December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 1

December 2018 Issue 4 HISTORY MADE AS JABIRU NATIVE TITLE RIGHTS FINALLY RECOGNISED

Blue Mud Bay: NativeHigh TitleCourt wins: in Darwin: Permit waiver extended – p.4 LarrimahTimber –Creek p12 compensation – p.6 Jabiru – p13 2 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 3 A WORD FROM THE CHAIR FAREWELL NLC CEO JOE

Dodson pay tribute to Joe Morrison on the following of the principles for the calculation of compensation page. for the extinguishment and impairment of native title. I acknowledge our legal team led by Principal Legal I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of Chief MORRISON Officer Michael O’Donnell for the hard work that went Financial Officer Joe Valenti, who departs the NLC at into the High Court appeal. We are now in the hands the end of the year, but will remain branch manager of the Court and it could be many months before there (working remotely) until March 2019, and Policy and is a result. Communications Manager Murray McLaughlin, who By Senator Patrick Dodson NAILSMA, the existence of the large finished up in early December. Joe Valenti has given The NLC was pleased to see the amendment to the Land property estate held in the North sterling service, introducing new governance and Rights Act passed through the Senate on 26 November by First nations’ peoples started to management systems and he leaves the NLC in a much 2018. The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) The two largest Land be given both environmental and better shape than when he started. Joe leaves us for Amendment Bill 2017 allows areas of Kakadu to be economic leverage. A great example greener pastures in New Zealand. Murray McLaughlin granted as Aboriginal land, resolving outstanding land Councils of the Northern has been the work done to capture joined the NLC in October 2013 as a media officer, claims, and provides for the leaseback of the Kakadu carbon emissions through traditional after a long career as a journalist with the Australian Land to the Director of National Parks. The Bill also Territory are influential practices. Looking after country, and Broadcasting Corporation. He was appointed manager adds areas in the town of Urapunga to the schedule of organisations, as building a rural and remote economy, of the Executive Branch in October 2016. A man of Aboriginal land and settles long-standing claims over sat side by side. great integrity, the NLC was lucky to benefit from his a stock route and bore reserves on Anthony Lagoon expertise, guidance and immense high-level political Station. A long overdue measure of justice is finally important to First Joe came to the NLC at a time when and media experience. He was a true believer in the being provided by this Bill. this duality was not widely accepted work of the NLC and its role advocating on behalf of Nations’ people as they The Executive Council and Sea Country Working in the broader Territory community. Aboriginal people in our region. He leaves behind big Group agreed in December to a 6-month extension are to the future of the There has been a persistent argument shoes to fill. of the permit waiver for access to tidal waters over that First nations’ land tenure (both It is always good to see outstanding land claims Aboriginal land. We now have the important job of Northern Territory. Land Rights country and native and native title claims being progressed and the last negotiating with the Northern Territory Government, title) have been blocking economic t has been another busy and productive year few months have seen two major native title claims the NT Seafood Council and the Amateur Fishermen’s heir role and function is development despite the numerous for the Northern Land Council. I would like to resolved: Larrimah and Jabiru. It is a proud and Association of the Northern Territory to recognise critical in representing the consents to leases, licenses and start by acknowledging the departure of CEO celebratory time for Traditional Owners after decades Indigenous interests in Sea Country. Meanwhile, work interests of the traditional approvals with developers and other of struggle, yet I felt sadness too reflecting on the old on the new permit system is continuing and we look T Joe Morrison, who finished up with the NLC in landowners under the provisions of third party interests. It’s an argument people we have lost waiting for justice. In Jabiru, I forward to seeing the first phase of the system rolled November. the Northern Territory Land Rights which both Joe Morrison and attended a special on-country hearing recognising out in the New Year. Act. The traditional Owners have IMr Morrison came to the role in February 2014 as the Mirarr people as the native title holders. Lead David Ross have worked to rebut The Full Council will meet in May 2019, the last founding CEO of NAILSMA, and has achieved a claimant, Yvonne Margarula, first lodged the claim been well served in recent years by in the media and public speaking meeting of the current members before the nomination huge amount in his time at the helm. He oversaw the with the National Native Title Tribunal in 1997 and it the calibre and quality of the two engagements but which will continue process begins and elections take place in November resolution of long-running land claims: Borroloola, was filed with the Federal Court in 1998. 20 years on, men who have most recently served to spark debate into the future. Wickham River and Kenbi; pushed to ensure 2019. in those roles. Joe Morrison from her long fight for her people is a legacy she carries on David Ross had a much longer Committee on Northern Australia Former NLC CEO Joe Morrison Aboriginal people have a voice and a stake in the from her late father, Mr Gangale. For the Wubalawun Finally I would like to wish our constituents a safe and the Northern land Council has left tenure at the Central land Council, will be holding an Inquiry into the Northern Development Agenda; progressed hundreds group, who now hold native title over Larrimah, it has happy Christmas period. Please take care and I look before he chose to leave, which must and brought to his role the calm and Opportunities and Challenges of the of section 19 land use agreements, a good measure of been an 18-year wait to achieve this final piece of the forward to seeing you all in 2019. be a personal and organisational unflappable persona of the bricklayer Engagement of Traditional Owners Farewell Chief ever-evolving development on Aboriginal lands; and puzzle, a significant day, and I know they have some challenge. David Ross has chosen to improved efficiencies within the NLC’s administration. focused on the job in front of him, in the Economic Development big plans for Larrimah. retire on his own terms after many He has been a true champion of the land rights Samuel Bush-Blanasi not being distracted by whatever the of Northern Australia. Regardless The highest court in Australia sat in Darwin in years of service. Both of these men Financial movement, the homelands movement and the caring Chairman current flap going on around him. I of the timing of an election, the for country movement, and I wish him well on his September to hear the Timber Creek compensation will be missed. case. The decision is the first judicial consideration was Director of the CLC after David Committee is accepting submissions Officer, Joe next endeavours. We are honoured to have Senator Pat Joe Morrison took up his duties as and others had contributed to the now. You can see more at https:// CEO in February 2014. He had governance restructure of the Land www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_ Valenti been the founding CEO of the Council that made my appointment Business/Committees/Joint/ North Australian Indigenous Land possible. He eventually replaced me Northern_Australia The NLC is saddened to and Sea Management Alliance economic importance to its Traditional Owners. A Land) to the schedule of Aboriginal land. The in that role after spending time in It has been the work of the Land announce the departure Ltd (NAILSMA). Joe was very long overdue measure of justice is finally being township of Urapunga was created in 1885. Lots Adelaide to build his qualifications Councils of the Northern Territory, of Chief Financial Officer influential in gaining recognition NLC welcomes provided by this Bill.” in the town were not sold and the town failed to and skills. under the leadership of the many Joe Valenti. Joe joined the and credibility for First nations’ develop. Surrounding areas have been recognised Rossie built the economic, political bosses in traditional law who have NLC in November 2015 The Senate approval is a final step towards the land owners and their economic and as Aboriginal land. The town was the subject of a and cultural credibility of the CLC guided their work, that has allowed and has made an enormous amendment to NLC resolution of four land claims: Ngombur, Alligator cultural values. Through the work of native title determination in 2001 and an agreement to a point where in the southern the issues of economic development contribution to the NLC Rivers Area III (Gimbat and Goodparla), Kakadu at a critical time of reform, (Jim Jim) Area and the Kakadu Region Repeat was reached in 2005 with the Northern Territory regions of the Northern Territory, at and traditional land ownership to Land Rights Act stabilisation and planning Claim. Some of the claims date back to 1978. Government to provide for land within the town to least the Land council was regarded co-exist, side by side. Until these for growth. Joe has given The Northern Land Council become Aboriginal land. In exchange, security of as a key player in the economic and two domains are recognised as “This means that some 39 years after the first tenure was provided to a local business. social development of the region complementary and valued equally, sterling service, introducing welcomes the amendment to the stage of Kakadu National Park was declared (5 new governance and The Bill also settles long standing claims over a whilst upholding the cultural values the North of Australia will continue April 1979) the whole of the Park will finally management systems and Land Rights Act passed through the stock route and bore reserves on Anthony Lagoon of the Traditional Owners. This was to stop short of its full destiny. become Aboriginal land and be jointly managed he leaves the NLC in a much Senate on 26 November 2018. Station (NT Portion 5010) which were unalienated important and sustainable work. On Leaders like David Ross and Joe as originally envisaged,” Mr Morrison said. better shape than when Crown land by the recognition of an area of land a personal note, his advice to me has Morrison have shown us the right he started. We are now in he Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern “The Park is a World Heritage area under the for a community living area within the boundaries always been valued and important, path, pointed to the road ahead and Territory) Amendment Bill 2017 allows World Heritage Convention, recognised as parts of the pastoral lease. This Bill provides secure even giving me advice, and good encouraged all of us to follow their a much stronger position, areas in the Kakadu region to be granted of Australia’s National Heritage and includes tenure for Traditional Owners over a small portion advice at that, on going into the lead. In my view they will be sorely financially, and governance T Senate. and compliance-wise. Joe as Aboriginal land. The Bill also provides for the wetlands of international importance under the of their country and is by agreement with the missed, and I thank them for their leaseback of the Kakadu Land to the Director of RAMSAR convention.” pastoralist and the NTG. In coming months if an election does advice, friendship and guidance and leaves the NLC for New Zealand and will remain National Parks. The Bill also adds areas in the town of Urapunga not intervene, I will be sitting on a I wish them both well. The Bill must now be agreed to by the House branch manager working Former NLC CEO Mr Joe Morrison said: “Kakadu that are subject to the Township of Urapunga Senate committee that will be looking of Representatives before it is presented to the remotely until March 2019. is Bininj/Mungguy land of immense cultural and Indigenous Land Use Agreement (Urapunga Governor-General for assent. into the economic development of Senator Patrick Dodson North Australia. The Joint Standing 4 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 5

