Follow my journey.

Presten Warren

11 hours ago

📜 For years, I thought my name was spelled "Preston".
The truth is, my birth was never properly registered and sadly, this isn't an uncommon story.

For many Aboriginal families, registering a birth isn't as easy and straightforward as you might think, due to a range of issues:

• Historical Distrust: The legacy of the Stolen Generations has left a deep mistrust of government institutions. These suspicions still deter many families from engaging with official processes like birth registration.

• Geographical Isolation: Many Aboriginal communities are remote, far from registry offices. Limited access to transport and internet makes it hard to even start the process.

• Financial Constraints: While registering a birth is free, getting the actual birth certificate can cost up to $70 depending on your state/territory. Many Indigenous families live at or below the poverty line and these costs just aren't realistic.

• Identification Requirements: To get a birth certificate, you often need to show ID like a driver’s licence or passport. But you can’t get those IDs without a birth certificate first, a catch-22 that keeps people stuck.​

• Complex Bureaucracy: The paperwork is complicated. The requirements are strict. If you have language barriers, limited literacy, or just no experience with these systems, it can be completely overwhelming.

• Lack of Awareness: Some families simply weren’t told how important birth registration is, or how to do it, especially when systems weren’t made accessible to us in the first place.

All of this has led to a huge number of unregistered births in Aboriginal communities and without a birth certificate, you're invisible in the eyes of the system.

You need them for everything - school, healthcare, driver's licenses, bank accounts, tax, jobs, travel, housing, even when it comes to Native Title or family connections. Without one, I couldn't have started this business!

If you need help getting your birth certificate, Pathfinders is a wonderful non-profit organisation who offer free support and make it easier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to navigate the birth certificate process. You can also support their National Birth Certificate Program by making a donation to: pathfinders.ngo/donations

#BirthCertificate #IdentityMatters #Aboriginal #Indigenous #FirstNations #TruthTelling #MobMatter #OurStories #Donate #NonProfit ... See MoreSee Less

Presten Warren

2 days ago

It’s 2025 and somehow people still think a “Welcome to Country” means being welcomed to the entire continent of Australia.

Let’s clear this up with two maps:
👈🏿 The left side shows the first map - the many sovereign Aboriginal Nations/Countries that have existed for tens of thousands of years.

👉🏿 The right side shows the colonial version of the map — the states and territories drawn up under a western political framework.

A Welcome to Country isn’t just a polite intro before an event, it is a cultural protocol that has existed for thousands of years. It was (and still is) offered by Traditional Owners to visitors passing through or entering their Nation’s lands as a sign of respect.

So, when you’re at a football game or a public event and a Welcome to Country is delivered, it is not about welcoming you into Australia. It is a meaningful cultural gesture by the local Aboriginal community to acknowledge those who are guests on their own shared land.

If you were born or live on that Country, great — but many have travelled from other places. This practice ensures that those visitors are welcomed appropriately, continuing the cultural obligation of respect and hospitality that predates colonisation.

This isn't complicated, it's our culture.

#WelcomeToCountry #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #AboriginalAustralia #Indigenous #Culture #FirstNations #TruthTelling #CulturalProtocol #Respect #Country
Credit: Gathaagudu ... See MoreSee Less

Presten Warren

3 days ago

🖤💛❤️ Today, I'd like to honour the often-overlooked bravery and sacrifices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women who fought for a nation that denied them citizenship, land and dignity.​

The law at the time banned Aboriginal people from enlisting however, as the war progressed and the need for soldiers grew, some Indigenous Australians were able to enlist, often by concealing their heritage. On the battlefield, they experienced a level of equality not afforded to them in civilian life, fighting alongside non-Indigenous soldiers and receiving the same pay.

Upon returning home, these veterans faced the same systemic racism and discrimination as before. They were denied the rights and benefits granted to their non-Indigenous counterparts, including access to the Soldier Settlement Scheme, which provided land to returning soldiers. In some cases, land was even taken from Indigenous communities to be redistributed to white veterans.

Their sacrifices and stories are a testament to the resilience and strength of our people. Acknowledging and commemorating the contributions of these servicemen and women is crucial in recognising their role in Australia's history and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

#LestWeForget #IndigenousAnzacs #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #AnzacDay #TruthTelling #BlackDigger #AboriginalHistory #IndigenousAustralia #RememberThem ... See MoreSee Less

Presten Warren

3 days ago

Presten Warren X ████████

Something big is coming this October...any guesses? 🤫

#collaboration #topsecret #comingsoon #staytuned #GuessWho #SomethingBigIsComing #collab #secretproject #mystery #limitededition #art #artist #aboriginal #indigenous ... See MoreSee Less

Presten Warren

6 days ago

🔥 Ok but why does my action figure look this good?!
Even Max & Ruby made it into the packaging!
Someone please make this real, I’d buy 100 😂

#cute #actionfigures #toy #aboriginal #indigenous #doglover #artist #ai #trend ... See MoreSee Less

Presten Warren

2 weeks ago

Yesterday, my family and I laid our beautiful Uminya (Great Grandmother) to rest.

She was born under a tree by a creek on November 2, 1930 and passed away on March 3, 2025 surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy that spanned six generations and touched countless lives.

She was our elder, our matriarch and one of the last two fluent speakers of the Dieri language. Whenever she was back on Country, she would speak to the land, the birds and the wildlife in Dieri, her first language. Her voice and stories linked our family to centuries of tradition, reminding us of who we are and where we come from.

Uminya held a deep connection to our traditional lands and a profound knowledge of our Dieri heritage - her wisdom and involvement with the courts was instrumental in securing Native Title for the Dieri people.

The last thing she asked me was if I am still doing my painting and I am so proud to be carrying on her legacy.

Though we’re heartbroken, we know she’s home now and reunited with Grandad. ... See MoreSee Less

Presten Warren

3 weeks ago

Hey everyone, just a quick update!
I’ll be offline for a few days as we say goodbye to my beautiful Uminya, my great grandmother.
She was the matriarch of our family, such a strong, caring woman who meant the world to us. She loved the Crows so I've painted up these ties to wear in her honour.
The studio will be closed until next week so I can take a bit of time to be with family, to sit and remember, share some laughs and tears and honour her properly.
Thanks for understanding and for all the love and support. ... See MoreSee Less