Indigenous Leadership Summit Perth 2026

Pre-conference Workshop

First Nations Leadership Masterclass

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This one-day masterclass is designed specifically for Indigenous staff and future leaders to rise to greater levels of influence, responsibility and decision-making. It will challenge your assumptions, expand and develop your mindset, skillset and toolsets to become a more effective leader whilst navigating some of the challenges Indigenous professionals can face in the workplace. Throughout the day, you will explore frameworks and tools, emotional intelligence, develop your unique leadership style, navigate workplace cultural challenges, learn powerful verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and exert your personal influence and build a foundation for positive influence and success.

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Understand the value and importance of leadership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Confidence you need to navigate your role and engage with multiple stakeholders
• Internalise leadership styles, qualities, and behaviours
• Develop strategic leadership skills that are effective & informed by both Indigenous culture & Western best practice
• Deepen cultural awareness & identity in the context of business leadership
• Take Away practical skills such as negotiating, problem-solving and above-the-line thinking
• Develop your unique, authentic leadership style
• Influence and engage with others with more impact and presence
• Deepen & broaden your worldview and ability to coordinate different perspectives
• Contribute to the development of Indigenous leaders and staff within your organisation

Conference Day 1

9:00 AM Opening Remarks from the Chair & Acknowledgment of Country

SESSION 1: OPENING KEYTNOTE ADDRESS

9:40 AM:  Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Bridging the Past, Present and Future through Indigenous Leadership

We live in a time of rapid change - socially, politically, and environmentally. As the political spectrum becomes increasingly polarised and threatens inclusion and truth-telling, Indigenous leadership must stand firm in its foundations of persistence and resistance.
For thousands of generations, Noongar communities have remained strong and resilient, sustained by our Moort, Boodja and Katitijin. These enduring pillars have guided our Birdiya and our people through the deep impacts of colonisation, dispossession, and systemic injustice.
Today, we stand on the shoulders of these giants. It is our duty to ensure that community and culture remain strong by leading in ways that honour our Birdiya, uphold our cultural protocols, and walking in both worlds. Our communities must be empowered to be culturally strong and successful in contemporary society, not forced to choose between the two.
This session will explore how we can integrate integrity, intergenerational wisdom, and a commitment to cultural continuity with our contemporary circumstances to lead our communities into the future. We will delve into how Indigenous leadership can confront systemic challenges, resist erasure, and persist in shaping a future where our people not only survive but can thrive.

10:30 AM: IT’S TIME….FOR NETWORKING!

10:50 AM MORNING TEA

SESSION 2 11:20 AM: Rising Through the Storm: Mechelle’s Leadership Journey

When the pressure mounts, true leaders rise. In this energising session, Mechelle shares her lived journey showing what leadership looks like when it’s tested. Drawing on deep community ties and hard-earned wisdom, Mechelle reveals how resilience, respect, and courageous dialogue can build trust and drive change. Her story is a call to action for leaders across sectors: when the chips are down, will you crumble—or rise?

SESSION 3: EXCLUSIVE Q&A  FIRESIDE CHAT 12:10 PM: The Power of Indigenous Talent and Leadership

This session explores the transformative impact of elevating Indigenous talent and creating pathways to leadership. The speaker will share insights on breaking down barriers, rethinking recruitment and advancement practices, and ensuring Indigenous professionals are supported to thrive at the highest levels of business, government, and community. Attendees will be challenged to move beyond talk of diversity and commit to actions that drive real change, opening doors for Indigenous leaders to shape the future on their own terms.

1:10 PM LUNCH

SESSION 4 2:10 PM: Leading from Country and Culture

Harley Johnston will share his journey of leading across two worlds, drawing on his experience in education, heritage, community engagement and First Nations leadership roles. He will explore how culture and country shape authentic leadership, the challenges of working within systems not designed for Indigenous voices, and the principles he has used to bridge those spaces. With stories from his work in native title, heritage and education, Harley will offer insights into building trust, listening deeply, and mentoring the next generation of leaders, while showing how cultural knowledge can guide stronger and more inclusive decision-making.

SESSION 5 3:00 PM: Leadership in Aboriginal Community Services

This session explores how dedicated leaders can transform systemic obstacles into opportunities for Indigenous communities, through Jon Griffin’s journey from elite sports coaching to leading critical community services. As Regional Manager for Aboriginal Community Water Services, Jon works within Water Corporation’s commitment to providing safe and reliable water services to Aboriginal communities while implementing their “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” strategy that ensures Aboriginal culture directly informs decision making. Attendees will hear how ensuring water access and heritage protection showcases strategies for creating sustainable change that protects heritage while building better futures for generations to come.

3:50 PM AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: KEYNOTE ADDRESS & Q&A 4:10 PM: Blazing Your Trail: How Being Female, Indigenous and LQBTIQ in Media Shaped My Career and Life

In this session, Narelda Jacobs, a trailblazer as the first gay Indigenous woman on Australian television, will share her unique experiences and insights into how her intersectional identity has shaped her career and life. Narelda will discuss the challenges and triumphs she has faced in breaking barriers in the media industry, and how her identity as a proud Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ woman has influenced her approach to storytelling and advocacy. She will explore the importance of representation in media and the powerful impact that diverse voices can have on society. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how embracing one’s full identity can enrich professional work, foster inclusivity, and drive meaningful change in the community.

