As National Reconciliation Week 2026 draws to a close, I pay my respects to Professor Peter Buckskin PSM FACE. Professor Buckskin passed away last month after a lifetime spent championing reconciliation and advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

I had the privilege of working with Professor Buckskin,
a Narungga man from South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, during his tenure as a Director on the Lowitja Institute Board between 2010 and 2023.

He was a strong advocate for Lowitja Institute’s scholarship program and was passionate about ensuring our mob were appropriately supported throughout their education. An educator by profession, Professor Buckskin made an immeasurable contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. His determination to elevate Indigenous voices also led to a distinguished career working with both state and Federal governments. In his home state, he served as Co-Chair of Reconciliation South Australia, was the first Indigenous Chairperson of Tauondi College, and contributed to the development of the state-based First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Professor Buckskin’s deep belief in education’s transformative power ensured many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have benefited from his work. He will be greatly missed.

The legacy of our Elders who have passed remains strong. Our staff were proud to be among those attending this week’s unveiling of a statue of the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG beside Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens) on Kaurna Country in Adelaide. The statue, the first of a series honouring leading Aboriginal South Australians, is a powerful tribute to our inspiring co-patron. Dr O’Donoghue now keeps a close eye on Karrawirra Parri, passers-by, and the city she was proud to call home.

ngun-godjin

(thank you)

Paul Stewart

CEO

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG statue unveiled on Kaurna Country

On Tuesday, the South Australian Government unveiled a bronze statue of our co-patron, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.

The statue is located at Tarntanya Wama (Elder Park), on the southern side of Karrawirra Parri/River Torrens, on Kaurna Country.

Designed by Robert Hannaford AM, this is the first of an initial six statues to memorialise prominent Aboriginal South Australians acknowledging their extraordinary contributions to the state's communities.

Pictured at the statue unveiling (L-to-R): Ruby
Edwards, Lowanna Norris, Michael Newman,
Craig Ritchie, Pat Anderson AO, and Deb Edwards.

'Our family deeply appreciates this recognition, and we know that Dr O’Donoghue would be profoundly moved to be memorialised on Kaurna Country for a higher purpose. The inspirational achievements and legacies of Aboriginal leaders who created pathways and opened doors in this state will now be powerfully symbolised for our young people and future leaders to follow.'

–  Deb Edwards, Head of the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation

Lowitja Conference 2027 plans taking shape

With planning well underway for our 5th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference (8–10 June 2027), the Lowitja Institute executive team recently visited Garramilla/Darwin on beautiful Larrakia Country.

Our conference takes place every two years, attracting global audiences committed to sharing knowledge for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities from around the world. Last year saw an impressive 1,370 delegates from Australia and across the world and 230 presentations showcasing leadership, insights, and innovation.

We look forward to returning for next year's conference!

Professor Larissa Behrendt AO delivers Lowitja O'Donoghue Oration

Last night on Kaurna Country, the 19th Annual Lowitja O'Donoghue Oration was delivered by Eualeyai/Gamilaraay woman Professor Larissa Behrendt AO.

Held at at Elder Hall, Adelaide University, this evening of reflection, truth-telling, and powerful First Nations leadership forms a key part of Reconciliation Week in South Australia.

Professor Behrendt is Distinguished Professor and the Laureate Fellow at the Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney. Her oration, entitled 'Strength with Grace: Bringing the Nation Together', drew on Dr O’Donoghue’s own belief that justice is not about guilt, to explore how cultural authority and collective responsibility can lead to national maturity.

L-to-R: Deb Edwards, Pat Anderson AO, and Professor Larissa Behrendt AO.

Lowitja Institute's Jaki Adams recognised by First Nations Eye Health Alliance

Last month, Jaki Adams, our Executive Manager, Research and Knowledge Translation, was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Conference Awards.

Presented during the 10th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference, in Naarm, this award celebrates exceptional leadership that has strengthened systems, inspired collaboration and advanced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health outcomes.

2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Eye Conference Award-winners (L-to-R):

Harrison Pike, Renata Watene, Jaki Adams,

and Shaun Tatipata.

Lowitja Institute exhibits and presents at the AIATSIS Summit on Kombumerri Country

This week, we've been on Kombumerri Country, attending the AIATSIS Summit, connecting with stakeholders from across the sector and taking part in important conversations about the issues that matter most to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

  
We've hosted an exhibition booth throughout the week, while, on Monday, our Research Ethics Coordinator, Janaya Pender, led a workshop titled 'Establishment of a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Research Ethics Committee - Findings and Next Steps'. 