Extension of intertidal zone permit Human rights win ARMED POLICE IN SCHOOLS boriginal Housing NT (AHNT) has won the 2018 NT Anti- ADiscrimination Commission’s waiver while negotiations take place Fitzgerald Award for Diversity. CAUSE FOR ALARM The Darwin Supreme Court was the setting for the awards ceremony, which took place on 12 December 2018. safer in and around school and reduced Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the effects The introduction of armed offending behaviour and truancy’. However, of trauma, including generational trauma”. AHNT members Matty Ryan of concerns have been raised by youth and However, on the issue of training, Acting Maningrida and Chris Neade of Elliott and uniformed Northern Indigenous advocates that the program will Deputy Police Commissioner Michael accepted the award on behalf of AHNT cause more harm than good. John Paterson, Murphy told the ABC in October that and acknowledged the tireless work of Territory Police Officers in 10 on behalf of Aboriginal Peak Organisations school based police officers would receive the committee and its supporters. NT Government schools has of the Northern Territory (APO NT) said just one additional week of training, in the The Fitzgerald Diversity Award is that the introduction of the Program made areas of psychology, cognitive impairments granted annually to “individuals or been met with opposition his members “nervous”, and noted the lack and cultural competence. He acknowledged organisations whose activities focus on of engagement or input with the Aboriginal that the week of training would not alone promoting, protecting and fulfilling the from youth advocates, sector: “It was announced without us having train police officers adequately, noting: human rights and equal opportunity of any opportunity to have input in the design,” “we’re not specialised in those fields, but diverse communities in the NT”. AHNT Aboriginal leaders and he said. what we are dependent upon is working beat out a strong field of contenders to in partnership with stakeholders who are In particular, the use of armed and uniformed acknowledge four years of advocating organisations. within government and outside government police officers in school has been cause for and acting for better housing for to grow the model.” Aboriginal Territorians in town camps, he School Based Policing Program alarm. In the United States, research has shown that the presence of armed police However, the recommendations of the Royal homelands, outstations and remote is an initiative of the Northern communities. Territory’s Department of Education, officers in schools has led to an increase Commission also notably emphasise the T in arrests for classroom disciplinary issues, need for children to be spared from adverse Over the past decade, there have been the Northern Territory Police Force and the Northern Territory Council of Government which are often carried out with the use of experiences with the youth justice system, significant changes in the way that Schools. According to the School Based handcuffs and pepper spray. and for a therapeutic, rather than a punitive Aboriginal housing has been delivered response to challenging behaviour. A punitive Policing Framework, the primary aim of the Proponents of the Program cite compliance and managed in the Northern Territory. police response to challenging behaviour, program is to ‘provide the safest possible with the recommendations of the Royal In 2008 we saw the dismantling of which is often the result of previous trauma, learning environment, relying on school- Commission into the Protection and the Indigenous Community Housing often has the effect of worsening behaviour police partnerships’. The Program was Detention of Children in the Northern Organisations (ICHOs), 75 per cent of and increasing the likelihood that the child rolled out at the commencement of Term Territory as a justification for its which were run through local community will disengage with the education system. 4, 2018, at 10 initial locations: Sanderson implementation. NT Minister for Education, councils that were replaced with ‘super An alternative therapeutic approach makes Middle School; Dripstone Middle School; Selena Uibo, has stated that the installation shires’. This, with the dismantling of financial sense: one Australian study found Darwin Middle and High Schools (Bullocky of armed police into classrooms across the the Indigenous Community Housing the cost of mentoring 2,200 at-risk young Point Precinct); Nightcliff Middle School; Northern Territory has been done in line Associations, saw Aboriginal people people over the course of three years has Palmerston College; Taminmin College; with recommendation 25.1, which states stripped of any control over their been estimated at A$40 million, which is Casuarina Senior College; Katherine High that: “all Northern Territory Police receive housing, which has had profound and well short of the cost of their predicted adult School; Tennant Creek High School; and training in youth justice which contains dire consequences. offending, which is A$3.3 billion. Centralian Middle School. components about childhood and adolescent In response to the continuing housing The Framework lists the benefits for students brain development, the impact of cognitive A report on the progress and efficacy of the crisis in the Northern Territory, AHNT as ‘better relationships with police, feeling and intellectual disabilities including Foetal program will be undertaken in Term 1, 2019. was formed at the Aboriginal Housing Forum in 2015. Its voluntary committee is made up of people with dozens of languages between them and their skills, cultural knowledge and experience Minimum floor price on alcohol instated guides the group’s activities. The group is supported by more than 20 Aboriginal “The Seafood Council, AFANT and NLC will work together Northern Territory Government and mindful of the The implementation of the floor price came Robyn Lambley and Terry Mills have called non-government organisations and is The Northern Land Council has agreed with NTG to negotiate a comprehensive settlement,” he forthcoming Full Council meeting at Jabiru on 12-16 The Northern Territory has into effect from 1 October 2018. According on the NT Government to reinstate Alcohol progressing to become the formal peak said. November, the NLC CEO wrote to the Minister for to the NT Government’s information Mandatory Treatment and to scrap the floor body for Aboriginal housing in the NT. to a 6-month extension of the waiver Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles, warning the “The Northern Territory Government has proposed a sum become the first Australian package, “The legislative amendment price on alcohol. The NT Council of Social Government of “substantial negative consequences that “There’s been an on-going crisis in of $10 million to facilitate Aboriginal involvement in the prohibits selling alcohol below the price of Services has cited previous trials of a floor that allows permit-free access to tidal would flow from the waiver expiry”. jurisdiction to implement Aboriginal housing for many decades commercial fishing sector and has agreed to negotiate about $1.30 per standard drink. The legislation price which have shown positive outcomes. imposes the minimum price as an automatic A floor price was trialled across the NT in and AHNT was established to give waters over Aboriginal land, including a set of principles to recognise Indigenous interests in Sea The letter said: “In the absence of an agreed process to a minimum floor price on a voice to the many people living in Country generally.” resolve Blue Mud Bay and sea country comprehensively, condition of a liquor licence.” 1995 and was trialled in 2006 under the Alice Springs Liquor Supply Plan, and in overcrowded housing, the long-grass, for commercial and recreational fishers. there is a likelihood that large areas of the Northern Territory alcohol sales. The floor price is used to work out the “An extension by the NLC of the waiver due to expire on 31 both instances there was a reduction in both the humpies and the run-down shacks coastline which are currently open to recreational and minimum cost at which a product can be he extension is to give time to negotiate an agreement December 2018, allows time for the negotiations to begin.” the amount of alcohol consumed and levels that pass as accommodation in the commercial fishers will be closed, and default permitting he floor price has been sold, depending on how many standard that recognises the legal rights of Aboriginal implemented in accordance of harm seen in society. This evidence- Territory,” said Barbara Shaw, AHNT The waiver gives certainty for another 6 months to the processes might not be well-received.” drinks the product contains. For example, Co-Chair. landowners and supports economic development. commercial sector and recreational fishers to be able to with the recommendation of the based approach is supported by a number of T The letter asked the Government to respond to the NLC’s if one bottle of wine contains eight standard continue fishing in the intertidal zone. Riley Report, a report on alcohol stakeholders across the Northern Territory Since its establishment, AHNT has The permit waiver will now expire on 28 June 2019 and request to negotiate a comprehensive settlement by 5 drinks, the minimum price that that bottle the NLC will consider extending the waiver until 30 June Tpolicies and legislation in the NT which was and Australia, including the Australian worked to articulate concerns and could be sold for would be $10.40. Traditional Owners control access to waters over Aboriginal November. commissioned by the Northern Territory Medical Association, AMSANT, APO NT, solutions to housing, overcrowding 2020 if the Northern Territory Government, the NT Seafood land to the mean low tide watermark as provided under the The Government did not respond until Friday 9 November, Government and released in October 2017. The changes also require the Minister to Danila Dilba, Making Justice Work, NAAJA and homelessness in the NT. AHNT Council and the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Aboriginal Lands Right (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and the last working day before the Jabiru Full Council meeting, The Riley Report notes the cost of alcohol review the minimum floor price every three and NTCOSS. represent the most linguistically Northern Territory (AFANT) have negotiated in good faith confirmed by the High Court in 2008 in its decision on the with a response which did not acknowledge the NLC’s abuse not only in economic terms, but the years. diverse and geographically dispersed during this time. Blue Mud Bay case. Since 2008, access to these Aboriginal- It is too early to judge the impact of the Proposal in June. cost to alcohol consumers and their families. The minimum floor price does not affect, or current regulatory framework: evaluations communities of the NT. They address The six-month extension was decided at a meeting of the owned tidal areas by commercial and recreational fishers issues as diverse as water security, NLC Executive Council and the Sea Country Working has been granted by way of interim arrangements and Minister Vowles addressed the Full Council on Thursday 15 The Riley Report states that “in 2004/5 the minimally affects, the majority of alcoholic and monitoring reports are due 6 and 12 total social cost of alcohol in the Northern products for sale in the NT, but rather months from the commencement date of 1 housing related illnesses (including Group on 4 December 2018, following a revised letter from permit waivers. November, but was unable to elaborate on his letter to the rheumatic heart disease and renal satisfaction of Council members. Territory was estimated to be $642 million increases the price of cheap, high alcohol October 2018, and these reports will give an the NTG representing a significant advancement of the Traditional Owners have long expressed a desire to control disease), seasonal inaccessibility, position it had previously presented. or $4197 per adult compared with a national content cask and bottled wine, and fortified indication of the effectiveness of the floor access to their tidal waters, and to manage their Sea Country. Later that day, the Full Council passed a resolution to cost estimate of $943 per adult”. wine. price. It is vital not to dismiss such efforts remoteness and isolation, projected conditionally approve a six-month extension of the waiver population increases, poor Importantly, NTG has agreed to negotiate the “principles In June, the NLC presented to the Government a wide- at mitigating the harm caused by alcohol of the need for permits to access the Aboriginal-owned Alcohol is a factor in most assaults and at least Media coverage has been critical of the infrastructure, procurement policies of settlement” articulated in an NLC proposal submitted ranging submission which proposed ways for Aboriginal misuse before the impacts can be measured. intertidal zone. That extension was dependent on the 56 per cent of domestic violence incidents, imposition of a floor price, citing widespread and land tenure complexities. in June, and to have an Independent Chair oversee the people to participate in the commercial fishing and This reform, which is evidence-based, has Northern Territory Government’s delivering a satisfactory and alcohol misuse during pregnancy has opposition to the change. Darwin Lord negotiations. recreational fishing industries and have a real role in the potential to improve the health and During its short existence, AHNT has response by early December to a request by the NLC that led to the Northern Territory’s high rate of Mayor Kon Vatskalis has voiced his management of fisheries, and for recognition of sea country safety of Territorians. worked tirelessly to redress this crisis “We are satisfied that the Northern Territory Government the Government agree to negotiate a comprehensive and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. opposition based on his opinion that those has agreed to negotiate in good faith about the guiding as it is understood by Aboriginal people. misusing alcohol “will pay any price for a strategically and structurally, and the final settlement of matters affecting fishing in the intertidal It is clear that the previous regulatory win is recognition of Indigenous-led principles set out by the NLC,” said Interim Acting Chief On 9 October, not having received any response from zone. fix,” as he told the ABC. Independent MLAs Executive Officer, Rick Fletcher. framework was not working. advocacy at its best. 6 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 7 HIGH COURT COMES TO DARWIN: VALUING NATIVE TITLE IN DOLLARS

Native title claimants Chris Griffiths and Lorraine Jones outside Court in Darwin. Members of the NLC legal branch alongside counsel for the Ngaliwurru and Nungali people: (left to right) David Spicer-Harden, Tamara Cole, Laura Hilly, Graeme Hill, NLC principal legal officer Michael O’Donnell, Sturt Glacken QC, Cath McLeish and Ben Niles.

Timber Creek, but the social and the land and the land is most important cultural effect of those developments because we’ve got important sacred on the native title holders relates to a sites,” said claimant Lorraine Jones. much larger region of country. In the “When you see damages happen trial hearing in 2016, Federal Court to your land, you feel your tummy, Justice Mansfield heard evidence your hurt, like you’re emotionally from claim group members in and hurt inside, you don’t show it on the around Timber Creek, including outside, but it’s hurting you on the restricted evidence from senior men, inside.” in a confidential, men-only session. Australia is watching the Timber A key question in the appeal is whether Creek case, which will provide a native title should be valued equally precedent for future compensation claims, which may relate to towns or other “It’s not about the developments, like mines, money, it’s about the established without consent of the native title holders land and the land is most from 1975. Due to the national significance of important because we’ve the case, the governments got important sacred of Western Australia, Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) Around 40 Traditional Owners of Timber Creek travelled 600km or more to attend the High Court appeal in Darwin. Queensland and South Grant Funding Round sites.” Australia have joined the case as ‘intervenors’, holders’ consent. The Timber Creek claim relates after the RDA commenced in 1975. - Lorraine Jones. supporting the arguments of to three kinds of loss: the market value of the land, In September 2018, the Timber Creek The right to claim compensation is now contained the NT and Commonwealth. interest over time on the market land value, and a in section 51 of the Native Title Act. to freehold property (eg a house or Two other native title representative native title compensation claim – one ‘solatium’ amount for the personal, spiritual pain a commercial block), or if it is less bodies from WA also joined, of losing rights to sacred sites and country. The claim relates to 127 hectares of land now within of the biggest test cases in Indigenous valuable because it can’t be sold or supporting the claim group’s rights since Mabo – brought the High Around 40 Traditional Owners of Timber Creek mortgaged (it is ‘inalienable’). Part arguments. travelled 600km or more to attend the appeal. of that question considers whether Sadly, Chris and Lorraine’s fathers, Court of Australia to the Northern Claimant Chris Griffiths was among them, telling “This court hearing, it the ‘non-exclusive’ native title taken Mr A. Griffiths and Mr J. Jones, the ABC outside Court: “This court hearing, it Territory for the first time in its 116- makes us feel sad, it from Ngarliwurru and Nungali two very senior members of the makes us feel sad, it makes us happy and it also peoples (that is, native title that co- claim group, passed away before the year history. makes us proud because we know that our message makes us happy and it existed with pastoral land) has a case was heard in the High Court. is getting across, that they are understanding how also makes us proud lower value than ‘exclusive’ native The strength of the compensation important [it is that] we are connected to country title, where native title holders can claim presented is a testament to ROUND OPEN he appeal was heard on 4, 5 and 6 September and the land.” because we know that legally prevent others from entering their knowledge, the losses suffered and we await the Court’s decision in the the land. coming months. The right to native title compensation comes from our message is getting when native title was taken, and T the Australian Constitution’s requirement that any across, that they are The trial judge awarded a total of the opportunities that their people Funding for one off projects that benefit Aboriginal people in the NT. The claim group is the Ngaliwurru and Nungali property owner must be compensated on ‘just $3.3 million dollars compensation will realise through their fight for ABA supports projects not covered by other government funding. peoples who are members of the estate groups terms’ when the Crown acquires their property. understanding how across the three categories of loss compensation for the present and Aboriginal controlled organisations based in the NT are encouraged to apply. Makalamayi, Wunjaiyi, Yanturi, Wantawul and in 2016. The Full Federal Court, on future generations. Maiyalaniwung – the Traditional Owners of the In 1992, Mabo v Qld (No 2) first considered how important [it is that] we Opens: 3 December 2018 Closes: 1 February 2019 the Constitutional right to compensation on just appeal, reduced that to almost $2.9 “It’s really important. Not only for town site of Timber Creek, in the Victoria River are connected to country million in 2017. The claim is for District of the Northern Territory. terms applies to native title. The Court decided that me, not only for Lorraine but both of the Racial Discrimination Act (‘RDA’) requires almost $5 million. A compensation our fathers. They’re not here today. The claim is for compensation for the loss of and the land.” determination provides a once-off For more information: compensation to be paid to native title holders in But we’re here and we’re here to Contact 1800 354 612 or email [email protected] native title rights that have been ‘extinguished’ by the same way it must be paid to any other property amount to the claim group. finish off the job that they’ve done,” - Chris Griffiths Or visit www.pmc.gov.au/aba-grants the crown acquiring land without the native title owner, but only for native title acquired or affected “It’s not about the money, it’s about said Chris. 8 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 9

“I was 14 years old. I can’t remember [much]. I remember Melbourne because that’s where I 1970s ABORIGINAL CHILDREN’S ART “Through the natural simplicity of their met grandad – my great uncle,” she recalls. “My mother’s uncle was living there, Wandjuk. He words and paintings, they convey their lived in Melbourne at the time, Chairman for the Aboriginal Arts Board as it was called then, so he OFFERS WINDOW INTO HISTORY enjoyment and enthusiasm for the land came on TV on the show with me.” It was the then Aboriginal Arts Board, part of which has been theirs for over 40,000 the Australia Council for the Arts, and chaired by Rirratjingu painter, actor, composer and land years.” rights activist, Wandjuk Marika, which sponsored A project to reunite children’s drawings from the 1970s with their original the project. - Wandjuk Marika Mr Marika writes in the foreword: Yolngu artists is now underway involving Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre “This is a unique book. It is the story of Australia as told and illustrated by the in Yirrkala and the National Museum of Australia. Aboriginal children of Australia.” “Through the honest eyes and minds of children, a new vision of Australia is ncluded among the collection are drawings by unfolded – the Australia of the Dreamtime. Rirratjingu leader and original member of Yothu IYindi Witiyana Marika, NATSIA-award winning “Through the natural simplicity of their artist Wukun Wanambi, and current principal of words and paintings, they convey their Yirrkala School Merrkiyawuy Ganambar. enjoyment and enthusiasm for the land The drawings, done between 1975 and 1977, which has been theirs for over 40,000 were collected to form part of a book called “The years.” Aboriginal Children’s History of Australia: Written and Illustrated by Australia’s Aboriginal Children”, A Northern Territory perspective published in 1977. The 346 drawings done by students at Yirrkala From the Northern Territory, more than 900 works School, Dhupuma College and Milingimbi were collected from schools including Kormilda School, which have been returned to Yirrkala art College, Port Keats School, Wave Hill Station centre, are just a tiny piece of the collection, School, Oenpelli School, Milingimbi School, Daly with 3383 illustrations gathered from 70 schools River and Wattie Creek. Australia-wide. They include a drawing of Murinbata man Merrkiyawuy Ganambar was a student at Nemarluk who was jailed in Darwin for killing two Dhupuma College when her class was asked to Japanese soldiers and escaped and swam across take part in the project. Darwin harbour to his country of Port Keats. There are Dreaming stories, the arrival of the “I think we had to do three things that was Macassans to Arnhem Land in search of trepang happening at that time: one was the beginning, (sea cucumber) and depictions of bauxite mining what they call the Dreamtime stories, the story of at Gove. how life happened and that’s why I drew the two Rirritjingu leader Witiyana Marika drew his sisters down on the beach, and then the next one Merrkiyawuy Ganambar‘s Weeping Brolga. was what’s happening now, and the last one was homeland of Gulurunga. When his drawing is what would you like to see in the future?” returned to him, he points out the sand dunes and river, Yolngu people camped at the bay and Her drawings include a beautiful weeping brolga in a Macassan boat at sea. He was 13 when he did front of setting sun; a depiction of the dreamtime this drawing and remembers his teacher, Mr story of Djankawu and Barrama, who divided Turner, telling the class to draw something for a Yolngu into two groups: Dhuwa and Yirritja; and children’s book. a drawing of Tamarind trees at Drimmie Head, which were introduced by the Macassans and A unique window into history used by Yolngu to make a cough syrup. Each is accompanied by a description in her own words. Renowned anthropologist Professor Howard Morphy, who connected the National Museum “[The teachers] said: ‘what would you like people of Australia with the Yirrkala Art Centre, says the to know about your country, or what’s happening illustrations have historic significance. on your country, on your land, at the moment, and history about your country, or stories of the “The collection is a phenomenal resource for Dreamtime?’” she remembers. many reasons – it provides a unique window into Indigenous children’s sense of their place The final book published around 100 illustrations in history nearly 50 years ago; it provides early and stories and is divided into six categories: works by Indigenous Australian children who Dreaming, Old Time, The Macassans, The have subsequently played important roles in their Whitefellas, Today and My Country. It includes communities and some of whom have become works from all states except Victoria and artists later in life; it is also going to be the source Tasmania. of sadness in many cases and joy in others.” Three of Merrkiyawuy’s illustrations made it into “It is a huge resource that will increase in its the final book, and she was then asked to take significance over time as there are no equivalents. part in a media tour around the country to launch Merrkiyawuy Ganambar was a student at Dhupuma College when her class was asked to take part in the project. She flicks Interestingly there is no similar resource on non- it. through “The Aboriginal Children’s History of Australia,” with copies of her drawings on the seat in front. Witiyana Marika’s drawing of his homeland, Gulurunga. 10 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 11

