NYFL AND ANU LAUNCH ‘JILA’ PARTNERSHIP TO EMPOWER FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES
NYFL Chairman Michael Woodley (middle) and Director ‘Harry’ Mowarin (second from right) at the ANU labs in Canberra, prior to the Centre for Future Materials launch.
BY ASAD KHAN
In a landmark collaboration, the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd (NYFL) and the Australian National University (ANU) have launched Jila, a transformative partnership grounded in First Nations knowledge and community-led solutions.
The initiative, which means ‘roots’ in the Yindjibarndi language, symbolises strength, sustainability, and cultural resilience.
The Jila partnership aims to prioritise community-led research, integrate cultural knowledge into education, and amplify First Nations voices in shaping their futures.
This initiative forms part of the newly established Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials, ensuring that First Nations knowledge drives sustainable and innovative solutions.
NYFL Chairman Michael Woodley, Director Harry Mowarin and CEO Sean-Paul Stephens and ANU representatives received a Welcome to Country from Paul Girrawah House (far left), a senior NgambriNgunnawal custodian of the Canberra region
NYFL CEO Sean-Paul Stephens described the partnership as a “game-changer” for the community and Traditional Owners.
“We developed a work plan outlining how ANU and NYFL, focusing on Ieramugadu (Roebourne), will collaborate to enhance First Nations rights and interests,”
“Key projects include data sovereignty, truth-telling advocacy, and other social impact programs.”
The partnership underscores a commitment to empowering First Nations communities through self-determination and culturally informed approaches.
By embedding Indigenous knowledge systems into research and education, Jila seeks to foster long-term resilience and sustainability for First Nations peoples.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in recognising and valuing the role of First Nations knowledge in addressing contemporary challenges and shaping a more inclusive future.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with NYFL CEO Sean-Paul Stephens: