A PIONEER of Aboriginal representation in local government, Gunnedah councillor Gwen Griffen, has urged other indigenous people to consider standing for their local council.

The call was made during the Local Government Aboriginal Network conference at Tweed Heads late last week.

A veteran of 21 years in local government, Ms Griffen, and fellow indigenous councillor Les Knox told the two-day conference Aboriginal voices on council were crucial to improving social conditions for Indigenous communities.

The conference, which included about 150 delegates from throughout the state, was held for the first time in the Tweed and comes just weeks before most NSW councils prepare for elections on September 10.

"We want to encourage more indigenous people to go into local government, to have a voice in their communities and build upon the opportunities that might be available,” said Ms Griffen, who was encouraged to enter local government in the 1990s and kept getting re-elected because of her "straight shooting” approach.

Mr Knox said Ms Griffen's long career as a councillor inspired him to contest the Narrabri Shire Council election eight years ago.

He said local government was one of the most valuable platforms for Aboriginal people to foster change in services, business and infrastructure.

"It is a chance for them to be one of the few people to be selected to be the boss of their town,” he said.

NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network President Councillor Rob Towney said: "We want Aboriginal people to run for council and get elected because that will make the biggest difference”.