“It provides a unique window into Indigenous children’s sense of their place in history nearly 50 years ago; it provides early works by Indigenous Australian children who have subsequently played important roles in their communities and some of whom have become artists later in life; it is also going to be the source of sadness in many cases and joy in others.” Merrkiyawuy Ganambar holds up “The Aboriginal - Howard Morphy Children’s HIstory of Australia”.

Rirritjingu leader, Witiyana Marika (right), with his granddaughter Rurrthana Gumana, holding a drawing he did as a 13-year old of his homeland, Gulurunga.

Indigenous children from that era, though one Dr Ian Coates, head of the Collections published in comparison. could probably be put together from different Development Team at the National Museum of “I would love to have a similar one, like this, sources at enormous expense,” he says. Australia says the museum is keen to get the with the kids now. Make another book like this “Indeed it is an example of one of the many drawings into circulation again so people can see [showing] what they understand about the past, innovative initiatives developed by the Australia the way that Aboriginal children at that time saw the beginning, what they understand about Council’s Aboriginal Arts Board in its early years Australian history. He says it tells a unique story things happening now. I think it would be a big that shows what government arts funding can about how children viewed their world. jump and a big contrast from this book if they do do. But it does need to be followed up to return “It’s kind of interesting that from Yirrkala, there’s that.” value into the future.” quite a few drawings about the Bauxite mine, The drawings from the 1970s are done mostly in That is indeed the plan. The National Museum of there’s drawings about the arrival of [Wilbur] a western style – blue ocean, green hills, sun in Australia, which has held the works since 1991, Chaseling [founder of Yirrkala mission in 1935], the top corner. is digitising the drawings and hoping to reunite the mission. But there’s also drawings about Captain Cook arriving and then there are some “I think our children now would do a bit of bark copies with the original artists. Many of the painting and stories, especially of the land.” drawings are already accessible on the National drawings which conflate all those elements to a Museum of Australia website. history, so it’s pretty amazing.” “At that time it wasn’t something we thought “When we do projects in particular communities, about. We weren’t encouraged but then at that Chairwoman of Artback NT Denise Sylvestro, time we weren’t allowed to because the old says an exhibition and tour of the works is the we do kind of take copies of those drawings back to those places,” he says. “But there hasn’t been people said it was too secret for a little girl like sort of thing Artback NT would be interested in you.” supporting. a single project to reunite those drawings with communities as yet.” “I’d like to see it toured around Australia.” Maypilama Burrawanga (above, right) of Elcho Island, attended Yirrkala “I would imagine, yes. They are absolutely amazingly beautiful works and they are very “We are putting together an application for school in the 1970s and remembers taking part in the school art project. significant works because they come from the funds to cover the basic research needed to link the works with communities and to prepare the 70s and it’s the children’s reflection of how the Yolngu who attended Yirrkala School, Dhupuma Here, she holds her drawing depicting trucks carrying bauxite from the nearby information needed for a possible exhibition.” children perceived their community and I think College and Milingimbi School in the 1970s and mine as school students watch on from a bus. Maypilama’s father worked at this is definitely something that Artback would “The research will be collaborative and the plans who think their work might be in the collection be interested in,” she said. of any exhibition will be developed with the can contact Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre at the Nabalco mine and she remembers visiting it on a school excursion. Her “The role of Artback is to help promote, develop artists’ communities.” [email protected] for a copy of their work. husband, Harry Garrawurra (pictured at left) sits by her side and becomes and tour art that is relevant to the Territory and For Merrkiyawuy Ganambar, now she has seen we are particularly interested in assisting remote the collection of children’s drawings from her Artists can also search the National Museum of emotional as he is shown the drawing. “It’s a great gift from the good old days communities to have access to such exhibitions.” childhood, she would like to see a similar project Australia collection online at: and gives us lots of memories,” he says. done with today’s students, and a new book http://collectionsearch.nma.gov.au/ 12 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 13

It is hoped this determination will pave the way for at the table for negotiations of their future town,” said us build the township of Larrimah, which I believe can recognition of that right in other parts of the Northern Mr Morrison. prosper.” Territory without the need for costly trials. Mr Maroney said the Wubalawun people had high Mr Maroney would like to see an Indigenous Ranger HISTORY MADE AS NATIVE TITLE What happens next is a question for the native title hopes for the future of Larrimah. program set up to encourage young people to move holders. back to the town and work alongside native title holders “We’d like to change it so that it’s more of a family in Middle Creek and Birdum. “They’ve moved from being claimants to holders of town so that everyone can enjoy Larrimah.” these rights as determined by the Federal Court today “Now that Aboriginal people have now got title of “Now we’ve got bargaining powers in regards to so it’s really a question for them in the Northern Larrimah we can open up to places that have never RIGHTS FINALLY RECOGNISED getting funding and building houses for our younger Territory to come together to think about what the been open before.” generation. Now we have got the bargaining power in future of Larrimah might look like. And I think today’s regards to talking to the NT government of assisting Two historic native title claims are now resolved, decades after they were first claimed. important because native title holders should in fact be

