Indigenous Women Rangers Network Forum 2025
ASN Events was engaged to manage the delivery of the Indigenous Women Rangers Network (IWRN) Forum 2025, held in Gimuy (Cairns), bringing together over 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women rangers from across Australia. As the first national event of its kind, the forum provided a culturally grounded and empowering platform for Indigenous women to connect, share knowledge, and build leadership in land and sea management.
Our team supported all aspects of planning and delivery, from delegate services and speaker coordination to venue logistics, on-Country activities, and the newly introduced Indigenous Women Rangers Awards.
Queensland, Australia
3-6 March, 2025
200+ delegates
IWRN held it’s very first Gala Dinner, which included a moving performance from Sacred Creations Dance.
Intergenerational storytelling, formed a core part of the program structure, reinforcing cultural identity and providing a space for learning and leadership across generations.
Program & Engagement
The program was developed and led by Indigenous women, with a strong focus on knowledge sharing, conservation leadership, and cultural connection. Sessions reflected the values and priorities of women working on Country and included:
Land and water stewardship, with talks and discussions on sustainable resource management, traditional ecological knowledge, and the evolving role of Indigenous ranger programs in national conservation efforts.
Strategic partnerships, with contributions from national organisations including the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Indigenous Business Australia, and NAILSMA, exploring the future of investment, training, and capacity-building in Indigenous-led conservation.
Cultural leadership and empowerment, through workshops and activities designed to strengthen confidence, support governance roles, and deepen peer networks across ranger groups nationwide.
On-Country learning, including guided cultural experiences that reinforced the connection between community knowledge and ecological outcomes.
Impact & Recognition
Some of the highlights of the forum were the inaugural Indigenous Women Rangers Awards, which recognised excellence in leadership, mentoring, collaboration as well as a small exhibition with market stalls, offering opportunities for participants to share cultural knowledge and sell handmade products, strengthening both community connection and economic empowerment. Overall, the event created a powerful platform for recognition, exchange, and visibility, reinforcing the critical role of Indigenous women in conservation.
