Indigenous Governance Awards 2026
Gala Dinner
The Indigenous Governance Awards (IGA) are held every two years and are proudly presented in partnership by Reconciliation Australia with the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute.
The gala dinner, hosted on the first night of the conference, showcases and celebrates finalists from the Indigenous Governance Awards 2026.
It will be hosted by Whadjuk Noongar woman Narelda Jacobs OAM and feature a special performance from Gumbaynngirr and Noongar singer Emma Donovan and her band.
Where: The Plenary Room, Adelaide Convention Centre
When: 6pm - 9:30pm Thursday 5 November
Finalists
Click on the finalist to find out more about them!
Category 1: Unincorporated organisations and groups
Bindjareb Djilba Kaadadjan Bidi Yarning Circle
The Bindjareb Djilba Kaadadjan Bidi Yarning Circle was formed in 2022 to address the declining health of the Bindjareb Djilba (Peel-Harvey Estuary) and the historical fragmentation of the Bindjareb Noongar voice in regional decision making.
The region’s three Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations – Winjan, Harvey and Waroona Aboriginal Corporations – came together to address these crises and build a new model of governance to ensure Traditional Owners could speak for Country with one united and authoritative voice.
The Yarning Circle’s members are decided by Elders based on cultural authority. This governance model rejects western hierarchical voting systems in favour of consensus-based decision-making. The members work closely with the WA Government to ensure the integration of Noongar values into land-use and water management decisions.
Together with their communities, they work to actualise the Bindjareb Gabi Wonga (Water Story), a strategic vision authored by Elders to heal the estuary.
Northern Nunga Network
The Northern Nunga Network was established in 2021 to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and social service providers so they can better meet the needs of communities across northern Adelaide.
The network is led by a Steering Committee who draw on the feedback of members to refine and strengthen network activities. The committee is comprised of five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women employed across local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, government and non-government organisations in the health and social service system.
With its unique non-hierarchical governance model, the network ensures all decisions are made by and for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Wukul Yabang Aboriginal Health Research Community Panel
Wukul Yabang (One Path), was established in 2023 to transform how Aboriginal health research is conducted across the Hunter New England region. The panel ensures Aboriginal people hold authority over research that affects their communities and that research delivers meaningful outcomes for First Nations peoples.
Wakul Yabang forms part of the Research Our Way strategy developed in partnership with The University of Newcastle, Awabakal Limited Aboriginal Medical Service, the Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Local Health District. This strategy centres sovereignty, cultural governance, and place-based decision-making in research processes.
Wukul Yabang brings together Elders, Traditional Owners, health professionals, researchers and community representatives to ensure governance reflects both cultural authority and lived community experience, alongside research expertise.
Category 2: Small-to-medium incorporated organisations
Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival Limited
Blak & Bright was created in 2016 to address the absence of a dedicated platform led by and for First Nations writers and storytellers. It has since grown into a nationally recognised, First Nations literary organisation delivering programming across multiple cities and communities, deepening industry relationships and creating consistent opportunities for First Nations storytellers and audiences.
Blak & Bright champions intellectual sovereignty, fair remuneration and meaningful pathways for First Nations creatives early in their careers. It is working towards a stable and self-determined First Nations literary institution that shapes industry standards, grows audiences for First Nations literature and delivers lasting cultural and community impact.
Ngrragoonda Aboriginal Corporation
Established in 2014 following the formal recognition of the Gudjala People’s Native Title rights, Ngrragoonda Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) was created to ensure Gudjala People could exercise decision-making authority over Country through governance that is both culturally grounded and legally robust.
NAC works to protect cultural heritage, manage community assets and create pathways towards economic sovereignty and self-determination. Its work spans native title and cultural heritage management, agreement-making with government and industry, and ranger initiatives.
NAC’s governance is rooted in lore, kinship and responsibility to Country, with decision-making processes that ensure traditional systems of authority guide governance. Knowledge transfer is embedded through mentoring, workshops and committee participation, preparing the next generation of Gudjala leaders.
Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation
Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation (PPAC) serves the Narungga community of Point Pearce on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. It supports community members, families, Elders and young people through governance, land and asset management, youth programs, ranger initiatives, infrastructure projects and cultural activities that strengthen local self-determination and long-term community resilience.
The formation of PPAC created a formal governance body capable of holding leases, managing funding agreements, entering partnerships and advocating directly for community interests.
The organisation was built to ensure that revenue generated from community assets would be directed toward local priorities rather than administered remotely.
Category 3: Large incorporated organisations
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1992 by Yolŋu Traditional Owners in northeast Arnhem Land in response to increasing pressure on Country from mining, tourism, and external management systems.
Today, Dhimurru manages approximately 550,000 hectares of land and sea Country, delivering large-scale environmental, cultural, and community outcomes under Yolŋu governance.
Its governance is customised to local environmental conditions by incorporating the Yolŋu seasonal calendar into operational planning. Rangers use the seasonal calendar to guide burning programs, harvesting of pandanus, monitoring environmental indicators, and planning seasonal work activities.
Dhimurru operates under a kinship-based governance system grounded in Yolŋu Gurruṯu, where authority and responsibility are determined through relationships to Country and clan.
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
Jabalbina was established in 2007 following the recognition of Native Title and the negotiation of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs). With the return of significant areas of land through the ILUAs, there was a clear need for a strong, culturally led organisation capable of coordinating land management, supporting governance structures, and ensuring that decisions affecting Country were made by Traditional Owners in accordance with cultural lore and custom.
Jabalbina meets this need through a culturally governed structure that supports Eastern Kuku Yalanji People to exercise their rights and responsibilities for Bubu (Country), including land and sea management, cultural heritage protection, and the implementation of ILUA commitments.
Since its establishment, Jabalbina has grown into the central coordinating body for cultural, environmental, economic and community programs across Eastern Kuku Yalanji Country. It leads ranger programs, cultural heritage services, youth development initiatives, tourism and economic development projects.
Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation
Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) was established in October 2017 to improve the health and wellbeing of young people through support, education, training and employment opportunities, strong partnerships, and capacity building initiatives.
WYAC has since expanded its youth and family support programs, and developed employment, training and social enterprise initiatives to further support its young people. These initiatives include a mechanical workshop, garden maintenance and rural skills programs.
WYAC was unable to proceed to the site visit stage of the judging process but they retain their status as finalists.
Entertainment: Emma Donovan
Acclaimed singer and songwriter Emma Donovan will perform with her band at the Indigenous Governance Awards 2026 Gala Dinner.
Emma's powerful voice and grounded storytelling pay tribute to both her Gumbaynggirr and Noongar cultures, and to the Black American artists who have influenced her decades-long career.
Emma's music is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage and often features songs in language. Her work continues to inspire and resonate, making her a vital voice in Australia's music landscape.
Host: Narelda Jacobs OAM
Narelda Jacobs OAM is a Whadjuk Noongar journalist, presenter and author. Her career at Network 10 spans more than a quarter of a century.
You'll also find her on NITV and SBS, the ABC, podcast airwaves, in documentaries and Australian dramas, hosting events and sharing her lived experience around the country and internationally.
Narelda gives back to her community through numerous ambassadorial and board roles, and is a proud patron of The Westerman Jilya Institute, the WA Aboriginal Leadership Institute, and Deadly Science.
Don't miss out on this unique event. Tickets for the IGA Gala are included in every full conference package or can be bought separately here.