Building a Foundation for the future – a brief overview of Wunan Foundation

Key information about Wunan Foundation and the challenges facing Indigenous people in our region are outlined below:

– What does “Wunan” mean?
– The Wunan/East Kimberley region
– Indigenous disadvantage in the East Kimberley
– Addressing the challenge
– Looking forward – the plan ahead
– Relevant publications and other suggested reading

Established
Wunan Foundation Inc was established in 1997 as a community-driven initiative by the elected representative body for Indigenous people in the East Kimberley, ATSIC Wunan Regional Council. This initiative led by the Regional Council recognised that Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley need to develop a strong economic base which is independently sustainable.

Purpose
The purpose of the Foundation is to build up capacity to sustain innovative and progressive programs for improving socio-economic outcomes for Indigenous people in the East Kimberley.

A driving force of the Foundation is to build a solid organisation with robust management and board capabilities to be able to avoid the 'boom-bust' cycle that many Indigenous organisations suffer.

“We set up Wunan Foundation to succeed and counter the widespread perception that Indigenous organisations only ever last for a short while before they eventually fail.”
Ian Trust – Founding Chairperson, Wunan Foundation

Wunan Foundation is structured to best protect the long-term viability of the Foundation as a significant contribution to the future economic independence of Aboriginal people in the region.

The Foundation encompasses the following entities which combine to form the ‘backbone’ of the organisation:

East Kimberley Aboriginal Development Corporation (EKADC)
EKADC holds and leverages land-based investments to grow over time and provide commercial returns to support key socio-economic projects.

Kimberley Dreamtime Tours (KDT)
KDT holds Wunan Foundation’s 40% equity in the Kimberly Wilderness Adventures business – a joint venture with Australian Pacific Touring.