Tribal Warrior runs a mentoring program in partnership with Redfern Police to help reduce recidivism rates of Aboriginal Australian youth.[3][4] The program is named "Clean Slate Without Prejudice" and uses ‘routine and discipline’ through boxing and fitness classes as a way of keeping vulnerable and at risk youth from being involved in criminal activity. In 2016, the program received a gold award in the police category of the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA).[5] The mentoring program initially started for young men, and later developed a women's program as well.[6]: 142
The organisation also runs an Aboriginal Cultural Cruise which allows visitors to Sydney to view the sights of Sydney Harbour and hear stories of the Eora, Cadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people.[7][8][9]
The organisation was founded in part to form an all Indigenous team to compete in the Sydney to Hobart race. Following a crowdfunding appeal, on Boxing Day, 2016, Tribal Warrior sailed the Southern Excellence Two in the event. The organisation missed the race's entry deadline due to a lack of funds, and was not part of the official race, but participated nonetheless.[10][11]
Mr Phillips is a current panel member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee for Westpac bank, helping to provide advice on Indigenous issues as they relate to the bank's business activities.[17]
The organisation operates the "Tribal Warrior" - a 15.4-metre gaff-riggedketch. The sailboat was built more than 100 years ago in the Torres Strait and is used to train Indigenous skippers and maritime workers.[2]
The organisation's vessel "Mari Nawi" (meaning 'big canoe' in the Eora language)[18][19] is used for cruises and accommodates up to 150 guests with options for on board catering and entertainment.[20]
In 2020 Tribal Warrior was donated the retired Lady-class ferryLady Northcott by the NSW Government. The vessel underwent works in Newcastle in order to put it back into survey. When the works were complete the vessel returned to Sydney Harbour under her own power on the 26th of September 2022. The vessel is now berthed in Blackwattle Bay where works are being undertaken to convert her to a cruise vessel.
^Prentis, Malcolm. "Keith Vincent Smith, Mari nawi: Aboriginal odysseys." Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society 97, no. 2 (2011): 249–251.
^Smith, Keith. Mari Nawi (" big Canoes"): Aboriginal Voyagers in Australia's Maritime History, 1788-1855. Macquarie University, 2008.
