Are you passionate about ensuring the longevity and sustainability of language law and cultural knowledge of Australian Aboriginal Peoples?

• Competitive salary ($99,000 - $112,000) with salary sacrificing up to $15,899.
• Training and development opportunities in a supportive team environment.
• 5 weeks annual leave with office closure over the Christmas period.

About the Role

The Cultural Programs Coordinator is responsible for delivering cultural programs that ensure Dambimangari language, law and cultural knowledge are kept alive and strong for future generations. The Cultural Programs Coordinator will work closely with Dambimangari Cultural Advisors, the Land & Sea team, expert consultants, and other staff to plan and implement a new Cultural Programs unit at the Corporation. This exciting new team is being created with the aim of delivering on goals set out in the Corporation’s new 10-year Healthy Country Plan 2023-2032, including ensuring Woddordda Language is actively used and alive, cultural sites are managed and maintained, and cultural knowledge is recorded, practiced and maintained.

You will be someone with experience in community development, arts, culture and language programs. You will be a team leader, responsible for coordinating multiple projects, staff and consultants. You will walk in two worlds, leading both external stakeholder liaison and project management, as well as on-ground community consultation, working closely with Traditional Owners to ensure strong cultural oversight, empowerment and capacity building. A passion and flair for culture, arts and language, and experience working with Aboriginal people in a remote context is a must.

About the Dambeemangadee Peoples

We are the Traditional Owners of the land and waters along the north-west Kimberley coastline, extending from just north of the Robinson River to the Prince Regent River. It has been our home for many thousands of years. We carry the cultural responsibilities of our ancestors to look after Country. Our Country is of great conservation significance, home to many threatened and endemic species, mighty rivers, coral reefs, powerful whirlpools, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and more than 700 islands.

Dambeemangaddee are part of the Wandjina Woongudd community. We all share a unique body of beliefs and cultural practices going back to Lalai, the Dreaming when the creator beings Wandjina and Woongudd helped shape the land, sea, heaven, and all living things in our Country. They set out how we must look after culture, plants, animals, people, and country to keep them healthy. We maintain strong connections to our land through our Law, Culture, songs and stories. We visit our Country when we can and have set up homeland communities on our remote coastline. We want to return to Country, live on our homelands, regain control, and teach future generations.

About the Corporation

Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation (DAC) provides a unique opportunity to work closely with Aboriginal people in one of the most remote, spectacular regions of the Kimberley. You will engage in interesting and challenging work that as a collective, contributes to the healing of country and the longevity of Dambimangari culture.

DAC is a small Aboriginal Corporation dedicated to the benefit of our members, Dambimangari Traditional Owners. DAC is the governing body for all Dambimangari business on behalf of our members, and in line with traditional Law and Culture. We employ more than 30 staff, the vast majority of whom are Traditional Owners. The Corporation’s key functions include:

• Managing Native Title including engaging with mining, tourism and other access and development proposals
• Members’ Services like health and education
• Land and sea management (Indigenous Protected Area, Ranger Program & Jointly Managed Marine Park including fire, ferals, weeds and marine patrols)
• Cultural heritage management
• Economic development
• Visitor Management
• Cultural programs
• Remote infrastructure
• Corporate Services including finance, administration & payroll

Staff are based in our Derby office, with the opportunity to participate in extensive remote fieldwork on Country, particularly during the cooler dry season (May – October). The Corporation is dedicated to providing a supportive workplace where every employee can thrive and reach their potential.

Duties will include:

• Coordinating the development of a new digital cultural database that can be accessed by the Corporation and its members.
• Overseeing the repatriation of Dambimangari cultural materials including information, artefacts and other materials from museums, research institutions and other organisations.
• Developing and coordinating a range of cultural programs for members including Junba (song and dance), language and bushcraft.

• Working with expert staff and partners such as linguists, anthropologists, GIS mapping and other IT experts to support project delivery as required
• Developing a language program to revitalise and preserve Woddordda language and ensure it is actively spoken and taught.
• Regularly consult with Dambimangari Healthy Country Advisory Committee, Board, Elders and members to ensure strong cultural guidance over all aspects of the program.
• Prepare reports as required to DAC Board, CEO, Cultural advisors, funding bodies and partners.
• Provide day-to-day direction to the Cultural Projects team, set performance goals, and provide relevant training.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant qualification in Aboriginal Studies, Cultural Studies, anthropology, art, linguistics, community development, archaeology or similar (Desirable)
• Demonstrated experience coordinating cultural programs such as language, art, song, dance programs collaboratively with Indigenous communities.
• Demonstrated experience working with or within Aboriginal communities and community development, preferably in a remote setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects in a cross cultural and remote environment; including capacity to lead a team, set work priorities, work creatively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in project and budget management.
• Experience managing staff and consultants.
• Willingness and ability to complete extensive remote fieldwork and travel in the course of work, by air, land or sea.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• Cultural Understanding
• MS Office Suite proficient
• C Class Driver’s License
• Working with Children’s Check and Police Clearance, or ability to obtain

Role is based in Derby WA 6728, relocation support provided to the successful candidate.

All appointments are subject to the successful applicant having at least two COVID-19 vaccinations prior to commencement of employment.

Full Australian Working Rights are a requirement of this role.

Further Information

For more information about the role please email Ryan via [email protected] using the subject line: Cultural Programs Coordinator - Derby enquiry via EthicalJobs or call (08) 9383 3293.