Fathers guiding Aboriginal identity like links in a chain

Mr Sutherland celebrated his first Father’s Day with his 11-month old daughter Milaan, and while she might be young, he's already looking forward to guiding her through life.

"Throughout our recent history, our children haven't been able to easily access their cultural identity and their cultural knowledge," Mr Sutherland said.

"Now we are at a time where my daughter will grow up singing traditional songs, grow up learning her language and she's already learning how to weave.

"These things we haven't had the opportunity to share, so being a father and knowing I can support my daughter through this is amazing."

Mr Sutherland has a great relationship with his father, and he's experienced the impact of a supportive father.

"We are all connected like links in a chain, our fathers and their fathers and their fathers," Mr Sutherland said.

"I see myself as a link in that chain, knowing that I'm not going to be the last link and, that like the people before me, we are continuing to strengthen and supporting it."

Mr Sutherland said Father’s Day was also a time to appreciate his partner, Amy Hammond, and the role women play in supporting every family.

"Milaan is our word for a type of daisy – Amy's great-grandmother's name was Daisy," Mr Sutherland said.

"Milaan's middle name is Yvonne, which is Amy's grandmother’s name. So Millie will always have a connection to her grandmothers and hold their strength.

"Again, from a cultural perspective, it's making sure things aren't seen in isolation. I'm not just a father, I'm a part of a string of fathers, parents and grandparents – and that's important."

One thing that surprised Mr Sutherland about fatherhood was the "amount of love you can have for someone".

"I knew I'd be close with my daughter, but it's just unbelievable. It was straight away, from first sight it was something I've never experienced before and that feeling hasn't stopped."