Aboriginal lawyers and law students at NAAJA served a key role establishing the Bilata Legal Pathways Program as a partnership approach to increase the access and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the studies and practice of law.

The Reference group, co-chaired by the Hon Trevor Riley QC and Priscilla Atkins, was instrumental in working with Charles Darwin University to see the return of the Indigenous Pre-Law program (many senior Aboriginal lawyers in the Northern Territory participated in this program in the 1990s).

Now in its 4th year, the CDU Indigenous Pre-Law program and the community engagement work of Aboriginal lawyers and law students involved with the Bilata program has led to increases in the numbers of Aboriginal people studying law. NAAJA’s pro-active support of its staff to participate in this program has also been key to its success.

With little to no dedicated funding over these years, members of the Reference group and NAAJA continue to put in place activities and events in support of the program and actively connect Aboriginal lawyers and law students as role models to High School students who may be interested in studying law.

To support this cause, please consider leading a fundraising activity or donating to NAAJA’s International Fund.

For more information, please visit the Bilata program website by clicking here or search the various material at the Charles Darwin University webpage.

To hear the speech delivered at the National Indigenous Legal Conference held in Darwin on 13th and 14th August 2019

Visit the 14th National Indigenous Legal Conference website, by clicking here.