The Uluru Statement from the Heart may still not be recognised in the Australian Constitution, but in the same year the talks took place, Indigenous lawyer Teela Reid was recognised as a global emerging leader by the prestigious Harvard University.

The 33-year-old solicitor who participated in the Sydney constitutional dialogue that culminated in the 2017 statement from Central Australia, has a number of achievements under her belt. She was selected to attend the American university's Kennedy School of Government following her contributions as the first Aboriginal Vice President (Social Justice) of the UNSW Law Society and was the inaugural recipient of the NSW Barristers' Trust Award for her university contributions.

Lawyer Teela Reid, recognised as a global emerging leader by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman was raised by a single mother in the western NSW town of Gilgandra, where she was better known for her sporting ability.

After attending local state schools, the sports star went on to become a high school PE teacher and was selected as Australia’s female Indigenous youth delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues.