Aboriginal-led development – the case of the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust

ABSTRACT

This case study explores the developmental practices and institutional environment which have supported the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust to build a sense of Aboriginal agency and ownership over efforts to promote development in remote central Australia. Drawing on interview data with practitioners and Aboriginal participants, the study demonstrates that flexible, adaptive practices which embrace learning and prioritise respectful relationships in pursuit of culturally appropriate fit-for-purpose governance is conducive to supporting Aboriginal-led development. The study further identifies the importance of institutional settings that enable this work, including relational leadership, long-term commitment, risk appetite, creating space for reflection and adaptation, and appropriate recruitment. It also identifies the constraints on the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust (WETT) within the contemporary political economy of Indigenous affairs, which limit the extent to which such practices and institutions can, by themselves, further Aboriginal-led development approaches.

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institution, self-determination, locally led development, Aboriginal-led development, governance, adaptive practice, authorising environment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Data availability statement

Data collated for this study are stored by the Central Land Council. In keeping with the terms of the Human Research Ethical Council approval for this research, these data are not available to a public audience.

Ethical approval information

Ethics approval for this research was provided by the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee with approval number HEC20266.

Notes

1 In Warlpiri language, Yapa is a commonly used term to refer to an Aboriginal person or people and Kardiya is a commonly used term to refer to a non-Aboriginal person or people.

2 Partner agencies include both government departments and non-government organisations (NGOs).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Central Land Council.

Notes on contributors

Louise Stanley

Louise Stanley is a former ‘Senior Community Development Officer – Warlpiri Education and Training Trust’ at the Central Land Council. Louise completed her Masters of International Development with the Institute of Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University. Research for this article was undertaken as part of her Master’s thesis study. Louise is currently Manager at Nama Jalu Consulting supporting Aboriginal community-led development projects across Australia. She is also a Research Assistant at the Institute of Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University.