Reconciliation Australia, the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute, and the BHP Foundation proudly announce the winners of the Indigenous Governance Awards (IGA) 2024.
The Indigenous Governance Awards celebrate the strength, innovation and governance capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations across Australia and have been held every second year since 2005.
‘Effective Indigenous governance comes from a combination of both traditional governance practices, based in culture and kinship, with the requirements of mainstream organisations – including financial and legal accountability,’ said CEO of awards co-host, the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute, Jessica Bulger.
‘These winners and finalists demonstrate the determination of our people to manage our own affairs and our capacity to do so in a way that reflects our needs and ways.’
Indigenous Governance Awards 2024 Winners
Category 1:
Outstanding examples of governance in Indigenous-led non-incorporated initiatives or projects
Winner: Learning on Country Program (LoC) (Northern Land Council)
LoC’s ‘both ways’ learning supports students to achieve training and educational qualifications and employment outcomes, while supporting intergenerational transfer of knowledge and culture.
LoC’s governance structure ensures Aboriginal ownership and control through local community committees and a steering committee.
The program was established in 2013 as a joint initiative between Aboriginal ranger groups and schools across 17 Top End (NT) remote communities.
The other two finalists in this category:
- Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group, VIC
- Wintjiri Wiru Working Group, Yulara, NT
Category 2:
Outstanding examples of governance in Indigenous-led small to medium incorporated organisations
Winner: Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC)
This community organisation 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.
MTWAC is governed by a board of nine directors who operate with a Circle of Elders providing oversight, cultural advice and ensuring cultural integrity.
The other two finalists in this category:
- Mibbinbah Spirit Healing, Warwick, QLD
- Voice of Hope Aboriginal Corporation, Thornlie, WA
Category 3:
Outstanding examples of governance in Indigenous-led large, incorporated organisations
Winner: Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation (DAC)
Djarindjin was established as a defiant act of self-determination by Bardi and Jawi people escaping the control of missions in the 1980s.
Since then, the DAC has become largely self-funding, with revenue from its airport funding a variety of community programs. Djarindjin’s vision for the future is to be financially sustainable, with future generations empowered by self-determination.
The other two finalists in this category:
- Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation, Geraldton, WA
- Granites Mine Affected Area Aboriginal Corporation, Alice Springs, NT
Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine said the Indigenous Governance Program is one of the most important endeavours that Reconciliation Australia is involved in.
‘It is no surprise to me that the Indigenous Governance Awards 2024 winners are effectively tackling some of the hardest issues facing our society today,’ she said.
‘They refuse to see our lives and our communities through a deficit lens; but instead apply strengths-based ways of thinking to what are sometimes known in external circles as intractable problems.
‘The strength of all our finalists fills me with confidence in the future.’
The IGA 2024 winners were announced tonight as part of the National RAP Conference 2024 in Meanjin (Brisbane).
Find more information about the Indigenous Governance Awards.
Read summaries of the nine IGA 2024 winners and finalists.
Check out the full video playlist on YouTube.
Image credit: Tom Hoy, Wirrim Media
