About Riley Callie Resources

Our Why

Riley Callie Resources was born from our passion to introduce young children to the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through a lens that embraces Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. We believe STEM is a powerful vehicle for educators to explore and share the richness, depth, and unique worldview of Indigenous Australia.

Our mission extends beyond early learning—we are deeply committed to supporting educators by providing authentic, culturally respectful Indigenous resources. These tools are designed to make it easier to incorporate Indigenous perspectives meaningfully into the classroom, helping to ensure that all Australian children and youth have access to this important cultural knowledge.

We understand the challenges that can come with embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures into teaching. There can be uncertainty around doing it ‘right’ and a fear of being perceived as tokenistic, even when intentions are good.

To overcome this, educators need not just resources—but support, guidance, and confidence. They need to feel empowered to engage with Indigenous content authentically and respectfully. That’s why we’ve created a thoughtfully curated range of genuine Indigenous resources, giving educators peace of mind that what they’re bringing into the classroom is appropriate, accurate, and culturally respectful.

About Our Founder

Riley Callie Resources was founded by Deborah Hoger, a proud Dunghutti woman, anthropologist, and mother of two young children. Deborah is deeply passionate about ensuring Indigenous culture is meaningfully embedded throughout a child’s educational journey—starting from the early years. She believes these formative years are crucial for shaping how children view the world and understand the cultural richness of the country they live in.

Our Vision

As Aboriginal Australians, we are custodians of the world’s oldest living culture—a legacy that deserves a central place in the education of our youngest learners. To ensure this happens in a culturally respectful and meaningful way, schools must actively engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and businesses.

Our vision is to see every educator across Australia connecting with their local First Nations communities, learning about their histories, cultures, and stories, and then bringing those perspectives back into the classroom through the use of authentic Indigenous resources.

We envision schools going beyond symbolic gestures to sustain Indigenous perspectives year-round—through regular activities, excursions, classroom discussions, and diverse, engaging educational materials. This approach helps nurture a deep respect for Australia’s First Peoples, and fosters in children an understanding of cultural diversity and inclusion from a young age.

Our Impact

Cultural appropriation—where elements of a marginalised culture are used without permission or understanding by a dominant group—is a significant issue in Australia. In education, this often surfaces when non-Indigenous-created materials are used to teach Indigenous content, without consultation, respect, or benefit to the communities from which the knowledge originates.

That’s why we are strong advocates for authenticity.

We encourage educators to ask:
“Are the resources I’m using created by Indigenous people, or in genuine partnership with them?”

At Riley Callie, we are committed to supporting Indigenous creators and businesses. We believe growing the Indigenous business sector plays a vital role in breaking cycles of disadvantage by economically empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, and communities.

We are constantly expanding our range by actively seeking out new resources that are created by, or developed in partnership with, Indigenous businesses—ensuring educators can feel confident in the cultural integrity of the tools they use in the classroom.