As part of NAIDOC Week, we’re privileged to share insights from some UWA Indigenous Alumni on this year’s NAIDOC them, ‘50 Years of Deadly’, and what it means to them.

Sophie Coffin is a proud Palyku and Ngangumarta woman with connections to Njamal and Yindibarndi Country. Sophie started at UWA in 2015. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in 2018 and Juris Doctor in 2021. After university, Sophie worked as Associate to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for two years. Sophie has since worked as a commercial litigation solicitor at Bennett Litigation and Commercial Law firm. Later this year, Sophie will be undertaking a Master of Laws at New York University.

Looking back, what aspects of your time at UWA had the greatest impact on you personally or professionally?

Personally, the friendships and connection with students and staff at SIS/UWA were invaluable and made my experience incredibly positive. I loved coming to campus because of the people, and that support got me through the difficult times. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of the staff at SIS/UWA and the friends I met at UWA.

Professionally, in addition to the above, the greatest impact on me was the learning opportunities at UWA, particularly travel. I was very fortunate to represent UWA/SIS at the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education in Toronto (2017), and to complete an exchange semester in the Netherlands (2020). I also had the privilege of attending the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Games and the National Indigenous Legal Conference, which were amazing opportunities to connect with east-coast students who I am in touch with today. All of these experiences opened my eyes to different career possibilities and helped to shape the first steps of my career.

What does this year’s NAIDOC theme mean to you? 50 years of deadly.

This year's theme is a celebration of culture, resistance, and leadership. To me, NAIDOC Week is a rare and important occasion on which Australia acknowledges its First People. It is also an important time for Aboriginal peoples across Australia to come together. NAIDOC Week gives us space to express, celebrate, and reflect. This year gives us a chance to reflect on the progress we have made over the last 50 years in championing our rights. I look forward to seeing NAIDOC evolve over the next 50 years.

What advice would you give to current Indigenous students navigating university or their future careers?

• Try everything! Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Take every opportunity you are given and seek out opportunities to develop your areas of interest. There are so many amazing opportunities for students at SIS. The time goes so fast, so make the most of it.

• Talk to different people. It’s okay to feel confused about what you want to do. It helps to speak to people in different careers in your first few years of uni. Everyone’s journey looks different and there are many paths to get to where you want to be. 

• Have fun whenever you can.