I am Gudanji/Wakaja, and we are the people from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory.

For almost 40 years I have worked in various roles in primary, secondary and tertiary education including class teacher (primary and secondary), special education teacher, senior teacher, regional consultant, regional manager, lecturer, senior lecturer and Head of School (tertiary). I have worked in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory in urban and remote contexts.

I helped establish the Indigenous Literacy Foundation which included extensive work with remote communities to provide place based, community identified responses to early childhood needs.

My family have been involved in attempts to protect our Country from invasive and detrimental practices such as over-grazing by the pastoral industry and now, fracking and the resulting impact on water/food sources and security. I am also very concerned for the welfare of our no-human kin – those who share Country with us.