Doris Eaton

Doris Eaton is an Elder and respected law woman of the Nyamal people of the north Pilbara region in Western Australia.

Doris is an active mentor to young people in the community and her own 23 grandchildren, including Brandon Walters who recently starred in the film Australia.

Doris draws her strength from her culture and her family, demonstrating an inspirational capacity for forgiveness, tolerance and persistence.

As a leader in the Pilbara, Doris is an active force in improving her community.

She is the Chairperson of the Pilbara Native Title Service and is the first woman to be elected as co-chairperson of the Yamatji Marla Aboriginal Corporation’s board of directors.

A passionate advocate for women, Doris is also the Chairperson of the Pilbara Indigenous Women’s Aboriginal Corporation, regularly consulted by government, private and industry sectors on a wide range of issues.

Doris has been involved in the Strong Families, Strong Culture health program that promotes traditional cultural approaches to parenting and lifestyle. She was also involved in the development of an antenatal hostel for young Indigenous mothers in remote areas – the first of its kind in Western Australia.

Doris is keen for all her grandchildren to undertake Indigenous education as well as completing their school studies. Doris hopes to pass on her cultural knowledge and leadership skills, actively mentoring the next generation to take up positions of responsibility within the community.

Doris combines mainstream education and cultural pride to forge strong identities in those around her. She representing those “grassroots people” who would otherwise be unrepresented in public forums.