First Circles

The Northern Territory Government recognises that building and supporting strong Aboriginal leadership, governance and capacity is fundamental to Aboriginal Territorians driving local solutions and leading the way in local decision-making.

About the First Circles Leadership Program

The First Circles Leadership Program is an NT Government flagship program aimed to help identify, mentor and support Aboriginal emerging leaders from remote communities across the Northern Territory.

The  program brings new voices, and quiet voices, to the conversation to ensure Aboriginal people from remote areas can confidently speak to, negotiate and influence the government about matters affecting their lives, their families and communities.

The program provides an opportunity for participants to directly engage at the highest level of government, with Cabinet, where matters impacting on Aboriginal people and their communities are discussed and local solutions presented.

In the lead-up to the Cabinet meeting, members take part in leadership training; and workshops designed to support their learning and development to actively expand their leadership skills, increase their personal governance capabilities and learn more about the impact of public policies and programs in their communities, and help influence and contribute to change.

First Circles is an annual leadership program offered to emerging Aboriginal leaders from the 6 regions of the Territory - Central Australia, Barkly, Big Rivers, East Arnhem, Top End and Darwin, Palmerston and Litchfield.

Find out how to apply