About Us
A people, a place, a purpose.
Nintiringanyi Indigenous Corporation is a faith-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander not-for-profit based in Cairns, Queensland.
Our Philosophy
The Seed of Destiny
Every person carries within them a God-given seed of destiny. Through connection, encouragement, cultural identity, faith, learning and opportunity, we help people discover, nurture and release their potential — so they can flourish within their families, communities and future generations.
Our Founder
Pastor Brian Lampton
Founder of Nintiringanyi Indigenous Corporation — a story of vision, identity and the Seed of Destiny.
Photo to be added
Each and every seed has its own DNA of what it is to be. So it is with every Indigenous person, who carry within themselves their own successful Seed of Destiny of who they are to become.
Sadly enough, though, many Indigenous people lack the opportunity of being nurtured in the right environment and fail to see who they are, what they carry, and what they can achieve. They have the right to know the true value of the Seed of Destiny within, for it has the inherent ability for their own success — there has never been an inferior Seed of Destiny.
The natural environment teaches us that a seed needs fertile soil, plenty of rain and sunshine to grow. So it is with the Seed of Destiny: each individual needs the right heart (soil), the right information (rain) and wisdom from their elders (sun) to help ignite this seed to fulfil its own specific purpose. Our role is to help create this environment to allow that seed to germinate — for the seed knows what to do.
I trust the following testimony will stir you to see the value within and spark your desire to pursue your ideas of creativity.
The meaning of Nintiringanyi
"Willing to learn."
Nintiringanyi is a word from the Pitjantjatjara language meaning 'willing to learn'. This name was given to me by an Elder, Uncle Frank Young, during one of my ministry visits to the outback. During this time Uncle Frank took me to a hilltop and told me his story about his love for the land and the way the land had shaped his life and his identity.
He said, "However, soon the bulldozers from the mining company will come and level out the country." He described this as having his face and identity scraped away, for he had no more point of reference or visual stories to tell. He added, "When they dig up the land for the valuable minerals, this feels like my value and self-worth is taken away."
This stirred my heart, and a passion rose up within me like never before — to help our Indigenous people believe in themselves the way I believe in them, the way God has designed them to be. So Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre is the birthplace of a deep desire within my heart to see our people rise to their full potential, understand their own destiny, and be empowered to receive back what they have lost over the years — whether it be their identity, value or self-worth.
Holding the position
As long as I hold my position and keep my eye on this vision, it's that vision that gives me the strength to continue on this path.
When I walk into a very hot room at 33 degrees and the air conditioning is not switched on, and I want the temperature to be at 22 degrees, I must first switch on the air conditioner and leave it on the desired setting. The room is not cooled in a moment, but as the setting remains on 22 degrees, eventually the room and everything in it will cool down and become 22 degrees.
So it is in life. If I hold my position and see what it is to be, eventually — somehow, in the laws of life — everything lines up in its time, and I see and experience the fulfilment of the vision.
From McCormack Street to today
I registered the name Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre in 1999, and we secured an old dilapidated building in McCormack Street, Cairns. We started by running a couple of programs for the local Indigenous community. As more programs were developed, we approached the ILC (Indigenous Land Corporation) to purchase the land and building.
Today Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre is a fully renovated building, and we deliver six programs: Life Skills, West Cairns Indigenous Youth, Indigenous Women's Program, Micro Business, Sports and Recreation, and Pathways to Prosperity.
We extend a warm welcome to all visitors to Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre.
— Pastor Brian Lampton, Founder
Our Framework
Reach · Teach · Release
Reach
- Building relationships
- Creating safe spaces
- Walking alongside people
- Connecting community
Teach
- Sharing culture
- Building confidence
- Developing leadership
- Passing on wisdom
- Growing faith
Release
- Supporting purpose
- Creating opportunities
- Developing future leaders
- Strengthening families & communities
Strategic Planning Framework
Vision, Roles, Action & Capabilities
The framework that guides every program, partnership and decision at Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre.
Our Vision
Empowering Indigenous men, women and youth — transforming their community, causing them to rise to their full potential and achieve their hopes and destiny.
Our Mission
Nintiringanyi is a centre of excellence and integrity for Indigenous men, women, youth and communities — fostering personal growth, life skills and network opportunities. We mentor through character development and identity, pathways of training, employment, business development and a healthy lifestyle.
Key Roles
External contribution
- Support
- Initiative Programs
- Business Initiatives
- Mentoring
- Media & The Arts
- Brokerage
Action Framework
Decision-making
- Is there strategic alignment?
- Can we have impact?
- Can we play a key role?
Capabilities
Internal foundations
- Building & Land
- Resources
- Legacy, History & Integrity
- Network & Partners
- Management & Staff
- Programs
NCTC Strategic Planning Framework
Full document (PPTX) — Vision, Mission, Key Roles, Action Framework & Capabilities.
Seeds of Destiny Stories
Stories from our community.
Participant journeys, program highlights, cultural celebrations and testimonies from across Nintiringanyi.
Read our Seeds of Destiny stories
Real stories of change from our Cairns community.