SEWB
Deadly Minds is an award-winning creative engagement program, recognised as the NAIDOC Program of the Year (2023), designed to empower Indigenous and at-risk young people through art, creativity, and meaningful connection.
Since 2021, Self Made Indigenous Corporation has successfully delivered Deadly Minds within Western Australia's juvenile justice system, creating culturally safe spaces where young people can express themselves, explore their identity, and develop positive pathways for the future. Guided by artists, mentors, and positive role models with lived experience, participants are encouraged to share their stories, build trust, and engage in creative expression without judgement. Through participation in the program, young people develop confidence, strengthen their cultural identity, enhance emotional wellbeing, and take pride in their unique strengths and achievements. The creative process also provides a constructive outlet for self-expression, helping participants develop emotional regulation skills and positive coping strategies.
By fostering relational safety and incorporating trauma-informed de-escalation approaches, Deadly Minds contributes to a reduction in behavioural incidents and self-harm within custodial settings. The program also supports stronger relationships between young people and custodial staff, improving engagement, trust, and overall wellbeing. Over time, Deadly Minds has helped participants build the confidence, resilience, and self-belief needed to make positive life choices, strengthening their connection to community and reducing the likelihood of future contact with the justice system.
Art is used in a way to create safety, connection, and trust. Grounded in culture and storytelling, the program encourages young people to explore who they are, where they come from, and what their story means. This cultural connection plays a key role in strengthening identity, belonging, and self-worth.
Creativity helps break down barriers, allowing young people to open up in ways they may not through traditional approaches. Through art, participants are able to feel heard, share their experiences, and build confidence in their voice.
The process also supports emotional regulation, giving young people a healthy outlet to manage their thoughts and feelings. As trust and connection grow, it becomes easier for participants to engage with other supports and services, strengthening their overall wellbeing and future pathways.
Deadly Minds is also a term-based program in high schools and community, working with Indigenous students to build confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose through creative expression, cultural identity, and connection.
Deadly Minds is also available as an engaging and meaningful experience for corporates, businesses, and organisations seeking to strengthen connection, culture, creativity, and wellbeing within their teams.
Delivered as an interactive workshop, each session brings participants together to create a collaborative artwork guided by Self Made facilitators. The experience encourages teams to step outside their usual work environment, connect through creativity, and take part in a hands-on activity that promotes reflection, teamwork, and shared purpose.
These workshops are ideal for:
• Team building experiences
• NAIDOC Week and reconciliation events
• Mental health and wellbeing initiatives
• Culture and connection sessions
Participants leave with a shared artwork and a deeper understanding of creativity, culture, connection, and wellbeing in the workplace. The session also provides insight into Self Made’s work with at-risk young people, helping organisations understand how creative engagement can build trust, confidence, identity, and positive pathways.
By booking a Deadly Minds workplace session, organisations also have the opportunity to give back. Your involvement directly supports fund essential materials such as canvases, paint pens, and creative resources.
This support ensures more at-risk young people can access safe, creative spaces where they can express themselves, strengthen their identity, build self-belief, and experience the positive impact of the Deadly Minds program. Book a Deadly Minds workshop for your school, organisation or workplace.
Why We Do This Work
Some stories are difficult to tell, but they remind us why this work matters.
Over the years, through the Deadly Minds program, we have had the privilege of getting to know many incredible young people in custody. Behind every file, every court appearance, and every label is a young person with strengths, dreams, humour, talent, and a story that deserves to be heard.
Two of those young people are sadly no longer with us. Both participated in Deadly Minds while in custody. Both welcomed us into their world and allowed us to build relationships with them through art, conversation, laughter, and trust. Like many young people we work with, they faced challenges that most people could never imagine, yet they continued to show resilience, creativity, and moments of hope. They looked forward to our visits. For a few hours each week, Deadly Minds created a space where they could simply be young people, not defined by their circumstances, but recognised for who they were and who they could become. One of these young men reached out to us just a week before his passing. It was not a crisis call. He simply wanted to check in, have a yarn, and let us know that he was doing well. That conversation remains with us.
Their passing was heartbreaking for everyone who knew them. While we cannot change what happened, their lives continue to remind us why connection matters. They remind us that every interaction, every conversation, every piece of artwork, and every moment spent building trust can have meaning. The purpose of Deadly Minds has always been to bring light into spaces that can often feel dark and isolating. It is about helping young people recognise their strengths, find hope, and believe that a different future is possible. We carry the memories of these young people with us. Their stories continue to shape our work and strengthen our commitment to ensuring every young person knows they are valued, respected, and worthy of opportunity.
We honour their memory and hope they rest in peace.
Their lives mattered. Their stories matter. And they will not be forgotten.
"The final artwork was exceptional, and the students took immense pride in their contributions. Their participation fostered a strong sense of connection and achievement, leaving a lasting impact on both the students and the school community".
“The team at Self Made are much more than an art program, they create a safe non-judgemental environment where the youth feel they are heard and can freely express themselves creatively, thoughtfully and feel as though they are being heard. I have personally witnessed on multiple occasions where the Self Made team have been able to guide and mentor the youth in a productive and positive manner regarding personal matters / feelings.”
"They expressed a sense of achievement and pride when they discussed their artwork, and as time progressed I also got to witness first hand how the young people would actively seek out advice from the team about how they should progress their artwork".