NATSIEC is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. We deliver community-informed, independent, evidence-based advice to governments across all levels of the education system. Our work spans early childhood, school education, skills and training, and higher education.
NATSIEC stands in a long line of First Nations advocacy for education justice. We were formed through more than 40 years of collective leadership from state and territory Indigenous Education Consultative Bodies. These bodies continue to anchor our work in community authority, cultural knowledge and lived experience.
We carry forward the legacy of the 1977 National Aboriginal Education Committee and the 1989 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy, both of which asserted that First Nations people must lead decisions about our children’s learning.
Formally incorporated under the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations in 2023, NATSIEC now holds a Partnership Agreement with all Australian Education Ministers through the Education Ministers Meeting, and works directly with the Australian Government Department of Education. Our role is to influence national policy, strengthen cultural safety, and ensure governments are accountable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
NATSIEC:
We thank the Australian Government Department of Education for its continued support of NATSIEC’s establishment and national role.
Ray Ingrey is a Dharawal and Dunghutti man from the La Perouse community in Sydney. He has been involved in Aboriginal education for more than two decades through the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (NSW AECG), where he currently serves as President. Ray has led Dharawal language reclamation for over 23 years and is a Board member of the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust.
A proud Bangerang and Wiradjuri woman, Aunty Geraldine has been a driving force for Aboriginal education reform for more than 40 years. She is a long-time leader of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) and a respected national advocate.
Professor Mark Rose is a proud Gunditjmara man and a senior leader in Aboriginal education across higher education, schooling and national policy. He represents the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated.
Christine Thyer is a Ngarrindjeri woman from the Coorong region in South Australia. She has worked for more than 15 years across public education systems and First Nations education. Christine currently serves as CEO of the South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC).
Donna Henry is a Quandamooka woman living on Kaurna Country and the current Chair of the South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council (SAAETCC). She brings experience across education, child protection and community governance, including her role as Chair of the Aboriginal Family Support Service, and is a committed advocate for Aboriginal children’s rights and cultural connection
Anne Dennis is a Gamilaraay woman from Walgett with more than 30 years’ experience in teaching and Aboriginal education advocacy. She is the Vice President and a Life Member of the NSW AECG. Anne also contributes to several Aboriginal organisations, ensuring community voices shape education and local priorities.
Ned David is a Kulkalaig man from Tudu in the Central Torres Strait with deep ties across Iama, Mer and Saibai. He chairs Gur A Baradharaw Kod and leads both the Torres Strait Islanders Regional Education Council (TSIREC) and Malu Lamar RNTBC. Ned brings long experience in government and community governance, including as former Chair of the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Indigenous Repatriation.
Professor Peter Buckskin is a Narungga man from the Yorke Peninsula and one of the most influential Aboriginal education leaders of the past four decades. He has worked as a teacher, senior executive across state and Commonwealth roles, Ministerial Adviser, Dean at the University of South Australia, and Chair of SAATECC.
His contributions span national and international forums, including UNESCO, the Working Group of Experts to the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
Professor Buckskin has been recognised with numerous honours, including the Public Service Medal, the Frank G Klassen Award for leadership in teacher education, the National Deadly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, and Fellowship of the Australian College of Educators.
Lionel Bamblett is a Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Bangerang leader and long serving General Manager of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI). With more than 25 years in Koorie education, he has advised successive Victorian governments and helped shape major policies and strategies including Koorie Education Policy, Yalca, Wurreker, Wannik and Marrung.
He has consistently championed stronger education and training outcomes for Koorie learners and played a national role in Indigenous education reform, including leading the 2008 World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education in Melbourne.
