At just 14 years old, Gabriel Joy Eggmalise – or Gabe, as he’s just as happy to be called – carries himself with a quiet confidence and a deep pride in who he is. Born on the 26th of October 2010, Gabriel is a proud Maiawali Karuwali young man from Southeast Queensland’s Clay Pan Winon area, now living on Ngunnawal Country. His story is one of identity, resilience, and a determination to dream big while staying grounded in culture. Gabriel’s earliest memories of cultural storytelling came from his father. Whenever he was afraid of the thunder or lightning at night, his dad would tell him about Uradatchi, the man in the sky, who would visit his woman Ngari Ngarithrough the lightning, giving her a kiss before returning to the heavens. It was a story of love, connection, and reassurance that still stays with him. He speaks warmly about the value of “opening your binang” – your ears – to listen to Elders and learn about the land, culture, and traditions. Though he doesn’t often get to be on country, the beach has become another kind of home for Gabriel, a place where the rhythm of the waves connects him to land and to peace. Gabriel’s identity is shaped not just by his heritage, but by his everyday influences. He draws strength from his father’s resilience in the face of challenges, and from role models like NBA star Patty Mills, who has shown Aboriginal youth that success and cultural pride can go hand in hand. Sport plays a huge part in Gabriel’s story. His dream is to play basketball at the highest level, and he finds inspiration in the Yarwun Warriors – an Aboriginal basketball team in Canberra that reached the grand final despite being made up of men facing difficult personal battles. For Gabriel, they are proof that unity, culture, and strength can overcome adversity. He’s aware that being a light-skinned Aboriginal means some may question his identity, but for Gabriel, culture is in his DNA. It’s in the way he walks barefoot at community events, in how he stands proudly at festivals, and in the promise he’s made to never forget where he comes from. As Gabriel puts it, “Never give up comes with the last name. It’s one thing we don’t do.” Whether on the basketball court, in cultural spaces, or wherever life takes him, Gabriel is determined to represent his culture with pride and to inspire others to do the same. For this young Yawun Warrior – “strong warrior” in Ngunnawal language – the journey is just beginning, but his roots and his resilience will carry him far.