Empowerment through Action, Innovation & Collaboration

The Danjoo Koorliny Summit, taking place on 5th & 6th August, 2025, is a groundbreaking event that unites Aboriginal leaders, global investors, and industry innovators to create lasting change. More than just a gathering, it is a meticulously designed platform where traditional knowledge and modern innovation converge to drive and celebrate economic and cultural transformation.

Why This Summit?

For decades, many First Nations summits have provided a forum for discussion, this one is aimed at tangible, measurable outcomes that communities need. Barriers to economic inclusion, cultural sustainability, and technological access remain unresolved. The Danjoo Koorliny Summit is not another talkfest. The Summit is a launchpad for action, empowering Aboriginal entrepreneurs, protecting cultural heritage, and building long-term partnerships that transform conversations into results.

What Makes This Programming Different?

Designed for Impact: The Summit programming was co-created through four dedicated workshops with changemakers and leaders who helped shape an agenda that ensures every session, panel, and presentation is tied to real-world outcomes.

Actionable Outcomes: Each hub and session is structured to provide participants with tools, frameworks, and pathways they can immediately apply within their communities and industries.

Focused Engagement: The Summit combines global case studies, hands-on innovation labs, and solution-oriented breakouts, ensuring attendees leave inspired and empowered to act.

Expectations of Speakers

Our speakers are selected not only for their expertise but also for their commitment to driving meaningful change. They are required to deliver actionable insights, share proven strategies, and provide attendees with practical resources. Every presentation must go beyond inspiration and lead to a clear, actionable next step, ensuring that participants leave the Summit equipped to make a difference.

Final Thoughts

The Danjoo Koorliny Summit aims to bridge ancient knowledge and modern solutions to create a pathway to a future where Aboriginal leaders shape Western Australia’s and the world’s economic and cultural landscape.
INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi is the President of the Sámi Parliament in Finland. She has a unique career combining Indigenous rights advocacy and global business. Before politics, Pirita had a long career in Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions in EY, PwC, Nokia and Merrill Lynch. She also worked as the Editor of Sámi-language content at the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle. Pirita is from a reindeer-herding and entrepreneurial family in Inari, Finland. She holds MSc Media and Communications from London School of Economics and MSc Economics from Helsinki School of Economics.
Selwyn Hayes

Selwyn is the Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Tahi Limited and Māori Sector Leader for EY, with over 20 years’ experience advising pan-Māori, tribal, and Māori land entities in strategic planning, tax structuring, investment, and governance. A proud descendant of Ngāi Tai, Te Whakatōhea, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, and Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, he founded Tahi in 2014 as a global member firm of EY dedicated solely to accelerating Māori success. Raised in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, his career blends deep Indigenous economic development expertise with global advisory leadership. He lives in Rotorua with his wife and their two children.

Kirikowhai Mikaere

Kirikowhai is a leading Māori data and information specialist focused on harnessing information to empower indigenous communities across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. She has over 25 years’ experience advising Ministers, government agencies, tribal, community and private sector organisations with practical statistical analysis and innovative place based data solutions. With a bi-cultural education and upbringing, intensive technical training, and hands-on experience with diverse communities, Kirikowhai brings a unique perspective to development opportunities. She is currently the lead technical advisor to the National Iwi (Tribal) Chairs Forum - Data Leadership Group, and holds governance and advisory positions across the private sector and government, including with her tribe (Chair - Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Trustee – Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa), and Indigenous Health provider Manaaki Ora Trust (Deputy Chair).
DOWNLOAD THE SUMMIT BROCHURE
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th August 2025

8:30am – 3:30pm

The University of Western Australia

35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009

For decades, many First Nations summits have provided a forum for discussion, this one is aimed at tangible, measurable outcomes that communities need. Barriers to economic inclusion, cultural sustainability, and technological access remain unresolved. The Danjoo Koorliny Summit is not another talkfest. The Summit is a launchpad for action, empowering Aboriginal entrepreneurs, protecting cultural heritage, and building long-term partnerships that transform conversations into results.
SUMMIT TICKETS

Wednesday 6th August 2025

6pm – 10pm

The University Club of Western Australia

Hackett Entrance, 1 Hackett Dr., Crawley WA 6009

We invite friends to unwind, dine and connect under the stars.