National Walk For Truth

Lowitja Institute representatives were in attendance as proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, Travis Lovett brought his National Walk For Truth to Parliament House, Canberra, on 27 May. Lowitja Institute CEO Paul Stewart walked the final Walk For Truth leg on a sunny Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country morning alongside Travis, the former commissioner and co-chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Travis and a Walk For Truth contingent left Naarm on 19 April, covered more than 500km on foot, visited traditional sites, and engaged with communities on the importance of Truth-telling and working together on a reconciliatory path forward. He was met in Parliament House’s forecourt by Australian Prime Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, who was presented message sticks and a kangaroo skin embossed with a message calling for national Truth-telling. Travis thanked Paul and the Lowitja Institute for our support of his advocacy. Read more about the National Walk For Truth here.

GLOWS Seeding Research Grants close next week

Applications for the 2026 GLOWS Seeding Research Grants will close on 10 June 2026.

In collaboration with Gilead Health Sciences, this grant provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations with the opportunity to identify or explore research priorities within their community related to HIV and viral hepatitis infections, diagnosis, and treatment.​

Funding is also available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researchers, as an opportunity to explore and strengthen community research priorities and to generate the evidence needed to develop a research proposal.

Racism is killing us: policy interventions and societal changes are urgently needed

Lowitja Learning Summit: ICIP workshop

Earlier this week, we hosted the online workshop 'Best practice Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. The workshop was presented by Terri Janke and Company, Australia's oldest and largest privately owned Indigenous legal and consulting firm, specialising in Intellectual Property (IP) and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

Nulungu Research Week

Last week, Lowitja Institute's Kristen Keating and Dillon Bell presented during Nulungu Research Week, discussing research pathways and workforce development in a session entitled 'Reshaping Indigenous research'.

Online learning bursaries for OCHRe and Lowitja Institute members

OCHRe is pleased to offer bursaries for Lowitja Institute’s suite of short online courses. Bursaries are available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are individual members of OCHRe and Lowitja Institute, or have applied. Sign up for membership now! 

• OCHRe membership
• Lowitja Institute membership 

Limited bursaries available.You will have 12 months complete the course/s of your choice. Eligible individuals can access all six of Lowitja Institute’s online courses.  

For more information, or for assistance with accessing your bursary, please contact the Lowitja Institute team on learning@lowitja.org.au  

The Lowitja Journal: EOI open to participate in upcoming First Nations Writers Workshop

Expressions of Interest are open for The Lowitja Journal's Writers Workshop (taking place in Naarm, 27–29 October 2026), supported by OCHRe’s UNITE Hub. We welcome EOIs from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early career researchers and post-graduate students. This workshop is designed to support First Nations-led writing across health and wellbeing. The program aims to create a culturally safe, supportive space for participants to develop writing skills, strengthen confidence, and progress written output.

The workshop will include structured writing presentations; practical guidance; mentoring and peer-support opportunities; and opportunities to connect with First Nations researchers, editors, and experienced authors.

Applications are to be submitted by 9am (AEST) on Wednesday 24 June. To support meaningful engagement and mentoring, places in the workshop will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Participants will be contacted confirming workshop selection by Friday 31 July. Successful applicants will be eligible for reimbursement of approved expenses up to a maximum of $1000. Please see the submission form for more details.

Call for papers: Lowitja Journal special issue

We invite you to consider submitting an article to First Nations Health and Wellbeing – The Lowitja Journal for a special issue: Articulating First Nations Ways of ‘Knowing, Being and Doing’.

This peer-reviewed special issue invites contributions that explore Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing as foundations for decolonising and re-shaping thought, offering opportunities to understand ourselves and our relationship with our environment and each other to address contemporary, local and global challenges. This issue is accompanied by a dedicated Lowitja Journal webinar series that deepens the conversation and brings the epistemology, ontology, and axiology of knowing, being, and doing to life through dialogue with leading First Nations scholars and practitioners.

If you wish to submit an article, please send a preliminary indicative title, a brief overview of your planned submission, and corresponding author details to editor@lowitja.org.au by 30 June 2026.

Media

Resources

• Joint statement with NATSIAACC – Overdue Action Required on First Nations Aged Care Reform, 29 May

• New national plan demands progress for Stolen Generations survivors, 29 years on from Bringing them home, The Healing Foundation