There is a 10-year gap in the average life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 

The clip, launching the new Bridging the Gap Foundation, draws attention to the disadvantages Indigenous people face. 

And the need to improve health and education opportunities and outcomes. 

“We are proud to announce this important foundation, which will partner with health services and other organisations including sports clubs to improve outcomes and increase education and employment opportunities for Indigenous students,” Bridging the Gap Foundation chairman Richard Ryan AO said. 

The clip, created by award-winning add agency KWP!, officially launched on July 5. 

KWP! managing director David O’Loughlin said he hopes the clip will stop people in their tracks. 

“The lack of parity in health and opportunity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians struck our team hard.

“We felt that this great shame needed to be exposed in the most powerful way for all Australians to understand the unacceptable nature of this problem.

“In choosing to directly compare the hope and innocence of two young girls, both full of potential, one’s future under threat, we could expose the truth of this undeniable stain on our society.

“We hope this powerful portrait will stop people, make them consider the circumstances and raise awareness of what the foundation is trying to achieve,” Mr O’Loughlin said. 

Bridging the Gap Foundation was established through the Menzies School of Health Research and Charles Darwin University.

The national organisation aims to bridge the gap through raising awareness of challenges Indigenous people face and raising funds to adress these issues. 

The foundation is partnering up with organisations such as HealthLAB, Growing Our Own, Hepatitis B, Wilurrara Tjutaku Football League, Nutrition and ICHM Scholarships.

The launch of the foundation coincides with NAIDOC Week celebrations. 

Kicking off this Sunday, the week highlights the histories, rich cultures, and outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme is Because of her, we can!

Social justice commissioner and Indigenous rights activist June Oscar AO has also launched a survey asking Indigenous women what is important to them.