Rirratjingu Aboriginal Leadership Program 

The Rirratjingu Emerging Leaders Program empowers our future leaders to walk in two worlds while remaining connected to their Yolŋu cultural foundations.  The Program provides a foundation that builds awareness, knowledge and leadership skills.

Rirratjingu leaders are respected Elders who serve the community, nurture the Yolŋu culture and traditions, and inspire the clan to thrive in a modern world. The RAC Emerging Leaders Program is a commitment to preparing tomorrow’s leaders for this inspiring role.

We believe that an Aboriginal leader is not only committed to their community but passionate about their interests. No two Rirratjingu leaders are the same. We celebrate their individuality, creativity, and innovation.

This is why our leadership program is tailored to the individual development of each candidate. The program supports many personal goals.  This may include transition into employment, leadership roles, or board positions within RAC or the community.

The program offers learning experiences that balance both worlds, with real-life examples, leadership challenges, case studies, and insights from experts, guest speakers, and peers.

The program will expose participants to a range of leaders and leadership styles in order to help them develop an understanding of leadership and establish their own personal leadership style. 

Rirratjingu’s Leadership Program Details

Applicants for the leadership program are selected from the Yolŋu community by RAC directors and elders every year. Those that are deemed to have fulfilled the demands of the Program will be celebrated in a graduation ceremony each year.

Who is the Leadership Program for?

The ideal candidate for the Rirratjingu Leadership Program will generally:

  • demonstrate strong family and cultural values
  • be reliable and committed to the Program objectives.
  • demonstrate a keenness to be a leader of tomorrow
  • show potential to inspire others
  • be between the ages of 25-35 years old (not a strict criteria)

What can you expect from the program?

The Rirratjingu Emerging Leaders Program provides a foundation in learning across a range of topics designed to build awareness and knowledge.  Participants can expect an initial meeting to identify and understand what leadership means for them. The program will then be split into 3 main learning pillars:

  • Culture – Leading with forefathers’ values and inspiring changes for the future.
  • Governance – Developing an understanding of the governance, finance, business and the leadership qualities important as a director of a large corporation.
  • Responsibility – Understanding the responsibilities expected of leaders within the community.

Culture

Cultural leadership is a significant element for Indigenous leaders. With a strong history of cultural kinship, traditions, and duties, a Rirratjingu Aboriginal leader must uphold the Yolŋu values every day.

The Rirratjingu Leadership vision is inspired by our forefathers. They have encouraged our Elders to work diligently:

Participants can develop cultural leadership skills through various events, coaching and workshops. Previous programs have included:

Finding Your Connections Workshop

Indigenous leaders can work to understand their clan family tree and how they fit into their country. To influence change and focus on the future, it is important to respect the past and reflect on our history and relationships.

This workshop will enable participants to identify their connection to the Rirratjingu past and develop their personal goals for cultural leadership. They will participate in team-building activities and gain a deep understanding of the expectations that come with the role.

Day on Country – Waṉuwuy

A culturally safe environment is vital for our communities. Our emerging leaders should support their peers through the challenges they face.

The Day on Country workshop includes a visit to Waṉuwuy (Cape Arnhem) to spiritually reconnect to the land and to each other. Building a strong network between the Indigenous leaders will enhance their partnership to support the next generation.

Welcome to Country Leadership Skills

Rirratjingu directors are often tasked to deliver Welcome to Country to many meetings, graduations, and openings. Emerging Leaders will have an opportunity to lead our Welcome to Country obligations.

NAIDOC Celebration

Members of the Leadership Program will have the opportunity to develop our Yirrkala community celebrations for NAIDOC week. This can include cultural activities, including bush tucker cooking, bunggul (ceremonial dance), and manikay (ceremonial singing).

Governance

Participants may one day hold a position on the RAC board or one of RAC’s business subsidiaries. Our leadership program includes developing knowledge and awareness of governance, finance, directorships, business and board responsibilities.

Attend the RAC Board Meeting

Effective governance is managed by regular board meetings. Participants are invited to join our board meetings to learn about our governance and gain the confidence to thrive in a workplace setting.

Corporate Governance & Compliance Workshop

The principles of corporate workplace government and compliance regulations are complex and necessary. Participants will have the opportunity to understand the RAC rule book (constitution) and how a corporation operates.

This exposure will help the emerging leaders recognise their interests and aspirations, and decide if taking on the responsibilities of a director is something they wish to do.

Responsibility 

All Indigenous leaders must have self-awareness, discipline and be ready to take responsibility for their actions. The Program will develop tools to boost confidence and instil values that can be taken into any career or cultural leadership role.

Mental Wellbeing Leadership

Future leaders are encouraged to take responsibility for supporting the community and raising awareness of issues. The Yolŋu community is affected by many mental and physical health issues and look to their leaders for support.

Previous participants have planned a week event for the World Suicide Prevention initiative and delivered key, culturally relevant messages to their clan.

Rio Tinto

A primary focus for RAC and the emerging leader’s program is to support the community to be self-sufficient and thrive in a modern world. RAC has many business arms, including Rirratjingu Mining and Rirratjingu Enterprises which work closely with Rio Tinto. Previous participants have attended tours and workshops to explore career and professional development opportunities.

Our emerging leaders have a responsibility to boost the community’s self-worth, skills, and success.


FAQ’s

RAC provides all necessary resources for participants, including custom-designed t-shirts and stationery.

RAC is committed to ensuring the leadership program does not cost anything to participants.

All costs for attending events and fulfilling duties are covered, including:

  • Transport
  • Catering for every event or workshop
  • Partnerships
  • Events
  • Support for families

The leadership program is solely funded by Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation.

The profits made from our business arms, Rirratjingu Mining, Rirratjingu Fuel, and Rirratjingu Investments, are invested back into our community services.

RAC’s purpose is to ensure the Rirratjingu clan and wider Yolŋu communities can thrive and succeed in a world that is continually changing. All board members are passionate about developing the next generation of leaders for this purpose.

Sharing the knowledge, innovation, and large network RAC has can ensure emerging leaders are empowered to thrive.

The Program has been operating since 2019 and runs on an annual cycle.  The tailored approach to each participants needs allows them to return for a second or third year to further build their learning outcomes. 

The support from RAC continues beyond the program’s schedule. Participants can receive ongoing mentorship to achieve their future goals.

The program must enhance the Indigenous leader’s lives, rather than adding extra pressure. Therefore, all individual circumstances are taken into account when planning the schedule.

The minimum time commitment for participants is one workshop per month. If the program is extended, additional time may be needed for extra coaching or development opportunities.

The Program can help emerging leaders identify and set their individual goals and provide the support in guiding them forward.  

As part of laying the foundation for their success as a leader, the support to participants remains ongoing.  The program does not stop when the schedule ends. Participants can rely on the RAC network and keep working towards their individual goals.

“The leadership pathway is a journey through life.  The RAC Emerging Leaders Program provides the foundation for this journey, the first important steps.  The Rirratjingu people have a history of strong leaders.  The Program provides the opportunity for those with the capacity and motivation to start their leadership journey.   To those ready to follow in the responsibilities of those leaders that came before them.” – Danny Keep, RAC Special Advisor 

Emerging Leadership Program Alumni

RAC is proud of the program’s alumni and the unique ideas and objectives they set.
The support is not only provided to the participants. The innovation and vision members have can influence RAC’s strategy in return. We are thrilled to have alumni officially join our board and enhance our leadership.

Testimonials

“The Rirratjingu Emerging Leaders Program has helped me grow in many ways. As a director of the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, I found it helpful to learn about corporate governance. This knowledge helps me understand the processes in our meetings and make better decisions. The program has also given me the confidence and skills to support Yolŋu people on their career pathways, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned to help our community build a stronger future.” – Ishmael Marika

“The Rirratjingu Emerging Leaders Program has given me the confidence to take on leadership roles in my community and also in my role at the Barawun Centre, where I support Yolŋu people on their career pathways. One memory that was important to me was when I joined the trip to Charles Darwin University in Darwin with other emerging leaders as part of the program. It was here I learned about courses and training that can create future pathways, which was very important to me because I think of my community and their future“. – Djay’miny Marika

Application process

The selection process is managed by RAC directors and Elders who have a wide network within the Yolŋu community. Potential leaders are identified by their values, respect for the community, and potential to lead.

Individuals are unable to apply directly to the program but can express an interest in RAC. If you are intrigued by our Aboriginal Leadership Program or would like to recommend a potential leader, please get in touch with us!

Connect with Us

If you’re interested in our Aboriginal Leadership Program or know someone who would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you.

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