In May 2021, one year after the Juukan Gorge incident, I stepped into the role of Chief Advisor – Indigenous Affairs at Rio Tinto. This incident highlighted the urgent need for cultural reform within the company. Despite the challenges, I was driven by the chance to lead the turnaround and redefine Indigenous Affairs within the mining industry. Taking on this role involved significant courage and was a career gamble.
From May 2021 to December 2023, I reported directly to the Australian Chief Executive and played a key role in developing and executing Rio Tinto’s Australian Indigenous Affairs strategy. I was also a member of the Rio Tinto Leadership Team and routinely engaged with the global CEO and Executive Committee, as well as the Rio Tinto Board. My position was essential in guiding the company’s efforts to rebuild its reputation following the tragic events at Juukan Gorge.
Key achievements and initiatives under my leadership included:
- Indigenous Employment and Leadership Development: Implemented initiatives to develop leadership among Indigenous employees, significantly increasing Indigenous leadership representation. This included launching the Cultural Onboarding program, which ensured new Indigenous employees felt culturally supported from their first day.
- Cultural Connection: Developed the Indigenous Communities Language Guide and the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Engagement Protocol to promote respectful and inclusive engagement. This work was accomplished with the support of legal and external specialists, ensuring comprehensive and practical guidelines.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Indigenous Employee Communications: Managed relationships with stakeholders and engaged national Indigenous leaders on all aspects of Rio Tinto’s Indigenous Affairs activities. This included supporting investor briefings and engagements, annual and sustainability reporting, and materiality assessments.
- Australian Indigenous Advisory Group (AAG): Established Rio Tinto’s inaugural Australian Advisory Group to ensure Indigenous perspectives were integrated into decision-making processes.
- Agreement Making and Cultural Heritage Management: Supported agreement-making and developing cultural heritage management plans across the business. Guided company decision-making on human rights issues, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
- Living Languages, Living Cultures Initiative: As one of the architects of this flagship initiative, I oversaw significant multimillion-dollar investments, including partnerships with AIATSIS and the First Nations Media Association. These efforts aimed at celebrating, protecting, and promoting Indigenous languages and cultures while strengthening Rio Tinto’s relationships with Indigenous communities and organisations.
Throughout this period, I embarked on a transformative journey, gaining a unique skillset and experiencing leadership in a way that few others will ever encounter. It was a unique moment and a window in time that provided invaluable insights and personal growth, inspiring me to continue making a difference in Indigenous Affairs.
By integrating a deeply embedded Indigenous perspective into Rio Tinto’s operations, my leadership has left a legacy of improved Indigenous employee engagement, strengthened community partnerships, and enhanced cultural heritage management. These efforts have helped Rio Tinto recover from one of the most challenging and high-profile corporate reputational issues in Australian history, establishing a solid foundation for future collaboration and respect between the company and Indigenous communities.
