Dr Terri Janke

Her business law practice includes advising on commercial structuring, contracts and negotiations, joint ventures, partnerships, licensing and commercialisation of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expression, and supporting Indigenous-led businesses to build strong, sustainable and values-aligned enterprises.

Terri has authored leading ICIP protocols, frameworks and model agreements that are widely used across the arts, museums, galleries, archives, film, research, government and business sectors.

A significant focus of her work is diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, with particular expertise in cultural safety. She undertakes complex and sensitive workplace culture reviews, including independent inquiries, cultural safety audits and organisational assessments, supporting organisations to address systemic barriers and embed enduring, meaningful change.

Terri also advises on emerging areas including artificial intelligence and Indigenous rights, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, ESG, cultural heritage, and environmental and climate-related projects, including supporting organisations to engage respectfully with Indigenous communities and implement free, prior and informed consent.

She is a valued mentor, mediator and facilitator, regularly leading workshops, training and strategy sessions on cultural safety, Indigenous engagement, ICIP, ESG and governance.

Experience

Terri has over 30 years’ experience working at the forefront of protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, shaping law, policy and practice in Australia and internationally. Her work spans legal practice, law reform, governance and consulting.

She has led major legal and advisory projects across the arts and cultural sector, government, universities, Indigenous organisations and business. Her experience includes developing nationally adopted ICIP protocols, advising on complex commercial and cultural matters, leading independent workplace culture reviews, and supporting organisations to embed Indigenous values, cultural safety, diversity and inclusion into governance, leadership and operations.

Terri was awarded a PhD from the Australian National University in 2019 for her thesis True Tracks: Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Principles for putting Self-Determination into practice.

She has held numerous board and leadership roles, including the National Gallery of Australia; National Indigenous Television (Chair); National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (Deputy Chair); Jawun; Tourism Australia; the First Nations Rugby Committee (Chair); and the Ngalaya Indigenous Lawyers Association (Chair). Terri is currently a board member of the Copyright Agency and Chair of the Expert Working Group on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, working with government to develop standalone ICIP legislation.

Terri is an Adjunct Professor at UTS Business School.

 

Recent Projects

• Conducting a report for an environmental not-for-profit on embedding Indigenous values and strengthening community partnerships and engagement. (2025)

• ·Drafting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols for the University of Sydney and participating in the delivery of online training modules, including appearing on screen as a presenter. (2025)

• Working with an Indigenous organisation to establish products that embed Indigenous values and knowledge in environmental markets, with a strong focus on ethical frameworks and benefit-sharing. (current)

• Establishing governance structures for a national Indigenous organisation specialising in cultural excellence. (2025)

• Presenting workshops for Indigenous artists on their rights when licensing works for commercial products and public art. (2025)

• Advising the building and construction sector on the appropriate use, protection, and incorporation of Indigenous knowledge, art, and design in projects. (2025)

• Development of the Dhawura Ngilan Business and Investor Initiative, embedding First Nations–led cultural heritage standards in business and investment decision-making. (2025)

• Lead, ABC Review into Responses to Racism, Listen Loudly, Act Strongly Report (2024)

• Co-developed Powerhouse Caring for Country Principles (2022) in consultation with First Nations Peoples.

• Co-chief author of the National State of the Environment Report (SoE) (2021).

• Developed an Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol for teaching of Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages in Queensland State Schools, with consent form and guidance notes for schools. (2022).

Awards

• Living Legacy, Be About It Award, 2025

• ANU Indigenous Alumni of the Year 2025

• First Nations Leadership Award (Women in AI) 2024

• Elite Women Award (The Australasian Lawyer) 2023

• Finalist, Thought Leader of the Year (Women in Law Awards) 2022

• JG Crawford Prize for Academic Excellence (ANU) 2020

• UNSW Alumni Award for Social Impact 2020

• Indigenous Business Leader Award (My Business) 2019

• Finalist, Indigenous Lawyer Award (Lawyers Weekly Women in Law) 2019

• Community Lawyer of the Year  (NSW Women Lawyers) 2019

• Supply Nation, Special Recognition Award 2015

• Finalist, Telstra NSW Business Women’s Awards 2015

• Finalist, NSW Women Lawyer of the Year 2015

• Finalist, Indigenous Category (Ethnic Business Awards) 2015

• Westpac/AFR 100 Women of Influence 2013

• Attorney-General’s Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year 2012

• NAIDOC Person of the Year 2011

• Indigenous Justice Award (Law and Justice Foundation of NSW Awards) 2007

• NSW Women’s Honour Roll 2005

Community

Community sits at the heart of Terri’s life and work. Her practice, writing and advocacy are grounded in responsibility to people, culture and future generations, and her desire to be an honourable ancestor. Outside her legal work, she finds balance through music, beach walks, exercise and creative writing. Terri is an accomplished writer whose novel Butterfly Song was published in 2005 and later translated into French. She has also written short stories and poetry, co-authored children’s books celebrating imagination, nature and kinship, and is currently writing a memoir. Giving back is central to her work through pro bono practice, public speaking, and supporting the development of Indigenous law students.