5:10 PM END OF DAY ONE & NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2

09:00 Opening remarks from the chair

SESSION 1 9:05 AM: Creating Pathways for Indigenous Participation

This session explores how leaders can open doors and create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous communities. The speaker will highlight the importance of building respectful partnerships, ensuring cultural safety, and fostering environments where Indigenous businesses and jobseekers can thrive. With a focus on long-term outcomes and sustainable inclusion, attendees will learn how leadership can move beyond surface-level commitments to deliver real pathways that empower Indigenous participation and strengthen communities.

SESSION 2 10:00 AM: Striving for Excellence: Lessons in Leadership and Growth

Karen has built her career on a commitment to excellence, resilience and the drive to deliver meaningful outcomes for people and organisations. In this session, Karen will share her journey of professional growth, focusing on how consistently aiming for excellence has shaped her leadership style and opened pathways for career progression. She will explore the habits, values and decisions that helped her step into senior leadership, and the lessons she has learnt along the way about building trust, influencing change and leading with integrity.

10:50 AM MORNING TEA

SESSION 3 11:20 AM: Building Pathways for Indigenous Leadership in Construction

Georgiou Group is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through employment, training and business partnerships. In this session, a senior leader will share how the company integrates Indigenous engagement into major projects, supports career development both on site and in professional roles, and builds strong, respectful relationships with communities. Attendees will hear practical insights on fostering inclusion, growing Indigenous leadership and creating lasting impact beyond project delivery.

SESSION 4: KEYNOTE ADDRESS 12:10 PM: Finding Your Path and Helping Your Community to Find Theirs: A Story of One of Australia’s Most Loved Film and Television Personalities

Ernie is a passionate advocate for his people and is vigilant about the portrayal of Aboriginals in f ilm and television. He has won numerous awards and accolades and in 1997 was declared one of Australia’s Top 100 national living treasures. His talents as an actor, television host, reporter and comedian have made him one of Australia’s best known and most loved performers. In this exclusive session, Ernie will discuss how he found his own path to success to become one of Australia’s most recognised performers, what he does now to give back to his community and how others can learn from life lessons to find their own path.

1:00 PM LUNCH

SESSION 5 1:50 PM: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Indigenous Leadership in Local Government

This session explores the challenges Indigenous leaders face in navigating systems that were not built for them, through the lens of Jodie’s journey. Attendees will hear how Jodie’s resilience, advocacy, and cultural strength have enabled her to identify community needs, develop self-reliant Indigenous organisations, and represent her community at regional forums, proving that authentic leadership rooted in cultural knowledge can build bridges between traditional systems and Indigenous communities, paving the way for future generations to thrive.

SESSION 6: EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT Q&A 2:40 PM: Building Pathways for Indigenous Leadership in Construction

Georgiou Group is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through employment, training and business partnerships. In this session, a senior leader will share how the company integrates Indigenous engagement into major projects, supports career development both on site and in professional roles, and builds strong, respectful relationships with communities. Attendees will hear practical insights on fostering inclusion, growing Indigenous leadership and creating lasting impact beyond project delivery.

3:40 PM AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 7 3:50 PM: Accidental Leadership: Learning, Listening and Leading with Purpose

4:30 PM END OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshop

09:00 AM - 12:30 PM Achieving cultural capability & competency throughout your organisation

The economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples provides a real path to reconciliation – and also allows the strengthening of ethical behaviour whilst working more effectively with Indigenous communities. This half-day workshop will give organisations and individuals the skills to strengthen ethical behaviour by developing an understanding of obligations and responsibilities to Land and to each other - as Aboriginal people have practised for thousands of years. You will build your cultural capability to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community and lead Aboriginal staff with greater impact and empathy.

Most importantly,you will improve retention of Aboriginal staff, make sure your employers, supervisors, and workplaces understand Aboriginal experience and what they can do to make Aboriginal employment work.

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Gain knowledge and awareness of cultural identity in relation to colleagues, clients, customers, suppliers and the wider community
• Appreciate the different behavioural styles of people from different cultures
• Understand the type of languages (written and spoken) that is generated in a particular field and the cultural assumptions and underpinning language
• Gain a greater attitude of tolerance towards differences
• Upskill your ability to work more harmoniously
• Appreciate Aboriginal approaches to teaching and more effectively with others learning
• Put advice and information into appropriate language for the receiver

Post-conference Workshop 2.

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Writing and developing an effective Reconciliation Action Plan

Reconciliation Action Plans make a massive difference across all sectors in Australian workplaces. RAPs are a powerful tool for advancing reconciliation in Australia. RAP frameworks assist organisations to foster relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, organisations, and the broader Australian community, all the while embedding respect for the world’s longest surviving culture. By developing a nationally recognised, tried and tested model for workplaces to formalisecommitments to reconciliation, RAPs help to foster a community of shared value, goals and a common language when it comes to reconciliation. This half day workshop is for organisations at any stage of RAP development, implementation or refinement. It will cover initial development of ideas, activities or programs which align with your particular business or brand and work to support Indigenous communities and people. It will provide advice on all aspects of RAP development around the three pillars of Respect, Relationships and Opportunities including Indigenous employment, recruitment and retention, cultural protocols, developing partnerships and sponsorships, establishing networks and engaging with Indigenous communities in your organisation’s region and more broadly.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Implement a tried and tested framework that is proven to drive reconciliation through practical actions
• Turn your organisation’s good intentions into action by formalising your organisation’s commitment to reconciliation
• Reaffirm institutional integrity by embedding an engaging framework contributingtowards good governance practices
• Join a dynamic, supportive and fast growing network of RAP organisations
• Gain greater esteem as an employer of choice and build a more dynamic and diverse workforce
• Enable your staff to develop greater cultural awareness and professional development practices that will strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders
• Ensure more effective and relevant service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander peoples and communities