Government grant to help develop next generation of female Aboriginal leaders in Fitzroy Crossing

A Kimberley organisation has been awarded a $300,000 State Government grant to develop the next generation of female Aboriginal leaders. The Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre (KALACC), based in Fitzroy Crossing, will use the funding to provide and promote opportunities for young and senior women in the community to take part in cultural training together. This will involve the creation of a full-time position to co-ordinate regional women’s law and cultural events, country camps for women and girls, and the creation of women’s law spaces. It will also enable the implementation of the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Strategic Plan (KAWSP), which is intended to preserve law and culture. Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said the grant would provide “an important kick-start” to some of the key priorities identified in the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Strategic Plan for language, law and culture. “It is crucial that initiatives to support Aboriginal women to fulfil their potential as leaders in our communities are designed for and led by Aboriginal women,” she said. “It is important for women living in remote communities to have support and to identify their needs around language, law and culture, especially so it can be passed onto the next generation of young girls and women.” The funding is also expected to help the KAWSP align with WA’s Strong Together program — the first whole-of-Government plan to advance gender equality in WA.