Janine Dureau a Derby-born Nyikina woman, was announced as the 2023 Bill Armstrong AO Human Rights Award winner at an online event live-streamed from Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday.
Hosted by Community First Development, an Aboriginal community development and research organisation, the Award provides an opportunity to identify and honour those who are doing outstanding work with First Nations' people and communities, exemplifying self-determination in practice.
This year, the fourth year of this Award, Community First Development received many strong and worthy nominations, including for several inspiring First Nations' leaders.
Following the Panel's deliberations, Ms Dureau was announced as the 2023 Award winner "in recognition of her passion and dedication to empowering and strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal people, families and communities to improve their quality of life".
Ms Dureau has held roles in community development, aged care, youth, children's and women's rights, where she has provided aspiration, leadership and excelled in her capacity to represent the voices of those who are often unheard.
Over a thirty-year period, she has led several campaigns and initiatives focused on culture and leadership for and on behalf of the Aboriginal community. She is currently the Chair of the Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council which she established with the support of 100 Aboriginal women.
On receiving the Award, Ms Dureau dedicated it to those 100 women.
"We know the Council will make a great difference for the betterment of the generations to come," she said.
This year,the Award Panel also issued a Special Commendation to Rayleen Brown.
Ms Brown is the Founder and Owner of Kungkas Can Cook and is well-known and respected for her insistence on using only wild harvest bush foods sourced directly from the women who gather the food, to support livelihoods and the continuation of connection to story and Country.
She was instrumental in establishing the Australian Bush Foods Alliance, the "only First Nations owned and led peak body dedicated to protecting the integrity and authenticity of sovereign foods and botanicals".
"For me it's been a massive journey to bring our people to the world again and try to take back our food sovereignty. It's about recognising our contribution to an industry that is worth quite a bit of money now," Ms Brown said.
"Our people struggle to have our Intellectual Property rights respected. As yet, there are no requirements set in place around returning value back to people doing the wild harvesting."
The 2023 Award event coincided with the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. was emceed by Rae Johnston, a proud Wiradjuri woman, and featured a passionate speech on human rights by Ian Hamn, a proud Yorta Yorta man.
Presented annually, the Bill Armstrong AO Human Rights Award celebrates those who are pushing through adversity and challenges to create positive outcomes in human rights for First Nations' people.
