NTAIC Communique – September 2022 Board meeting
Communique for the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation
Fifth meeting of the interim Board
The NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC) interim Board met on Larrakia Country in Darwin over 5-6 September to continue its preparations to start the Corporation. This was an important and exciting meeting for the interim Board as they formally appointed Darwin local, Ms Leeanne Caton as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NTAIC for a six month period. “We are very happy to have Ms Caton joining the NTAIC,” the Co-Chairs Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi and Ms Barbara Shaw said. “Ms Caton will lead the NTAIC and bring our vision for self-determination and long term prosperity for Aboriginal people in the NT into reality.” The interim Board is proud to appoint a passionate local leader like Ms Caton to work in partnership with First Nations people in the NT to support self-determination for generations to come
Ms Caton is a proud Kalkadoon and Waanyi woman who grew up in Darwin. With experience across a broad range of sectors and strong management and stakeholder skills, Ms Caton is well equipped to lead the NTAIC to deliver on its objectives to grow long-term wealth and support Aboriginal economies in the NT, as well as support important social and cultural priorities. Ms Caton will formally start in the role in November 2022.
The Minister for Indigenous Australians supported Ms Caton’s appointment and looks forward to the next stage of NTAIC’s establishment. The NTAIC interim Board started its recruitment process for the acting CEO role in May 2022, overseen by Indigenous Executive Search Company, Pipeline Talent. The role was advertised across a range of Aboriginal and mainstream job boards, including targeted advertising in the NT. The interim Board conducted interviews for the role in late July and considered a number of experienced candidates.
The interim Board also judged the NTAIC Art Competition, which ran through late July and August. Ten fantastic artworks were submitted from across the NT and the Board thanks all entrants for their interest in the competition. The interim Board would like to congratulate Ms Evelyn Young from Ltyentye Apurte in Central Australia for winning the competition. Ms Young’s artwork will inspire the creation of an NTAIC logo and other graphic design materials by the end of this year.
The interim Board formally established and appointed members to the NTAIC’s Investment Committee and progressed the establishment of its Audit and Risk Committee.
The interim Board also progressed discussions about its new grants process with the current Aboriginals Benefit Account Advisory Committee. The new process will replace the current ABA grants process. The NTAIC is on track to formally commence by December 2022 with the NTAIC’s new grants process expected to open around March 2023.
