Investing in Bush: Aboriginal Leaders Gather at Alice Springs Governance Forum

Nearly 200 Aboriginal leaders are gathering today in AliceSprings for the 2019 Aboriginal Leadership and Governance Forum, including thenew crop of First Circles members.

The one day forum, held annually, brings together emergingand established Aboriginal leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities withlocally-led leadership and governance.

It is the first major event each year for new members ofFirst Circles, a year-long NT Government program that gives 16 AboriginalTerritorians the opportunity to develop and expand their leadership skills,with the aim of participants returning to communities as strong leaders.

Many past graduates have gone on to represent theircommunities at the Territory, national or international level, which hasprovided opportunities to advocate for change and connect with diverse networksacross different regions.

The Aboriginal Governance Forum is part of theTerritory Labor Governments investment in improving the lives of AboriginalTerritorians through local decision making, treaty discussions and support forcommunities to realise their social and economic aspirations.

As noted by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, SelenaUibo.

The Territory Labor Government is restoring local decisionmaking to remote communities to empower residents and let the people in thosecommunities decide what is best for them when it comes to issues such ashealth, housing and education.

Local decisions are the best decisions. By providingincreased leadership opportunities such as the Aboriginal Leadership andGovernance Forum and the First Circles program to Aboriginal Territorians, weare supporting economic development, long term sustainability and communitiesthat are locally-led.

I welcome this years emerging community leaders to the FirstCircles program, to share their stories and ideas, and to work directly withthe government to create change at a local level.

It is important we equip our up and coming communityleaders with the skills and knowledge they need to make the best local decisionsfor their communities, and to have their voices heard.

As noted by First Circles graduate, Michael Maymuru (Yirrkala).

Leadership is important in communities. Itprovides strength and resilience when faced with challenges.

Showing good leadership helps shape apositive future for the next generations and can lay solid foundations to continuebuilding on the vision of our past leaders. Leadership quality can have apositive impact in all areas of your life.

As noted by First Circles graduate, Marlene Karkadoo(Borroloola).

FirstCircles is empowering our emerging leaders to ensure our grassroots way ofdoing business the community way is heard at the highest level of government.

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