eva Jo conducted workshops called Banyip Kidjeka, meaning ‘brother/sister, exploring issues relating to the Stolen Generations with programs for primary and secondary schools running for the past 20 years. Banyip Kidjeka led to individual invitations for Eva Jo to speak and she is now regularly employed as a guest speaker in both the education and corporate sectors.
Eva Jo also offers Aboriginal cultural sessions at schools, libraries and festivals and most recently has been presenting Aboriginal Story Time which relates historical issues since white settlement and some of the funniest and most popular of the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories for children, often with a hidden message of humanity.
Eva Jo travelled to Canberra for The Apology on February 13th of 2008. She had a seat in Parliament and was awash with the tide of emotion that had swamped the place. Later she met the Prime Minister and in her usual spontaneous and jovial style lifted her jumper, flashing style, to reveal the words on her t-shirt underneath, ‘thanks’, in response to his ‘sorry’.
As a member of the Stolen Generations, Eva Jo has been actively involved in the reconciliation process and has been employed in many vital areas of work including the Justice System, Aboriginal Child Health Services, Link Up, with Stolen Generations Victoria, the Koorie Night Markets and Project Co-ordinator at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Minajalku Healing Centre.
She currently works with Connecting Home, an organisation who attempt to connect Stolen Generations people with their families, and is also working alongside the State Govt on issues relating to the Stolen Generations.

Topics for Eva Jo Edwards

The Stolen Generations and the impact
Treaty and reconciliation
Eva Jo's personal journey as a member of the Stolen Generations

Testimonials for Eva Jo Edwards

Eva Jo, you are an amazing, brave, strong incredible woman. I see you, and thank you for sharing your story and for being vulnerable with us.
Thanks again Aunty Eva Jo, an important discussion and appreciate you sharing your experiences to help us keep learning.
Thank you Aunty Eva Jo, keep inspiring people with your wisdom and your powerful life story to build a better nation. Thank you.
That was incredible, Aunty Eva Jo you are an amazing woman.
Such a powerful hour.
Attendee Feedback
McMillan Shakespeare Group

Eva Jo was fantastic; she left our people speechless with her story and experiences. We got very lovely feedback from some of the senior managers and she was the perfect person to share the knowledge on the Aboriginal history during NRW week. No technical issues were faced, everything went smooth. So thank you so much for all your services.
Sustainability Coordinator
McMillan Shakespeare Group

Eva Jo was very generous with sharing her story, thoughts and knowledge.
Betfair

Eva Jo Edwards was so different from other presenters because she is authentically who she is, raw, emotional, open and charming. She delivered a presentation using real experiences, emotions and ways that we can relate and understand. It was a pleasure to welcome her to present to our team.
Telstra Contact Centres