This conceptual paper positions the emergent emphasis of open educational practices(OEP)as it relates to the development of 21st century competencies(21CC)in marginalized learner populations of the Northern Territory in Australia.It identifies a convergence between a growing open agenda in education and the movement concerned with articulating and promoting the development of 21st century competencies with an emphasis on the empowerment of learners from multi-lingual and Indigenous backgrounds.By looking at theories from Friere,Yol?u Learning on Country,Distance Education and English as Another Language approaches,this work considers the entrepreneurial learner from a number of specific perspectives that can enhance the uptake of deeper learning exemplified in 21CC,via innovative learning design of OEP.