Empowering the bush: Aboriginal leaders selected for First Circles Program
The NT Government has announced 16 outstanding Aboriginal leaders for the 2026 First Circles Leadership Program as part of its year of growth, certainty and security.
Now in its 12th year, the First Circles Leadership Program is an NT Government flagship initiative aimed to help identify, mentor and support Aboriginal leaders from remote communities across the Northern Territory.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington said the program strengthens leadership, builds governance capability and equips participants to drive change in their communities.
Members of the program will engage with Government at the highest level, including an opportunity to present directly to Cabinet members, providing advice, guidance and offering solutions on policies, projects and initiatives that impact the lives of Aboriginal Territorians.
Key points
- Sixteen strong Aboriginal leaders have been selected to complete the First Circles Leadership Program for 2026.
- First Circles is the NT Government’s flagship program for growing strong Aboriginal leaders from remote communities.
- The First Circles Leadership Program demonstrates the Government’s commitment to empowering bush communities and investing in supporting Aboriginal leaders.
“The First Circles Leadership Program demonstrates the CLP Government’s commitment to investing in Aboriginal leaders and empowering bush communities, a key focus of this government.
“The CLP is focused on practical outcomes that deliver real change and improve the lives of remote Territorians and empowering remote leaders to grow and develop is part of this,” Mr Edgington said.
The program is offered annually to Aboriginal participants across the five regions of the Northern Territory; Barkly, Big Rivers, Central Australia, East Arnhem and Darwin, Palmerston, Litchfield and the Top End.
First Circles Leadership Program members will attend five face-to-face workshops and will be mentored and supported by The Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet’s, Aboriginal Partnerships and Reform team.
The first workshop was held in Darwin, with others to follow in Katherine and Alie Springs and several in Darwin, with a variety of organisations doing presentations such as Aboriginal Investment Northern Territory, Larrakia Corporation, Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network, Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Foundation, Central Australian Congress and Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation.
Shalee James, selected for First Circles from Tennant Creek said she excited to be selected for First Circles as this shows how far she has come and reminds her that there’s still so much more to learn.
“It also gives me a chance to show others in my community that opportunities are still out there, and you can start whenever you’re ready as there are always people that will want to help us learn and grow so we can work together,” she said.
“Through First Circles, I want to build a clearer understanding of how government works so I can build my confidence to speak from a community level in important meetings with government, especially through my local PBC. I want to better understand politicians, the flow of conversations, the tone and jargon used in governance, and how decisions are shaped. Developing these skills will help me represent my community.
“The First Circles program is important to me because it makes learning about government accessible without needing university study, and I’m grateful for being able to learn face to face in a hands on, supportive environment with all the other participants.”
2026 First Circles Leadership Program members
Barkly
Dannelle Campbell – Elliott
Shalee James – Tennant Creek
Central Australia
April Campbell -Ti Tree
Robert Kopp – Santa Teresa
Reggie Larkin – Hermannsburg (Ntaria)
Terrence Conway – Santa Teresa
Dezrae Ross – Ti Tree
Vaughn Hampton – Yuelamu
Big Rivers
Dannika Haley – Katherine/Timber Creek
Jeremy Johnson – Katherine/ Timber Creek/ Amanbidji
Daneelle Egan – Lajamanu
Anthea Anthony – Katherine/ Timber Creek/ Amanbidji
Top End
Declan Apuatimi – Wurrumiyanga
Singita Campion – Minjilang
Aleana Talbot – Darwin
Debbie Gough – Warruwi
