John "Jack" Ah Kit

Born in Alice Springs, John Ah Kit went on to become the Northern Territory's first Aboriginal Cabinet minister in the Martin Labor Government in 2001, a position he held until his retirement in 2005.

In 1991, Jack was appointed Director of the Katherine-based Jawoyn Association. During this period he was part of the negotiating team which reached Australia's first Native Title settlement over mining at Mt Todd, as well as establishing with the Jawoyn Executive sustainable enterprises at Nitmiluk National Park. During this period he also served on the Executive of the NLC. He left the organisation in August 1995 to successfully contest the Legislative Assembly seat of Arnhem left vacant by the resignation of Wesley Lanhupuy. He was re-elected to the seat in 1997, and again in 2001 and the subsequent formation of the Territory's first Labor Government.

For the majority of his time as the Territory's first Aboriginal minister he served as Minister for Community Development, Housing, Local Government, Sport and Recreation, Regional Development and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs.

Christine Charles

Christine Charles is Regional Director - Environment and Social Responsibility with Newmont Australia. Newmont is a leading US based gold mining company, with operating sites and exploration activity across 5 continents. Christine's role extends across Newmont's interests in Australia and New Zealand.

Christine has extensive experience in a number of sectors having worked as senior levels in government, for the World Health Organisation internationally, for NGOs and as an academic.

Christine was the Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of Human Services from 1997 to 2002. Prior to that she headed the South Australian Cabinet Office for four years after holding a number of senior government positions. In 2003 she worked for the World Health Organisation as a senior consultant based at the International Centre for Health Systems Development, Kobe, Japan.

Joseph Elu

Joseph Elu has been Chairman of Indigenous Business Australia since December 1996. In August 2006, Joseph was appointed the Chairman of Outback Stores. Outback Stores is wholly owned subsidiary of Indigenous Business Australia, which aims to improve the health and nutrition of Indigenous Australians by improving the management of remote Indigenous Community Stores.

Mr Elu is Chairman of the Seisia Island Council (on the tip of Cape York) and is a member of the Island Coordinating Council. He also co-chairs the Indigenous Community Volunteers Foundation and is a member of the Torres Strait Regional Authority.

A powerful advocate for the inclusion of private enterprise in the process of assisting the economic development of Indigenous people, Mr Elu is a recipient of the Centenary Medal and holds an honorary Doctorate in Economics from the Queensland University of Technology.

Chris Karamea Insley

Raised by grand-parents in the small Maori (Indigenous) community of Omaio in the eastern Bay of Plenty of the North Island of New Zealand on a farm and alongside the sea, Chris developed a clear affinity with the primary sectors in New Zealand and an equally strong passion for economic development underpinned by the principles of sustainability.

Chris is a strong motivator and team builder with a reputation for building strong organisations through the development of people. With over 20 years experience in senior management roles in large New Zealand companies, Chris has assisted clients in the development and execution of corporate strategy, technology strategy, human resource planning, performance management systems and integrated business systems.

Chris was a key note speaker at the 2006 Indigenous Economic Development conference in Sydney Australia.

Larrakia Development Corporation

Shirley McPherson

Shirley McPerson, Chairperson Indigenous Land Corporation, is a chartered accountant and a board member of First Australians in Business.

Ms McPherson has worked as a consultant to the mining industry in negotiating land use agreements in the Pilbara and Goldfields areas of WA, was formerly the Chair of the Aboriginal Development Corporation, a past director of the Indigenous Business Network, has worked as a mediator for the National Native Title Tribunal and is a past director of KPMG Management Consulting Services.

Ms McPherson is a member of the Australian delegation to United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples.

Bill Moss

Bill Moss A.M. the former Group Head & CEO of Macquarie Banks Banking and Property Group, with over 30 years' experience in the banking and finance industry he is a leading figure in the Australian financial community. Bill established Macquarie's property business in 1984, which grew to become the Banking and Property Group in 1998. He had oversight of Macquarie's property funds management businesses which manage globally in excess of A$23 billion of property related assets including over 750 commercial, industrial and retail properties. The listed property businesses would rank (as a single entity) in the top 20 largest listed companies on the ASX.

Bill is the founder of Gunya Tourism, an Indigenous Tourism venture in partnership with the community of Titjikala

Chris Richardson

One of Australia's best known economists, Chris Richardson is Director of Access Economics. Chris worked at the Federal Treasury prior to joining Access Economics in 1988. He has also worked at the International Monetary Fund, advising countries in the former Soviet Union and South America. Chris writes the Business Review Weekly's Fundamentals column.

Master of Ceremonies: Charlie King

Born in Alice Springs, Charlie King moved to Darwin in the early 60s to fulfil his passion of sport.

In 1990 he started work at the ABC as sports broadcaster, and since then his name has been synonymous with sport in the Northern Territory.

Charlie was recognised for his contribution to sport in the Northern Territory, winning the ABC Outstanding Contribution to Local Radio Award in 2004.

Other community awards include the 2001 Northern Territory Indigenous Person, 2003 Darwin Citizen of the Year, and the inaugural Childrens Champion in 2005 for his work in the field of child abuse and domestic violence.

Dinner speaker: Fred Chaney OA

Fred Chaney practised law in Western Australia and New Guinea, and in the early 1970s was a volunteer at the Aboriginal Legal Service.

He entered the Senate in 1974, with Ministerial appointments of Aboriginal Affairs and Social Security.

After leaving Parliament he undertook research into Aboriginal Affairs policy and administration. He is an active member of Reconciliation Australia Ltd and the current Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia and the Consultation Committee on a Human Rights Act for Western Australia.