The 2008 award descriptions are:

Outstanding Academic Individual Achievement
This award recognises achievements and commitment within the education system for further academic development. The award is open to students studying at secondary and tertiary level. This award is for both a junior and senior individual who have undertaken their studies. Junior nominee aged between 0-17 years old and a Senior nominee aged 18 years and above.

Outstanding Education Project or Program that encourages Aboriginal Participation
This award recognises Educational Projects or Programs that have contributed towards promoting Aboriginal participation and a positive image of Aboriginal culture and heritage or who have facilitated the development of Aboriginal people with the East Kimberley.

Outstanding Young Individual Leadership
This award recognises an individual 12-25 years old, who has demonstrated leadership through positively guiding others with in the family and/or community, personal goal achievement and community development, heritage and culture. Quality of engagement with the wider community through leadership in committees, peer assistance, sporting activities, emphasises on volunteer work, professional and personal development.

Outstanding Individual Leadership
This award recognises an individual 25 years or older, who has demonstrated leadership through positively guiding others with in the family and the community, personal goal achievement and community development, heritage and culture.

Outstanding Individual contributing to Arts & Culture
This award recognises a commitment to and achievement in any aspect of the arts ñ (Design, writing, painting, song, dance, music/band, theatre or storytelling).

Exceptional Individual Care Giver
This award recognises an individual whose extensive Care Giving has benefited others and the community.

Outstanding Community-building Partnerships and Projects
This award recognises a specific partnership or project within the Aboriginal community that demonstrates leadership, collaboration and real outcomes contributing to a stronger future for Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley.

Apprentice and Trainee of the Year
This award will recognise individuals who have completed or is due to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship within the 2008 calendar year. These people should show career progress due to training, have applied themselves to their studies and have achieved personal goals and have career aspirations. This award is an Apprentice and a Trainee.

Employment or Training Service Provider of the Year
In recognition of the important role of service organisations working to deliver innovative and effective skills development and/or employment support for Aboriginal employees and their employers.

Employee of the Year
Tell us about your top employee/colleague and how they have contributed to your business success. The winner will be an employee who has excelled in all areas, who is dynamic, customer focused, enthusiastic and committed.

Employer of Aboriginal People of the Year
The Employer award will be presented to an enterprise that demonstrates outstanding commitment and excellence in the provision of training and employing Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Business of the Year
This award recognises emerging Aboriginal businesses or Corporations who have demonstrated good management and strategies to provide better outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Outstanding Community Group or Organisation contributing to Aboriginal community
In recognition of the many successful organisations that work tirelessly to build strength and opportunity within the Aboriginal community, this award will go to the Community group or organisation that best embodies the notions of achievement, service, credibility and delivering real and lasting opportunity for Aboriginal people.

Non-Aboriginal Person contributing to Aboriginal Affairs
This award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to Aboriginal affairs or the equality and quality to making a difference for Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley.

Aboriginal Person of the Year
This award recognises an individual who is an inspirational role model to others. This person stands out through improving quality of life of Aboriginal people, improves the opportunities of people living in the region, enriches cultural diversity, reunites family and community activities and goes above and beyond to support and be active within the community on all levels — family, community service and development, heritage and culture, personal goal achievement.

Elder (60+) Of the Year
This award recognises Elders both Male and Female who are inspirational to others as a "life-time" role model. These people are active members within the community on all levels, from family, community service and development, heritage and culture, personal goal achievement.

Volunteer of the Year (New Category)
This award recognises an individual, male or female who has made outstanding contributions to community, organisations, and programs or projects on a volunteer basis to Aboriginal communities within the East Kimberley region.

Year National NAIDOC Theme Award — "Fair Go" (New Category)
This is a new initiative that has been introduced to coincide with the national NAIDOC theme. This theme for 2008 is "Advance Australia Fair" and we encourage people to reflect on the Australian principle of a "Fair go" and for them to consider the inequalities still Aboriginal people experienced in this country today. This award is for individuals, Male or Female or groups who have become leaders in our community and who have worked tirelessly over the years in our communities to make a difference.

For more information on the 2008 East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards, please contact:
Wunan Foundation office on (08) 9168 3881