We extend our congratulations to the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust (WETT) for winning the 2024 NAIDOC Education Award.
Founded in 2005 by the traditional owners of the Newmont Tanami gold mine, WETT uses mining royalties to fund education and training programs in the Yuendumu, Willowra, Nyirrpi and Lajamanu communities in the Northern Territory. To date the Trust has invested over $57 million in education programs covering five focus areas - from early childhood support to adult learning - which blend modern education with traditional knowledge.
The Centre has been working with WETT since 2019 to develop and implement an Aboriginal-led approach to monitoring and evaluation. The Yitakimaninjaku, warrirninjaku, payirninjaku manu pina-jarrinjaku (YWPP) or Tracking and Learning’ program engages local Warlpiri researchers to monitor progress and capture learning which informs changes to WETT's award-winning education programs over time.
One of the Centre’s Senior Research Associates - Marlkirdi Rose Napaljarri - helped establish WETT twenty years ago, continues to serve on the WETT Advisory Committee and plays a key role in the ongoing development and implementation of the Tracking and Learning Program. For more on WETT's journey, see “Aboriginal-led development – the case of the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust”, written by Centre Research Associate Louise Stanley.
Photo: Masie Kitson Napaljarri and Sharon Anderson Nampjinpa from Warlpiri Education and Training Trust accepting the NAIDOC Education Award. Photo by Brendan Blacklock.
