Dr John Binda Reid
Dr John Binda Reid, is a proud Kokatha/Wirangu man who hails from Port Augusta, but has spent three decades residing in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) living and working in the fields of education and Aboriginal health research. In this time while working in remote locations of central Australia opportunities arose that allowed him to trace his Arrernte family roots - this was important to him because his two children are of Arrernte and Kaytetye ancestry on their mother’s side. Throughout his professional career, spanning over 40+ years, he has also been actively involved in organizations dedicated to enhancing educational and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a particular focus on regional and remote Australia.
Dr John Binda Reid's long academic journey culminated in the completion of his Ph.D. in 2022, titled "Re-Imagining the Aboriginal Male Migration Story Through the Nyunga Mind in Central Australia NT." The research, initiated in 2012 in Alice Springs, stemmed from a desire to address misunderstandings prevalent among the non-Indigenous population regarding the seasonal migration patterns of Aboriginal men from remote communities to urban centres. This work sought to counteract negative stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media, thereby mitigating racial tensions and fostering greater understanding within the community.
Throughout his career, Dr John Binda Reid has demonstrated leadership within the Northern Territory community, serving on various Aboriginal boards and education committees, such as FEPPI which is the NT Aboriginal Education Consultative Committee (NTAECG). He has also been a board member of prominent organizations such as the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) and the Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD).
Dr John Binda Reid is revered as an inspirational role model within the Central Australian communities of the Northern Territory and South Australia. His own Nyunga (Aboriginal) community continues to derive benefit from his research into culture which he shares with younger generations so that they gain deeper understanding of the grounded origins of their own cultural identity which lies embedded in the landscape of their ancestors.
His tenure as a primary school teacher in Alice Springs during the late 1980s and early 1990s left an indelible mark, creating culturally safe environments conducive to Indigenous learning. Subsequently, as a senior lecturer at the Batchelor Institute of Tertiary Education for over 15 years, he continued to shape the future of Indigenous education. Dr John Binda Reid's commitment to Indigenous health research is exemplified through his work on projects such as the Rheumatic Heart Disease Project conducted through the Menzies School of Health and his role in conducting surveys and skill audits for ATSIC with over 200 town camps residents employed to work under the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) in 1997. Additionally, his involvement as a field researcher in the Northern Territory Aboriginals, Central Australia Regional project (NTACC) underscores his dedication to improving Indigenous livelihoods through culturally appropriate research.
Looking ahead, Dr John Binda Reid remains steadfast in his dedication to effecting positive change within Indigenous communities. His future goals centres on knowledge-sharing ngapartji-ngapartji way, mentoring younger generations, and fostering continuous learning to secure a brighter future for Indigenous youth.