Katie Hagebols

Katie Hagebols has an immense drive and passion for the Northern Territory and all that it encompasses. Her strong connection to the Territory started as a teenager, attending Alyangula Area School on Groote Eylandt as a student. Since then, Katie has continued to observe the challenges faced by both Indigenous and non-indigenous community members.

Katie managed Marrawuddi Arts and Culture for seven years, with the support of Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation. She was a driving force to move Marrawuddi into the old Kakadu Bakery, enabling greater opportunities for the artists and the art center to expand and grow. During this period, Marrawuddi was the first business to undertake a new lease agreement under the Mirarr-led, post-mining future for Jabiru. Katie grew Marrawuddi from 200 artists to over 500, allowing for strong economic continuity, artistic development and international exposure for all artists. She continues to ensure ethical, transparent and sustainable measures are met regarding Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP), licensing and copyright materials in all her work practices.

During her long tenure working in the Territory, Katie has witnessed the long standing ramifications of the recurrent employment turnover which frequently occurs in surrounding organisations and business’ and the effects this has on the First Nations communities.

Katie has worked closely with surrounding industries and stakeholders in recognising the ongoing repercussions of the revolving door of staff, burnout, ongoing exposure to vicarious trauma and lack of support in these cross-cultural workplaces. Her lived experience fuels her determination to assist those working in remote communities with their employment that will enable a sustainable and strong work force within these workplaces.

Throughout her time living in the Northern Territory, deep connections and relationships within Kakadu and Arnhem Land have naturally developed, allowing for cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary approaches to the challenges faced in remote communities.