Summit 2026

The Indigenous Ways Summit represents a groundbreaking gathering that brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with indigenous trail practitioners from across the Pacific region. Scheduled as a pre-conference event to the World Trails Conference in Perth, this summit embodies our commitment to truth-telling, workforce development, and community benefit through purposeful engagement.

Our vision centres on the fundamental question: "How can we walk in the path of our ancestors and support the lands to be ready for future generations?" This summit creates space for authentic people-to-people connections across countries, fostering dialogue about governance structures, reconciliation processes, and the role of trails in building community resilience.

The event will showcase successful indigenous trail management examples while providing practical tools for participants to develop action plans for their own communities. Through cultural sharing, on-country experiences, and collaborative workshops, we aim to demonstrate what truth looks like on-country and establish a clear vision for indigenous experiences on trails.

"Using trails as the vehicle for governance structures that honour our ancestors while preparing for future generations."

Day 1 Evening - Cultural Connections

Welcome function featuring cultural acknowledgments from all participating cultures. Focus on building people-to-people connections through storytelling, traditional foods, and shared experiences. Evening concludes with a smoking ceremony led by local traditional owners.

Day 2 - On-Country Conversations

Workshop sessions with successful trail practitioners focusing on governance models, partnerships, and service delivery. Panel discussions explore accessible indigenous tourism and practical implementation strategies. Participants develop individual action plans for their communities.

Day 3 Morning - Walking Country

Field visits led by local traditional owners showcasing trails in practice. Demonstration of accessible trail possibilities including partnerships with organizations like Reddog. Integration planning for main conference outcomes and ongoing collaborations.

Global Participation Framework

Target Communities

10 indigenous communities from across the Pacific region, including representatives from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Fiji, Philippines, and Australia. Each community brings unique perspectives on trail governance and cultural preservation.

Maximum 20 Participants

Small group format ensures meaningful dialogue and authentic connections. This intimate setting allows for deep cultural sharing and practical collaboration between communities with similar challenges and opportunities.

Indigenous-Led Trails Focus

All participating communities must demonstrate active trail management or development. Priority given to trails that serve as vehicles for community governance, cultural preservation, and economic development.

The summit operates on principles of reciprocity and mutual learning, where each community both shares their knowledge and learns from others. This exchange model ensures all participants leave with practical tools and expanded networks for ongoing collaboration. Our focus on indigenous-led trails recognises that successful trail management requires deep cultural knowledge and community ownership.

Confirmed Partnership Discussions

Teping in Aotearoa (New Zealand)
New Zealand Trails organisation
New Zealand Māori Tourism
Fiji indigenous economic agencies
Philippine indigenous organisations
Gordon Cole - Indigenous Chamber
Tourism WA partnerships

These partnerships focus on providing direct financial support for community representatives to attend the full summit and conference period, including six nights of accommodation and registration costs.

Investment Opportunities

Conference Registration:

Early bird $600 USD (available January-April), regular $800 USD. Total 600 tickets available for main conference.

Accommodation Support:

Novotel offers cost-effective options compared to conference venue. ECU University provides ambassador accommodation alternatives.

Cultural Investment:

Sponsorship covers cultural protocols, traditional owner payments, and authentic on-country experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Perth as a Cultural Gateway

Perth's selection as the summit location recognises Western Australia's unique position as a gateway between Australia and the Pacific region, with strong existing relationships between Aboriginal communities and Pacific Islander indigenous groups. The city's proximity to diverse country types - from coastal areas to inland desert - provides exceptional opportunities for on-country learning experiences.

Cultural Significance

Noongar country offers ancient songlines and traditional management practices that resonate with Pacific island trail management approaches. The area's continuous indigenous occupation provides authentic examples of country-based governance systems.

Accessibility Infrastructure

Perth's established conference infrastructure and international airport connections facilitate Pacific region participation. The city's commitment to reconciliation provides supportive policy environment for indigenous-led events.

Trail Diversity

From coastal walks to bush trails, Perth region showcases multiple trail typologies that demonstrate various governance and management approaches. Accessible trail options ensure inclusive participation across different mobility needs.

