Leadership creates, inspires and shares a vision so others can realise their potential.
Kimberley Aboriginal women and girls have a long history of leadership. However, whist we represent 50% of Aboriginal people in the region our leadership representation locally and regionally is not at the same level of participation as Aboriginal men. To lead means others are prepared to follow.
By establishing leadership pathways, and courses specific to the needs and aspirations of Kimberley Aboriginal women and girls we make leadership a development process that is accessible to all and over time leadership becomes our norm.
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Community Guide on page 7 states, “We need to support First Nations women and girls’ leadership and participation in all decisions that impact their lives”.
Elder and long-standing Shire Councillor of Broome Elsta Foy presented on the panel at the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Roundtable in May 2021. She shared that leadership is not always a popularity vote that there will be times, that leaders make decision for the good of all, that others will not like. In her long-standing service as a Shire Councillor for more than thirty years Elsta experienced structural, systemic and interpersonal racism, but has remain committed to giving everyone a fair go. She has seen a gradual change in where, how and why Aboriginal women are recognised as leaders in the community. She believes we must always make room for more women and girls to be leaders by learning on the job and connecting with other leaders.
Focus Area and Project Three facilitates leadership opportunities by bringing leading practice to the Kimberley and also designing bespoke leadership projects specific to Kimberley Aboriginal women and girls needs and aspirations.
Focus Area Three - Project Three – Leadership Program: Strengthening our access to learning & leadership pathways
Objective
Increase member access to leadership courses, programs and support services in the Kimberley Region; and where possible design fit for purpose opportunities.
Input
More than $300,000 in grants / income to facilitate leadership developmental pathways.
Outcomes
10 Kimberley Aboriginal Women members taken up board appointments and experienced job promotions and or regional recognition.
Output
More than 250 Kimberley Aboriginal women as members engaged in our leadership pathway offerings.
Close The Gap Impact
100% with a direct and positive impact on 14 targets and an indirect positive impact on three targets.
| Year | One | Two | Three |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Theme | Build self | Bridge with others | Broker Regional Reinvestment |
| Key Performance Measure | More than 50 members completing leadership training and are being mentored | More than 10 members supported with Scholarship to participate in State or National Leadership Programs | Every Kimberley Town will have at least four graduates of our leadership initiatives |
| Lead Target | Host Straight Talk and Leadership WA in the Kimberley Regions | Broker partnerships between AILC, Leadership WA & Rural Leadership Australia and local Aboriginal Regional Training providers to deliver leadership training and mentoring | Establish Partnership with a local Aboriginal Registered Training Organisation to build Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Capability & Leadership |
| Critical Target | More than 100 members with subscription to opportunities | More than 200 members with subscription to opportunities | More than $250,000 income generation annually for Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Leadership |
| Resource Requirements | $100, 000 project funds and part time coordinator | $300,000 and 1 Full time Coordinator | $500,000 and East and West Kimberley Full Time Coordinators |
| Priority Communications | Establish website & community engagement schedule and event management tool kit | Establish calendar of events on website & deliver regionally, with links to partner websites and testimonials | Our Leadership Resources being developed and shared with external partners |
| Public Relations | Invited to provide Key Note Address at an Indigenous or regional development conference | Publish book on 50 Kimberley success stories. Support five women to present at state or national events | Public Exhibition and Panel of Kimberley Aboriginal Women stories |