Indigenous Governance Program

Supporting governance, leadership and self-determination in First Nations-led organisations and communities.

The Indigenous Governance Network is an online community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to learn, share and connect around First Nations governance.

The Indigenous Governance Awards celebrate and promote success from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations around Australia.

The Corporate Partnerships Program develops two-way, mutually beneficial relationships between First Nations organisations and Reconciliation Action Plan partners.

The Indigenous Governance Program supports governance, leadership and self-determination in First Nations-led organisations and communities.

With an online network, awards program and partnership opportunities, the Indigenous Governance Program shares stories of success and excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

Resources and toolkits are available to support First Nations leaders to create and maintain strong governance practices, based in culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have tried and tested their own models of governance for at least the past 60,000 years – and we know what works.

Resources

Interested in strengthening the governance practices of your organisation? The Indigenous Governance Program develops resources to help support strong self-determination and agency in First Nations-led organisations. Factsheets and toolkits are available to help you on your Indigenous governance journey.

Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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