Kisan Upward

Kisani Upward is a proud Gamilaraay/Wiradjuri Yinarr (Gamilaraay Woman) from Tamworth, NSW. She is

• a dedicated Mother and Artist
• a Registered Nurse
• Senior Research Officer at the Djurali Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research and Education
• Chair of the Manna Institute's First Nations Advisory Group.

Kisani is a member of the Australian Symbiocene and has recently submitted her PhD thesis at the University of New England. Kisani’s PhD research focused on the concept of 'Solastalgia' from an Indigenist perspective. She was privileged to work closely with the Nucoorilma Mob of Tingha, NSW, on the "Guwiinbarraan: Close to Fire Project."

In her professional and artistic pursuits, Kisani promotes healing and resilience within communities. As an accomplished artist, she featured in Tam Talk presenting "Art- Bridging the Great Divide" (Nov 22). In this talk, she demonstrated how art can communicate stories and impart knowledge in a way that is accessible and healing for all.

Kisani continues to work at the intersection of health, research, art, and culture. Empowering communities through a holistic lens that fosters understanding and resilience.