Yothu Yindi Foundation partners with CDU in education dream project

A Top End organisation’s education dream of more than 20 years is in its next phase and set to become a reality.

The Yothu Yindi Foundation and Charles Darwin University representatives co-sign a memorandum of understanding for the new school. Picture: Adnan Reza

Closing the education gap in remote areas is just around the corner after a major education providers signed up to fulfil one organisation’s dream.

The Yothu Yindi Foundation and Charles Darwin University co-signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to expand and tailor secondary and tertiary education opportunities to First Nations Yolgnu people in East Arnhem Land.

Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Djawa Yunupingu said an education hub had been one of the community’s goals for more than 20 years.

“That dream is now becoming a reality, and we’re pleased that CDU is going to partner with us as we complete this important work,” he said.

Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden has advocated for a new education pipeline that will centre Yolngu knowledge. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden said CDU would join other universities in supporting the Garma Institute.

“The agreement is to improve educational opportunities for the region, very much driven by the strengths of this community so highly cultural components can be built into and designed around some of those training elements that the community actually call for and want,” she said.

Ms Bowden said the Yothu Yindi Foundation would play a critical intellectual property and copyright holding position so the learning content was not taken out of the community’s hands.

“We will obviously be talking through those conversations further because it’s obviously a very large piece of work,” she said.

“Sixty thousand years of tradition has to be managed with silk gloves.”

As part of the Yothu Yindi Foundation’s education pipeline, plans for an on-Country facility are in the works to provide a base for the secondary school.

The Dhupuma Barker School – which has attendance rates of 90 per cent – already offers education routes for students in transition through to Year 6.

Charles Darwin University Vice Chancellor Scott Bowman is excited about the new school. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Charles Darwin University vice-chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the MOU offered a framework to make education opportunities “relevant and accessible to all Territorians”.

“It will help forge new pathways to education, training, research and leadership that are better connected to traditional Indigenous culture and the needs of local industry and on-country jobs,” he said.

“We’re looking to work with them (Yothu Yindi Foundation) across the board.”

Dr Bowman said the university would be following YYF’s lead when it comes to opening doors to education.

“They are obviously of that part of the world,” he said.

“They know East Arnhem land, they know what that community needs, so we’ll be using them to really tell us what the community wants out there.”