ASPIRING LEADERS: INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

By Sarah Muller History Teacher – Senior School

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2024, Now More Than Ever, calls for active support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in pursuing treaties, truth-telling, education, and tangible change.

As part of this week, 15 teachers from across the ELC, Junior School, and Senior School’s Aspiring Leaders programme travelled to Tumbarumba, Ngarigo Country, to reflect deeply on Indigenous perspectives and observe models of leadership.

In Tumbarumba, we met with Uncle Craig Wilesmith, the co-ordinator of Ngarigo Little Hawk Indigenous Education. He led us on a tour of the new educational facilities at Gudja Gudja Cultural Reserve while sharing his experiences of leading his community in a groundswell of change aimed at embracing Indigenous knowledge and celebrating local Ngarigo culture.

“Come on the journey together” is the driving idea that underpins Uncle Craig’s vision for his community. To achieve this, he emphasised the power of effective communication. He reinforced that approaching conversations with an open mind and gentle words is key in community engagement, as in education, leadership, and reconciliation.

Back in Tumbarumba, we were guided by our inspirational Indigenous Student Co-ordinator, Emily Coleman, in an Acknowledgement of Country. She then led us in a meaningful task to foster stronger connections among us. Significant ideas that emerged from our reflections included:

• The reciprocal respect inherent in Indigenous leadership

• The importance of circles in supporting group decision-making and sharing: “It is a shape of respect, connection, and equal status.”

• That Elders in the Tumbarumba Ngarigo mob cultivated personal skill sets that they brought to their community, which prompted us to reflect on our skills and passions.

As leaders and educators, Uncle Craig also encouraged us to practise Deep Listening and place respect for others and Country at the heart of everything we do.

The awe-inspiring arboretum at Pilot Hill provided the perfect space to reflect on these ideas. Established in the 1920s, the arboretum is home to 50 tree species worldwide, nestled within the picturesque native forest of Alpine Ash—a fitting metaphor for reconciliation. In 2019 – 2020, bushfires swept through much of the region, causing catastrophic destruction. Yet, the heart of the arboretum miraculously survived. The community has worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the area, creating stunning reflective spaces and beautiful sculptures for visitors to admire and ponder.

As we journeyed through the arboretum, we were guided by two poems and a series of prompting questions on leadership. The first was a blessing by Irish poet and author John O’Donohue, titled For a Leader. One line that resonated with many that day was: “May you learn to cultivate the art of presence.” The second was a poem by Wiradjuri woman Michele ‘Mickey’ Hetherington, titled Pass it On. It served as a timely reminder of the important role of Elders as knowledge holders:

Michele Hetherington’s poem beautifully connected with Emily’s teachings on the importance of understanding our context and the backgrounds of those we journey with. This practice reminds us to reflect on the sources of our personal strength and encourages us to seek out the strengths in others. This strengths-based approach is fundamental to Indigenous leadership.

Reconciliation Week reminds us that Now More Than Ever, the work continues. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. We need leadership. And we need change. What does this look like for you in your context?