Biennial Conference

Keynote speaker John Tamihere has a long history fighting for Maori rights both as a New Zealand Government minister and as CEO of the Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust (an urban Maori authority delivering not-for-profit services to the community of Waitakere and across Aotearoa). John, affectionately known as JT, was widely expected to become the country’s first Maori Prime Minister before leaving parliament to return to the grassroots.

Keynote speaker Jocelyn Formsma, a member of the Moose Cree First Nation in Canada, has over 15 years of experience advocating for Indigenous and children’s rights. She was also the recipient of the Canadian Coalition on the Rights of Children's 2009 Child's Rights Award, and is an alumni of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2015). She currently serves as an Associate Lawyer with Nahwegahbow, Corbiere Genoodmagijig Barristers and Solicitors, a board member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association, and the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) Board of Directors.

Caleb Turner is a role model, youth mentor and organiser from Moose Cree First Nation in northern Ontario, Canada. His job with Moose Cree First Nation Youth Department entails working with young people to organise recreational, sports, art, cultural and ceremonial activities. Caleb travels extensively across Canada – and now to Australia! – as an unofficial ambassador of Moose Cree people, culture and language.

Conference MC Luke Carroll is a busy film, television and theatre actor. He has performed in Black is the New White and played the lead role in The Hanging and The Battle of Waterloo for Sydney Theatre Company, as well as premiering a one-man version of Wind in the Willows for La Boite Theatre Company. Some of Luke’s extensive television and film credits include Black Comedy, The Gods of Wheat Street, Redfern Now, Strangerland, Needle and Stone Bros. Luke is also a much loved presenter on Playschool.

Rochelle Pitt is a proud Aboriginal woman from Cairns and rose to fame as a finalist on The X Factor in 2014. Since then she has featured at many events, including festivals, communities and conferences, released her EP Soul Mumma, and become ambassador for Kidney Health Australia. Rochelle was an instant hit at our conference dinner on Wednesday 22 November.

Australia’s premier Aboriginal comedy star, Kevin Kropinyeri is a one-man whirlwind that will have you holding your sides laughing, as he shares tales of growing up, marriage and the particular, absurd challenges of life as an Aboriginal Australian family man. Kevin shared his keen observational stand-up in a high-energy performance at our conference dinner.