(Front row) Larrimah native title claimants Jimmy Wavehill, Peter Maroney, Daphne Maroney and Alan Maroney; (back row) NLC lawyer David Spicer-Harden with claimants Kevin Justice Griffiths (centre) with Jabiru native title holders Nida Mangarnbarr, Yvonne Margarula, Ruth Gamarrawu, Annie Ngalmirama and May Nango holding up copies of the Maroney and Patrick Jimmy. determination. lifted to say yes it’s been bloody worth it.” – including for commercial purposes, not limited to areas currently affected by the Ranger uranium mine community. personal or domestic purposes. and the Jabiluka mineral lease. “I started this process back in 2001, the original 21-year fight for “We want people to come and learn about our country Larrimah returned claimant for Larrimah so it’s been 18 years for me.” This is the first time that right has been recognised in Chairman of the NLC, Samuel Bush-Blanasi, said the and culture. We look forward to welcoming people to the Northern Territory by agreement of the Northern claim is part of a bigger struggle by the Mirarr people, the new town of Jabiru on beautiful Mirarr country,” “I’m really glad that NLC has supported us for the Territory Government and native title claimants and reflects the finding of the 1977 Fox inquiry into he said. to Wubalawun long road that we had to take and I believe now that Jabiru resolved without going to trial as occurred in the Town of uranium mining, which recognised the Mirrar as the our next generation should be able to stand up and say Essential to that plan is the successful rehabilitation of Borroloola in 2016. Traditional Owners. yes this is our country, finally.” ne of the longest running native title claims in the mine site. group “Back then it was the government saying ‘we give you Australia’s history was resolved in November “We want to see the mining company do a really good land rights you give as mining’. Today this native title when the Mirarr people were recognised as the job of cleaning it up, they need to make it good enough O proves the Mirarr are the Traditional Owners of Jabiru he Federal Court of Australia held a special “After today, my heart’s been lifted to say yes it’s been native title holders of Jabiru at a special on-country to be part of the World Heritage National Park.” hearing at the Supreme Court of the NT in hearing. and assure that in Australian law,” he said. bloody worth it.” - Native title holder Alan Maroney “This is a big job and the government needs to make Darwin on 24 October 2018 to recognise native Also speaking at the ceremony was Mirarr Traditional T Lead claimant, senior Traditional Owner Yvonne sure the mining company does it properly.” title rights and interests over the town of Larrimah. Margarula, first lodged the claim with the National Owner Simon Mudjandi, who spoke of the Mirarr’s Former NLC CEO Joe Morrison described it as a Indigenous Affairs Minister, Nigel Scullion said It marked the last piece of the puzzle for members Native title over parts of the town of Larrimah was Native Title Tribunal in 1997 and it was filed with the vision for the future of Jabiru. historic day. it brought him immense joy to see the historic final of the Wubalawun group who hold Native Title over first claimed in 2001 and extended in 2011 to include Federal Court in 1998. “Lots of people know about Kakadu, they know it is determination go the way of the land’s traditional surrounding pastoral leases. the whole town. At this time, Jimmy Wavehill became “It’s very significant because it’s the first time in the Ms Margarula said the Mirarr were happy to see the important World Heritage country. We Mirarr people the lead claimant. NT that, by agreement of the parties, that a right to owners. The lead applicant on the claim, Jimmy Wavehill long journey finally come to an end. “We are Mirarr, want to show them how special this country is and trade has been recognised as part of the native title “This is a hard-fought, deserved outcome for the travelled to Darwin with members of his family, as “I feel happy today, what we do,” said Jimmy. “We we bring the land back now, that was a long time we’ve to make Jabiru a great town for locals too. We want determination as we’ve seen previously in Borroloola Mirrar people,” Minister Scullion said. “They are the well as the Maroney and Birdum families. keep trying and trying till we got it now.” been waiting,” she said. Jabiru to be a place to show people. that that was by trial.” true owners of the lands in the north of the Northern “I’m real happy and I’m real proud with my grandkids. Five women who were central to the claim, Ms The Northern Territory Government and the Alan Maroney spoke on behalf of his people outside “It means that there’s recognition that there was Territory. the Supreme Court. When asked how he felt following We help each other. We do our best. We got our country Margarula, Nida Mangarnbarr, Annie Ngalmirama, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, which represents basically an economy that Aboriginal people had had at The application for native title over Jabiru Township this historic decision, he said: “Relief. [It’s been] a back. In my heart, I really love them very much.” May Nango and Ruth Gamarrawu, were presented Mirarr, have a $500 million vision for the post-mining the time of the settlers arriving. Obviously Aboriginal and its immediate surrounds is around 13 square long struggle. [I’ve been] forever questioning myself with hardcopies of the determination. future of Jabiru, which includes its transformation into The Larrimah native title determination recognises a people know that there was a customary economy in a tourism hub and regional centre to service the Bininj kilometres in size. whether it’s been worth it. After today, my heart’s been right to “access and take resources for any purpose” place and that is recognising that in a modern context.” The Mirarr estate extends beyond Jabiru to include the 14 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 15

“See, if I’m not around, after I’m not around, we’re already taking them out with me like Luke, Henry, Paul and I try to get all the girls ON-COUNTRY EVIDENCE HEARD IN up here, this is all my mob over here see. “Try to get them out on helicopter today. And they’re coming with me so they can FITZMAURICE RIVER REGION LAND CLAIM understand. They want to know where the Dreaming is, and not allowed to go in there. Some places are danger for them to go, I’ve already showed them here. They’re not allowed to go there.” After submissions are completed, Commissioner Mansfield will write a land claim report for Minister Scullion, which will include a recommendation to either grant or not to grant the land. That report is likely to be published in late 2019. The Commonwealth and the Aboriginal Land Commissioner expect finalisation or substantial progress of all remaining land claims by 30 June 2019.

Due to amendments to the Land Rights Act Wakal Jinang man, Luke Jinjair made in 1997 and 2006 (ss 50(2A) and 67A(6) (a)) respectively), no new land rights claims have been made since 1997. A number of claims are still unresolved. On 6 July 2017 the Minister for Indigenous Affairs requested the Aboriginal Land Commissioner to undertake a review of detriment issues relating to 16 land claims previously recommended for grant but not finalised. To date, the NLC has been invited to take part in the review as have the Northern Territory Government, NT Seafood Council, Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT, NT Cattlemen’s Association and other third parties. The Commissioner’s final report on the Senior Wakal Jinang elder Frank Jinjair (right) wtih family in front of Dathuwa (Table Hill). detriment review was to be made to the Minister by 6 July 2018 but this deadline has for its proximity to the Fitzmaurice River by North of the Fitzmaurice River is the Daly now been extended until 31 December 2018. Against the backdrop of a towering helicopter, and Palumpa by road (just 20 km River/Port Keats Aboriginal Land Trust, Dathuwa (Table Hill), the setting for the Fitzmaurice River Region Land Claim. plateau known to the Wakal Jinang to the north). 13,467 square kilometres of schedule 1 people as Dathuwa, Traditional Owners Claimants camped at Dathuwa for 2 weeks, Aboriginal granted to that land trust in 1980. with the NLC’s Regional Development from nine groups met to give on- Branch setting up tents, toilets, showers and country evidence in the Fitzmaurice a kitchen, and providing cooked meals every “I think it’s very important. Praise from Aboriginal Land Commissioner day. River Region Land Claim. Very important to me and Over three days and multiple trips, claimants The Hon John Mansfield AM QC, Aboriginal Land helicopter. There were several senior members laimants travelled from Alice Springs, were flown in helicopter over sections of this old fella here yes,” said of the descent groups who required particular Kununurra, Darwin, Peppimenarti, the Fitzmaurice River to point out and share Luke Jinjair as he motions Commissioner, penned the following letter to attention because of physical disability. Palumpa and Port Keats to give knowledge of sites of cultural significance. then NLC CEO Joe Morrison, praising the work of C The purpose of this letter it to convey to the NLC oral evidence before the Aboriginal Land to uncle Frank. “I think it’s At times, the helicopter would land and the the Northern Land Council’s logistical operations my appreciation for the organisation skills and Commissioner, the Hon John Mansfield AM hearing would re-commence under a tree on during the Fitzmaurice River Region Land Claim. efforts of Errol Thorne, the senior NLC officer QC, a cloth tarpaulin providing the shade for right. I think it’s the right the banks of the Fitzmaurice. responsible for logistics. He did a great job. It the temporary “court room”. This, as well as written submissions by the place.” We have just completed the 4 day on country reflected what I have seen to be the high standard Senior Wakal Jinang elder Frank Jinjair and NLC and NTG, will inform Justice Mansfield’s evidence at Table Hill, near the New Moon Bay of logistical support the NLC provides for such his nephew Luke Jinjair call the country final recommendation to Indigenous Affairs inlet north of the Fitzmaurice River, and on the hearings. around Dathuwa home and were pleased to This is one of 22 beds and banks of rivers and Daly River/Port Keats Aboriginal Land Trust Minister Nigel Scullion on whether this area I would be happy if you passed this letter on to welcome the hearing to their country. intertidal zone claims still to be finalised. Area. should be granted Aboriginal land. Errol. “I think it’s very important. Very important The Fitzmaurice River Region Land Claim was For Frank Jinjair, who knows well the stories It was a complex process, involving coordination to me and this old fella here yes,” said Luke first lodged in 1997 and covers the beds and of his ancestors and how they connect to his between the claimants, like NT and my office, as Jinjair as he motions to Uncle Frank. “I think banks of the Fitzmaurice River from its mouth country, this “whitefella” process provides a well as between several local descent groups. It Yours sincerely, it’s right. I think it’s the right place.” to the western boundary of Wombungi chance for him and his family to see country required a permanent campsite for a large number, The Hon John Mansfield AM QC from above and to share knowledge with the and a hearing shelter and facilities. It involved 2 Dathuwa was chosen as the setting in Pastoral Lease, and the islands located in the younger generations. days of visiting and inspecting sites, including by Aboriginal Land Commissioner consultation with Frank and the Jinjair family river. Errol Thorne carries supplies from helicopter at Table Hill. 16 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 17