The timing coincides with optimal weather conditions for outdoor activities while avoiding peak tourist seasons that could complicate accommodation and venue availability. Local traditional owners have expressed strong interest in sharing their knowledge and hosting the summit participants.

Integration with World Trails Conference

Strategic Conference Integration

The Indigenous Ways Summit serves as a pre-conference event (October 19-22, 2026) rather than a separate gathering, creating cost efficiencies and maximising participant value. This integration allows summit outcomes to directly influence main conference discussions and policy development.

Summit participants gain full access to the World Trails Conference, bringing indigenous perspectives into mainstream trail industry discussions. This approach ensures indigenous voices are heard in policy development, funding decisions, and international collaboration frameworks that emerge from the conference.

Content captured during the summit will be showcased throughout the main conference through plenary presentations, workshop facilitation, and exhibition displays. This amplifies the summit's impact beyond immediate participants to the broader international trails community.

Conference Schedule Integration

The summit utilises the informal Monday before the official Tuesday conference kickoff, plus the weekend preceding. This timing allows for cultural preparation and relationship building while maintaining energy for full conference participation. Indigenous-led sessions will be embedded throughout the conference programme.

Three Pillars Framework

Truth-Telling

Authentic stories of country, history, and traditional management practices shared through on-country experiences. Participants learn what truth looks like in practice across different cultural contexts.

Traditional owner-led site visits
Cultural protocol education
Historical impact discussions

Workforce Development

Practical skills development in trail management, cultural tourism, and governance structures that support indigenous economic development and community capacity building.

Leadership capability programs
Technical skills workshops
Mentorship network creation

Community Benefit

Ensuring trail development and management delivers tangible benefits to indigenous communities through economic opportunities, cultural preservation, and social cohesion.

Economic impact measurement
Cultural preservation strategies
Social cohesion initiatives

These three pillars form the foundation of all summit activities and provide a framework for ongoing collaboration between participating communities. Each pillar reinforces the others, creating a holistic approach to indigenous trail management that honours cultural values while delivering practical outcomes.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Action Plans for Each Community

Every participating community develops a specific action plan for implementing governance structures, partnerships, and service delivery models appropriate to their cultural and geographic context.

Governance Model Framework

Shared framework for indigenous trail governance that can be adapted across different cultural contexts while maintaining core principles of community ownership and cultural authenticity.

Partnership Development Protocols

Standardised approaches for engaging with government, private sector, and other stakeholders that ensure indigenous communities maintain control while accessing necessary resources and support.

Ongoing Collaboration Network

Formal network structure enabling continued knowledge sharing, resource sharing, and mutual support between participating communities beyond the summit event.

The summit's impact extends far beyond immediate participants through conference integration, media coverage, and resource development. Outcomes will be documented and shared through the Indigenous Ways website (indigenousways.global) ensuring broader accessibility to tools and frameworks developed during the event.

Success metrics include participant satisfaction, action plan implementation rates, partnership development outcomes, and ongoing network activity. Long-term impact will be measured through community benefit realisation and cultural preservation outcomes in participating communities.

Secure Sponsorship Commitments

Finalise funding partnerships with identified organisations to ensure full participation from all target communities. Complete registration and accommodation cost calculations for sponsor proposals.

Confirm Community Participation

Engage with identified indigenous communities to confirm participation and begin cultural protocol discussions. Establish selection criteria for community representatives.

Finalise Programme Details

Complete detailed programme development including specific workshop facilitators, cultural activities, and on-country experience logistics. Confirm traditional owner partnerships and protocols.

Immediate Action Items

Complete sponsorship meetings with New Zealand Māori Tourism
Develop detailed budget and timeline for sponsors
Engage Aboriginal Tourism Manager for local recommendations
Connect with Tourism WA for partnership opportunities
Finalise visa requirements and support processes
Launch Indigenous Ways website resource section

Contact Information

Summit Coordination:
Kylie - Sponsorship and Community Engagement
Lauren Stuart - Conference Integration and Registration

Resources:
indigenousways.global
World Trails Conference Perth 2026

Walking together towards a future where trails serve as pathways for cultural resilience, economic opportunity, and genuine reconciliation.