Meet the Indigenous Department Team

The Indigenous Department provides services for all undergraduate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at ANU. It advocates for a sense of purpose, the exchange of ideas between Indigenous students, and the sharing of information between our mob and the wider ANU community. The Indigenous Department conducts recreational, cultural, and educational activities for students, and advocates for Indigenous issues both within the ANU and in the broader community.
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The Indigenous Department executive team is comprised of: 
Indigenous Officer: Katchmirr Russell
the chief representative of the Department who is directly responsible for the Department. 

Deputy Indigenous Officer: N/A
assists the Indigenous Officer and Executive in their roles. 

Treasurer: N/A
responsible for management of all Departmental funds, accounts, and transactions.

Secretary: Bella Borchert-Jonker
responsible for chairing meetings, preparing agendas, and collating meeting minutes.

​Social Officer: Lillian Ireland
​responsible for coordinating social media accounts and organising social events. 

Get to know our 2021 Indigenous Department exec team below! 

Katchmirr Russell

Indigenous Officer 
Kiearr'wo, I'm Katchmirr (she/they), a proud Dtjilmamidtung  person of the Yha-idt'midtung nations from the high country in north-eastern Victoria and the western slopes of Mount Kosciuszko. I am currently in my third year of a Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science and Linguistics. As Indigenous Officer, I hope to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors by continuing to advocate for, support and represent mob at ANU. 

Bella Borchert-Jonker

Secretary
Hi! My name is Bella and I am a Mamu woman, though I grew up on Turrbal, Jagera and Gubbi Gubbi land around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. I had the privilege of moving to Ngunnawal and Ngambri land in 2017 to attend ANU and I am currently in my fourth year of a combined degree in Law and Arts. I am so excited for the opportunity to serve as Secretary of the Indigenous Department this year. I am hoping to follow in the footsteps of the amazing leadership teams that the Department has had over the years. My vision for the Department this year is to be able to bring together every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person at the university, including people who might not be physically able to attend, and to take continue advocating for those causes that are close to our and our mobs’ hearts.

Lilli Ireland

Social Officer
​Hi all! My name is Lilli and I am a proud melukerdee woman. My childhood was spent on Country in the beautiful lil island of lutriwita (Tassie) before moving to Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country for study. I am a fifth year Law and Science student. This year as social officer I want to focus on connecting the Indigenous mob who have come from near and far to ANU, and create our own new family here. I am eager to plan lots of engaging and meaningful events and get creative with online activism, so if you have any ideas let me know! If you see me around, please come say hi and have a yarn (sorry in advanced for all my terrible jokes). 

The ANUSA Indigenous Department acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands across country. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands that we operate, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples. We pay our respect to Ngunnawal and Ngambri Elders, who shall forever be part of the lands, skies, and rivers of this place. 
The Indigenous Department acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the Australian National University, and acknowledge their dedication to their journey of education. ​