The Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) was founded in 2022 by Wilcannia’s Owen Whyman.

Owen Whyman, Lawrence Brooke, Derek Hardman and Jamin. Image: IAPA

With ties across the Back Country community leader and Barkindji / Malyangapa man Owen Whyman is determined to bring a voice for Aboriginal people to the upcoming 2025 federal election.

“I started IAPA because of the destruction of the Baaka (Darling) River system,” Mr Whyman said.

“Our river is our mother. Without the river, we can’t tell our stories.”

In traditional language, Baaka means ‘river’ and Barkindji means ‘people of the river’.

My Whyman says IAPA is a grassroots party providing all Australians an alternative to the main Parties.

“While other political parties appear to be sympathetic to Indigenous concerns, not much changes.”

IAPA says it wants to see Indigenous control of Indigenous school education, particularly for school refusers and serious funding of Indigenous lead programs to reduce youth suicide, and aims for the Party to be involved in all issues that involve or impact on Indigenous people.

In the 2022 election IAPA stood candidates in the NSW and Queensland Senate, as well as in the NSW electorates of Parkes, Page and Roberton.

“This election, we hope to have candidates in NSW, Queensland, Northern territory, Western Australia and possibly Victoria,” Mr Whyman said.

Candidates will be announced soon, according to Mr Whyman.

Mr Whyman previously worked for the Western NSW Aboriginal Legal service and was president for the Paroo National Park.

Mr Whyman founded the dance group Barkindji Baaka Dance and Cultural Group where he continues to teach traditional dance and digeridoo to the young people of Wilcannia and surrounds.

Holding a Diploma in Primary Healthcare, Mr Whyman currently serves as deputy chair of the Mutawintji Board of Management and Land Council and is president of the Wilcannia AECE.