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Indigenous & Intercultural
207 posts
Traditional owners hail land claim after 45-year wait
After four decades of advocacy, traditional owners are celebrating the return of their Country, but say it has been a long time coming. In 1980, the Central Land Council lodged a land claim on behalf of Wakaya and Alyawarre traditional owners in the Northern Territory's Barkly region. In November, after years of negotiation, legal proceedings and consultations, the Australian Parliament passed legislation to enable the governor-general to sign the deed of grant for the area covering more than 400,000 hectares. On Wednesday, traditional owners including Eileen Bonney, the most senior surviving claimant, celebrated the official handback of their Country. "I'm…
Findings loom on Indigenous teen fatally shot by police
A coroner will return to the outback to hand down her findings into the death of an Indigenous teenager shot by a police officer during a botched arrest. Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker died after being shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe during a botched arrest at a home in the Northern Territory community of Yuendumu in November 2019. In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering the 19-year-old. NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage in November closed her long-running inquest to consider more than 5000 pages of transcripts and 1990 pages of written…
‘Arrogance’: Indigenous ire at sacred sites amendments
Fast-tracked amendments to sacred sites legislation have been slammed by traditional owners and the authority which safeguards them. The Northern Territory government has introduced changes to the Sacred Sites Act it says will provide "simpler and streamlined" approval processes for development. Certificates issued by the territory's independent Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority would be transferable under the amendments. NT Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne says the changes are designed make the process more "accessible, efficient, and protective of sacred sites". The authority, which is responsible for overseeing the safeguarding of NT sacred sites, has raised concerns about the lack of consultation and…
Native title ruling paves way for compensation
The dismissal of a commonwealth appeal in a landmark compensation case shows the "strength" of native title and may have implications for traditional owners across Australia. The High Court dismissed the appeal against a decision in the Federal Court, which found the Gumatj clan's Country in northeast Arnhem Land was not acquired "on just terms" before being leased to the Swiss-Australian mining consortium, Nabalco in 1968. The decision has cleared the way for significant compensation for Gumatj people. Gumatj leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Balupalu Yunupingu celebrated outside the High Court on Wednesday after hearing the judgment against the Commonwealth. "Justice…
FED:’Justice served’: High Court upholds landmark decision
Traditional owners say justice has been served for their people as the High Court dismissed a commonwealth appeal in a landmark compensation case. The Commonwealth lost the High Court battle over whether it may be liable for up to $700 million in compensation for bauxite mining at Gove in northeast Arnhem Land. Gumatj leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Balupalu Yunupingu celebrated outside the High Court on Wednesday after hearing the judgment against the Commonwealth. "Justice has been served for my people and the people of northeast Arnhem Land," Djawa Yunupingu said. Renowned land rights activist, the late Gumatj leader Dr Yunupingu…
FED:High Court dismisses commonwealth appeal in compo case
The High Court has dismissed a commonwealth appeal, which could mean massive compensation for traditional owners for mining without their consent. In May 2023, a decision by the full bench of the Federal Court paved the way for the Gumatj clan to receive up to $700 million in compensation for bauxite mining at Gove in northeast Arnhem Land. Renowned land rights activist, the late leader Yunupingu originally brought the case in 2019, alongside an application for native title on behalf of the Gumatj clan. Gumatj leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Balupalu Yunupingu were at the High Court on Wednesday to hear…
FED:High Court to decide on appeal to landmark compo case
The High Court will deliver its judgment on a commonwealth appeal against a decision potentially delivering massive compensation for traditional owners for mining without their consent. In May 2023, a decision by the full bench of the Federal Court paved the way for the Gumatj clan to receive up to $700 million in compensation for bauxite mining at Gove in northeast Arnhem Land. Renowned land rights activist, the late leader Yunupingu originally brought the case in 2019, alongside an application for native title on behalf of the Gumatj clan. The compensation case focused on the Commonwealth's decision to allow mining…
Festival shines light on age old traditions through art
The works of more than 20 First Nations artist will illuminate the night at an Indigenous light festival. Music, comedy, workshops and talks are also om the lineup for the 10th iteration of Parrtjima - A Festival in Light, in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Four new installations will be added to the immersive art offering, including Molly Hunt's Three Generations of Station Women, Bobby West Tjupurrula's Hypnotic Reverberations and Lyall Giles' Transforming Light & Country. Towering poles, created by artists from Alice Springs three estate groups - Antulye, Irlpme and Mparntwe - will welcome visitors to the grounds, standing tall at the…
Double mental health beds, coroner tells government
"Bed block" in the NT health system led to death of a Tiwi Island mother, a coroner has found, recommending that NT government urgently fund the doubling of mental health beds to address an ongoing crisis. Following days of sedation in the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department and high-security Joan Ridley Unit, Pukumani Alimankinni, 47, stopped breathing while sleeping in a bean bag on August 8, 2021. On Friday, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her findings, following an inquest in April 2024. Ms Alimankinni died because her mental illness overshadowed her physical illnesses and nurses failed to conduct the required…
NT:Double mental health beds, coroner tells government
"Bed block" in the NT health system led to death of a Tiwi Island mother, a coroner has found, recommending that NT government urgently fund the doubling of mental health beds to address an ongoing crisis. Following days of sedation in the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department and high-security Joan Ridley Unit, Pukumani Alimankinni, 47, stopped breathing while sleeping in a bean bag on August 8, 2021. On Friday, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her findings, following an inquest in April 2024. Ms Alimankinni died because her mental illness overshadowed her physical illnesses and nurses failed to conduct the required…