Noel Pearson

Noel Pearson is one of the most influential indigenous lawyers and activists who has, for many years, campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the Aboriginal people. A member of the Guugu Yimidhirr community of Hopevale on South Eastern Cape York Peninsula, Noel studied Law and History at the University of Sydney, and was involved in the establishment of the Cape York Land Council, Cape York Partnerships, Apunipima Cape York Health Council and Balkanu Development Corporation.

He is now Chair of the Cape York Group and has been Executive Chairman of Cape York Partnerships and the Director of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, a body that drives new directions in public policy on indigenous issues working closely with the Queensland and Commonwealth governments.

Since 1999 Noel has campaigned for Welfare Reform in indigenous communities. In 2008 the Welfare Reform Project, driven by Cape York Institute and Cape York Partnerships, was implemented in four pilot communities in Cape York. Noel continues to work in close association with all Cape York regional organisations and the philanthropic sector on issues of economic development, education, health and justice. His end goal is to enable Cape York's indigenous people to have the capacity to choose the life they have reason to value by reinstating the rights of Aboriginal people to take responsibility for their lives.