Dean Heta
2021 Cohort
Pronouns: he/him
Dean is making a difference in the world by continuing to share his cultural knowledge with his people, knowledge that has been shared with him and passed down for thousands of years.
Dean Heta is a proud Wiradjuri and Ngapuhi Man, raised on the lands of his Aboriginal people in Albury/Wodonga. Dean's mother is a Wiradjuri woman born on Wiradjuri country in Narrandera, NSW. His Father is Ngapuhi, born in Kawakawa on the North Island of Aotearoa. Dean's heritage and culture has played a signifcant part in his upbring and shaped the person he is today.
Growing up in Australia and on Wiradjuri Country, Dean was surrounded by his Aboriginal culture, family, and Mob.He was lucky enough to Grow up with his grandmother who was an Wiradjuri Elder, she would share her cultural knowledge with him, knowledge that he now shares with his children and mob.
Dean and his wife have two beautiful, strong boys. His family especially his children is what motivates him to make a positive difference within his community and to continue to strengthen hisown cultural knowledge , ensuring he can continue to pass this knowledge on to his children and mob.
Dean has a 16-year career dedicated to the advancement of Indigenous Australian peoples and communities. Underpinning his dedication to his work is the drive and fulfillment that comes from delivering positive outcomes and change for his people and community.
Social change work
My social change project is called Gagamin (Young Brothers) Connected to Place, Country, and Culture. The project engages young Aboriginal men through dance, song, and Land management, to deepen their cultural connections to the land, waters, and environment, and strengthen their cultural identity wellbeing.
Gagamin is delivered by Aboriginal Elders and men with a focus on young Aboriginal men across Wiradjuri Country. Our Aboriginal elders and men use traditional dance and song, as well as Wiradjuri Garray Wirimbirra (Land care) to teach and share knowledge with our Young men.