Indigenous Governance Awards 2024

Category 1

Winner – Learning on Country

The Learning on Country (LoC) Program was established in 2013 as a joint initiative between Aboriginal ranger groups and schools. Today, the program is offered across 17 Top End (NT) remote communities with 15 involved in 2024. LoC’s governance structure ensures Aboriginal ownership and control through local community committees and an all-Indigenous steering committee, which includes a representative from each community committee and provides overarching cultural and strategic guidance.

In 2023 there were more than 2800 Aboriginal middle and secondary students in LoC programs across the 17 communities.

Danny Dangadanga - older man, dark brown skin, white hair and beard, wearing a 'Learning on Country' t-shirt - Co-Chair of the Learning on Country Program, standing in front of a TV screen with a display of images and 'Return to Homelands Engagement Program' written across the top.

Finalist – Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group

Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group (LMARG) was established in 1997 to embody self-determination in action for the Aboriginal people of the Loddon Mallee region in northwest Victoria. Members are sourced from four key Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) which service the region.

LMARG’s activities include Bush Kinder, cultural camps, healing centres, and men’s and women’s programs to support community members, particularly Stolen Generation survivors, and young people currently in out-of-home care.

A woman holding a toothbrush and toothpase smiles a child holding his own toothbrush.

Finalist – Wintjiri Wiru

Wintjiri Wiru Working Group was established in 2020 to provide cultural authority and oversight of cultural experiences presented at the Voyages Resort near Uluru. It also manages the revenue attained from Anangu Cultural and Intellectual Property in Voyages activities.

The working group is comprised of five representatives each from the Mutitjulu and Kaltukatjara communities. Funds are distributed equally to both communities according to three categories: Cultural Strength and Capacity; Wellbeing and Social Impact, and Community Support.

A man leading a tour stands in a shallow cave on red sand, pointing at something off camera.

Category 2

Winner – Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation

Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC) was established in 2008 by a group of Elders in northeast Tasmania that were determined to reclaim their people’s rightful place as the original People of Tasmania. Melythina Tiakana Warrana means Heart of Country in the local Aboriginal language.

Membership of MTWAC is limited to Tasmanian Aboriginal people who can show a direct link to northeast Tasmania. The Corporation is governed by a board of nine directors, overseen and advised by a Circle of Elders.

A woman points at a photo on a pinboard.

Finalist – Voice of Hope

Voice of Hope Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2022 to assist Aboriginal women in Western Australia to adjust back into community life after time spent in prison. It is a volunteer organisation governed by a six-woman board (four First Nations and two non-Indigenous), and all activities are overseen by an Elders advisory subcommittee of five Aboriginal women.

Noongar culture is central to the Walbreninj Yorga (Healing Women) Prison Program, designed to help women heal and return to family.

Two older woman embrace warmly, smiling.

Finalist – Mibbinbah Spirit Healing

Mibbinbah was established in 2007 to support First Nations people to heal, grow, and resume their roles as nurturers, teachers, and leaders. It operates in many states across urban and rural, regional, and remote communities.

A small organisation with only three staff, Mibbinbah operates on a project-by-project basis, and approach their work with a whole of community focus. They have recently acquired some ongoing philanthropic support but continue to operate with minimal funding.

Two people sit at a table outside, in the sun, holding coffee mugs, smiling at something off camera.

Category 3

Winner – Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation

The Djarindjin community in Western Australia’s Dampier Peninsula was established as a defiant act of self-determination by Bardi and Jawi people escaping the control of missions in the 1980s. Djarindjin’s directors are all First Nations and residents of the community or connected outstations.

For years Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation has been largely self-funding with revenue from its airport, the only First Nations-owned and operated independent commercial airport in Australia, run by an all-local team from across the Dampier Peninsula.

A man in a polo shirt that says 'CEO' on the pockets points at something off camera.

Finalist – Granites Mine Affected Areas Aboriginal Corporation

Granites Mine Affected Areas Aboriginal Corporation (GMAAAC) was established in 1991 in partnership with the Central Land Council to manage and distribute payments provided to nine Tanami communities for the operation of the Granites Gold Mine on their Country.

At least 50% of the funds received are invested for future use in communities. Each community elects a committee to prioritise, plan and fund projects; the committees elect 18 directors who oversee GMAAAC’s investments.

Two young people look off-camera to the left, smiling.

Finalist – Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation

Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) was established in May 2013 to assist with the Native Title claims of the Minangu, Burringurrah/Milly Milly, Byro and Ngoonooru land groups in the Murchison and Gascyone regions of Western Australia.

The nine-member board is comprised of representatives of the land committees of the four groups. This structure allows for local input in decision making, as WYAC works for Wajarri people by investing in programs, facilitating community and pursuing opportunity.

A woman stands, smiling, in front of the Wajarri Community Office.

Take a look at the winners and finalists from previous Indigenous Governance Awards:

The Indigenous Governance Awards 2020 were postponed due to the pandemic. 

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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