On Country early learning program earns national recognition

Indi Kindi’s Walking Learning curriculum has won Gold at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards, adding to national recognition for the remote Northern Territory early education program. Moriarty Foundation’s Indi Kindi has also been named a Human Rights Medal finalist in the 2026 Australian Human Rights Awards.

Delivered by Aboriginal educator teams, the program supports children from birth to five through learning on Country. Its curriculum brings Aboriginal teaching approaches together with early childhood pedagogy, health and wellbeing.

The Good Design recognition was awarded in the Education Services category. The Australian Human Rights Commission separately recognised Indi Kindi’s community-led education, local Aboriginal employment and integration of culture, health and wellbeing.

Local educators lead learning on Country

Indi Kindi operates in Borroloola, Robinson River, Tennant Creek and Mungkarta. Its outdoor learning approach connects children’s early education with their communities, languages and Country. The Sector previously covered a Deloitte Access Economics evaluation of Indi Kindi, which examined its educational, health and community outcomes.

Moriarty Foundation Co-Founder and Executive Director Ros Moriarty said the recognition belonged to the people delivering the program. She described Walking Learning as an example of early education co-designed and delivered through an Aboriginal worldview.

“This recognition celebrates our local Aboriginal educator teams who deliver this curriculum every day on Country, giving our youngest learners the best start in life so they can thrive and reach their potential,” Ms Moriarty said.

Curriculum connects education, culture and wellbeing

Program Director and Early Years Specialist Jessica Horne-Kennedy said the curriculum aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework. Its design connects education with children’s health, wellbeing and cultural identity.

“By grounding early learning in an Aboriginal Worldview and working in partnership with local families and communities, we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to grow up strong in education, wellbeing and connection to Country,” Ms Horne-Kennedy said.

The foundation also supports its local workforce through mentoring, skills development and formal qualifications. Educators represent different community language groups and provide families with guidance on early learning and child development.

Read about the Good Design Award here and the Indi Kindi program here.