National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year promotes power of knowledge

Kuku Yulanji woman Michelle Deshong has received many academic honours in her time, but she said none could compare to being named 2015 National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year.

“There’s no greater accolade than to receive recognition from your own people,” she said.

“Hopefully this sets an agenda for others that it’s ok for us to want to get educated; for us to empower ourselves with knowledge.”

After 15 years in the Australian Public Service and community-led work such as Director of the Australian Indigenous Leadership programme, Michelle returned to her home state of Queensland to start her academic career.

Graduating from James Cook University with First Class Honours, Michelle was awarded the University Medal, Deans List Award and is a Golden Key International Honours Society member.

Currently completing her PhD in Enabling Participation of Aboriginal Women in Public and Political Life, Michelle was also this year’s recipient of the Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholarship.

“I believe knowledge is power, and there’s no point if I’m the only one gaining that knowledge,” Michelle said.

“I’ve always tried to impart and share the knowledge that I’m gaining, particularly with Indigenous women, by engaging in conversations that empower women to be change makers.”

For more than five years Michelle has led these conversations at an international level as a representative at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

At a national level, she empowers Indigenous women through her role as lead facilitator for Oxfam’s Straight Talk programme. It teaches Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women about the political system and how they can use political engagement to create change in their communities.

“I’ve been extremely grateful that I’ve gotten to work with so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across this country, to be change makers, to be decision makers,” Michelle said during her award acceptance speech.

“But more importantly, in the next decade, you better watch out because there’ll be many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the political sphere, I guarantee you!”