2026 National Indigenous Black Death in Custody Conference

Dr. Amber R. Logan is a traditional Kahungunu Māori wahine, a New Zealand Health Psychologist and Doctoral Fellow in Public Health at Otago University. She teaches health psychology course work at the University of Auckland & Otago University and is well-known in New Zealand for her work in methamphetamine education and community activism. She is a consummate grant writer, health services evaluator and health services program designer. She has presented extensively in Australia, Canada, and the USA at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and to the US Federal Government.

Dr. Joseph B. Stone, PhD is an Anasaki-pikuni ceremonialist and traditionalist and member of the OKKAN (Sundance), the Last Star Thunder Medicine Pipe and Beaver Lodge. Dr. Stone works at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga – a Kaupapa Māori Health Provider; Awhina Whanu Family Services, and the Napier Family Centre all located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He has clinical experience with adult prisoners & corrections and juvenile justice in both New Zealand and USA. He is affiliated with the National Centre on Trauma and Project Making Medicine – Indian Health Service Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse at Oklahoma State University. He has presented to, and served as consultant to, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs of Native Youth Suicide. Dr. Stone’s publications include articles on trauma, suicide, and other cultural & behavioural issues.

Bernice Hookey’s family lineage traces back to the Waanyi people from the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. She embodies courage despite the fear that occasionally arises. As a solo mother, aunty, sister, cousin, colleague, and friend, she is deeply passionate about challenging the status quo.

An accomplished Lead Facilitator for an Indigenous National Women’s Empowerment program via Tranby, Bernice is also the Founder of MZB Empowerment. She is widely recognized as a Changemaker, Difference Maker, and Cycle Breaker, as well as a published author, mentor, and multi-award winner. Her achievements include being a finalist for national and international awards that celebrate Indigenous Excellence and Leadership.

Bernice has overcome challenges related to disempowerment, feelings of unworthiness, and well-being depreciation, navigating limited opportunities and barriers to self-expression within cultural spaces. Through experiential learning, she has lived these realities firsthand and continues to thrive.

As both a participant and now a Fellow of a globally recognized top 10 leadership program, Bernice has developed invaluable leadership skills that have strengthened her confidence. These skills, combined with her grassroots-led leadership approach, drive her mission to advance generational equity. Above all, she remains a steadfast cheerleader for families and communities, inspiring those around her with her unwavering dedication and vision.

Joedie Saunders a local Biripi woman and artist, has been creating contemporary Aboriginal art for over 30 years. Her artworks deeply reflect her culture, stories of her country, and a range of emotions and feelings. Joedie is passionate about sharing her art and loves seeing the connections others make with her creations.

As a proud Biripi woman, she draw strength from her roots – a lineage of resilient mountain women, the Wimara, known for their strength and wisdom. Joedie worked tirelessly in juvenile justice and child protection, confronting the harsh realities of sexual abuse in remote communities.Transitioning into cultural heritage conservation, she spent years advocating for our land and traditions, eventually becoming the first woman CEO of the Land Council in Taree. Currently, she works as Manager of Community Engagement & Investment at the Department of Premier & Cabinet and felt privileged to continue the work of her late brother, advocating for the revival and preservation of Aboriginal languages statewide. It's a tribute to his legacy and our shared dream of cultural preservation. Joedie stated, 'In everything I do, I pay homage to my family, my community, our culture, and our land. Together, let's walk forward, honoring the past and shaping a brighter future'. Joedie is a mother of two beautiful boys.

Melissa Clarke is a Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Wirangu woman and a nationally recognised Aboriginal justice leader. She is Strategic Director of First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV), the national peak body representing the Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (FVPLS) sector. FVPLS’ are Australia’s only specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled legal and frontline support services dedicated exclusively to supporting their communities impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence.

Melissa brings more than 25 years’ experience across policing, government, and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. She is the former Acting General Manager of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) and served for 14 years as a police officer with South Australia Police before moving into senior roles in justice policy and advocacy. Her prior roles include General Manager of Youth Justice Strategy, Policy and Reporting at the South Australian Department of Human Services, Director of Aboriginal Services at the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, and Children’s Advocate with the South Australian Guardian for Children and Young People. She has also contributed nationally as an Independent member of the Justice Policy Partnership.

Drawing on experience across frontline policing, government policy, and community advocacy, Melissa’s work centres on cultural authority, dignity and purpose in justice reform; preventing Aboriginal deaths in custody, strengthening justice system accountability, and securing better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly women, children, and families.

Nerita Waight is a proud Yorta Yorta and Narrandjeri woman with Taungurung connections. She is CEO of VALS, and is an experienced solicitor with a demonstrated history of working in the legal and community services industry. Prior to becoming CEO, Nerita had experience across several teams in the organisation including family and children’s law, as well as policy and advocacy. In 2017, Nerita established Balit Ngulu, a specialist legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples.

As CEO, Nerita has overseen the establishment of our dedicated youth legal practice Balit Ngulu and our Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practice which has supported clients on several high-profile Coronial Inquests, alongside the strengthening of VALS’ advocacy.

Nerita is also Deputy Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria for Metropolitan Melbourne, Treaty Negotiator and Treaty Co-Convenor. She is an independent member of the Justice Policy Partnership (established under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap) and Victorian Representative on the Joint Council. She has served on the boards of several organisations including Elizabeth Morgan House, Bubup Wilam, and the Australia Community Support Organisation.

Mundanara is a proud Wonnarua, Bunjalung, Birri-Gubba, and Gungalu woman with over two decades of experience working across Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations in NSW and QLD. She is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of BlackCard Pty Ltd, a 100% Aboriginal-owned consultancy delivering cultural capability training, co-founded with Dr Lilla Watson. An award-winning advocate, she hosts the Black Magic Woman podcast—the first Indigenous podcast to join the iHeart network—and was named Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year at the 2023 Supply Nation Awards.

Recognised internationally for her teaching and leadership, Mundanara is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK and serves on several boards and committees, including The Murri School and Philanthropy Australia’s First Nations Governance Committee. She is a Visiting Fellow at QUT, Founder of Deadly Futures Indigenous Corporation, and Founding Director of The Land Back Foundation. Currently completing a Masters in Indigenous Business Leadership at Monash University, Mundanara continues to champion Aboriginal knowledge and leadership while making a positive contribution to her community.

Lidia Thorpe is an Indigenous Australian politician and activist born on 18 August 1973 in Victoria. She is of Djab Wurrung, Gunnai, and Gunditjmara heritage and grew up in working-class housing in Melbourne, leaving school at a young age and later working in community and advocacy roles. Thorpe entered politics in 2017, becoming the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Victorian Parliament, and in 2020 she became a Senator for Victoria—the first Aboriginal senator from that state. Initially a member of the Australian Greens, she later became an independent in 2023. She is widely known for her strong advocacy of Indigenous sovereignty, treaty rights, and social justice, as well as her outspoken and often controversial approach to politics.