Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney is set to discuss how First Nations women hold the keys to unlocking a stronger future for their communities at a major summit.
Tuesday marked the first of three days of discussion around driving positive change, policy and the stories of self-determination and leadership at the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women's Voices) National Summit on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
On Wednesday Ms Burney will address the 800 First Nations women gathered at the National Convention Centre.
The Minister is expected to touch on social change and the pursuit of improved outcomes for First Nations families and communities, youth justice and domestic and family violence, current federal government policy commitments, and possible outcomes of the summit itself.
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament has a spot of its own on the agenda.
The Summit is designed to give First Nations women a platform to speak on their own terms to government, policymakers and service providers about the concerns they face.
More than 70 speakers will present on subjects including culture, intergenerational wellbeing, empowerment, and the protection of land, water and language.
Professor Marcia Langton, Professor Hannah McGlade and Professor Jackie Huggins, filmmaker and producer Rachel Perkins, family and domestic violence advocate Antoinette Braybrook, and former Senator and Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris join Ms Burney on the list of speakers.
"First Nations women know what is needed to nurture and protect our families and communities," AHRC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar said.
"We have the knowledge, we have the skills, we have the networks and, most importantly, we have the determination. We are ready, and have always been ready to transform our cultural power, knowledges and lived experiences into effective policy and program outcomes.
"This is what the Summit and Wiyi Yani U Thangani as a national initiative is all about."
