Applications open for 2024 Milparanga Emerging Leadership Program Lutruwita
Joseph Guenzler – August 27, 2024
Indigenous leaders are encouraged to apply for the Milparanga Emerging Leadership Program, aimed at enhancing leadership skills and positive change.
The program’s name, Milparanga, derives from the Mithaka language and means ‘watching over Country and its people.’
This concept is central to the program’s design, which is open to individuals aged 21 and over.
Led by Indigenous facilitators, the program is grounded in traditional knowledge systems, truth-telling, and culture.
Participants will engage in culturally safe environments, where they can collaborate and develop their leadership skills.
Walman Yawuru woman and Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Board Director Mena Waller noted that Milparanga graduates gain “self-awareness, confidence, and a strong network for driving change”.
“The Milparanga model is a powerful one, with almost 350 graduates,” she said.
“We are already seeing alumni utilise their experience and networks from the program to have positive influence in their respective spaces.
“Each graduate builds the skills, confidence and mindset to take what they’ve gained back into their communities and industries to influence change.”
The Milparanga Emerging Leadership Program, developed by the ALRF and funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and Torres Strait Regional Authority, will offer a leadership development opportunity for 17 Indigenous people dedicated to leadership in rural, regional, and remote Australia.
Over six days on Gimuy-walubarra Country (Cairns, QLD), participants will: Learn adaptive leadership to address opportunities and challenges in rural, regional, and remote areas; Explore cultural frameworks and their role in leadership; Strengthen belonging, connection, safety, trust, and collective action; Establish leadership purpose, vision, network, and strategy; Engage with Australia’s democratic political process to advance Indigenous people; and Acknowledge cultural wisdom and knowledge, and explore emerging narratives for Indigenous people.
Fellow Milparanga graduate, Banyjima man, and West Australian Aboriginal Justice Adviser Henry Lockyer notes that the program offers Indigenous leaders a chance to discuss issues and develop methods for deeper change.
“When we’re talking about our communities or families or mob, there’s almost an expectation to educate people and it creates a huge cultural load,” he said.
“Through Milparanga, none of us had to hold space for that. It was really liberating to be fully immersed and have some safe conversation without fear or worry about being really honest.
“I’d definitely encourage anyone to take the opportunity to prioritise and invest in yourself.”
The Milparanga Emerging Leadership Program offers 17 fully funded scholarships, supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and Torres Strait Regional Authority.
The 2024 program will take place from 13 to 18 November. Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 15 September.
More details and applications are available online.