Meet 11 emerging Indigenous leaders in paving the way for the next generation in South Australia
They’re dreaming of NASA, starring on the silver screen, transforming politics and paving the way for future generations. Meet 11 young SA Indigenous leaders.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The next generation of Indigenous leaders paving the way for their communities are doing inspirational work to effect change for their people and the state of South Australia.
When these emerging leaders decided on their path in life, they did so with their culture, their community and their country in mind.
From law, politics, space, the environment, governance, acting and entrepreneurship just to name a few, Indigenous South Australian are excelling across industries.
Below, The Advertiser showcases a cohort of forward-thinking individuals who are working to make a positive impact in their communities.
Brenz Saunders Jr
Age: 30
Industry: Business and governance
The former co-convenor of the South Australian Greens Party, Brenz Saunders Jr has been making waves in both business and governance for a number of years in SA.
Hailing from Ceduna on the state’s west coast, Mr Saunders, a Wirangu, Kokatha and Mirning man is the founder and chief executive of Cheedoona Energy, a company he started in 2020 which develops virtual and augmented reality.
The gamification software Mr Sanders uses allows Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to virtually “see the future” impact of developing renewable energy projects.
“It’s about the whole picture of community and sustainability, and with both virtual and augmented reality, the gamification of it … it’s another way of showcasing what the impact on country is,” he said.
“For example, we can do things to the extent of showcasing what the impact would look like to build a solar farm or wind farm on country.
“We showcase it to clients in that regard and communities see how they’re going to manage those types of developments, so it’s almost like a ‘try before you buy’ before the infrastructure is installed.”
Mr Saunders has been a strong advocate for First Nations people and communities across SA and other states and territories.
He sits on a number of boards where he is the Tauondi College chairperson, Far West Coast Investments chairperson, Adelaide Airport’s Reconciliation Action Plan chairperson and an external co-chair of Nova Systems RAP.
Justyce Manton
Age:23
industry: Engineering and aerospace
An impressive university student currently in her second year of a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering, majoring in mechatronics at the University of Adelaide, Justyce Manton has aspirations of working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Ms Manton currently works for a data company called Pernix, where she develops their Robotic Processing Automation (RBA).
In 2021, she completed an Indigenous Traineeship at Defence SA, and was offered an internship with British defence giant, BAE Systems.
In October 2022, she was named in the state government’s 26 most inspiring women for their New State of Mind Campaign for her work and advocacy in the state’s space industry.
The following year she won the National Indigenous Innovation Challenge commissioned by Monash University in Victoria, after she developed an idea that could see communities cultivate seaweed and capitalise from it.
“It was to encourage Indigenous communities in cultivating seaweed so that they were able to provide growth to it to be able to enter the market,” she said.
“It would help communities to become self-sufficient and they would use their knowledge of seaweed works and how it grows and we would use engineering principles and applications to help speed up that growth.
“Communities could farm it, crop it and get the younger people of the community involved in the process.”
More recently, she was appointed the director of operations Defence Engineering Graduates of South Australia (DEGSA), a non-for-profit organisation which aims to attract more graduate engineers to work in the SA defence industry.
Ashum Yarlupina Owen
Industry: Social justice, law and child protection
Working to better the lives of Indigenous children in SA, Ashum Owen was recently appointed as the inaugural chief executive of a newly created peak-body for child protection.
Named Wakwakurna Kanyini its means “holding on to our children” in a combination of Kaurna and Pitjantjatjara words.
In 2018 Ms Owen graduated with a double degree in law and science from Flinders University, with plans to use her knowledge to advocate for equitable justice and self-determination for Aboriginal people and communities.
The Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman has previously told The Advertiser the state’s child protection continued to “unnecessarily” remove Indigenous children from their families at a disproportionate rate.
“We need to stop the increased numbers of Aboriginal children entering out-of-home-care, and making sure that when that does occur, that Aboriginal families are genuinely able to participate in the placement of their children,” she said.
“The department keeps removing Aboriginal children from their families, when what should be happening is a system of support and help.
“Removals should be a last resort and if we can’t get prevention right, then we’re just going to continue to see this overrepresentation for far too many more years.”
Prior to being appointed in the new role, Ms Owen was a solicitor in the Northern Territory where she practised in the areas of family law, child protection, domestic violence and other civil law.
She has previously worked as a senior policy advisor in the office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People of SA.
Temaana Yundu Sanderson-Bromley
Age: 20
Industry: Entrepreneur and environmentalist
Barely out of high school, Temanna Sanderson-Bromley founded his own clothing brand called Mardlaapa at 17 years old, and sells surf-inspired fashion that blends with contemporary Aboriginal artwork.
Mr Sanderson-Bromley, a proud Adnyamathanha, Narungga and Wangkangurru Yarluyandi man from the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula and Simpson Desert, is currently in his second year of a Bachelor of Marine Wildlife Conservation at the University of Adelaide.
As an environmentalist in his own right, and as a way of helping Yarta (“country” in Adnyamathanha language), his company donates 5 per cent of profits for each item sold to different environmental and wildlife causes.
Outside of his studies and clothing business, Ms Sanderson-Bromley dedicates his time to mentoring high school kids and encourages them to chase their dreams.
“I do different artwork shops and art exhibitions, as well as working in schools and different mentoring positions such as the Aboriginal Basketball Academy,” he said.
“I’ve been working there for the past two years as a mentor, helping students from Year 10 to 12, and I was actually in the program and then I came back as a mentor.