Djinda Mereny / Dinner Under the Stars offered an intimate dining experience, an evening of fine dining infused with local Western Australian ingredients, enhanced by a program of exciting art and culture performances.

Djinda Mereny is the perfect follow-up to the Djilba Social Impact Summit.

This is an alcohol-free event.
DJINDA MERENY TICKETS

PARKING AT UWA IS STRICLY LIMITED
Visitor Rates Parking
UWA uses the EasyPark app for managing parking, allowing you to start and stop your parking session using your phone.

Ride-Sharing Services
Uber, Didi and Ola are widely available in Perth. You can book a ride through their respective apps. The journey from the city center to UWA typically takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs approximately AUD 15-25.

Public Transport
Several bus routes connect the city center to UWA.
Key routes include:
Purple CAT: A free bus service running between the UWA Business School and Elizabeth Quay Bus Station.
Route 950: Runs from Morley Bus Station to QEII Medical Centre via Perth City and UWA. Available on weekdays and weekends.
Route 102: Runs from Elizabeth Quay Bus Station to Cottesloe Station via Claremont Station, stopping at UWA.
Route 24: Runs from East Perth to Claremont Station via Kings Park Rd and Waratah Ave, stopping at UWA.
Train and Bus Combination: You can take a train to Subiaco Station and then catch the Route 97 bus to UWA.

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Why We Chose the Woordawort (Dragonfly) for the Djilba Summitt

For our upcoming 2025 Djilba Summit, we have chosen the Woordawort (dragonfly), a powerful symbol and guiding totem. The Woordawort holds deep cultural significance for Noongar people, representing transformation, adaptability, and spiritual connection - all qualities that align with the purpose and spirit of this gathering.

Djilba is a season of transition. It marks the shift from the cold rains of Makuru to the warming signs of new life - when the land begins to stir, flowers bloom, and young animals emerge. Like Djilba, the dragonfly embodies change and renewal, moving gracefully through different life stages and elements - air and water. This mirrors our journey as a community: navigating change, embracing growth, and staying connected to culture and Country.

The dragonfly’s close relationship with waterways and wetlands reminds us of the importance of preserving our life-giving environments and respecting the natural balance that sustains us. Its presence invites us to reflect on clarity, vision, and adaptability - qualities we hope to strengthen as we come together to plan, share, and look forward.

With its shimmering wings and swift flight, the Woordawort also carries a spiritual essence in Noongar storytelling, seen as a messenger between worlds. It encourages us to see with fresh eyes, move with purpose, and stay open to insight and deeper understanding.

In this way, the Woordawort is not just a symbol for the summit - it is a guide, helping us move into this season of change with strength, grace, and unity.

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Professor Anne Poelina

Nulungu Institute Research University of Notre Dame

Professor Anne Poelina PhD, PhD, MEd, MPH&TM, MA, Nyikina Warawa Guardian Martuwarra Fitzroy River, Co-Chair of Indigenous Studies University Notre Dame, active community leader, human and earth rights advocate, and Peter Cullen Fellow. Laureate Women’s World Summit Foundation (Geneva, 2017) elected Chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council (2018).

Samantha Murray

A Yilka/Wongutha/Nyoongar/Yamatji woman who grew up in Cosmo Newberry ( where she has traditional owner links) and Laverton and has connections to the broader Central Desert Area.

Her Indigenous name is Imelia and Skin name Panaga.

She has previously been a Director of Yilka Aboriginal Corporation for over 3 years and is a currently a Director of Yilka Heritage and Land Care which deals with the land management programs and ranger team. Sam has worked in a range of other government-based roles in education, public housing and TAFE.

She has previously worked with Central Desert Native Title Services and Desert Support Services.

Samantha currently works as Deputy CEO – at the Indigenous Desert Alliance where she continues with her passionate commitment to supporting people and country of the Australian desert.

Michelle Andrews

An executive leader and environmental scientist with 30 years’ experience in the public sector currently in the role of Director General, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Michelle has previously led the role of Director General for the Department of Communities and reformed the organisation’s governance and integrity systems following a major fraud and corruption incident.

Michelle has held executive roles within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, State Development and the former Department of Mines and Petroleum, where she focused on major projects, resource development policy and strengthening relationships across government, industry and the community.

