Professional Practice Commentary on the Desert people’s centre opening ceremony: aboriginal leadership through example and knowledge

This professional practice commentary focuses on an alternative form of leadership within the Australian educational economy, one that privileges First Nations’ knowledge. In an attempt to lead by example, I will highlight the many positive effects that can come from seeing yourself and your culture reflected before your eyes. I will be using the educational philosophy of “both ways theory” to highlight and demonstrate a significant “crucible moment” (Bennis & Thomas, 2002) in my educational career. If crucible moments are born of both adversity and joy, then this commentary will explore what it means to live and practice central Australian leadership in a centre designed for Desert People...

This commentary focuses on the positives and, when we get it right, the transformative moments born of pride and recognition. The body of the commentary celebrates the uniqueness of the Batchelor Institute and the strength and endurance of First Nations’ culture and its capacity to re-tell its dominant narratives. The commentary concludes with an analysis of public performances of Indigenous culture and leadership and how it can change the negative dialogue of Indigenous incapacity as well as the inner monologue of Aboriginal people that can so often buy into the racist diatribe of “lesser than”.