Founded in 2011, the Kaiela Institute has a rich history beginning in 1988 with the establishment of the Koori Resource and Information Centre. The organisation is a think tank, challenging our region to be better at inclusion and relentless in addressing the systemic racism and historical exclusion experienced by First Nation families and communities. The future will be achieved through education, employment, health, social inclusion, cultural expression, and cultural affirmation.
Kaiela Institute are encouraging our region to uphold and preserve the culture and identity of Yorta Yorta and other First Nations people as a foundation for productivity and prosperity. They are focused on promoting both personal and community empowerment through building on cultural strengths of our region.
The Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Productivity Plan (GMRPPP) emphasizes:
- regional strategy
- regional ownership
- regional responsibility; and
- regional accountability
The Kaiela Institute is dedicated to working collaboratively with local organisations and businesses across our region and more broadly in key areas including Aspiration, Enablement, Responsibility, Opportunity, Prosperity and Parity. The cornerstone of achieving these values will be a collective, the Munarra Regional Center for Excellence (MRCE) will be a critical enabler in delivering these outcomes. The MRCE is due to open in March 2024.
MCRE will be Australia’s first Aboriginal-led pathways-based aggregator of university and other educational offerings.
MCRE will deliver culturally responsive education, employment, health and wellbeing programs that drive broad, long-term economic benefits and shared prosperity for the region and broader Victoria. It is critical to the Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Plan, which seeks to build a thriving First Nations economy to generate new income, opportunities and shared prosperity for the benefit of all people.
MCRE will be responsive to the projection of skill requirements for the region and will work closely with industry in meeting those needs.
“In Shepparton we have been relentless in our desire to make radical changes to extreme disadvantage” said Uncle Paul Briggs OAM, executive chairman of Kaiela Institute.
“Designed by the region, for the region, the Plan marks an historical turning point. It is a watershed moment for our region that promises to restore a thriving First Nations economy. This, in turn will create new productivity and prosperity for everyone.”
“By working in close collaboration with Yorta Yorta and First Nations people, the region can create a thriving economy with circular economic flows building shared success and regional growth.”
