A new program developed with Traditional Owners aims to give participants in Groote Eylandt communities leadership and governance skills.
The Anindilyakwa Future Leaders Program will invite "senior community figures" to mentor participants and share their knowledge, in an effort to promote the next generation of community leadership.
The 12 candidates will also graduate with Certificate IV in Indigenous Leadership and a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Governance, with the training delivered on Country and in language.
Former AFL star Adam Goodes was on the island to help launch the program over the weekend, meeting with the future participants and local community members.
“I’m incredibly passionate about advocating for Indigenous leadership and governance in our communities," he said in a statement.
“Being here on Anindilyakwa country is a privilege and I’m excited to be able to share some of my knowledge and experiences with this next generation of community leaders.”
The program is a collaboration between the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC), the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC), and mining company South32.
Anindilyakwa Future Leaders Program participants, Ethan Busbridge, Kiyanna Murrungun, Kitesha Wurrawilya. Source: Jenni Collier
CEO of the AILC Robyn Forester said the training opportunities would strengthen the community’s capacity to contribute to its own development.
“The Anindilyakwa hold thousands of years of leadership knowledge and the AILC feels a great privilege to be working with the community to continue to build on the deep understanding that the Anindilyakwa hold of community, country and culture in driving change for a future Groote Eylandt,” she said.
South32, which operates a mine on Anindilyakwa Country, will donate one million dollars towards the program, in an effort to promote "a sustainable post mining future."
