Welcome to Njernda

Based in Echuca, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation formerly the Echuca Aboriginal Cooperative Pty Ltd was established in 1974 by local Aboriginal people fighting for recognition and self determination. Echuca is located on the Murray River in Northern Victoria and is within the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta Nation.

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation has continued to develop over time and now provides a number of welfare based programs including Health, Housing, Childcare, Family Services. Njernda Aboriginal Corporation currently employs around 65 Aboriginal People across the organisation.

Welcome to our website

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation has faced many tough challenges over the past 36 years.

As with other Aboriginal community organisations whose members come from different traditional owners groups, there is external pressure of examination and scrutiny by the local broader community, media and funding agencies. Through dedication and support of Aboriginal people over the years, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation has survived all these challenges. Njernda acknowledges the struggles that have historically taken place by local people towards ensuring the physical, social, and economic needs of Aboriginal people living in Echuca and surrounding districts are met.

We believe that as the indigenous peoples of this country we have a right to recognition, respect and positive support for our culture, heritage and traditions.

We believe that to keep our cultural tradition strong we need to have a powerful Aboriginal community controlled organisation, we believe Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is the focus for the Echuca Aboriginal Community and it must be strong enough to stand up for our rights, present our viewpoints and signal to Echuca’s broader community that we exist and that we have a unique culture.

We believe our kids need to learn the power of their cultural heritage within our Community from our respected elders. We believe that children who develop identity through their culture will be able to move in and out of the broader community and to achieve their aspirations without losing their cultural identity.

“We respectively acknowledge the Yorta Yorta Nation as the traditional Owners of the land of the communities that the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation service”