She strongly supports taking action on Aboriginal outcomes and formed the Cultural Council at Communities to ensure appropriate guidance on these actions. At the Department of Water and Environmental Protection, Michelle is driving better engagement outcomes for Aboriginal and Indigenous people with her support for the department’s Reconciliation Action Plan and the Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.

As a senior executive, Michelle believes in the power of collective leadership and the development of individual leaders to create shared leadership capabilities within organisations.

When she has personal time out, Michelle is a keen walker and likes nothing better than pulling on a backpack and hiking trails in our great state.

Glen Kelly OAM

Glen is an Aboriginal man of the Wardandi Nyungar people of the South West of Western Australia. Glen is an Environmental Scientist and has almost 30 years of experience in Aboriginal affairs, native title, Aboriginal land management and community development at local, national and international levels.

Glen served as the Chief Executive Officer of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC), the native title representative body for the South West of WA, for nearly a decade. Glen has also worked across Australia on native title agreement making and has assisted a variety of Traditional Owner groups and Government clients achieve strong and sustainable native title outcomes.

From 2015 to 2017 Glen also served as the Chief Executive of the National Native Title Council where he worked alongside members of the native title sector, Government and Industry to secure reforms to the Native Title Act. In 2019, Glen was awarded West Australian of the Year in the Indigenous category and was appointed as a Member of the National Native Title Tribunal in October 2020.

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Professor Steven D. Hopper AC

Professor of Biodiversity, The University of Western Australia, Albany WA

Born in Bangalow NSW in 1951, and moving to Perth in 1965, today I am a field biologist, avid bibliophile, beach comber, photographer, part-time musician and family man. Previously, following PhD studies, I have worked in conservation research and management in the Western Australian Government (1977-1992), and been chief executive (Director) of two world-class botanic gardens (Kings Park WA 1992-2004, and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, UK 2006-2012). I now work in a 0.6FTE appointment as Professor of Biodiversity at The University of Western Australia, Albany (2012 to present) and as a strategic consultant.

My research and teaching interests include specialist expertise in natural history, eucalypts, kangaroo paws, orchids, plants of granite outcrops, endangered plants, cross-cultural biodiversity research with Noongar Aboriginal people, old climatically-buffered infertile landscapes (Ocbils), pollination of plants by birds and mammals, and botanic garden management. I am an author of 338 scientific publications, 155 peer-reviewed, with 139 sole-authored, and 14 books and monographs.  My field research has extended across Australia and New Zealand (since 1972), the USA (since 1990), South Africa (since 1997), and the UK and western Europe (since 2001).

I joined as Director the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London, a World Heritage tourist site and global plant science powerhouse of 800 staff, in 2006, and led the organization through celebrations of its 250th anniversary in 2009, before returning to UWA in 2012. As a CEO, Chief Scientist and manager, I have seen Kings Park and Botanic Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew through substantial organizational change, without industrial disputation, in challenging economic circumstances, delivering much improved revenues and world-class improvements to services, facilities and science outputs in both cases.

Currently, I am focused on helping devise ways for people to live sustainably with biodiversity, especially on Ocbils, and in collaboration with Noongar people, postgraduate students and other scientists worldwide.

In 2012 I was inducted into the Western Australian Science Hall of Fame. I was also awarded Australia’s highest civilian honour of Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), for ’eminent service as a global science leader in the field of plant conservation biology, particularly in the delivery of world class research programs contributing to the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems’.

Lindsey Langford


Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA)

Lindsey is passionate about seeing positive and Indigenous directed outcomes for the desert and its people. He grew up in Central Australia and has had privilege of an intimate and lifelong association with Indigenous desert land managers on their country.

He has spent the past 15 years working primarily with Indigenous desert rangers to support the operational and strategic development of Indigenous Protected Area programs and ranger teams through to founding and developing the Indigenous Desert Alliance.


DJILBA SUMMIT

The University of Western Australia

35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009

5th & 6th August 2025

8:30am – 3:30pm

DJINDA MERENY - Dinner under the stars

The University Club of Western Australia

Hackett Entrance, 1 Hackett Dr. Crawley WA 6009

6th August 2025

6pm – 10pm