Nicole Brown's journey to becoming the only First Nations candidate for Lord Mayor in the 2025 City of Darwin local government election has been shaped by a lifetime of service; to her people, her city, and her culture.

A proud First Nations Australian woman with connections to Larrakia, Malak Malak and Yanyuwa, as well as Chinese, Filipino, English, and American heritage, she carries the values of her ancestors — resilience, integrity, and service to community — into her work.

"I knew I had to run for Lord Mayor the moment I realised I could no longer just advocate from the sidelines. I needed to be in the space where the decisions are made," she told National Indigenous Times.

"As a proud First Nations woman, my identity is not just part of who I am, it's my compass. It guides every choice I make and reminds me that leadership is about service, not status. I want to bring that cultural authority and community-first approach into Council."

Ms Brown said that at a recent meet-and-greet, a mum brought her four-year-old daughter, dressed as Minnie Mouse on her way to the Teddy Bears Picnic, so she could see for herself that the candidate was real, and snap a photo with "the lady with the pink signs on the road".

In that moment, Ms Brown said, she was reminded why she does what she does; she's "not part of the political establishment" but "a mum, a neighbour, a local who loves Darwin with all her heart".

"(Leadership) is about creating real change where it's needed most, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," she said.

Through her consultancy, Following In Their Footsteps, Ms Brown has worked to ensure Indigenous voices "central to decision-making". She's mentored young leaders, championed economic empowerment for First Nations-owned businesses, and "created culturally safe spaces where connection and collaboration can thrive".

"I've seen firsthand how supporting local procurement can change lives," she told National Indigenous Times.

"I've worked on projects where a First Nations business owner finally got their foot in the door and went on to employ more local people, putting food on tables and keeping money in the Territory. It's not just business, it's building community strength and independence."

Ms Brown has served as Deputy Chair of the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, sat on the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce board, and represented Indigenous Australia through the US State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.

She said wherever she is working, her aim is to "uplift our community and build a stronger future for the next generation".

Mr Brown said that purpose is the foundation of her campaign for Lord Mayor, "built on three priorities: Families, Business, and Community".

"Families are the heartbeat of Darwin, and for me it's personal. I'm a mum, a daughter, and a proud Territorian," she said.

"I know what it feels like to want a safe park for your child to play in, to have a footpath that your dad can use after his stroke, or to have events where everyone feels welcome. Those small things make the biggest difference, and that's what I want to deliver."

Ms Brown said "business is a driver of opportunity", and Darwin needs to be made a better place for enterprise, with a focus on "cutting red tape, improving council response times, supporting local procurement to keep investment in the Territory, activating main streets with smart solutions, and building partnerships that make Darwin a place to invest, live, and work".

"A truly inclusive Darwin is one where everyone feels they belong, whether you've lived here all your life or arrived yesterday," she said on the subject of community.

"It's a city where our public spaces feel welcoming, our programs reflect the diversity of our people, and our neighbourhoods are safe and connected. That's the kind of city I want to help build.

"My great-grandfather, Babe Damaso, was a man of quiet strength and fierce determination. He fought for civil rights and never shied away from doing what was right, even when it was hard. From him I learned resilience, humility, and the power of standing up for your people. Those lessons are at the heart of everything I do."

The election on Saturday could see Ms Brown take on Darwin's top job, a position she says she would use to "lead with cultural authority, make decisions that reflect the needs of all Darwinites, and ensure First Nations voices are part of shaping the city's future".

Note: Nicole Brown has previously contributed to National Indigenous Times as a freelance journalist.