In honour of NAIDOC Week 2025, creative tech company Cricut has teamed up with three talented Indigenous artists – Kyralee Shields, Leah Cummins and Caitlin Trindall – to launch a limited collection of designs and digital artworks that reflect this year’s theme: ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.’ Available via Cricut Design Space, the Cricut x NAIDOC Week Collaboration brings ancient stories and modern design together. And, is a celebration of cultural pride, education and enduring connection.
More than just a design collaboration, this initiative is a meaningful tribute to the strength of First Nations storytelling. The artists’ creations will not only inspire makers across the country – they’ll also support grassroots change, with all proceeds from the digital designs going to local Indigenous charities handpicked by the artists themselves. Cricut has also pledged to match all design donations made throughout June and July.
For proud Gomeroi woman Caitlin Trindall, the partnership is a deeply personal way to honour her heritage, community and family. “NAIDOC Week is a powerful time to celebrate First Nations culture. A time to listen, reflect, and have meaningful conversations with mob,” she says. “This year’s theme deeply resonates with me. It’s about honouring those who came before us, respecting our Elders, and recognising our role in passing culture on to the next generation. Through this theme, I am reminded of the legacy I want to leave for my son. And, how I’m paving the way for him to stay connected to his culture and community.”
Caitlin’s art is a vibrant reflection of that legacy. And, thanks to platforms like Cricut, her stories can now reach beyond her workshops and into homes, classrooms, and maker studios around the world. “As an artist, I see it as a call to action. To keep sharing cultural knowledge through my art and the workshops I run within my community. Platforms like Cricut become a space for visibility, storytelling, and truth-telling. They are vital in sparking conversations and keeping culture strong for generations to come.”
This act of creative truth-telling is at the heart of Cricut’s mission to support diversity and inclusivity within its global community. One of more than eight million users. Through its Contributing Artist Program (CAP), Cricut gives artists a platform to share their work and earn income, while also helping ensure that the design library reflects a wide range of lived experiences and cultural identities.
Similarly, for artist Kyralee Shields, the value of this platform lies in its power to build bridges between worlds. “Showcasing Indigenous art helps amplify local voices and share cultural stories in accessible and creative ways,” she explains. “It’s a way to honour tradition while embracing modern tools to keep culture alive and evolving. It also promotes understanding and respect by bringing Indigenous perspectives into everyday spaces, helping bridge communities through shared appreciation and learning.”
While each artist brings a unique style to the project, the message behind the designs is one of unity and representation. As artist Leah Cummins puts it, “It’s about identifying people and acknowledging the many different cultures in First Nations People. We are all sovereign nations on this land and have our own unique identities. But, when we come together, we are one community.”
That sense of community is also reflected in the charities each artist chose to support. Caitlin has selected the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), a national charity focused on helping children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities gain access to culturally relevant books and educational resources. “I chose the Indigenous Literacy Foundation because I believe every child deserves access to education. No matter where they live,” she says. “ILF provides tools and resources that support literacy in remote communities. And, I especially love that their programs empower communities to write and illustrate their own stories in First Languages. It’s incredibly meaningful to support an organisation that helps our languages and cultural practices thrive.”
Children’s Ground, a not-for-profit organisation, also receives support for its long-term community development initiatives, which First Nations people design and lead.
For Cricut ANZ Region Director Nicola Dow-Smith, the initiative is an important step toward inclusive creativity. “Cricut is honoured to be able to support and celebrate Indigenous artists this NAIDOC Week,” she says. “It’s incredible to be able to showcase talented artists like Kyralee, Leah, and Caitlin through the Contributing Artist Program, and work together to share their digital designs with our community to make. It is a way for us to do our part to honour and respect First Nations traditions and culture. And, keep Indigenous storytelling alive for the next generation.”
Through this project, Cricut is not only helping to preserve culture – it’s also inspiring creators everywhere to craft with purpose. As National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week approaches, the Cricut x NAIDOC Week Collaboration partnership reminds us that the stories we choose to share – and the tools we use to tell them – shape the future.