First Nations Telegraph

[supplied by NIAA]

Ash Barty. Image: supplied

The National NAIDOC Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022 National NAIDOC Week Awards:

• Person of the Year – Ash Barty AO
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr Stanley Grant Snr AM
• Female Elder Award – Dr Lois Peeler AM
• Male Elder Award – Uncle Jack Charles
• Sportsperson Award – Buddy Franklin
• Youth Award – Elijah Manis
• Creative Talent Award – Lowell Hunter
• Caring for Country and Culture Award – Walter Jackson
• Education Award– Professor Bronwyn Fredericks
• Innovation Award – The Koori Mail newspaper

Held in Narrm (Melbourne) in front of 1400 guests, the gala National NAIDOC Week Awards is the premier event hosted by the National NAIDOC Committee.

Committee Co-Chair, Shannan Dodson, said the awards showcase and celebrate some of this country’s finest First Nations achievers, trailblazers and leaders.

“The National NAIDOC Awards present an opportunity for everyone to come together with one shared purpose – to recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strength and excellence,” Ms Dodson said.

“After a two-year hiatus, it brought me immense joy to see so many well-deserving First Nations leaders who are recognised by their communities, now elevated onto the national stage.

“There is so much to be proud of in seeing this year’s winners receive their accolades and I look forward to them being celebrated as a part of NAIDOC history.”

Co-Chair John Paul Janke said this year’s winners are not only leaders in their communities, but proud representatives of this country.

“These ten award winners have walked incredible paths to make it to where they are today and I’m overjoyed to see their stories now etched into our 65,000+ year history,” said Mr Janke.

“There have been over 300 incredible First Nations people honoured through the NAIDOC Awards since its inception in 1985 and tonight’s winners match the exact calibre of First Nations excellence that inspires all around the nation.

“Hearing their success stories, and celebrating their achievements together was a wonderful way to kick off NAIDOC Week 2022, as it allows all Australians to be proud of the contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to our nation.”

The National Awards are available for streaming on SBS On Demand.

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