This

IS

A

MOVEMENT

For the Empowerment of young people

Generation Rise is a powerful Aboriginal-owned youth initiative founded from the vision of J-MILLA (Jacob Nichaloff) a proud Marranungu man and nationally recognised artist, alongside his partner Poppy Nichaloff, a creative strategist and storyteller.

With lived experience and deep cultural pride, Generation Rise exists to break cycles of trauma, disconnection, and disadvantage, and replace them with hope, healing, and opportunity. J-MILLA’s passion for empowering young people and strengthening cultural resilience inspired the creation of our programs.

Banner image: John Ross / TEABBA

Partnerships & Sponsorship

Partner with or sponsor Generation Rise and align with one of the an influential, youth-driven social impact movements of Australia.

Our programs

Generation Rise is a movement of programs that all work towards empowering youth for real change.

Through the combination of music, digital storytelling, cultural leadership, and mental health advocacy, each program creates circuit-breakers and opportrunities that reach the hearts and minds of young people, particularly those who feel unseen, unheard, and uncertain of their future.

Our programs speak the language of today’s youth, visually, culturally, emotionally. A proven track record of 35+ successful community engagements across the NT, SA and WA.

Waditj Warriors

Waditj Warriors is a youth empowerment initiative that utilizes music, storytelling, and cultural connection to inspire Indigenous youth.

Generation Rise

Generation Rise is a combination of music, digital storytelling, cultural leadership, and mental health advocacy

Bilawuk

Bilawuk Social Media Education is a Generation Rise Program. This program equips young people with the skills to navigate the digital world safely and powerfully.

What are we for

WE ARE FOR

Generational change

Every session delivered is a seed of generational change.

WE ARE FOR

Cultural empowerment

Every community visit is an act of cultural empowerment.

WE ARE FOR

A connected future

Every young person reached is a step toward a stronger, more connected future.

OUR PROGRAM

Generation Rise

Part of the Generation Rise movement is its program - a health, wellbeing and leadership program in itself, designed to empower young people through leadership, culture, and community engagement. It is grounded in cultural safety and peer connection.

About the program

Program aim

What is the Generation Rise program

What is the focus of the Generation Rise program

Program workshops

Hip Hop/Songwriting/Dream Building

2 hours, includes songwriting and concert opportunities.

Case studies

Maningrida Waditj Warriors

Overview Music is increasingly becoming a bridge between remote Aboriginal communities and the national stage. In Maningrida, two teenage rappers – Donovan “DK” Kernan (16) and Tremmel “Tillo” Taylor (14) – turned to music to address the challenges facing their community. At the same time, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) continue to spotlight First…

Wadeye – Generation Rise

Overview In Wadeye, more than 20 young people (ages 13-19) participated in a three-day wellbeing, leadership, and music program delivered by Generation Rise in partnership with Waditj Warriors and led by nationally recognised artist J-MILLA. The program was designed to create a safe and inspiring space where youth could explore identity, build confidence, and strengthen…

Meekatharra Bilawuk Social Media Workshop

Overview Bilawuk, led by Pops & Jay, delivered a dynamic social media workshop in Meekatharra, Western Australia, designed to empower young people with the skills to use digital platforms safely and effectively. The workshop balanced honest discussions about risks, including addiction and cyberbullying, with hands-on strategies that highlighted the positive potential of social media for storytelling, culture-sharing,…

Burunga

This is some exciting work we did through Generation Rise with the Barunga community. We collaborated with local youth and emerging artists to create a track called “BARUNGA”, which is a modern-day response to the historic Barunga Statement. This project really captures the kind of impact and cultural work Generation Rise is leading, bringing together established and emerging…