ABSTRACT
In this article we share our story of using a developmental evaluation approach over seven years to facilitate two-way learning between Yapa (Warlpiri language for Indigenous people from the Australian Western Desert region) and Kardiya (Warlpiri language for non-Indigenous people). The effort was aimed at supporting an innovative, Yapa-led initiative to strengthen the governance of two Aboriginal corporations to ensure their sustainability for future generations. Guided by the principles of culturally responsive evaluation in Indigenous contexts, the developmental evaluation approach enabled us to prioritize relationships and center Yapa voices, knowledge and culture to effectively enact two-way learning within the complex cultural interface of our context. We created a culturally safe learning environment, which promoted cultural humility and creativity to enable effective Yapa-led innovation co-design. With readiness and capacity for developmental evaluation facilitated by an experienced, reflexive developmental evaluator, together with recognition of Indigenous people’s sovereignty, this approach can effectively center Indigenous people’s values and perspectives to strengthen relationships and decolonize evaluation to support Indigenous aspirations.