Indigenous Governance Awards, Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation Australia recently informed Warakurna Artists Executive that they have been selected as one of the eight finalists for the 2008 Indigenous Governance Awards. 'The Awards highlight success stories, and organisations such as Warakurna Artists who are providing an important example to communities across Australia'.


















Image: Warakurna Artists Chairwoman, Eunice Yunurupa Porter grinding irrmangka irrmangka to make a special rubbing medicine for aches and pains.

Photo by Jo Foster - © Tjanpi Desert Weavers, NPY Women’s Council

Warakurna Artists’ Chairwoman, Eunice Porter explains the importance of working together with other Yarnangu (Aboriginal) owned and operated Art Centres and the importance of governance training “You know we all have to work under one wiltja (shelter). These are our businesses. They are here for our future. We have to teach our children our culture, language and stories. We are learning how to run a business and learning whitefella way and teaching them Yarnangu way. We are creating a bridge, learning together. We are not worried for money; we know we are growing, steady, steady. This place is making us happy, we have something to do”.



About the awards
'My work on these Awards has changed my view of the world, changed my approach to what I do. What these people are achieving and how they do what they do has come to inform everything I say and everything I stand for in promoting the well being of my people. Success is now my guiding light, as it must be for all Australians who want to see it replicated across the country'.
Professor Mick Dodson, Chair, Indigenous Governance Awards

The Indigenous Governance Awards were created by Reconciliation Australia in partnership with BHP Billiton to identify, celebrate and promote effective Indigenous governance. The national awards highlight success in Indigenous Australia - strong leadership, good management, effective partnerships and brave, creative thinking.

There are two award categories - organisations established since January 1998 and organisations established before January 1998. Each category carries award money of $10,000 for the winning organisation and $5,000 for the highly commended.

The first two years of the awards (2005 and 2006) drew 104 applications, with a total of $50,000 awarded to organisations to continue building and developing good governance. The achievements of the applicants, finalists and winners in previous years were widely reported in the Indigenous and mainstream media.

Indigenous organisations across Australia are encouraged to showcase their achievements by entering the awards.
© Reconciliation Australia 2008


To find out more: http://www.reconciliation.org.au/igawards/pages/about-the-awards.php

Yuwa, walykumunu!