“I think that you can’t prioritise culture enough. I put it at the forefront of everything I do and it pays off. I have a strong connection to my country and my mob and I always look for a way to put respect in culture and put effort into it.”
Mr Sanderson-Bromley has aspirations of working for the Environmental Protection Agency or a wildlife conservation organisation, while continuing his clothing business and mentoring Indigenous students.
Gail Brennan
Industry: Law
An ambassador of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, Gail Brennan is passionate about making a difference in the community and giving a voice to First Nations people.
Originally from Mannum near the Murray River, the proud Ngarrindjeri and Adnyamathanha woman wanted to be a lawyer since she was 12 years old, and in 2016, started a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice at Flinders University.
Determined to succeed in her studies despite living two hours away from her university, Ms Brennan spent the first two years of her degree commuting from her hometown to attend class every day.
Eventually, she applied for and was awarded a scholarship that would allow her to move to Adelaide where she could be closer to achieving her goal of graduating from university.
In 2020, Mr Brennan was awarded Scholar of the Year for NAIDOC Week, which she dedicated to her grandmothers and the next generation or Aboriginal people.
“My four grandmothers, my matriarchs, were able to be there for the presentation and the award is for them, as well as the next generation coming up,” she said.
“Hopefully it helps inspire people that uni is an option and to follow their dreams.”
That same year she graduated from university and is now a solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre in Sydney.
She is an active mentor and student ambassador within Flinders University’s Yunggorendi Student Engagement team, and epitomises the Flinders spirit of ‘Making a Difference’.
Shantae Barnes-Cowan
Industry: Actress
A fast growing star on Australian television screens, Whyalla local Shantae Barnes-Cowan has starred alongside some of the country’s biggest stars.
Acting alongside Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths in the ABC’s award-winning television series, Total Control, in 2021 Ms Barnes-Cowan has recently taken on the lead role in the drama and coming-of-age movie called Sweet As, a film set in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia.
In 2021, Ms Barnes-Cowan spoke to The Advertiser as an 18-year-old year about juggling her acting career with her Year 12 studies.
At the time, she was one of 157 young people living in care – either living with foster and kinship carers or in residential care – who received a certificate to recognise them finishing school at a ceremony at Government House.
She said the support of her “two big families”, which includes her foster parents and three sisters and seven brothers, has helped her successfully juggle her busy schedule.
“Education is so important because it’s getting you ready for the future and I’ve been so lucky to have the support of my loved ones and to have been able to seek out support when I need it,” she said.
“I’m passionate about my culture, my family and friends and my education.
“Culture is important for how we portray ourselves, where we belong and what we believe in.
“Even when things get tough, it helps to have a goal that you’re working towards that will make you feel happy and proud of yourself.”
Ms Barnes-Cowan’s hometown has recognised he for her hard work and dedication when in 2020, she was received the Whyalla Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year award, and was also nominated for the Channel 7 Young Achiever Award in the Aboriginal Achievement category.
She previously was awarded the 2018 Whyalla NAIDOC Week award for Female Sportsperson of the Year and in 2022 she was nominated as one of Adelaide’s 26 most inspiring women.
Dem Mob – Jontae Lawrie, Elisha Umuhuri and Matt Gully
industry: Music
Dem Mob is an award-winning hip-hop group that hails from the remote community of Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY Lands).
In 2020, Elisha Umuhuri and Jontae Lawrie formed Dem Mob as a way to encourage Mr Lawrie to stay in school after a devastating family loss.
Matt Gully, the pair’s music teacher later joined the group.
Dem Mob dominated the 2023 South Australian Music Awards, taking out five awards including Best Hip Hop, Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist, Best Regional Artist and the prestigious Emily Burrows Award.
The hip hop trio has taken their act abroad, with performances and a panel presentation at Barcelona’s Primavera sound alongside some of the biggest names in the world from Kendrick Lama, Skrillex and Blur.
Following their performance in Spain, they were invited to Bigsound ’23 in Brisbane, and in 2024, were invited to further international touring with shows in New York, Toronto, Seattle, Detroit and other cities in the USA and Canada.
Leeroy Bilney and Tahlia Wanganeen
Industry: Politics
In June this year, the SA First Nations Voice elected two presiding members who are now tasked with the responsibility of addressing state parliament on behalf of all Aboriginal communities in SA.
Out of 46 elected members, across six regions covering the entire state, only two were chosen among the cohort and tasked with the responsibility and were named presiding members of the SA First Nations Voice.
Leeroy Bilney, Marlinyu Ghoorie, Wirangu, Kokatja, Mirning, Noongar and Barngarla man would become the male representative, while Tahlia Wanganeen, a Narungga, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri woman would become the female representative.
Both Mr Bilney and Ms Wanganeen are yet to advise on policy since the SA Voice was legislated in March 2023, but are expected to advise on proposed legislation before the end of the year.
The two represent an emerging generation of First Nations leaders for South Australia who are focused on a fair representation of First Nations issues at the highest level of government in SA.
More Coverage
Originally published as Meet 11 emerging Indigenous leaders in paving the way for the next generation in South Australia
Strategy to drive social housing
Social enterprise Junction is in talks with offshore investors to back an ambitious growth plan targeting 2000 new social and affordable homes.
Another Adelaide business targeted after spate of arson attacks
Accelerant was found on the roof of a business that shares a block with a tobacco store in what police are investigating as another suspicious arson attempt.