Leading Indigenous rights organisation, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTAR) has appointed their first Indigenous President in its 27-year history.
The leading national advocacy organisation committed to achieving rights, justice and respect for First Nations Peoples in Australia announced this week the appointment Des Rogers, an Elder from the Pertame clan of Central Australia as president.
Furthermore, Quandamooka/Wakka Wakka woman, Shae Lake, has been appointed ANTAR's secretary, meaning ANTAR's Board now has a majority Indigenous representation, with six out of nine board members identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Mr Rogers, who has served as an ANTAR board director for the past five years, brings over three decades of leadership experience in social and community services.
The founder and managing Director of the recently relaunched Indigenous Perspectives has also served on the boards of OXFAM Australia and Murri Watch, and said he was "honoured" to step into the role of president.
Acknowledging Peter Lewis, ANTAR's president for the last 14 years and one of its founding members, he said he sees himself as "one of those Blackfulla warriors who keeps on fighting the frontier wars".
"Some say they went from 1788 to 1934. No! The culture wars continue, particularly under conservative governments who continue to work against us; ignoring all the evidence that contradicts their punitive, neo-colonial ways," Mr Rogers said.
"Child removal. Incarceration. Dishonesty and lies. An inability to listen to Blackfulla that shows up over and over again in the failure to close the gap. For as long as those wars continue, and for as long as I can, the fight goes on."
Ms Lake, who has served as an ANTAR Board Director since 2017 and is also director of corporate services at Indigenous Perspectives, has a background in governance and organisation change.
"Being appointed as Secretary of ANTAR is a privilege and an opportunity to contribute to a powerful movement for justice and reconciliation," Ms Lake said.
"The historic majority Indigenous representation on the Board ensures we are leading the way with the voices of First Nations peoples at the forefront. I am committed to supporting ANTAR's vital work and ensuring the voices of our peoples are heard and acted upon."
ANTAR national director, Blake Cansdale, said the appointment of Mr Rogers and Ms Lake marks a "significant and historic step" for the organisation.
"Their experience, leadership and deep connections to community will strengthen our work in advocating for justice, truth and reconciliation," Mr Cansdale said.
"With a majority First Nations Board now leading ANTAR, we are better positioned than ever to amplify First Nations voices and deliver meaningful outcomes. We look forward to working alongside Des, Shae and the entire Board to advance the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
Mr Rogers, in promoting the work of ANTAR, said whilst sustaining the organisation into the future was "challenging," he was confident the hard work of the staff would ensure a "long future ahead".
"ANTAR is for all of us – for the 6.2 million who voted YES in the Voice to Parliament Referendum and for those who are committed to continuing to walk together for a stronger, more equitable future for our country," he said.
"And for the others who need a bit more prompting to join us all on our journey."
