That’s what I want the organisation to be able to provide young women in particular, the self-confidence, the clarity of knowing who you are, accepting all parts of you and in doing so finding the confidence to enjoy that freedom.
What do you love most about being able to merge leadership, culture and business on your journey?
It’s much simpler than the ability to merge leadership and business.
For me, it is about the freedoms of humanity which I see as a birth right for all. We know that freedoms have been ratified by the UN, they are within our reach, this freedom and birth right may not be a reality for some people in the world for some nations as a result of conflicts but the freedom of humanity we see is a birth right for everyone.
I know and believe it is possible because in my lifetime I’ve seen extraordinary change, things we thought were not possible are now our reality. I’ve felt the repercussions of my people, our people, our world turned upside down by colonization.
I grew up between cattle stations and mission life when no towns in the Fitzroy Valley region existed and I was born in a time when Aboriginal people did not have citizenship rights. And yet I grew up to see Aboriginal people receive citizenship rights and then equal pay, native title structures. I saw Fitzroy Crossing come into being, I worked with elders to remain connected to country, to grow up in our homelands, I saw the true power of reconciliation as 5 language groups went from being disconnected to co-existing. Through that co-existence, we have found connections, enabled languages, law to be shared amidst such sadness as land dispossession.
You see our ability to experience freedom and therefore be part of change for humanity is part of my journey which allowed me to be part of organisations that were committed to language, arts and land which have held cultural integrity and strived for social impact.
I believe this is not just cultural dynamism driving the changes of our lives, I believe within these turbulent times - many which have presented opportunities for reconciling periods in our history - is marked by the determination of our people, our survival, our resilience to come out triumphant, resistant and with hope, enduring hope
What were the first few steps you took to get to where you are currently?
Recognising that reconciliation is no end game.
For me it is this journey of human existence, how we work together and strive to achieve to safe guard the health and betterment of future generations that has served me well and will continue to serve me into the future.
What was it like when you found out you had been awarded the fellowship?
When I was told I was the recipient of the fellowship, I was overwhelmed and could not believe it – I kept thinking, “Why me? I’m just one person amongst many”.
Then I thought about it more – I’m one person standing beside one of my greatest heroines, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, an inspiration to my life.
I’ve had time to consider what reconciliation can achieve and how it can be effectively supported by leaders. Reconciliation is a process that belongs to all of us and to reconcile for me, means togetherness.