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“Ingrid is a Whadjuk Nyungar and the CEO of her own company, Kart Koort Wiern, a research and consultancy focussed on cultural awareness, reconciliation and youth leadership, among other things. Through this work, Cumming aims to engage young people by offering better understanding of what it means to be Indigenous today. Kart Koort Wiern, meaning head, heart, and spirit in the Whadjuk language, symbolises three principles Cumming says are needed for non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians to move toward reconciliation. These principles are about acknowledging everyone’s knowledge, compassion and culture.“

As part of her welcome to Country, Ingrid highlighted the importance to Whadjuk Nyungar culture of the endangered and magnificent Kaarakin, or Black Cockatoos. Kaarakin; Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre, one of the causes that WIMWA chose to support as part of this year’s summit, is personally very important to Ingrid and she is not only a supporter of their work but, as she reveals during her presentation, they have a cultural significance for women and are strongly aligned with healing and renewal. The work that Kaarakin do is vital to preserving these birds and ensuring that they survive for future generations to appreciate their distinctive and healing calls. If you don’t have time to volunteer, then please consider making a donation, or planting some of their favourite foods in your garden or if you are hosting an event invite then please consider inviting the Kaarakin team along to raise awareness about these birds.

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