Warlpiri Education and Training Trust's acknowledgement of education excellence at the recent National NAIDOC awards has been celebrated in Red Centre.
On Saturday, Warlpiri Education and Training Trust's (WETT) advisory committee was recognised for their nearly two decades of support across a range of programs and partnerships that align with Warlpiri education priorities in Yuendumu, Willowra, Nyirrpi, and Lajamanu.
The committee advises WETT on investing gold mining royalties in community-driven initiatives supporting education, as well as training priorities in the four communities.
The Newmont Tanami gold mine operates in the remote Tanami Desert, and is located on freehold land owned by the Warlpiri people and managed on their behalf by the Central Desert Aboriginal Lands Trust.
A Warlpiri-controlled and governed initiative administered through the Central Land Council (CLC), WETT has invested more than $57 million to support Yapa (Warlpiri people) across its five education program areas: children and families, language and culture in schools, youth development, secondary school support and learning community centres.
Receiving the award on behalf of her colleagues was Warlpiri woman Maisie Kitson, a retired teacher of more than 40 years who has been on the WETT advisory committee for the last 19 years and founded the trust in 2005.
"And when we heard 'Warlpiri Education and Training Trust,' we all hugged," Ms Kitson said.
"I was feeling happy and proud. And my tears were coming down."
Many of the WETT founding members are still on the advisory committee, with innovative measures being taken to support new and younger members in joining the committee in order to help them grow into the roles.
Member of the WETT advisory committee since 2007, educator and Lajamanu woman Sharon Anderson, accepted the award with Ms Kitson.
"It's for Warlpiri Education and Training Trust," she said.
"It's been a great achievement all those years of what we have been doing—all the work with the Kurra Directors, community members, and [project] partners.
"Everyone is getting involved in children's education. It's for all Warlpiri.
"I thought of the Elders, educators and founding [WETT] members who have been guiding us along our journey. And the four Warlpiri communities."
The advisory committee, which comprises four Warlpiri representatives from the four communities and one each from Newmont and the CLC, helps to play a vital role in the design, planning and monitoring of WETT-funded initiatives.
It meets three times a year to advise the directors of the Kurra Aboriginal Corporation, whose members are the Traditional Owners of the mine site. The directors are guided by this advice and then allocate funding to the WETT programs.
