EAST KIMBERLEY ABORIGINAL AWARDS | 2023

The Abbey Forrest Aboriginal Emerging Leader Award is an honorable award that recognises outstanding young Aboriginal individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and commitment to excellence in their chosen field.

The award is named in honor of Abbey Forrest, an Aboriginal young person who was awarded Junior Person of the Year at the East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards in 2019 and was widely loved and respected throughout the community.

The award is given to Aboriginal young people who have shown outstanding leadership qualities in areas such as employment, extracurricular activities inclusive of sport, or who have demonstrated self-determination and resilience in their academic pursuits. Recipients of the award are recognised for their exceptional talent, determination, and commitment to excellence, as well as their potential to become future leaders and role models in their communities.

The Aboriginal Elder of the Year Award recognises an outstanding Aboriginal Elder for their exceptional contributions and achievements within the East Kimberley community and beyond. This award aims to honor the wisdom, leadership, and guidance provided by Aboriginal Elders, who play a significant role in our community.

Nominees for the award should demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to the advancement of Aboriginal peoples and their communities. This could include promoting cultural awareness and understanding, advocating for Aboriginal  rights and issues, providing guidance and support to individuals or groups within their community, and preserving and sharing traditional knowledge and practices.

The Outstanding Aboriginal Individual Contributor to Culture & Community Award recognises an Aboriginal person who has made significant contributions to their community and cultural heritage. This award seeks to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication in promoting and preserving Aboriginal culture, language, traditions, and values.

The recipient of this award is someone who has positively impacted their community through their work in areas such as education, health, social services, the arts, or other fields. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal peoples and have worked to create positive change through their actions.

Nominees for this award should have a strong record of achievement and be recognised as role models and leaders in their community. They should have demonstrated a deep understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and traditions and worked to promote and preserve them for future generations.

The Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal Education, Employment/Training & Disability Services Award is a recognition award given to individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to improving the lives of Aboriginal people in the areas of education, employment/training, and disability services.

This award acknowledges the importance of supporting Aboriginal communities in overcoming the challenges they face in these areas. It recognises the tireless efforts of individuals and organisations in creating opportunities for Aboriginal people to access education, employment and training, and disability services, and in promoting inclusion and diversity.

Recipients of this award may include educators, trainers, community leaders, activists, policy makers, and service providers who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting Aboriginal rights and improving the lives of Aboriginal people.

The Aboriginal Business Enterprise of the Year Award is an award given to a successful Aboriginal-owned business that has demonstrated excellence in their industry, as well as a commitment to the East Kimberley community.

The recipient of the award must be an Aboriginal-owned business that has been operating for a minimum period of time and has demonstrated excellence in areas such as business strategy, innovation, marketing, and customer service. The business should also be committed to preserving and promoting Aboriginal culture, and have a positive impact on the local Aboriginal community through job creation, economic development, and philanthropy.

This award recognises individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to Aboriginal  affairs by supporting equality, improving the quality of life and opportunities for Aboriginal people, enriching cultural diversity, and going above and beyond to support and engage across all levels of the community. This award is open to nominees aged 18 years and over.

1. Non-Aboriginal Person: The award for Non-Aboriginal Person of the Year recognises the outstanding efforts of individuals who have dedicated their time and resources to improving the lives of East Kimberley Aboriginal people. This award honors those who have worked to promote cultural understanding, reconciliation, and positive change to the betterment of Aboriginal peoples’ lives. The recipient of this award demonstrates a deep commitment to building strong relationships with Aboriginal people and communities, and collaborates with Aboriginal leaders and organisations to create meaningful, sustainable change. They understand the importance of listening to and learning from Aboriginal knowledge and culture and have integrated this understanding into their work.
2. Non-Aboriginal Organization:

The award for Non-Aboriginal Organisation of the Year Award recognises the exceptional efforts of organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal people. This award celebrates organisations that have worked collaboratively with East Kimberley communities and leaders to create positive change and advance the civic and socio-economic advancement of Aboriginal people.

The recipient of this award has worked to promote cultural understanding, respect, and appreciation for culture and knowledge.  This organisation has demonstrated a willingness to actively engage with Indigenous leaders and organisations to build strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect.

The Outstanding Aboriginal of the Year Award recognises an Aboriginal person who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and achievement in their community and beyond. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of our people, culture, and community.

This award is an opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal excellence and to honor those who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve success. The recipient of this award will have the opportunity to share stories of innovation, and achievement, to inspire others to make a positive difference in their own communities.