CDU researchers win NAIDOC Awards

Two prominent Indigenous researchers at the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University have taken out NAIDOC 2015 Awards (Darwin). 

Part-time Senior Research Fellow Gotha (Kathy) Guthadjaka won the Elder on Country (Female) Award, while Senior Research Fellow Dr (Payi) Linda Ford won the Caring for Country Award.

Ms Guthadjaka is a senior elder from Gäwa, a small homeland community on Elcho Island in north-east Arnhem Land. She is passionate about not only preserving traditional knowledge, but also sharing this knowledge with the greater global community.

Working as an educator since the mid-1960s, her research spans Warramiri language, knowledge, culture and country, and more widely, Aboriginal education, both-ways education, spirituality, identity and ceremony.

Dr Ford is Aboriginal and identifies as Rak Mak Mak Marranunggu, from Kurrindju, on the Finniss River, Northern Territory.

Dr Ford graduated with a PhD (Education) in 2006 from Deakin University. She understands and is familiar with Indigenous epistemological practices and its application to her research projects. These have allowed her to engage with Aboriginal people and their communities.

The awards recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, scholars, sportspeople, elders and community members.