Indigenous history inspires tomorrow’s world

1 August 2024

Students at Skw'lax te Secwépemcúl̓ecw, Canada.

Uncle William Cooper was a remarkable leader. The Yorta Yorta man, born in the 1860s in Victoria, founded and led the Australian Aborigines’ League, campaigning to give Aboriginal people justice, rights and equality in colonised Australia. He also advocated for others, including the persecution of Jewish people halfway around the world after Kristallnacht. It is therefore an honour that the Monash University institute dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, leadership and advancement bears his name.

The Institute grew out of the Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit, with the support of Monash’s inaugural Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Jacinta Elston, and the Gandel Foundation, who sponsored the William Cooper Indigenous Leadership Scholarship a year earlier in 2018. In 2019 it underwent a refocus and rebranding, and, with the blessings of Uncle William’s grandson, Uncle Alfred ‘Boydie’ Turner, the William Cooper Institute was launched.

“Uncle William was a very switched-on fella and a leader who was ahead of his time,” says the previous Director of the Institute, Jamil Tye, a Yorta Yorta and Boon Wurrung man whose great-great grandmother, Ada, was Cooper’s younger sister. “His advocacy and the principles he stood for aligned with what we wanted to do.”

A targeted program

A key focus of the Institute is growing the next wave of Indigenous leaders, and its flagship is the Indigenous Leaders Program. Initially, the program was based on modules from Monash’s broader Ancora Imparo leadership program, but the Institute’s team quickly realised they wanted to do something that was more targeted and tailored to the needs of their cohort, and those emerging from community.

In 2019 they launched a new program that brings a unique and international First Nations lens to leadership training. As well as modules from Ancora Imparo, students are given an extraordinary opportunity to learn from Indigenous leaders and Elders on country, both in Australia and Canada.

“If these students are to go on to be leaders, whether in identified roles where they work in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations or in mainstream roles, they can take some of that knowledge and apply it to the work that they do,” says Jamil, who is now Executive Director External Community Engagement and Impact.

Guided walk at Number 16 Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Australia. 

On-country experience

In 2024, the two-year program began with a visit to the Mornington Peninsula for the students’ first masterclass. They participated in an on country experience at The Briars in Mount Martha, learning about traditional uses of native plants and bush medicine. The session also included a yidaki meditation led by a local Elder. Following this, they visited the Nairm Marr Djambana Aboriginal Gathering Place in Frankston, situated on the lands of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Here, they met with a few local Aboriginal women who shared insights into their leadership journeys.

During semester two, the second masterclass will be held in Shepparton and Barmah, near where Uncle William Cooper’s story began. Erin Pennett, Director of the William Cooper Institute and a Torres Strait Islander woman, explains: “Students will learn about the historical significance of Shepparton and the strong leaders who advocated on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Victoria and Australia.”

Canada calling

However, the program’s main highlight is a two-week trip to Canada hosted by the University of British Columbia (UBC). This trip aims to immerse students in Canadian First Nations culture and experiences. “It’s truly transformative for many students,” Erin explains, noting that some have never travelled outside Australia before.

During their 2023 trip to Canada, the group visited two campuses of the University of British Columbia: Vancouver campus and Okanagan campus in Kelowna. They engaged with First Nations communities, students and elders, learning about the effects of colonisation on Canadian First Nations peoples. In return, Monash will host eight Canadian First Nations students for two weeks in 2024, coinciding with NAIDOC Week in Australia.

Students enjoying a canoe tour in British Columbia, Canada.

“I can do this!”

Jamil and Erin said they noticed students grow in confidence after taking part in the leadership program, especially after the visit to Canada. They also emphasised the practical learning gained. “During our time there, we encouraged students to introduce themselves, explaining who their mob is and what they are studying,” Erin explains. “By the end of the trip, they were very comfortable with introducing themselves to the Canadian First Nations community members and sharing their journey.”

The students come from various academic backgrounds. “We’re not focused on their specific fields of study,” Erin explains. “Instead, we look at their community involvement, their activities, and their potential to become future Indigenous leaders.”

The leadership course is also establishing a valuable network of Indigenous leaders among its alumni. Some are returning to Monash to share their experiences and insights with the new leadership student cohort. “They have formed strong connections with the group and are committed to supporting them,” Erin explains. The students on the course, particularly those who participated in the UBC Canada trip, have developed a strong peer support network among themselves.

Erin hopes to find ongoing funding for the program, including the Canada trip, to ensure its long-term sustainability. “It would be wonderful to connect with a donor who values and supports this program,” she says.

The program’s outcomes are evident. Many of the alumni are taking on leadership roles and actively volunteering at the William Cooper Institute and elsewhere. “I can already see emerging Indigenous leaders,” Erin says. “They now have the confidence to step forward and say: ‘I can do this!’”