My name is Alyssa Silva and I’m a Dharawal women from the La Perouse area. My mother is Naomi Silva and my father is Ricky Campbell. I attended La Perouse Public school before heading to St Clairs College, in which I transferred two years later to Matraville High School. After high school, I went to UNSW to study a Bachelor of Social work and a Bachelor of Arts for three years but due to the pandemic, I had paused my studies. During that time I was offered a job at the Local Aboriginal Land Council as a Youth Educational Officer (current job), I’ve been in this role now for one year. I love working with people, especially the youth as I feel they need the most support and nurture, as they are our future.

When it comes to culture it’s so important to me, which is why I wanted to learn my lost language. It is something that helps to connect me more deeply with myself, my family and my ancestors. Growing up in La Perouse is one of the best experiences I’ve had. Being saltwater people being so close to the ocean was a blessing. I remember those hot summer days down at the beach with the family having lunch, swimming and jumping off the rocks. It’s a piece of my childhood I’ll never forget. I want my future kids to also experience what it’s like to grow up in La Perouse, as it’s an experience that not a lot of kids get to have. I remember making cubby houses in the bushes with my cousins and going for walks and trying to catch lizards. It was the koori version of peter pan and I loved every second of it. It crazy now seeing my younger cousins and nieces experience the same memories I had and also what my mother had, and her mother. It’s a tradition. Culture is something so hard to explain or describe. It’s a feeling you have. Like a warm blanket surrounding you with love, support and opened arms. We are the oldest living culture and we are survivors through and through. It’s something we can all relate to. The fight, the struggle and having that person to relate to which a lot of people don’t understand. I’m proud of my culture, my language, my family and my community.