In February 2024, the boards of Mimal Land Management and Warddeken, together with leaders from Nawarddeken Academy, came together in Darwin to plan the next stage of the Indigenous Rangers Workforce Development Program, now known as Bidwern Butj Uni. Over two days, the group carefully reviewed the original business plan prepared by Social Ventures Australia, which had helped attract crucial philanthropic support for the project. During this workshop, members agreed on the makeup of a new Steering Committee and decided the project needed a proper, Bininj-led name, leading to the creation of Bidwern Butj Uni.

The Bidwern Butj Uni Steering Committee now consists of 11 members: four representatives, 2 bininj (men) and 2 daluk (women) from Warddeken IPA, four from Mimal IPA (2 bininj and 2 daluk), one representative from Nawarddeken Academy, one from the Learning on Country program, and an Independent Chair. This structure ensures that key ranger and education partners are represented, with strong leadership from Bininj organisations and an independent voice to support good governance.

The committee meets up to four times per year, either in Darwin or out on Country, to make sure decision-making stays connected to community, culture and the realities of remote work.

The purpose of the Steering Committee is to guide and oversee the development and implementation of the Bidwern Butj Uni project. The committee’s role is to:

• Make sure the program follows cultural protocols and respects Traditional Owner and Elder authority.

• Ensure the project meets community needs by listening to rangers, families and local leaders and shaping activities around their priorities.

• Keep the project aligned with shared goals across Warddeken, Mimal, Nawarddeken Academy and Learning on Country, especially for strong, on-Country, bicultural education and employment pathways.

• Support long-term sustainability by strengthening governance, partnerships and systems so the program can continue well into the future.