Overview

The Indigenous Governing Committee was established to embed Indigenous self-determination into the Centre for Indigenous Policy Research’s model of governance by empowering First Nations communities to make decisions about research matters affecting them. The Governing Committee establishes relational accountability between CIPR and First Nations communities, in accordance with the ANU’s national mission. 

The goals of the Governing Committee are to:

• Strengthen CIPR’s sense of place and identity as a research centre on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country with a unique national purpose to lead research and engagement with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
• Enhance relational accountability between CIPR and First Nations communities;
• Increase First Nations leadership and participation in strategic decision making at CIPR;
• Build new research collaboration and partnerships with First Nations communities and organisations; and
• Establish CIPR’s national and global reputation as an Indigenous-led research centre.

Committee Members

Uncle Bradley Bell

Burandu Gullanga Bradley Djirabidj Bell I’m a proud Ngunnawal man who has dedicated my life to serving community, protecting Country, and advancing the rights, aspirations, and cultural heritage of Aboriginal people. Working with and for community is central to who I am, is and how I live. For me, as with all Aboriginal peoples, identity is a collective identity—one grounded in culture, kinship, responsibility, and lore that has guided communities across thousands of generations since time immemorial.

I am an alternate member of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, representing the Ngunnawal community and providing guidance and advice on matters relating to Ngunnawal culture, heritage, and the ongoing protection of Country. My leadership is founded on a deep commitment to ensuring that the voices, knowledge, and responsibilities of Ngunnawal people continue to be recognised and respected.

For 11 years, I served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council, where I worked closely with community to protect and strengthen culture, heritage, land, and water. Recognising that land and water are inseparable from identity, wellbeing, and the spiritual connection to Country, I championed initiatives that promoted cultural preservation, self-determination, and sustainable management of Aboriginal lands and waters. Following his tenure as CEO, he continued his service as both a Chairperson and Board Member, contributing to the organisation's leadership and governance.

I also am the Ngunnawal Representative and Board Member of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN), an organisation through which he has advocated for Indigenous water rights and cultural values for more than ten years. Through this role, he works alongside First Nations leaders across the Murray–Darling Basin to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard and there is opportunity to uplift comprehension and capacity in water policy, planning, and management.

I currently serve as Deputy Chair of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ACTATSIEB), representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the ACT and supporting improved outcomes for community through advocacy, leadership, and engagement with government. I currently hold the ACT Health and Canberra Health Services working with ACT Health and Community Services Directorate. 

As a devoted family man, I’m a proud husband, father of four children, and grandfather to two granddaughters. My family, culture, and community remain at the heart of everything I do.

I played a key leadership role in helping guide the Ngunnawal people through the development of the NSW -ACT Water Resource Plan, particularly Chapter 10, Part 14, which maps the aspirations and objectives of the Ngunnawal people for Country and waterways. This work sought to ensure that the enduring cultural, spiritual, environmental, and governance responsibilities of the Ngunnawal people were formally recognised within water planning frameworks.

The aspirations and objectives articulated by the Ngunnawal people emphasise the importance of being active participants in planning, policy, and legislative frameworks through genuine co-design and co-management. They also acknowledge the ongoing structural barriers within government systems that have historically limited meaningful Aboriginal engagement and decision-making.

I’m a strong advocate for the recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty, cultural authority, and custodianship of Country. I reject the concepts of terra nullius and aqua nullius, recognising that the Ngunnawal people have maintained an unbroken connection and responsibility to their lands and waters since time immemorial. He affirms that the Ngunnawal people have never ceded nor surrendered their sovereignty over Country.

Through leadership, advocacy, and commitment to community, I continue to work towards a future where Aboriginal knowledge, culture, and governance are recognised as essential to the care and management of Country, ensuring that future generations inherit strong culture, healthy waterways, and enduring connections to land.

Uncle Owen Carriage

I am a Walbunja Elder within the Yuin Tribe South Coast N.S.W. also creator and founder of the only two Indigenous newspapers in Australia  (Koori Mail and National Indigenous Times).  I am dedicated to restoring the traditional practice of my culture while fostering cross-cultural understanding and knowledge; e.g. Cultural Burning, Hunting and Gathering, Caring for Country and continuing sharing my Traditional Knowledge with the Australian and European students which I have been doing with ANU over the last 5/6 years. I am the great-grandson of Jimmy Governor (Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith).

Kristy Bloomfield

Kristy is a Central Arrernte, Eastern Arrernte & Alyawarra woman and Traditional Owner of Mbuntua Alice Springs and Loves Creek Station east of Alice Springs.

 Kristy has worked in Aboriginal law and justice for over 20 years in several roles including as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer and later Manager in Criminal, Civil, Child Protection and Family. Kristy has also worked extensively in Community Legal Education and as the regional manager for Law and Justice Projects in Central Australia. Kristy has experience working in Alice Springs at the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS), in Cairns at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service and later the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) (formerly CAALAS).

 In 2016 she was a part of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.

 In 2018 Kristy graduated from the Indigenous Pre-law Intensive course through Charles Darwin University in Darwin.

 In 2019 Kristy represented NAAJA at the 82nd Pre- session of the Convention on the right of the Child Committee at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

 Following her extensive legal career Kristy moved to Flinders University as a Lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges and Culture, whilst also studying and graduating from the Australian National University with a Graduate Certificate of Management.

Kristy and her family started their own businesses in 2022 Oonchiumpa Consultancy and Services, for which she is the Director, with the aim to support and mentor the most at-risk young people in Central Australia from a perspective of cultural authority and leadership as traditional owners. As well as run law and justice education programs across Central Australia to improve Aboriginal people’s interaction with justice system. Through this work she has partnered with the Australian National University to run on- country law and justice 1 week courses, hosted the executives of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia as well as delivered on country immersive experiences and keynote addresses to the Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court at their annual Judge’s Conference. She is currently working with the National Judicial College of Australia to run a similar program in April 2026.

Matthew Talbot

Matthew Talbot is a Yuin man and General Manager of the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the ANU.