eligible for funding for these services under this project; directly benefit from this project; however, the project will proposals. These will need to be submitted in early June potentially fund 80 to 100 high priority community projects 2019. • Meeting the above criteria does not automatically that are likely to have a significant positive impact for guarantee funding for this project. Eligible homelands Please note that NLC have not put forward any applications ABA Homelands Project Update Aboriginal people living on their country. will be identified by the relevant land council and invited for consideration to date. to submit proposals. Proposals will be considered on Approved projects are unlikely to start on the ground until at merit and the available funding. least the 2019 dry season. Service Provider and Community Application Process NLC’s Role and Consultation Process • $15.75 million allocated for homeland communities Consultations in the NLC region sits with the Department of This type of project is not something that NLC normally There are more than 20 service providers in the NLC Region Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC) who manage the does; PMC have engaged us to apply our knowledge and servicing just over 200 homeland communities. The aim administration of the ABA; networks to identify priority homeland communities and is to engage all service providers in each of NLC’s seven eligible activities under the project guidelines. distinct regions and find out about what are the priorities • Project funds are accessed via a grant application throughout the vastness of the NLC service footprint. process facilitated by the NLC; NLC commenced consulting Aboriginal homeland service provider boards and related boards servicing homelands NLC have successfully engaged a large portion of the current • NLC Regional Councils have prioritised the project’s at the end of May this year. It is these service providers service providers and most of them have provided feedback eligibility and funding criteria to assist and guide the that often have the strongest relationships with homeland about what they view as their service area’s community application assessment process; communities and are the local experts in understanding need priorities. So far we have visited just over 40 priority • On receiving applications from NLC, PMC staff will and priority with associated community infrastructure. homeland communities to discuss the project, and collate review all applications and provide recommendations to After these consultations, service providers have reviewed critical information for compiling the ABA applications on the ABA Advisory Committee for their consideration; community and project eligibility and have undertaken a behalf of those communities. • ABA Advisory Committee considers those basic assessment of need, benefit and capacity to provide Some of the homeland communities NLC have visited recommendations and then provides its own NLC with a list of prioritised homeland communities each have anything up to 100 Aboriginal residents with 10 to 20 recommendations to the Australian Government with a detailed list of identified priorities. residential dwellings. On investigation, the basic essential Minister for Indigenous Affairs for his consideration NLC then consults the residents of these prioritised service and communication infrastructure and access needs and approval; communities, and the information from the service provider appear to be considerably high so the project is quite timely. • Minister for Indigenous Affairs will consider the helps to guide the conversation. However, it is the community In regards to our community consultations, NLC are less recommendations from the ABA Advisory committee residents that prioritise their projects and NLC prepare than half way into it and presently we are racing the Wet and then provide an approval; detailed funding proposals based on this consultation. Season. NLC’s intent is to consult all homeland community service areas and visit the prioritised communities within that • Approved projects will be notified by PMC, who Complete funding applications are then forwarded to PMC for assessment. location. Any service provider or community consultations will negotiate with a service provider to deliver. It is that have not taken place prior to the Christmas period will anticipated that each project will be delivered by an get picked up the following year between February and June Aboriginal organisation and will have high levels of ABA Advisory Committee Meetings 2019. Indigenous participation. Meetings are usually held three times a year – May, July and If you have questions about the ABA Homelands Project October. Dates within these months can vary according to please feel free to touch base with the Regional Development Managing Expectations availability of members. The first meeting in 2019 is being Branch to discuss. While the total amount of $15.75 million may sound like a brought forward to March, so this will provide a unique opportunity for early consideration of applications. ABA Homelands Consultation at Merrepen, Moyle River Area, Darwin Daly Wagait region. lot, unfortunately it isn’t when you consider: • Extreme high levels of need – basic essential service, NLC aim to have the following packages ready for the ABA • Approximately 200 communities are regularly maintained for residential or cultural purposes will be access and communication infrastructure to be replaced Advisory Committee meetings next year: In the last edition of Land Rights occupied; and eligible to apply for funding; or upgraded at 200 homeland communities; and • March 2019 – up to 50 ABA Homeland Project community proposals. These will need to be submitted • Overall Infrastructure need is extremely high. • Homelands will be required to demonstrate involvement • Significant costs associated with remote infrastructure News, NLC provided advice on the with a CDP provider and/or activities, or the potential and capital works projects. in early February 2019. Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) to become involved in CDP activities; It is expected that not every homeland community will • July 2019 – 30 to 50 ABA Homeland Project community Community Eligibility Homelands Project. The project has • Homelands connected to Power and Water Corporation’s • Existing homelands that are regularly used and Indigenous Essential Services network will not be been allocated a total of $40 million from the ABA; $35.5 million will be What can be funded allocated for the delivery of activities in ü New and upgraded essential services infrastructure to provide safe and reliable: homelands across the four Aboriginal ü Power; Land Council regions in the NT. These ü Water; and ü Sewerage services. funds are accessed through a grant ü Upgrades and repairs to infrastructure that supports access to a homeland (e.g. roads, bridges, cross-overs, airstrips, barge landings) but do not or are not eligible application process coordinated by to receive funding from other sources. the NLC. ü New or upgraded radio/telephony infrastructure (including mobile phone coverage). Budget break down across the NT land council regions is ü New and upgraded community infrastructure to improve the amenity of a homeland as follows: such as: Ablution blocks; Meeting facilities; and New dump and fencing. ü • Northern Land Council — $15.75 million; Vehicles and machinery for municipal activities and owned by an Aboriginal organisations. • Central Land Council — $15.75 million; ü Training and capacity development for Aboriginal organisations and residents to use • Tiwi Land Council — $2 million; and and maintain infrastructure. • Anindiliyakwa Land Council - $2 million. An amount of $4.5 million will be kept as a contingency What can’t be funded for the engagement of technical specialists as required. Any û Establishment of new homelands; remaining funds are to be re-invested in this project. û No new housing or major house upgrades/repairs; û No new infrastructure to support access to a homeland; Key Facts û No new buildings or building upgrades to support an existing community function Established Homeland communities in the NLC Region or enterprise û No vehicles and machinery for personal non-commercial use; • There are up to 5,000 Aboriginal people living in homelands; û No direct support for existing local enterprises; and • Populations can fluctuate depending on season, cultural û No ongoing operational costs for newly installed infrastructure, including for repairs activities and access; and maintenance. Kabarmwanamyo, West Arnhem 18 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 19

peoples care for country with which (SDG 1) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2) the foreword to the national review should not be left to languish until alludes to needs to be reversed: How 2030: both goals are urgent priorities does the Australian nation care for for Australia to ensure the decent INDIGENOUS Indigenous peoples, especially those treatment of Indigenous Australians who are deeply disadvantaged owing today. to a combination of historical legacy, racial discrimination, structural demographic and locational factors POVERTY IS FAR FROM and cultural differences? The short answer is not very well at all. It is a sad indictment of a rich BEING HISTORY settler society like Australia that no progress has been made in recent years on SDG 1 to end poverty and SDG 2 to eliminate hunger. Jon Altman* I do so because the Australian is no SDG specific to Indigenous highly selective in documenting Policy reform is urgently government recently released its peoples, all are significant for them. the dire circumstances of many needed especially in the context 17 October 2018 was of international reporting to first Voluntary National Review on Indeed, the review begins and ends Indigenous peoples, especially the United Nations the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable in remote Australia. At times it acknowledge the crushing failure with an Indigenous flourish. The of the past decade and the deepened International Day for the Development. The Report on the artwork on the cover is by Jordana reads like Australian government Implementation of the Sustainable propaganda for international impoverishment especially evident Eradication of Poverty. Angus, a Wiradjuri (NSW) artist, in remote Indigenous Australia. Development Goals showcases and depicts the 17 interconnected consumption rather than serious In this article I want to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SDGs, bookended with a detailed reporting. Australia could learn from other peoples in 13 of the 17 Sustainable glossary that explains the artistic Let’s begin with the Council of settler societies that have managed comment on the situation not defined as a gap, rather an early declined to the extent that only three *Jon Altman is a research professor Development Goals (SDGs) that symbolism embedded in each Australian Governments’ headline decolonisation and governance for today for Indigenous Australia has committed to address. childhood enrolment target. This in 10 Indigenous adults are in paid at the Alfred Deakin Institute for element. And the review itself was Closing the Gap framework reported sustainable Indigenous development Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin target had failed after five years by work. Australians using the At the outset, the report refers designed and typeset by Carbon under SDG 10: Reducing Inequality. far better. University and an emeritus professor at 2013 and so was ‘reset’ to be met by specifically to Aboriginal and Creative, an Indigenous company This framework, launched in 2008 What is of great concern, but not the Australian National University. Sustainable Development 2025. But the Australian government Torres Strait Islander peoples who engaged through the government’s ,has failed to deliver as documented mentioned in the national review, Goals as the lens to frame could also expand rapidly what it An earlier version of this article comprise 3 per cent of the Australian affirmative Indigenous Procurement in 10 consecutive annual reports to Focusing on SDG1: No Poverty, the is that the government’s own my discussion. documents in the national review as was included in Australia, Poverty, population, noting that while there Policy. the Australian parliament and yet Australian national review overlooks Community Development Program working at present. and the Sustainable Development a body of published research from introduced on 1 July 2015 is In the foreword the now ex-Prime there has been no attempt to change Goals: A Response to the Australian the Australian National University exacerbating this deepening poverty For example, on Climate Action Minister Malcolm Turnbull refers to its fundamental direction. Government’s Review of its Progress showing that not only are Indigenous by applying nearly 400,000 No Show (SGD 13) Indigenous groups have on the SDGs prepared by Academics the diverse needs and aspirations of To recap, lest we forget, Closing poverty rates everywhere greater No Pay penalties (to early 2018) to been successfully contracted to Stand Against Poverty Oceania. Indigenous Australians and there is the Gap had seven very modest than non-Indigenous rates, but that Indigenous people who do not turn reduce greenhouse gas emissions reference to the Indigenous concept disparity targets: to halve the gap in some geographic jurisdictions up for Work for the Dole activities. through savanna fire management. of Caring for Country to reflect in child mortality by 2018, to halve poverty is in fact increasing. Francis And with Life on Land (SDG a commitment to environmental the gap in reading and numeracy by Some programs like the Indigenous Markham and Nicholas Biddle 15) Indigenous ranger groups are sustainability, while simultaneously 2018, to halve the gap in Year 12 Procurement Policy might work, in a report ‘Income, poverty and currently managing 75 Indigenous noting the national economic ethos attainment by 2020, to halve the gap but others like the Community inequality’ based on the analysis of Protected Areas (45 per cent of the of ’a fair go’ for all—an ethos that in employment outcomes by 2018; Development Program is delivering official census statistics show that Australian conservation estate) dispossessed and marginalised to close the gap in life expectancy by below award forms of forced labour Indigenous poverty rates in Australia but on uncertain and short-term Indigenous Australians might 2031; a revised target to have 95 per not ‘Decent Work and Economic have declined slowly in the last shoestring budgets. seriously question. cent of Indigenous four-year olds in Growth’ (SDG 8). decade from 33.9 per cent in 2006 early childhood education by 2025; Industry, Innovation and The Australian government’s to 31.4 per cent in 2016: at this rate Despite SDG2: Zero Hunger, people and an ambitious target devised by Infrastructure (SDG 9) refers to the commitment to recognising SDG1 would take more than 100 are going hungry in Australia today another ex-Prime Minister Tony Development of Northern Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander years to achieve. in part because of discriminatory but fails to specifically mention peoples in ‘our Constitution’ is also Abbott in 2014 to close the gap in and expensive-to-administer income The situation in very remote Australia Indigenous peoples or that they have noted, a statement that is totally school attendance by 2018. management regimes introduced is dire as more than half Indigenous territorial interest in more than half divorced from reality following In this report, as elsewhere, the in the past decade. These have people live in households below this jurisdiction under land rights the outright rejection, without any Australian government asserts that been implemented in the name of the poverty line; in this jurisdiction and native title laws. negotiation, of the Uluru Statement three targets are on track. However, ‘improving food security’ but instead poverty rates have increased in the from the Heart by Turnbull late last as I have argued previously in Land of doing this, they force Indigenous The Closing the Gap agenda imposed last intercensal period 2011–2016. year. Rights News – Northern Edition people to purchase expensive store on Indigenous Australians in 2008 is This is partly because the food while on welfare. being ‘refreshed’ in 2018 in apparent The report lauds Australia’s only one of the seven targets year 12 employment disparity between ‘partnership’ with Aboriginal and economic success and 26 years of attainment might be on track. The option to live on country at Indigenous and other Australians Torres Strait Islander peoples. uninterrupted economic growth I say ‘might’ because research homelands is limited by lack of has grown. In very remote Australia, As with all such governmental and notes the challenge to improve published by the Grattan Institute clean water and sanitation (SDG as the non-Indigenous employment impositions an opt-out of this outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres shows widening gaps, referred to 6) and infrastructure (SDG 9). rate has hovered about 80 per inappropriate policy framework is Strait Islander peoples without as a gulf, in learning outcomes, Consequently, there is a reduction in cent between 2006 and 2016, the not on the table. documenting the extent of that especially evident in remote and remote people’s access to their land Indigenous rate has declined from challenge, and the depth of poverty very remote areas. and natural resources, a form of ‘food As the consultation process nears nearly 50 per cent to just over 30 per for some sections of the Indigenous sovereignty’ that could effectively completion, perhaps the 17 SDGs The information on child mortality cent. In remote Indigenous Australia population or its historical and reduce hunger and enhance Good should be thrown into the mix to provided refers to trends from 1998 the disparity between Indigenous ongoing structural causes. Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3). allow external scrutiny by the United with most progress already achieved and non-Indigenous employment Nations High-Level Political Forum *** by 2008. And the government’s is growing; and the absolute rate *** on Australia’s domestic Sustainable The Australian national review is early Indigenous childhood goal is of Indigenous employment has The statement of how Indigenous Development efforts. No Poverty 20 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 21

NLC PREPARES FOR 2019 COUNCIL ELECTIONS Labor POSITION VACANT: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Council members are chosen by a ‘method of The Northern Land Council is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth and is responsible for assisting The Northern Land Council is reviewing the way its members are choice’ that has been approved by the Minister commits Aboriginal peoples in the Top End of the Northern Territory to acquire and manage their traditional lands and seas. for Indigenous Affairs. Reflecting Justice The Northern Land Council is partnering with Hays Recruitment in the search for their new Chief Executive Officer allocated across its jurisdiction, ahead of Council elections to take place Woodward’s comments, the Act states only that (CEO). This is an important leadership position based in the Darwin CBD, on a 3 year fixed term contract. members “shall be Aboriginals living in the area As the CEO, you will provide high level leadership, governance and strategic focus in the delivery of organisation-wide in the second half of 2019. of the Land Council, or whose names are set out services including Executive, Corporate Services, Anthropological, Legal, Community Planning and Development, in the register maintained by the Land Council to restore Caring for Country and Regional Development Services. You will provide advice to the Executive, Regional and Full he Full Council of the NLC is the major urban areas and larger townships and a lower share …, chosen by Aboriginals living in the area of the Council on a range of NLC corporate matters. decision-making body of the organisation. in the more numerous but smaller places (mostly Land Council”. TIt currently includes 78 members elected medium-sized communities and outstations). Key responsibilities of this role are broad-ranging and will The first official Northern Land Council was from across the NLC’s seven regions, plus five Because of these changes, NLC is conducting shortwave appointed in 1977 (there was an interim Council co-opted women’s positions. Each Full Council a review of representation on Council in order include: prior) and had 36 members. Since the beginning, sits for a three-year term, with the next Council to develop an equitable model for determining • Working to ensure the NLC’s Strategic Plan meets the future needs of the organisation whilst ensuring the the policy has been to ensure as broad a The Shorten Labor Government has implementation of appropriate strategies to ensure NLC achieves its corporate goals and objectives. to come together in late 2019 and governing until the distribution of seats. The model will need representation from as many Aboriginal groups 2022. to balance three major things: population, committed to providing the ABC • Ensuring statutory compliance of the organisation with regard to the relevant legislation effecting the operations as possible. A 1977 NLC circular calling for Nominations for Council membership will be inclusiveness of different groups and coverage of of the NLC including the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976, the Native Title Act 1993 and the Public nominations advised: “[Community councils] Governance Performance Accountability Act 2013. called for in mid 2019. country, and administrative efficiency. with $2 million in funding to help should remember that they have a responsibility re-establish shortwave radio services • Promoting and protecting the NLC’s commitment to serve Traditional Owners within the Council’s jurisdiction The NLC region includes some 200 communities From the earliest days, representation of people to see that all Aboriginal people are suitably and developing effective working relationships with Traditional Owners. ranging in size from small family outstations to and country on Council presented a challenge. represented on the Land Council.” across the Northern Territory, if elected. • Providing high-level advice on issues impacting upon the NLC and its constituents. townships of up to 3,000 people, as well as the Justice Woodward first described this in 1974, in The number of Council members increased to 55 urban centres of Darwin and Katherine. Fifty-four A federal election is expected to be called in • Leading, developing and implementing corporate policies and integrated planning strategies. his Second Report of the Aboriginal Land Rights members and then 80 members by 1983 (at that communities or areas are currently represented on May 2019. • Actively leading the NLC Leadership Group to provide sound governance in line with the NLC’s values and Commission: time including representatives from the Groote the Council. strategic direction. “So far as the composition of these councils is Archipelago). The aim of expanding was to ensure Shadow Minister for Regional The distribution of seats on Full Council has been • Working closely with the Executive and Full Council assisting with identifying developments and opportunities concerned, I found considerable difficulty in the Council had a wide geographical spread Communications, Stephen Jones MP, with potential for significant impact on Traditional Owners, assisting them in representing the NLC in an official unchanged since 2001 and has changed very little making appropriate recommendations in my first and represented all Aboriginal people within joined Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and capacity as required in negotiations with external agencies to ensure a favourable outcome. since 1983. the Hon Warren Snowdon MP to make report. I still feel the same difficulties and the the NLC region. Smaller communities had one • Maintaining a safe, healthy and effective working environment for all staff, and a secure environment for In the 30 years from 1986, however, the Aboriginal councils themselves have not been able to resolve representative and larger communities had two, the announcement in Alice Springs on 19 information and facilities, through the review, implementation, and monitoring of appropriate infrastructure and population of the NLC region increased by at least them satisfactorily. Some things are clear. The while large communities with several outstations November 2018. practices and championing necessary reforms. 83 per cent and possibly as much as 137 per cent, members of the councils must all be Aborigines could have a third or fourth member from an The ABC controversially terminated • Developing and maintaining key partnerships internal and external stakeholders including and to promote a now standing at around 47,200. and they must be chosen, by some appropriate outstation. shortwave radio transmission in January 2017, positive public image. Alongside this substantial population increase method, to represent the people who send them.” The comprehensive review now underway is the following severe budget cuts to the national • Chairing or presenting at forums, briefing meetings and public seminars. there has also been significant shifts, with a greater Under section 29 of the Aboriginal Land Rights first since that time. broadcaster by the Liberal Government. • Preparing, submitting and achieving annual estimates which meet budgetary and legislative requirements and share of the Aboriginal population now living in (Northern Territory) Act 1976, NLC Full Since then, the Northern Territory meet appropriate quality and environmental practices. Government and organisations including NT • Ensure that the NLC’s resources are deployed and used economically and efficiently and that relevant records are Cattlemen’s Association, Northern Territory maintained. Seafood Council, Amateur Fisherman Association NT, Indigenous Rangers, long What you’ll need to succeed First major Legune contract awarded to native title holders haul transport drivers and the Toyota Land • Completed high level qualifications in an appropriate discipline and/or extensive relevant experience in senior Cruiser Club have raised concerns about the management positions. loss of these services. King have won this first • Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a complex and diverse organisation or large department. In a historic win for Aboriginal contract of work,” said For remote First Nations communities, • Significant experience and knowledge of financial, governance, personnel, safety, legal and other administrative business development, a construction Legune Constructions shortwave radio equipment is relatively cheap processes. Director and native title to purchase and does not require external • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships with key stakeholders. consortium involving local native title holder Marcus Simon. power to operate. By contrast, other forms • Demonstrated skills in representing and negotiating with key government agencies and peak industry associations of communication such as mobile phones, or similar bodies. holders has been awarded the first “The Consortium will be TV and broadband all rely on mains power. contract of work for the billion-dollar good for our younger • Demonstrated understanding of the policy and administration of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory generation, to get trained- In January 2017, Opposition Leader Bill Government. aquaculture grow-out facility at Legune up, and Allan King’s Shorten wrote to then Prime Minister Malcolm • Applicants should possess a strong understanding of Aboriginal culture and society and the issues affecting Station. company is the right fit for Turnbull asking him to work with the ABC to Aboriginal people in NT, and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal people. us to work with,” Legune restore the shortwave. Constructions co-director f fully developed Project Sea Dragon will be the Country Liberals Senator for the Northern Alfred Gerrard said. world’s largest prawn farm and boost the Top Territory Nigel Scullion urged Territorians to What you’ll get in return IEnd’s economy. Former Northern Land provide submissions to a Senate inquiry into This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead a high profile organisation with a pivotal presence across the Native title holder company Legune Constructions Council Chief Executive the ABC service delivery to rural and regional NT. The position will offer an excellent overall remuneration package which has been graded at an SES equivalent level. This package includes 5 weeks annual leave, 12.5% Superannuation and motor vehicle. Ltd has teamed up with Darwin-based civil Officer, Joe Morrison, Australia. welcomed the news: What you need to do now construction company Allan King & Sons Allan King, Fred Gerrard, Lindsay Paddy and Mitch King at the signing of the Senator Scullion said the ABC’s decision “It shows that Project Construction Pty Ltd to deliver competitive bids consortium to terminate shortwave radio transmission The NLC is a peak Indigenous organisation in the Northern Territory. The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute Sea Dragon developer, an affirmative measure under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, therefore we invite applications for major Project Sea Dragon contracts. The would have a significant impact on remote Seafarms Group Ltd, is from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Candidates. consortium will also create employment, training “It’s great that Seafarms has recognised the genuinely committed to local and Aboriginal and Indigenous NT communities. and business development opportunities for local potential of the consortium. With an operator Further information about the Northern Land Council can be found at www.nlc.org.au. business development. “Shortwave radio transmission is an essential Aboriginal people, and particularly for the native as experienced as Allan King, it’s really a win-win service – especially in times of emergencies All interested candidates will need to send an updated resume and cover letter to Nicole Townsend at title holders of Legune. “This consortium is an example of how Aboriginal- situation for everyone. We hope this is the first of such as cyclones and floods – for people [email protected] or call 08 8943 6000 for a confidential discussion. Applicants will also be controlled entities can grow their skills, experience many Project Sea Dragon success stories for local “It’s taken a bit of work to get set up, so I am in rural and remote areas of the Territory,” required to submit a separate document addressing the selection criteria, which will be provided. and become increasingly competitive operators. Aboriginal people,” Mr Morrison said. very happy that Legune Constructions and Allan Senator Scullion said. 22 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 23 WAANYI-GARAWA RANGER PRESENTS Carbon farming supports Yugul Mangi AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE culture camp for young people

