LEON RURI APPOINTED CEO OF WHADJUK ABORIGINAL CORPORATION AMID MIXED COMMUNITY REACTION
BY TANGIORA HINAKI
Leon Ruri has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC), a decision welcomed by the organisation's board but questioned by some Whadjuk Traditional Owners.
Ruri, who is of Māori heritage, is known for his work with Haka for Life, a movement promoting mental health and cultural pride among Indigenous and First Nations peoples. In his new role, Ruri says he will focus on building respectful partnerships and strengthening outcomes for Whadjuk Noongar people.
“I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with this role by the Whadjuk community,” Ruri said. “I stand committed to listening, learning, and working alongside Whadjuk Elders, leaders, and families to uphold cultural integrity and create opportunities that empower our people—on Whadjuk Boodja and beyond.”
WAC Chairperson Reg Yarran said Ruri’s appointment brings strong leadership and cultural insight.
“Leon Ruri brings a unique combination of heart-led leadership, cultural understanding, and national networks,” Yarran said. “Under Leon’s leadership, the Corporation will focus on advancing the cultural, social, and economic development of Whadjuk people, while ensuring the traditions and values of our ancestors continue to guide its future.”
But some Traditional Owners have raised concerns. Denice Kickett, a Whadjuk woman and descendant of Midgegooroo and Yagan, says the process lacked proper cultural protocol.
“I must emphasise that employing someone from a different cultural background on our Traditional lands without proper consultation and adherence to protocol undermines the integrity of our cultural practices,” she said. “I applied for the role and received no response—not even an acknowledgement or receipt of application.”
Kickett has called for “true” Whadjuk members to revisit the decision and make sure future processes respect Whadjuk cultural authority.
Others in the community, like Noongar/Yamatji man Laurence Riley, are urging a broader conversation about leadership across Aboriginal organisations.
“I don’t have an issue with the new WAC CEO at all. He applied through an open recruitment process which was set and managed by the Board. He isn’t the problem,” Riley said. “The Board made the decision not to recruit the position as a Section 50D, which is not unlike any of the other Regional Corporations I might add.”
Riley said the silence around other organisations making similar decisions—like the Aboriginal Health Council of WA—shows a lack of consistency in how the community responds.
“Everyone’s talking about WAC, but no one wants to talk about the CEO at AHCWA, who also isn’t from WA and holds a permanent contract,” he said. “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.”
The appointment has sparked important conversations about cultural protocol, leadership accountability, and the need for transparency across Aboriginal organisations operating on Noongar Boodja.