The first Indigenous person to graduate as a nurse and the man who turned a small Aboriginal dance company into an internationally recognised organisation are among the Indigenous Australians honoured at this year's national NAIDOC Awards in Darwin.
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) awards are held at the end of NAIDOC week in July each year.
Goreng Goreng man Professor Chris Sarra, who has worked to improve Aboriginal education outcomes, was awarded Person of the Year and dedicated his award to Aboriginal students in remote communities.
"This goes out to the Indigenous kids running around at schools that no minister or millionaire would ever send their kids to," he said in his acceptance speech.
"To my brothers and sisters, we are stronger than we believe and smarter than we know."
Professor Sarra began the Stronger Smarter Institute which aims to improve the delivery of Indigenous education while enriching cultural identity.
He was among 1,500 guests at the gala awards night where ten outstanding Indigenous Australians were recognised on Friday night.
Iconic Arnhem Land musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was recognised as Artist of the Year.
His daughter Jasmine Yunupingu said he was unwell and accepted the award on his behalf.
"My dad has toured around the world and been a great role model to the community and the people of my community," Miss Yunupingu said.
"He's made all his family and community proud."
Author, youth parliamentarian, and language and culture teacher Elijah Douglas took out the Youth of the Year award.
He said he wanted his award to be a launch pad to bigger goals.
"One of my goals is to become the first Aboriginal Prime Minister of Australia," Mr Douglas said.
"I really want to make my home community of Doomadgee a better place so I run programs encouraging kids to stay in school so there are more leaders coming out."
Award winners:
- Caring for Country Award: Manymak Energy Efficiency Project (NT)
- Youth of the Year: Elijah Douglas (QLD)
- Artist of the Year: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (NT)
- Scholar of the Year: Layneisha Sgro (WA)
- Apprentice of the Year: Montana Ah-Won (WA)
- Sportsperson of the Year: Jade North (NSW)
- Female Elder of the Year: Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik (NT)
- Male Elder of the Year: Dr Robert Francis Isaacs (WA)
- Person of the Year: Professor Chris Sarra (QLD)
- Lifetime Achievement Award winner: Stephen Page (QLD)
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