BACKGROUND:
Globally, inequities in child safety and wellbeing persist for Indigenous children, shaped by colonisation, social exclusion, and limited access to culturally safe spaces. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, time spent on the streets can expose them to violence, substance use, and other risks, undermining health and social and emotional wellbeing. Conventional child-safety initiatives often fail to center culture, Country, and community leadership, limiting their effectiveness and sustainability. Addressing these inequities requires inclusive, culturally grounded approaches that strengthen protective factors and community connection.

METHODS:
The Dance2Kinnect Project was co-designed and co-led by Aboriginal researchers in partnership with local Elders, community leaders, parents, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. The program was developed through yarning circles, community planning meetings, and collaborative choreography workshops to ensure alignment with local cultural protocols, values, and aspirations. Dance leaders and Elders co-facilitated sessions, embedding cultural knowledge, language, and connection to Country. A qualitative evaluation approach was undertaken, incorporating participant observation and semi-structured interviews to explore experiences of cultural connection, wellbeing, and perceptions of child safety.

RESULTS:
The program provided children and adolescents with a safe, inclusive, and culturally affirming alternative to spending time in unsafe environments. Participants reported strengthened cultural identity, increased self-confidence, improved social and emotional wellbeing, and enhanced peer relationships. Parents and community members identified the program as a protective, community-led initiative that fostered belonging, cultural safety, and reduced exposure to harm. The co-design process also supported community ownership and program sustainability.

CONCLUSIONS:
Dance2Kinnect demonstrates how culturally grounded, community-led initiatives can advance equity, inclusion, and sustainability in child safety. By centering culture and Country, the program addresses structural inequities and creates protective spaces that support Indigenous children’s wellbeing. This model offers a transferable, strengths-based approach for Indigenous and global contexts seeking culturally responsive solutions to complex public health challenges.