Ostiane Massiani, Josephine Davey and Kate Van Wezel at the Unsettling Australia Conference, December 2018 Seventeen school students attended the Yugul Mangi culture camp at Namiilliwirri outstation.

osephine Davey (Waanyi-Garawa ranger), questions were aimed at Josephine, which continued these conversations, and urged participants in the Ostiane Massiani (Ganalanga-Mindibirrina throughout the conference. academic discourse to spend time with Aboriginal The Yugul Mangi Rangers ran a two-day stories through dance. JIPA coordinator), and Kate van Wezel (NLC Here is an excerpt of Josephine’s public talk: peoples and their communities, as this is requisite culture camp in September this year. The NLC’s Caring for Country Caring for Country women and youth coordinator), “Working together as rangers is a way to get back work to begin to understand their lived experience Traditional Owners from the South East and Community Development travelled to the University of Queensland in early onto our country and learn about our home together. navigating today’s society and its fundamental ills. Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area & Planning units are working December to present a paper at Unsettling Australia, When my family and I met with Kate’s family, we all The outcome was gratifying: presenters were (SEAL IPA) supported the camp using with the SEAL IPA Advisory the 2018 biennial conference of the International Committee to plan projects started learning from each other. Through research, responsive and a number of them spent the income from the carbon farming work of Australian Studies Association. we continued to build up women rangers from remainder of the day conversing with Josephine using some of their income They joined a large group of academics for our elders’ knowledge. When we work with other while sitting in the grass, under thick native trees their rangers. from carbon abatement work. three days of lectures covering a range of topics: people, we would like to bring it together as equal, to while colourful water dragons popped their curious The Advisory Committee has a colonialism and memory, contemporary feminism share knowledge with one another with respect, and heads from beneath the leaf matter. The camp was held at Namiilliwirri outstation, vision for a culture project and just outside of Ngukurr community. The this camp is their first project. in action, everyday cultures of Australia, reconciling to pass this experience to our children. I’m going to While the ongoing need to unsettle research was Ngukurr school and Ngukurr Language They are collaborating with Country, decolonising practices and more. show a video of a new traditional dance about my confronting at the conference, this refreshing close Centre supported the Rangers. In total, forty- the local ranger groups in The built-up nerves lasted a whole morning until father’s country where they are damaging our sacred incited hope for meaningful collaboration. six people took part in the camp including Ngukurr and Numbulwar to Kate and Josephine introduced their collaborative site and homeland. We are teaching this dance, to show other people its meaning and its importance 17 school students. All the young people deliver two culture camps. work supporting women caring for country on enjoyed learning from the Elders and Yugul to my father’s father heritage so that we can teach Overall, it was a great camp. the Ganalanga-Mindibirrina IPA, during Kate’s Mangi Rangers who led the camp and the our culture to everyone.” The kids learnt a lot from the doctorate research from 2015 to 2018. bush classroom. They explored the research question: what do We listened to multiple voices describing and They also talked about the work of the rangers and how senior people about country, analysing Aboriginality, culture, and responses to looking after country and their women caring for Waanyi and Garawa country want Bush Classroom Activities they built an exclusion fence around the billabong to keep collaborators to understand? Kate placed the talk ongoing historical oppression. Many researchers the buffalo out. culture. Everyone worked advocated for a more egalitarian society, and some On the first day, the students arrived at the together to make the trip into context, and Josephine — for whom this kind On the second day, Clarry Rogers talked to the students proposed legal and political strategies. outstation and set up their tents. The first successful. Thanks to all those of public speaking was a first — bravely faced the more about the ranger’s work and then took students for a activity was a talk by Winston Thompson, involved. interested parties and shared her background of her On the third day, Josephine voiced her concern, walk to look for sugar bags and bush medicine. mother’s father’s country, what working on country confusion and hurt to a room full of academics Yugul Mangi Assistant Ranger Coordinator. means to her, and what expectations and hopes her that so few Aboriginal researchers were present. She He talked about kinship and skin groups. The In the afternoon, the Ngukurr Language Centre ran lessons family has for partnering with external people. expressed sadness that so few Aboriginal people Rangers then took the students for a walk with the students on the Nunggubuyu and Rembarunga around the billabong to look at native plants languages. That night, the students performed Bunggul with At the end of the shared presentation, numerous had the opportunity to represent themselves in Kate Van Wezel, Josephine Davey and Dr Jane Palmer yarning at the University of Queensland. and learn their traditional names and uses. the help of the rangers and elders and learnt about sharing 24 Land Rights News • Northern Edition December 2018 • www.nlc.org.au

Timber Creek Rangers trained in sawfish monitoring

Aron Harrison, Richard Pillans, and Floyd Rogers hold a sawfish on the Victoria River. “So while the fishermen aren’t trying to catch them, to it again next year and I hope we can catch more NLC’s Timber Creek rangers and CSIRO have as soon as [sawfish] come into contact with a net they fresh water saw fish with Dr Richard Pillans.” become stuck. established a sawfish monitoring program on the Fellow ranger Aron Harrison agreed: “It was a great Victoria River to record population estimates. “And because they’re also one of the largest fish we exercise for me working on the river for the first time. have — they grow to seven metres in length — getting It was really good and I really enjoyed it and I hope awfish are one of the most endangered species an animal that size out of a net is quite tricky.” I will be doing more surveys on the river and get to on the planet, yet this NT waterway is teeming know the waterways more. Best time of my life.” with them. The partnership between the CSIRO and Timber Creek S rangers means Indigenous rangers will be trained in The first survey in August captured 25 dwarf and survey methods, capture, handling, measurement and largetooth sawfish, and provided the first recorded tissue sampling of sawfish and speartooth sharks. evidence of the critically endangered speartooth shark and northern river shark in that waterway. Floyd Rogers was one of the Timber Creek rangers who took part in the survey. CSIRO researcher Richard Pellens said: “We caught more in two weeks than I’ve caught in 20 years.” “I’ve been a full time ranger for 3 years now I enjoyed every trip we have done, but this 7 days on the river The five-year survey is hoping to shed more light on was the greatest I have done and learned a lot on this the sawfish, its behaviour and breeding. wonderful Vic River,” he said. While Australia still supports viable populations in some “Now I know there is two sorts of sawfish fresh water remote regions, numbers have declined dramatically as and saltwater sawfish and great to know there scientific a result of bycatch in commercial fisheries, recreational name pristis pristis (fresh water) Pristis clavata (Dwarf capture as well as habitat modification. salt water). Good to know that other animals on the “They have a big kind of electric hedge trimmer on river are also endangered like spear tooth shark, and the end of their body which makes them incredibly northern river shark. susceptible to being stuck in gill nets and trawl nets,” “I had a good time on the river and I’m looking forward Dwarf Sawfish (pristis clavata) Dr Pellens told the ABC.

Land Rights News Northern Edition Circulation Contact (editorial & subscriptions) is published by Samuel Bush-Blanasi 6,000 [email protected] for the Northern Land Council. Contributions NLC postal address Publication dates Land Rights News welcomes stories GPO Box 1222 Darwin NT 0801 February, May, August, December and photos about Aboriginal people and organisations. Phone 08 8920 5100