A word from our co-CEO: Liandra Gaykamaŋu
“As a Yolngu woman I am excited to be able to help grow, support and learn from entrepreneurs and enterprises operating in the remote context.”
Nhamirri nhuma bukmak? Ngarraku yaku Liandra Gaykamaŋu.
(How are you all? My name is Liandra Gaykamaŋu).
I am a Yolŋu woman from North-East Arnhem Land. I am also an entrepreneur and the Founder and Creative Director of Liandra Swim, a swimwear label I started four years ago.
In 2020, I moved home to Milingimbi, where I have strong familial and cultural ties. Milingimbi is the place my father grew up and where I spent the first years of my life. For the past 12 months I have been operating Liandra Swim from Milingimbi, too. Moving my growing business to Milingimbi has given me a powerful insight into understanding the remote enterprise landscape—both the negatives and positives.
In October 2020 I also joined the Enterprise Learning Projects board and I have just been appointed co-CEO.
ELP’s leadership transition, which began soon after Alexie Seller came into the CEO role 18 months ago, has been a steadily progressive and organic shift for the organisation. I am incredibly proud to now sit side-by-side with Alexie at the helm.
ELP’s core focus is to support the remote Indigenous business sector across the NT and one of my core responsibilities as co-CEO is to manage and facilitate our new incubation program, supporting businesses in remote communities for at least a 12-month period. As a Yolŋu woman, I am excited to be able to help grow, support and learn from entrepreneurs and enterprises operating in the remote context.
Business is an area I am extremely passionate about. I believe it is a way for Indigenous people to take control of our economic freedom by creating sustainable pathways for employment and opportunities for our future generations.
I am particularly excited about the delivery of our incubation program because much of our support will be done on-Country. Our program will also work deeply to create an experience that respects and acknowledges two-way thinking, learning and being. I am heavily focusing on allowing room for the entrepreneurs to share with us the areas where they need support and we will tailor the program to their specific wants and needs.
With my father passing away in late 2019, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what my contribution to change would be for the next generation of Yolŋu people. My father always believed, and instilled in me, that education and knowledge was power and the key to walking in both a Yolŋu and Balanda world. I am hyper-aware of his dreams, goals and aspirations for our family and people. I am fortunate to also have an amazing mother that pushed me to confidentially step into opportunities as they arose.
I am thrilled to now be in a role where I can support, uplift and learn from other enterprises operating in the remote context. I think it is especially important to step into roles where we, as Indigenous people, are responsible for seeing the change we are calling for. There is much discussion, in the broader Indigenous community about creating change and taking ownership. It is extremely powerful and uplifting to having the opportunity to work in the region where my family, language and culture is.
Whilst I have never considered myself to be a role-model, I hope that I can help inspire the next generation of Yolŋu leaders to step into their power and be at the epicentre of change for our people.
I’m looking forward to sharing the stories of our incredible new incubation program partners, and those of ELP’s wider community of partners. Watch this space and feel free to get in touch at any point if you want to connect or chat further.
