Indigenous leaders in education have been recognised ahead of the National NAIDOC Awards in Boorloo/Perth next month.
The National NAIDOC Committee have announced Mabo Centre director Professor Eddie Cubillo, Edith Cowan University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students, Equity and Indigenous) Braden Hill, and digital education platform Jajoo Warrngara – The Culture Classroom's education team as finalists.
Awards will also be announced in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Female and Male Elder, Sportsperson, Youth, Creative talent, Caring for Country and Culture, Innovation and NAIDOC Person of the year at the ceremony on July 5.
The education award recognises exceptional individuals and groups in the education sector (including early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational, and any other education groups) who have made a difference to the lives of students and communities.
The award seeks to recognise individuals and groups who have made a demonstrable contribution to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Professor Cubillo was previously Associate Dean of Indigenous Programs at Melbourne Law School as well as serving as Director of its Indigenous Law and Justice Hub, National NAIDOC wrote in their finalists announcement.
He has also previously served as NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, NT Royal Commission director of community engagement and as an executive officer at NATSILS.
National NAIDOC said Professor Hill is a "national leader in Indigenous higher education and equity, he has driven transformative initiatives enhancing student experience and success for a range of diverse cohorts".
"A powerful advocate for change, Professor Hill combines academic leadership with digital influence reaching over 50k followers on TikTok to challenge stereotypes, amplify diverse voices, and foster a more inclusive future in higher education and beyond."
Professor Hill been recognised for research across Indigenous education, identity politics and LGBTQIA+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' experiences.
Launched in 2022, Jajoo Warrngara - The Culture Classroom delivers curriculum-aligned digital education resources embredding First Nations perspectives into classrooms from early schooling to year 10.
"Our lessons come with interactive bilingual books, videos, discovery maps, cultural protocols and lesson guides, all designed with First Nations communities," Jajoo Warrngara - The Culture Classroom states.
A social enterprise, founded by SharingStories Foundation, Jajoo Warrngara reinvests 50 per cent of its revenue back into the communities who co-developed their work.
National NAIDOC Week begins July 6, celebrating 2025's theme 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'.
