Proud First Nations man, Keenan Mundine speaks to his lived experience of breaking the cycle of incarceration and recidivism and his work now as a justice advocate. Through his own story he shares some truths about the problems with Australia’s criminal justice system, why we must raise the age of criminal responsibility, and why social justice for First Nations people must be community led.

Keenan Mundine is the Co-Founder and Ambassador for Deadly Connections but also leads our partnerships and marketing.

Keenan is a proud First Nations man with connections to the Biripi Nation of NSW through his mother who is from Taree and ties to the Wakka Wakka Nation in Queensland through his Father who is from Cherbourg. Keenan is the youngest of three boys, born and raised on Gadigal land - Keenan grew up in Redfern, notoriously known as “The Block”. Keenan had a rough start to his childhood after losing both parents at a young age, being placed in care, separated from his siblings.

Keenan faced his own difficulties in life and made some poor decisions in his adolescence which resulted in his lengthy involvement with the justice system. Keenan found his passion in giving back to his community and working with people who have similar experiences to him.

Keenan’s journey has taken him to the United Nations in Switzerland to address the Human Rights Council and share his story so that they may lean on Australia’s government to raise the age of criminal responsibility. Keenan’s journey inspired him and his wife to create a unique, community led solution and response to the current mass incarceration and child protection crisis of First Nations people. With the combined practical experience of Keenan’s lived experience and his wife’s professional skills and academic qualifications, as First Nations people they are committed to changing the narrative for their mob and communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx