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Northern Edition

45TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au

45 YEARS OF AUSTRALIA'S OLDEST ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER

1 NEWS OUT AND ABOUT

EDITORIAL Land Rights News ‘We are really proud that Land Rights Quotes from the bush: ‘The whole of my world is Northern Edition is published by Samuel News has been telling our stories for my language’ Bush-Blanasi for the Northern . five decades’ Land Rights News A message from NLC Chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi welcomes stories and photos about Aboriginal people and organisations.

Contact Bob Gosford, Leah McLennnan and Madeleine Stenmark at [email protected]

NLC Councillor Jason Bill reflecting on the Land Claim NLC CONTACTS for Muckaty at Kulumindini (Elliott): 45 Mitchell St “When we did the Land Claim for , Darwin NT 0820 it made me feel real good. When Mum was still Elaine Sandy, co-ordinator of around and we got that land back at Muckaty. That the Kulumindini Arts Centre: (08) 8920 5100 was a big day!” www.nlc.org.au “My hope is that the young people still want to work Janey Dixon from Marlinja reflecting on her and make art here. Those Mudbarra language: youngsters are important, they are our future and with “The whole of my world is in my language. If you FOLLOW US the art centre we can bring have my Mudburra language you have the whole the community together.” Mudburra world in your head.” @northernlandcouncil

@NLC_74 HELLO you mob! It gives me and in our way. This is a Please get in touch with even if we disagreed with NLC CEO speaking about @northernlandcouncil great pleasure to welcome tradition we are determined our staff at Land Rights him, we knew he was arguing the late Deputy Chair of the NLC, John you to the very special to maintain by making Land News if you want copies for what he believed was Christophersen, to ABC TV on 21 April: Watch NLC TV on 45th anniversary edition of Rights News bigger and sent to your community right. For this we will always “I was talking to traditional owners in YouTube by searching Australia’s longest running better for the future. store, school or homeland remember him and hold him Kakadu a couple of weeks ago and they Northern Land Council Aboriginal newspaper, We have plans to publish or contact us by email close in our hearts. Land Rights News. six issues of Land Rights if you want to get an Christo represented NLC got quite emotional and they asked about Since the first edition was News a year from 2022 – up online subscription. constituencies in the West him and his health. One of the senior published by the Northern from the four issues we Finally, it was with great Arnhem region for over 35 traditional owners said to me: ‘Who’s going Land Council in July 1973, currently produce. And we sadness that I, along with years, as a local member for to fight for us now?’ Joy Cardona, Chair of the NLC Women’s Council, Land Rights News has want to make sure that Land many NLC Full Council Coburg and later for Kakadu “And you remember that, whilst they SUBSCRIPTIONS speaking about the late Deputy Chair of the NLC, John provided a strong voice in Rights News gets out to Members and staff, gathered and for many years served on might not all have always agreed with his Christophersen. Broadcast on ABC TV on 21 April: To subscribe fill support of Aboriginal land as many communities and in Darwin in early May the NLC Executive Council. view, they knew that he fought for them. out the online form rights and other issues that homelands as possible. For to farewell our stalwart I know I can speak for “He represented every single one “Oh yeah, he had fire in the belly. You couldn’t beat at www.nlc.org.au matter to our mob. many of our mob Land Rights friend and colleague John all NLC Executive Members of them and that, I think, is what we’re him, you couldn’t beat him. No way in the world. He’d be This issue’s front cover News is the only newspaper Christophersen, best known who really enjoyed working going to miss.” right the whole time. Even if he was wrong! (laughs).” shows a selection of Land available to them. to us all as Christo. alongside Christo for many Rights News covers through On page 28 you can read years. I particularly enjoyed the years – from wonderful some wonderful words working alongside him as my ADVERTISING photos of the Daly River penned by Christo’s good Deputy Chairman. mob walking shoulder-deep friend Chips Mackinolty, who Christo was at all times Next publication across a flooded river to give pays a fitting tribute to the an NLC Member from the NLC’s General Manager Executive Services Trish Rigby speaking on behalf of John date is August 2021 evidence at their land claim man who, as Full Council people and for the people. He Christophersen’s children at his Memorial Service, Darwin Botanic Gardens, 7 May 2021: Rates are at www.nlc.org. to the iconic image that member Joy Cardona said on will be sadly missed by all of au/media-publications or graced the cover under the ABC News, was the real “fire my fellow Full Council and "We are thankful to all those who are doing their bit to lay you to rest. I know how email [email protected] words “We have survived!” in the belly” of the NLC. Executive Council members much it meant for you to be buried up the coast where you spent the last 40 odd years on and off, may your soul soar over Murran and Ulbu Bunidj lands and waters, and that Circulation: And more. Much more. Many of us will recall and by NLC staff. you rest in peace. Boh Boh Trish." 5,000 print and 700 We are really proud that long, vigorous discussions Bob-bo friend. digital subscribers Land Rights News has been with Christo about matters telling our stories for five of great importance over the decades, for our people years. But we all know that

2 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au April 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 3 OUT AND ABOUT NEWS ‘The NLC is like an Aboriginal family’s toolkit’: New houses for Gapuwiyak residents RESIDENTS of the East Arnhem community of Gapuwiyak have recently Djawa Yunupingu’s vision moved into homes they helped to plan and build. The keys to ten new homes were handed over by Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps Chansey EARLIER this year Land Rights News sat down with NLC Executive Councillor Djawa Paech and Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo. Six three-bedroom homes, a Yunupingu and asked about his vision for how the Northern Land Council works and how it three-bedroom duplex and a two-bedroom duplex were constructed in a new relates to tools that Aboriginal people use in their daily lives. 26-lot subdivision. Djawa told us that: “The NLC is like an Aboriginal family’s toolkit – a spear, a , Minister Paech said Territory company WTD Constructions Pty Ltd was a digging stick and dilly bag for daily life. For the law - a Yidaki () and awarded the $4.7 million contract to build the homes at Gapuwiyak in Bilma (clapsticks). September last year. These things are the essentials – like we say at the Land Council, 'Our Land, Our Sea, Our “Locals were involved in the housing project right from the planning stage Life' – all of these things work together to make us whole. through to involvement in construction,” he said. “A further 16 houses will be constructed in the new subdivision following SPEAR further Local Decision Making and consultation with the community. Our The spear represents the whole of the NLC, including the Full Council, the Chief Executive Government is proud of our remote housing program. We have built and officer and all of the staff – it is like a spear, long and straight and true. improved more than 2200 homes so far, more than any other Territory Government has ever done. We know it is making a huge difference to people WOOMERA in communities right across the Territory but meeting the people who are The Executive Council of the NLC is like a woomera that is handed with authority from our moving into new homes, hearing their stories reassures us that we’re on elders to give power to the spear and remind us what our obligations are. the right track.” Friends since childhood, Teresa Ngurruwuthun and Amanda Dhagapan DIGGING STICKS are amongst the new tenants. They went to boarding school together, have These are used to gather food - like information - from the ground. worked alongside each other at the Gapuwiyak Health Clinic for many years, and now they’re neighbours in one of the new duplexes. Teresa Ngurruwuthun and Amanda Dhagapan with the keys to their new duplexes. DILLY BAGS These are used by women to hold the food – the information - gathered with the digging sticks. Help tell your community's story - join the team! BILMA (CLAPSTICKS) AND YIDAKI (DIDGERIDOO) NLC Executive Councillor Djawa Yunupingu These are the instruments used to hold the law together through song and dance. ALMOST 100 Remote in your community your community. Area team jobs are for the future. A good Census available in the Information from count helps the for the Census tell us how Government the 2021 Census. many new hospitals make informed Out and about: Land Rights News visits the Census Remote we need. How many decisions and helps Area teams will schools we need. community groups Nightcliff Renal Unit to say hello! be responsible for Who lives where and apply for funding. ensuring that everyone what they need. It For example, 2021 Census in their areas are tells our story. Census data is used counted in the Census. Once our Remote to understand housing Remote Area Management Teams This includes everyone Area teams have been needs and priorities in Aboriginal and filled and they start to plan affordable and We’re recruiting teams of people to do the Census count in remote areas. Torres Strait Islander visiting communities, culturally appropriate communities, those they will be recruiting community housing for Do you have good project management and communication skills, work who are travelling 766 Community Aboriginal and Torres well within a team, and want to make a difference in your community? and camping, and Field Officers in Strait Islander people. Apply now at: www.abs.gov.au/census those living on communities across We’re looking for pastoral stations. the Northern Territory people know their In this role, you in July and August. community, have good won’t just be helping If you’re interested project management the Census to collect in joining your and communication and make statistics. communities’ Census skills, work well within William Giese You will be helping team, speak to the a team, and want to to make a difference team when they visit make a difference in their communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. For more information on the jobs and to apply, visit www. abs.gov.au/careers. Applications are open now and close Help tell your community’s story on 30 June 2021.

Ninety-two Remote Area team jobs are up for grabs! Joy Cardona and Jacob Tungatalum Jacob Tungatalum Bella Anderson

4 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 5 HISTORY HISTORY 'NLC wins first Land Claim': Headlines from the Our land, our seas, our stories: Land Rights first editions of Land Rights News News celebrates 45 years of publication

By Chips Mackinolty unavailable in the Territory the slow rise of Aboriginal continued for 20 years or so. to put the paper out—and were reprinted. broadcasting. CAAMA, As such, it took on 80,000 copies were printed! FOR more than 65,000 years, A very early example based in Mparntwe/Alice the form of a newspaper, So, there has been much storytelling has been part was one by the renowned Springs was among the and greatly expanded to celebrate across the 45 and parcel of First Nations’ journalist, Anne Summers first—it celebrates its 40th the scope of its coverage years of Land Rights News. cultures in what has become with a feature article in anniversary this year. This and circulation. We have covered known as Australia. the National Times, on was followed by BRACS, A notable early issue hundreds of stories, from The storytelling has the proposed McArthur servicing remote areas, and of the new format was the land and sea rights, to sport, always been about the lands River mine. Some longer lasting organisations production of a special the arts, the environment and the seas, their histories, things don’t change! such as Warlpiri Media also edition covering the historic and our histories. their importance and their Through the late 1970s set sail in the 1980s. visit to Mparntwe/Alice Our storytelling. role in everyday life. and early 1980s, Land Rights At the instigation of Springs by the Pope. As a footnote, we would So it is no small thing News’ major focus was on Patrick Dodson from the Perhaps the biggest also like to congratulate that this July marks the developing landscape of CLC and the late John Ah edition—in terms of numbers Koori Mail, the second the 45th anniversary of land claims, and early land Kit—with strong support of copies printed—was for longest running Aboriginal Australia’s longest running claim hearings, from the from Wenten Rubuntja and the Bicentennial march in newspaper which celebrates Aboriginal newspaper: first ones at Yingawunarri —Land in January 1988. its 30th anniversary this Land Rights News. to . Rights News “went tabloid” The whole production year. Another source of in a joint venture that team headed off to Sydney great storytelling! 'There has been much to celebrate across the 45 years of Land Rights News. We have covered hundreds of stories, from land and seas rights, to sport, the arts, the environment and our histories. Our storytelling.'

Across hundreds of issues This was the beginning since 1976, Land Rights of a very long process over News has been a source of many years as there was a information to Aboriginal huge amount of work that people across the Northern had to be undertaken by Territory and beyond. Traditional Owners, along In the early days, with Land Council field staff, it was best described anthropologists and lawyers. as a newsletter rather These early issues also than a newspaper. covered, in much detail, the At that time, the gradual shaping of the land Aboriginal Land Rights Act council membership and had not been passed, so the Executive Councils. land councils of the time In those days, the NLC were not even incorporated was in a small group of - let alone recognised under buildings at Berrimah, the Act as they are today. before moving into Stuart Many of the first issues Park in the early 1980s; then of the late 1970s focused on Casuarina and finally into the the very much day-to-day centre of Darwin city. issues of the time: What During this period there would the Act look like? How were a range of other would land claims be held? Aboriginal newsletters Who might be recognised as across the Northern Territory Traditional Owners? Would - more often than not based Traditional Owners be able at language literature to control what happened on production centres. their lands and seas? Some, such as the At the same time - regional Katherine-based remember this was before Yulngu Association, also television was available produced magazines and across much of the NT newsletters. Nearly all of especially for people in these have now been lost. the bush - many articles It was a period, too, of

6 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 7 ART FROM THE LAND HISTORY Reviving Kulumindini Arts: ‘If those old people Flying the Aboriginal flag for the first time!

could do it, we can too’ On a cold morning in Adelaide's Victoria Square the Aboriginal flag was flown for the first time. The date was 12 July 1971 - 50 years ago.

THE flag, designed by Luritja man, Harold Thomas, was raised on National Aborigines Day - four years before NAIDOC became an annual weekly celebration. It was not until it and paint with her and over the years is now in was adopted - largely at the urging of activist Gary Foley she was always telling us private homes and galleries - by the 1972 in 1972 that it slowly about her painting, it was far away. Elaine Sandy became recognised as the flag representing all Aboriginal always about believes that work should people in Australia. in the wet season. Bush come back home so local The symbolic meanings of the flag colours (as stated by medicines. They were only artists can see what the Harold Thomas) are: Welcome to Kulumindini Arts Centre! from around here at Marlinja. earlier generations did. • Black – represents the Aboriginal people of Australia The bush medicines, she “It is really important • Yellow circle – represents the sun, the giver of KULUMINDINI Arts Centre Mudburra Arts was of this hitherto regarded would go and collect them that local people get to see life and protector co-ordinator Elaine Sandy established in the late desolate environment, by around here with us.” the art that was made here • Red – represents the red earth, the red ochre says that her art centre 1980s as an initiative of way of vibrant expression, But without continued before, it should come back used in ceremonies and Aboriginal peoples’ spiritual Part of the Redfern mural that reads '40,000 years is a long, long time, 40,000 years still on my mind'. building is “falling apart.” the Open College and with rich imagery and support and resources, here so local people can relation to the land “This building is very funding from the Federal passionate mood”. Mudburra Arts wasn’t able to see it and be inspired by it. By the late 1970s/early 1980s it was increasingly being old … it was originally the government. The first Karen Brown says that sustain that early promise. Every one of us, all the family used by Aboriginal organisations and individuals in posters Gurungu Council office way Mudburra Arts exhibition Ngurra Mala was a revelation and murals, and by the early 1980s on t-shirts. From the early back then, but you can see was at the Desert Harmony and a revolution. to mid-1980s Aboriginal artists were incorporating the flag by the look of it that it is festival in in “The title of the exhibition, in fine artwork. Land Rights News did not start depicting the falling apart.” 1989 and in April the next Ngurra Mala, reflects flag until the mid-1980s. But of course flags did not arrive What Elaine Sandy and year Mudburra Arts held the artists’ unwavering with Europeans and the planting of the British flag on so- her fellow artists would a blockbuster exhibition recognition of their called Possession Island by Captain Cook. For many hundreds really like to see is a new - called Ngurra Mala - at knowledge and identification of years, in developing trade and ceremonial relationships arts centre built in the centre Karen Brown’s Shades of of significant Dreamings with the Macassans, Aboriginal people from north, north-east of the Elliott township. Ochre Gallery in Darwin. and landscapes. The and eastern Arnhem Land, along with , have “That would be very good, The NT News carried vibrancy of the art works incorporated flags in ceremonies. we’d have access to visitors a front page report on exhibited in Darwin were In 1995 the Commonwealth Government recognised and to tourists. That is what the show, saying that it a result of the exploration the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags as official we’ve been asking for the “tapped the very pulse of a new palette of blues, Australian flags. In 1997 the Federal Court recognised last couple of years and still of the Elliott people, yellows and reds that Thomas as the copyright holder in the flag’s design, which there is no answer.” producing a fresh vision enhanced and enriched the has caused considerable controversy as he has in recent long-held inspiration for art times, via his licencees, increased pressure on many being the land. Aboriginal organisations to pay for use of the flag on t-shirts “In 1991 and 1992 I and other items. travelled with Mudburra The exhibition, Black, Red & Yellow: Unity and Identity, artists Lady Dixon Nimarra commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first and Lizzie Dixon to major raising of the Aboriginal flag, will open at Library & An artwork by Elaine Sandy. exhibitions in Grenoble Archives NT on 12 July. and Lyon in France,” Now Elaine Sandy and members, we’ve got to be Featuring photographs, art works and memorabilia the said Ms. Brown. the artists of Kulumindini able to see the artworks that exhibition will track the journey of the flag from a symbol of Ngurra Mala included want to get the local people made before. “ protest to national icon. works and craft items by artists back on track. Janey Dixon agrees. Lady Dixon Nimarra, her They want the arts centre “It would be a good daughter Lizzie Dixon, to again be “a stronghold idea to bring photos and Harry Jones Jalyirri, Marjorie for this place [Kulumindini] the artworks back to the Jones Nimarra, Beryl and for Mudburra community. Some of the Raymond Nalyirri and Daisy arts and culture.” ladies still want to do Nuggett Nalyirri. “The cultural integrity of painting. Those photos that Land Rights News everything we make is very will bring their memories, spoke to Lady Dixon important and has been you know, and they can say ‘if Nimarra’s daughter, Janey passed on by artists who are those old people could do it, Dixon, at Marlinja last family. The art flows from then we can too’.” month. She told us how our culture. If we keep our her mother translated her culture strong the art will knowledge and love of follow,” said Ms Sandy. country onto canvas. Much of the early art A mural at Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services. The doorway of Kulumindini Arts in Elliott. “We used to sit down produced at Kulumindini

8 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 9 HISTORY NEWS A short history of my grandmother: Larrakia Farewell to Caring for Country Branch Manager elder Auntie Bilawara Fiona Peek By Robert O’Neil Kurnoth and the Larrakia A message principles of the NLC. this happen, and that Bilawara Lee is a Larrakia elder and Nation, she has been working from NLC “Caring for Country in particular, country healer. She works as the Larrakia hard to revive the Larrakia is a foundation of is looked after. language and getting CEO Marion what our mob say is “You have strived academic-in-residence at Charles materials into schools. Scrymgour important for ‘Our Land, and worked solidly to Darwin University and as an ambassador She is also on the NT Our Life, Our Seas’… it deliver on those values Government’s Darwin “ON behalf of the is this foundation that - and from me as CEO for the university. Regional Reconstruction NLC I thank you we all sign up to in of this proud institution Committee, where from the Chairman, our work for the Land I say thank you for SHE is also a cultural advisor She has written two she submitted a Executive and all Council. Our Traditional all your work.” and a major link for the books. The first one is Larrakia master plan. elected Members Owners in our regions, public to . Star Dreaming, which is This states that when for your unwavering rural and remote, NLC's General Manager Community and Regional Services Sharon Hillen, Caring She was born Suzanne a spiritual handbook on someone enters Darwin, they dedication to uphold place their trust in for Country Branch Manager Fiona Peek and NLC Executive Member Helen Lee on Juanita Lee. Her parents how to live life through will instantly know that they the values and us to deliver to make Fiona's last day. were Mary Agrapina difficult times and has been are on Larrakia country. Lee (maiden name ratified by the International The Committee is Cubillo) and father was Council of Thirteen currently hoping to be able Nhulunbuy mob is on the move! Herbert Daniel Lee. Indigenous Grandmothers. to rename streets within Her mother was a Her second book, Healing the city of Darwin, as The NLC’s Nhulunbuy office is moving to Larrakia senior elder from from the Dilly Bag, which is they have already started Darwin and her father was all around effective cross- naming buildings. a new address in June. Karajarri from north Western cultural communication in Her name, Bilawara, Australia. Her parents the Western medical system, in the Larrakia language OUR new office will have lift access for people with limited mobility, larger also had parts of Asian particularly here in the Top means ‘red-tailed black meeting rooms and it will be refurbished to meet our needs. If you have any background so her family is a End where the majority of cockatoo’, which is an questions about the move, get in touch with NLC’s Regionalisation Project very multi-cultural blend. patients are Aboriginal and ancestral spirit being that Manager Rosanna De Santis on 0409 865 378. She lived in Parap Camp . brings about change. (now Stuart Park) in a Sydney “It just gives people This name was OUR NEW ADDRESS IS: SHOP 6, LEVEL 1, ARNHEM HOUSE, NHULUNBUY Williams Hut. She states that an idea of our strong gifted to her due to her she had a pretty wonderful connection to our land, about work as a healer and a childhood except for the the Dreamtime and the teacher of the ancient racism towards her and Dreaming,” says Bilawara. wisdoms of Aboriginal her spirituality. In coordination with David spirituality and healing. Staff working with NLC in Nhulunbuy will have new digs soon.

Bilawara Lee

Year 10 student Robert O'Neil undertook work experience in the 'You've arrived. It's good to see you. This is Larrakia Country' media unit at NLC and wrote this article about his grandmother.

10 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 11 BARUNGA FESTIVAL PRESS CTRLBARUNGA AND SHIFT FESTIVAL TO EDIT

12 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 13 COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Project Sea Dragon ILUA Committee meets Welcome Kylie! A new team member for face-to-face for first time since COVID-19 Community Planning & Development

THE Project Sea Dragon KYLIE Burn is an Aboriginal and planning capacity to Indigenous Land Use and Torres Strait Islander manage their own interests Agreement (ILUA) woman, Darwin local, and benefit economically, Committee, made up and descendant of the socially and culturally from of Native Title Holders, Stolen Generation. the secure possession NLC and Seafarms Kylie started at NLC in of their lands, seas and representatives, met in 2009 at the age of 18. She intellectual property. Kununurra in April 2021. has worked in various roles The CP&D Program Seafarms is developing including in the then Jobs and continues to grow its reach Project Sea Dragon, a prawn Career Unit, the Anthropology and impact, including the aquaculture project across Branch, and most recently expansion of the team. several sites that includes a as a Regional Project Officer “My first few months grow-out facility at Legune with the Caring for Country working in the CP&D team Station, which will produce Branch, supporting Aboriginal has been a great experience. black tiger prawns. Ranger Groups, Indigenous There’s a lot of incredible The Committee plays Protected Areas and the Joint work happening in this space an important role in Management of NT Parks in and I’m looking forward to keeping track of each the Borroloola Barkly region being a part of it,” Kylie said. party's commitments and the Victoria River District. “I’m happy I’ve been able under the ILUA, including Now Kylie has stepped to develop my career with cultural awareness, into the role of Community the NLC and do work I am jobs, training, indigenous Planning & Development passionate about and see business opportunities (CP&D) Project Officer. Her some beautiful country. and the development of a role involves supporting “I’d love to take on ranger program. Traditional Owners in opportunities to support This was the first time the the NLC region to self- younger staff coming in Committee has been able to L-R Sophia Simon, Sarah Rennie (NLC), Ray Clydon, Liam Golding (NLC), Paul Mitchell (NLC), Marcus Simon, Annie Thomas (Seafarms), determined development to the NLC, as the strong meet face to face since 2019 Chris Mitchell (Seafarms), Rod Dyer (Seafarms), Malcom Simon, Maurice Simon Jnr, Jimmy Paddy, Freddie Gerrard, Maxine Clydon, Kylie using income from their mentors I had supported me due to COVID-19 restrictions. Burn (NLC), Bernadette Simon, Maureen Simon (front). land ownership. along the way and helped The NLC’s CP&D Program me build the confidence started in 2016 with the and motivation to continue purpose to work with groups to grow and take on Kylie Burn has recently joined the CP&D team after several years with the Caring for Country Branch. to build their governance new challenges.” Meet Galiwin’ku community researcher Nyomba Gandangu

NYOMBA Gandangu is a their new playground for Traditional Owner for the primary school children. eastern side of Galiwin’ku in These projects are Arnhem Land and is working supported by Traditional as a senior community- Owners through community based researcher with benefit funds derived from Charles Darwin University on their land use agreements, a Ground Up monitoring and and administered through evaluation project. the CD&P Program. This project supports Nyomba is also Project Sea Dragon ILUA Committee members Bernadette and Maureen Simon reading Land Rights News. Traditional Owners in enrolled in a Diploma of their vision for Galiwin’ku Indigenous Research at Northern Edition and their work with the Charles Darwin University NLC’s CP&D Program. and is co-author on an June/July 2020 • www.nlc.org.au Advertise in LAND RIGHTS NEWS Nyomba is guiding this academic paper discussing work, checking in with Yolngu approaches to The Land Rights News is read by Aboriginal people across the COVID-19: VOICES FROM OUR MOB Traditional Owners and monitoring and evaluation asking questions about how (in preparation). of the NT. their projects are going. Watch this space for Projects include: raypirri’ more exciting work being If you want to place an ad, simply email [email protected] and ask for camps for young people, a done by Nyomba. our ad rates. law and justice program, youth diversion project and Nyomba Gandangu is working with Charles Darwin University on a monitoring and evaluation project.

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Australia’s oldest Aboriginal newspaper. Since 1973. 14 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 15 LEGAL LEARNING ON COUNTRY Kunibidji woman’s passion for change drives Coxswain qualifications a pathway to future push for legal career employment

THERE were times it felt saw Ms Cartwright grow Living in Hervey Bay, in impossible, but for Indigenous her family to five kids, take Queensland, Ms Cartwright young mum Anthea on a full-time role as an said initially she’d travelled to Cartwright, she wouldn’t let Indigenous teacher aide, Maryborough for exams. anything stand in the way of and live on the other side “I remember once I took her passion for law. of the country from her my husband and my newborn And the determination Top End community. with me, then fed the baby has paid off this month “There were definitely just before the three-hour with Ms Cartwright being times it felt impossible and exam, then the baby sat for admitted as a lawyer in the I felt like giving up, but I had three hours with Dad in car, A Maningrida student learns how to drive a boat. Students from Maningrida community are taking part in a maritime program. Supreme Court of the NT in that dream from being a then I came out and fed Anthea Cartwright and family. Darwin on 4 May. young girl, that I want to be a again, and then we drove IN the coming months, the Stage 2 accredited program is well supported These student outcomes develops sustainable The proud Kunibidji lawyer,” she said. home,” she said. Maningrida community Coxswains qualification. by the LoC Program and will lead directly into enterprises in fisheries woman from Maningrida in “I did everything online, “Looking back you have no will celebrate student Headed by teacher Matt its partnership with the employment opportunities and seafood, tourism North East Arnhem Land, all my Zoom sessions with idea how you did it, but now completions in the Danvers, the maritime Bawinanga Djelk Rangers. as Maningrida further and compliance. completed her Bachelor my tutor, all my oral and it’s all worth it!” of Laws across six years video assignments online “Lecturers like Professor with CQUniversity. – it was the only way I Stephen Colbran, and Wayne Maningrida Learning on Country mob visit NLC The hectic time also could have done it.” Jones, Anna Farmer, Dr in Darwin

Anthea Cartwright and NAAJA's Greg Woodroffe IN March, the Maningrida by Maningrida Assistant NLC Darwin and it was great Amanda Stoker (now Federal Ms Cartwright graduated Learning on Country Principal Mason Scholes to show them around and get I became an interpreter Senator) and Dr Anthony from CQUniversity in 2018, mob spent a few hours and LoC Coordinator Alex them thinking about the future Marinac were so supportive, and hopes to begin an at our Darwin office and ‘Batman’ Ernst. leadership possibilities in and because of the it was great to have really Environmental Science provided us with a more Two star graduates of outside of their communities. knowledgeable and wise degree once she’s intimate understanding the LoC Program, Grestina It’s always great when our language barrier people around you.” practicing as a lawyer. of their program at the Wilson and Jonah Ryan, also LoC community stakeholders between Indigenous She also recalls Hervey Now living back in Darwin ‘grass roots’ level. called into the NLC Darwin drop into the office. Not only Bay lawyer and lecturer with her family, her efforts to Cindy Jinmarabynana, office. Grestina and Jonah does it give us a chance to and non-Indigenous John Milburn (Acting get admitted included a six- LoC Co-Chairperson and have come through the school catch up on LoC business people. Magistrate) offering local month internship with North Maningrida School teacher, program and are now full-time but gives us an opportunity students a weekly tutorial at Australian Aboriginal Justice and Joseph Diddo, LoC Senior Bawinanga Djelk Rangers. to make them feel part of the his law offices. Agency in Alice Springs. Cultural Advisor, were joined It was their first visit to wider NLC organisation. Special visitors from Maningrida drop into NLC Darwin office. “Even though all the study Ms Cartwright’s now was online, you didn’t feel looking for junior lawyer alone, there was community.” roles, and her long-term goal The Northern Land Council formalised the Agency (NIAA), the LoC Ms Cartwright’s interest is admission into the High NLC signs program partnership with the NT Department Program supports remote secondary student in law began with her Court of Australia. of Education (NT DoE) by signing the Learning participation in an employment pathways passion for conservation. All her five kids, husband on Country (LoC) Program Memorandum of program, so our partnership with the NT DoE is Aboriginal Interpreter Service “I originally wanted to and close family attended MOU with NT Understanding in April. vital in ensuring engagement and delivery across Interpreঞng · Recordings · Training become a park ranger – and her Darwin admission Both the NLC and NT DoE recognize the our 15 program sites. where I was living in the ceremony, and Ms Cartwright Department of contribution LoC plays in engaging remote Both parties look forward to strengthening bush outside Darwin, they said becoming a mum at 21, Indigenous students, and the cross cultural this commitment through the development were doing a lot of mining and her big family, was a vital educational outcomes being achieved. of a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for Do you speak an Aboriginal there,” she said. part of her success. Education Under our contract with the National the LoC Program. “There’s a really “When I was studying I language and English? vulnerable species in that was waking up at 3am to do area, the Red Goshawk, an assignment, then cook The Aboriginal Interpreter Service offers exible hours, travel, and I spotted one of the a cake for lunchboxes, then birds there and reported run the dog on the beach, it Second stage of LoC Program Evaluation training, career opportuni�es and the chance to help people it to conservation and was just go-go-go to keep and keep language alive. land management up, but it gave me energy taking place this month authorities, and they weren’t too,” she said. If you speak an Aboriginal language and English, and want to really interested.” “I feel powerful being This month, Dr William Fogarty, the Deputy Evaluation for 2020-2021. They’ll be undertaking LoC Team, under the guidance of the LoC Steering nd out more about becoming an interpreter, call “I realised you don’t a mum, and now I’ve Director of Australian National University’s confidential interviews with LoC stakeholders in Committee. Dr Fogarty is well known to many 1800 334 944 or visit www.ais.nt.gov.au. actually have much of say achieved what I set out Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research seven remote communities across the Top End. people across Arnhem Land having spent over in protecting wildlife and to do, I’ve shown my kids (CAEPR) and researcher Kate Bellchambers, also The previous evaluation was undertaken by Dr 10 years working and living in the area and many heritage in a hands-on role, anything is possible.” from ANU, will be based in Darwin for the second Fogarty in 2015 and all recommendations from people are looking forward to catching up with Department of LOCAL GOVERNMENT, and my Dad said to me *This article stage of the Learning on Country Program (LoC) that report have now been addressed by the NLC him and talking about LoC. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT maybe a lawyer can make originally appread in more of a difference.” CQUniversity Australia

16 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 17 CARING FOR COUNTRY CARING FOR COUNTRY Meet the first Aboriginal female Fisheries Inspector in the NT Theresa Lemon’s speech AFTER three years of • approach vessels training, NLC ranger Theresa • record evidence, including Lemon has been appointed taking images, video and "My name is Theresa Lemon, I was born here on the iconic Daly River. a Fisheries Inspector audio recordings Class 1 after successfully • collect personal In 2019 two of our rangers became fully qualified Fisheries completing her Certificate III information, including inspectors – our coordinator Rob Lindsay, wish he was here today, and in Fisheries Compliance. names and addresses brother Aaron Green. Friends and family • ask to see any type of gathered at Malak Malak licence and permits This made us very proud and it also created a pathway for my ranger station in the Daly • inspect fishing gear journey to become the first Aboriginal female Fisheries Inspector on River Region to celebrate NT Fisheries Marine the Daly River. Theresa's graduation, Ranger Support Manager, with the local Water Simon Xuereb, says it In September 2020, the Malak Malak Healthy Country Plan was Police and members from became evident that rangers launched, identifying many serious threats to the country, including Fisheries NT present for the needed more power when handover and induction. they would want to inspect the ongoing impact of fishing and the need to continue with Fisheries The Fisheries Inspector certain fishing gear, such Compliance training with the rangers, and working with scientists from Program was developed as crab pots, but weren’t Charles Darwin University to measure erosion in the River. by Fisheries NT to ‘provide allowed to touch it. In these fisheries compliance situations the Water Police A massive thank you to NLC’s Caring for Country Branch, Water powers to appropriately would be required to attend. Police, and Fisheries for giving me the opportunity and providing skilled and experienced land "What this enables and sea rangers’. The first Theresa to do is to inspect to training and support." inspectors (class 1) were allay suspicion: to say ‘yes it’s appointed in May 2018. OK’ or ‘that needs follow up’. Theresa’s appointment as So rather than a knee-jerk Theresa Lemon and Senior Constable Wade Marshall at the Malak Malak Ranger Station. a Fisheries Inspector allows reaction sending police in all her to enforce recreational the time, all over the coast… said Mr Xuereb. fishers are doing the right training and support. fishing regulations with we now have Indigenous Theresa says she thing. In her graduation NLC’s Women’s Co-op more authority. Fisheries Inspectors who is looking forward to speech, she thanked the Council Chair Joy Cardona Young NLC rangers dream big Under the Fisheries can relay that information putting her training to Northern Land Council, NT described Theresa as a ‘trail Act 1988, fisheries and make things a lot more use on the Daly River, to Fisheries and the Water blazer’ for other female Regional Olympics was a young NLC rangers to meet inspectors can: targeted and efficient," make sure recreational Police for the opportunity, rangers to follow. highlight of the forum, where and develop relationships ranger groups competed with others, particularly against each other to mentors and role models. complete vehicle checklists, ‘’It also strengthened incident reports and quizzes relationships with support on animals and art. The staff from Darwin, giving Arnhem Land Rangers took rangers a better idea of how home the trophy, beating the NLC works, their role the Western Top End by within the NLC, and what just one point! support and resources are Penny said the forum available to them.” provided a fantastic opportunity for new and

Young rangers came together in April for a forum focused on skill development and networking. EIGHTEEN young rangers Penny Mules reported that for women, young and from the NLC’s ranger groups the forum went incredibly casually employed rangers; came together in mid-April well, with all the rangers as well as more equipment for a forum focused on working hard to explore their and training to build skills mentoring, development roles and their futures in the and confidence. and networking. ranger program. When asked why they had The forum was held at As part of an activity become a ranger, the most Noonamah, just outside focused on resource frequent response from of Darwin. The rangers allocation, rangers were the group was ‘to look after participated in a variety of asked to identify needs country’. They also expressed activities including goal- and concerns in relation to that more work with elders setting workshops and the future of their ranger on country would be useful action planning. groups. The most identified in strengthening cultural NLC’s Women & Youth needs included more knowledge and language. NLC staff and representatives from NT Police and NT Fisheries gathered at the Malak Malak Ranger Station to celebrate Theresa Lemon's graduation. Engagement Coordinator ranger positions available The Young Rangers Mary Blyth and Sheila White at the Noonamah forum.

18 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 19 NAIDOC 2021 CARING FOR COUNTRY Toyota says electric Land Cruiser could be coming to a store near you

TOYOTA says it’s considering is another step in the vehicle so far to BHP as far as bringing an all-electric company’s ongoing studies a pilot and testing project. And version of its popular Land into how it can reduce the part of that is co-development Cruiser to consumers. The emissions intensity of its – they’re interested in world’s biggest car maker is light vehicle fleet. emissions reduction, vibration in the middle of a trial with “Reducing our reliance on reduction, they want to see a Land Cruiser converted diesel at our operations will how the range works, and to electric propulsion for a help achieve our medium- how it works with a daily load. mining company. term target of reducing So we can get feedback to Earlier this year, Toyota operational emissions by 30 level up, with the intention embarked on a project per cent by 2030,” he said. of at some point, timing not with BHP to convert a Toyota Australia’s general known… to do something Land Cruiser 70 to run on a manager of product planning more for more customers.” battery-electric powertrain and development, Rod Mr Ferguson said it’s a and use it at its Nickel Ferguson, commented on possibility that customers West mining project in the trial to CarsGuide and would be able to get an Western Australia. said that it might lead to an all-electric Land Cruiser at According to BHP's actual consumer version of an their local Toyota dealership Would you like to drive this Land Cruiser? Image: Toyota Australia President Minerals Australia, electric Land Cruiser. in the future without a Edgar Basto, the partnership “We’ve delivered one clear timeline. Crocs mean more than money for Kakadu ranger

out that harvesting wild Aboriginal communities in paid directly to Traditional animals also put a value on recent decades, such as the Owners and those tasked natural habitats — rather ‘Croc in a Box’ program in with egg collection. than the land clearing, Ramingining which grows Desiree Nadji will pesticide use and wetland over 100 crocodiles per year continue to protect her draining that can accompany out of two tanks. Across the totem, and she says her domestic agriculture. Top End, an estimated 20,000 attitude won’t change. One of 100,000 or so saltwater crocodiles in the NT. CDU Researcher Dr eggs a year are harvested "I’m careful - everyone’s Keller Kopf told the ABC with the assistance of ranger gotta be careful around FOR Kakadu ranger and its skins and to eradicate in 2020 that very little is groups who also have the crocs, and safe...but I'm not Bunidj woman Desiree what pastoralists believed known about directly how wider responsibilities of scared of them." Nadji there is nowhere she to be a pest species. In 1971, the crocodiles influence the caring for country. Ernst & would rather be than the protection of the species in environments they are in. Young reported that during waters of the South Alligator Australia was introduced Crocodile egg farming the 2014/15 financial year, River, protecting her totem under Northern Territory and has been beneficial to over $2.3 million dollars was - the saltwater crocodile Commonwealth legislation. (Crocodylus porosus). The saltwater crocodile Ms Nadji featured on population at that time had national news for ABC’s crashed to around 4,000. 7.30 program, where she Since then it has been told reporter Elias Clure recovering to strong, almost about the crocodile’s uncontrollable numbers - it significance for her clan. is estimated there are over "I have to respect them 100,000 saltwater crocodiles and look after them, as in NT waterways. Some anybody would...if you come groups are calling for culling into the waterways, that’s of wild crocodiles due to the their environment." threats to human safety and Top End saltwater agricultural production. crocodile numbers have Professor Grahame Webb risen to historical heights told the ABC he believes

Artwork: Care For Country by Maggie-Jean Douglas (Gubbi Gubbi) since their protection croc hunting should be

When creating ‘Care for Country’ I kept in mind that this meant spiritually, in the 1970s, prompting reintroduced. He considers physically, emotionally, socially and culturally – I chose to create a bright and vibrant artwork that included the different colours of the land but discussion about the it a “win-win situation” showed how they come together in our beautiful country and to make reintroduction of hunting. from which economic people feel hopeful for the future. I’ve included communities/people, animals and bush medicines spread over different landscapes of red dirt, NAIDOC Week During the first half of the development and pest green grass, bush land and coastal areas to tell the story of the many ways country can and has healed us throughout our lives and journeys. 4-11 JULY 2021 20th century, the saltwater control can be achieved. crocodiles was hunted to In a separate interview Acknowledging the 50th Anniversary of the Aboriginal Flag. Reproduced with kind facebook.com/NAIDOC @naidocweek @naidocweek #NAIDOC2021 #HealCountry permission and copyright of Harold Thomas. Torres Strait Islander flag reproduced by kind permission of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council. Designed by Mr Bernard Namok. near extinction both for in 2019, Dr Webb pointed Kakadu Ranger Desiree Nadji and ABC reporter Elias Clure.

20 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 21 CARING FOR COUNTRY CARING FOR COUNTRY Strong Women for Healthy Country Network grows at Banatjarl forum

MORE than 280 women Owner of Banatjarl. was held in 2019 on gathered at Banatjarl, south- “We are sharing our country at a sacred site, east of Katherine, to attend culture and women are Bawurrbarnda near Bulman the NT Strong Women for sharing their culture in Central Arnhem Land. Healthy Country Network with us. Working Hosted by Traditional (SWFHC) forum in late May. together as the ladies. Owners and Mimal They came together with “It’s important for us to Land Management, the the aim of strengthening the come together, to make event attracted about women-only network that us strong together, share 150 Aboriginal women strives to protect country. our voice and support all who spent one week “We are really happy women caring for country together discussing their to host this forum. This is and families. This is work on country. really good and important important work.” This year, the number of NT Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Selena Uibo to be meeting women The NT Strong Women for attendees was nearly double, from everywhere,” said Healthy Country Network with membership expanded Chiyo Andrews, Banatjarl started as a way to connect to include women working in Strongbala Wimun female rangers living in domestic violence, the arts Grup and Chairperson remote areas of the NT. and as healers. Yugul Mangi Rangers Jana and Cherryanne Daniels Chair of the Jawoyn Association Lisa Mumbin Jawoyn Traditional The inaugural forum Chiyo Andrews and Samara Andrews

NT Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Selena Preparing pandanus to make dilly bags Uibo joined the forum for a panel discussion, where participants called for more female rangers and ‘’Sharing responsibility is stronger communication between important for making sure the government and communities. land is looked after... the “As government we need to whole family is involved hear that strong voice from Time for a yarn with ABC's Jane Bardon (2nd on left) Mimal Rangers Chloe John, Josephine Ashal, Caitlyn John and that’s how they keep community, particularly from country healthy.’’ strong Aboriginal women, of what Shantelle Miller, communities and families need so Banatjarl Strong Wimun’s we can support that.” Grup and designer of the SWFHC logo

“If you’re standing someone can come and bump you. You are no longer standing strong, you got wobbly legs. But when Bulgul Ranger Teresa Burr Burr Lining up for yummy food! “It’s so good to see how you are sitting strong, you far so many women cannot be moved.” have come from, Singer/ and to see so many songwriter Shellie Morris female rangers. It makes me want to do my work more.” Artwork on display at the forum Gennivea Aplin from Nudjabarra

Christine Lindsay from Mimal Land Management Senior Ranger Maureen Simon, her daughter Sophia Simon and her granddaughter Ashely Simon all attended the forum where they had the chance to talk about establishing their new women’s ranger group at Marralum near Kununurra. “We have a lot of work to do to care for our country, with weeds and burning,” said Maureen. 'We are the strong Indigenous women of NT' Preparing pandanus for cultural weaving Drawing session at the forum

22 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 23 CARING FOR COUNTRY CARING FOR COUNTRY Nominate now for the 2021 NT Natural Resource Management Award Northern Territory Natural Resource Management THE NT Natural Resource little shy about nominating seen by young women as Management Awards themselves so, if you know an inspiration to improve recognise the efforts of someone doing a great job, and to work hard. If you’re a󰇶󰇶󰇶󰇶󰈨󰈨󰈨󰈨s Territorians who contribute consider nominating them – working with young woman 2021 Aw their time and energy to they’ll be thrilled.” on Country it is important to looking after our natural Winner of the NT Ranger walk alongside them, train resources – our land, water, of the Year Award in them, mentor them, support soil, plants and animals. 2020, Sonya Braybon, said them and inspire them”. Territory Natural winning the award helped Nominations for the Resource Management her feel recognised for her NT Natural Resource (TNRM) Chief Executive hard work as the Western Management Awards close Nominate Now for the 2021 NT Natural Officer Karen May is Arrernte Coordinator for the on 16 September 2021. encouraging Territorians Tjuwanpa Women Rangers, The awards will be to nominate someone they and how much she had celebrated and winners Resource Management Awards know for an award. pushed herself. announced at a gala dinner “We all know individuals, “I really enjoy being a on 17 November in Darwin, groups and organisations ranger and I want to show as part of the three-day 2021 Sonya Braybon, The NT Natural Resource Management that do fantastic work younger generations that Territory Natural Resource Nominations can be made for the Western Arrarnta Awards recognise the efforts of looking after our natural when you work hard you Management Conference. following prestigious awards: Coordinator of the resources – community can earn something like Territorians who contribute their time For more information ► Best Collaboration in NRM Award groups, landcarers, this. I feel proud working about the awards and Tjuwanpa Women and energy to looking after our natural Indigenous rangers, for community, and for to access the online Rangers. Winner of resources – our land, water, soil, plants ► Farmers & Fishers Sustainability pastoralists, farmers, community to see how much nomination form visit the the 2020 NT Ranger and animals. Award scientists, businesses their support means to TNRM Conference website: of the Year Award. and conservation me too, and how it can pay tnrmconference.org. Nominate now for one of the 9 award ► Indigenous NRM Award organisations” she said. off,” Ms Braybon said. au/nt-nrm-awards Winning the NT Ranger of categories, including Ranger of the ► “Sometimes people are a “This award could be Tjuwanpa Women Ranger Sonya Braybon the Year Award in 2020 has Environment & Conservation Year and the Indigenous Natural helped me feel recognised for all the Award Resource Management Award, to help hard work I have put in and how much I ► recognise excellence in NRM in the Next Generation NRM Award Wardaman Traditional Owners and rangers have pushed myself. I really enjoy being a ranger and I want to show younger Northern Territory. ► Ranger of the Year Award generations that when you work hard protecting culture and rock art sites The awards will be celebrated and ► Research in NRM Award you can earn something like this. winners announced at the much loved ► Resilient & Sustainable Enterprise WARDAMAN Traditional good outcome for carbon funding for the fire program If you’re working with young woman gala dinner on the 17th of November Owners and the Wardaman abatement will be achieved. in future years. Award on Country it is important to walk in Darwin, as part of the 3-day 2021 Rangers have been Sale of these carbon Territory Natural Resource Management ► Lifetime Achievement moving forward with ‘credits’ will raise useful alongside them, train them, mentor Award fire management on them, support them and inspire them. Conference. their Land Trusts. Nominate Now! A carbon abatement Nominations close project is expected to be on Thursday the registered in 2021, and the 16th of September rangers and Traditional Owners have been taking great care to implement a thorough burning program in the late wet and early dry seasons. Rangers have undertaken three phases of aerial burning on the Menngen ALT so far in 2021. In conjunction with ground burning, a good network of fire breaks is now in place across the Land Trust. About 20 per cent of the Land Trust has now been Contact us for more information or support with your nomination burnt, and if there are not 08 8942 8300 [email protected] www.tnrmconference.com.au many fires between now Angela Katherine operating the aerial incendiary machine in the and the end of the year, a Basil Murrimal undertaking skilled patch burning of spear grass helicopter on Menngen ALT

24 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 25 NEWS CARING FOR COUNTRY 'A cherished event on the Yolngu calendar': Garma Rangers graduate from Batchelor Institute Festival cancelled over COVID-19 concerns

GARMA Festival, Australia's determined that Gulkula’s premier forum for the remote location poses too discussion of Indigenous many logistical and safety affairs, has been cancelled due challenges in the unlikely to COVID-19 safety concerns. event of a COVID incident, “It is with enormous regret such as the difficulty of and sadness that we advise evacuating people from the this year’s Garma Festival will site, and the unsuitability not proceed,” YYF CEO Denise of quarantine facilities in Bowden said in a statement. northeast Arnhem Land. “For the past 6 months, the “Keeping the region COVID- Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF) free has always been YYF’s has worked extremely hard in number one priority, so we partnership with the relevant accept the CHO’s decision, authorities to plan a COVID- which also highlights the safe event for our guests and logistical and infrastructure our communities. We have challenges that exist in thrown all our energy into relation to any COVID outbreak establishing an environment in the remote Aboriginal world. that would meet with the “Garma is a cherished approval of the Northern event on the Yolngu calendar Territory’s Chief Health Officer. and the cancellation “This has included of this year’s event is making arrangements for all a big blow to the local interstate attendees to be community in many ways. tested upon arrival in Arnhem “The event is a source Land, and providing a 24-hour of enormous pride and COVID clinic on site, staffed satisfaction to Yolngu people, by the National Critical Care and each year Garma injects & Trauma Response Centre. up to $13 million into the Organisers were confident Northern Territory economy, that these and other safety about $5 million of which Back row L-R: Sheila White (Malak Malak), Timothy Burr Burr (Bulgul), David Mardi (Bulgul), Victor Moffatt ( Bulgul), Bernie Lewis (Bulgul), Theresa Lemon (Malak Malak), measures were rigorous lands in Nhulunbuy and Wesley Shields (Malak Malak). Front Row L-R: Charlene Moreen (Bulgul), Teresa Burr Burr (Bulgul), Aaron Green (Malak Malak), Travis Maloney (Malak Malak). enough to all but eliminate the surrounding communities. public health risk associated The economic loss to ON Thursday 3 June 2021 who graduated will us today that their families with staging the event. local Territory businesses hundreds of guests from receive their certificates that are supporting you in “Unfortunately, the NT’s and Yolngu people will be all corners of the Northern later in the year. what you’ve achieved. You Chief Health Officer has significant again this year. We will have to wait until 2022 to experience the Garma Festival again. Territory and beyond Keynote speaker Dr are role models for them. gathered at the Batchelor Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Congratulations, and I Institute just south of Bauman AM gave a heartfelt know you are all going to Culturally appropriate support available for Darwin to celebrate the and inspirational welcome to make your families proud Graduation Ceremony for all at the ceremony, telling of you when you go back the latest crop of graduates, the graduands that: to your communities. God Aboriginal people who experienced sexual including Northern Land "Look, with all the bless you all.” Council Rangers from the qualifications we get … that’s Chair of the Batchelor abuse in an institution Bulgul, Malak Malak and what education is all about. Institute, Ms Pat Anderson Wudicupildiyerr ranger It is important for the little AO presented the graduands with safe and respectful Aboriginal and Islander support your choices.” and family tracing groups. Wagiman rangers people that are here with with their certificates. Ms Pat Anderson AO and Sharon Jimarin. support and information. Cultural Officer at “Redress can mean services too,” he said. There is support Relationships Australia a range of things that Aboriginal and Torres available through a range NT, said these services may be important to Strait Islander people FOLLOW US of free, confidential can answer people’s you, including a direct can contact the National and culturally- questions, help people personal response from an Redress Scheme for @northernlandcouncil appropriate services to fill out the application institution, counselling, and free and confidential that can help people to form, and support a payment of money.” information and support, @NLC_74 understand their options. people along the way. Mr Butler encouraged and to find the service that Redress Support “We’re here to help you Aboriginal and Torres Strait can help them in their area. THE National Redress Services can provide people take the Redress journey,” Islander people to reach Visit nationalredress.gov. @northernlandcouncil Scheme can provide throughout the Northern Mr Butler said. out, ask questions and find au or call 1800 737 377. Aboriginal and Torres Territory with support to “We understand it out about the support they Watch NLC TV on Strait Islander people who share their experience and can be difficult to share could be provided with. YouTube by searching experienced sexual abuse access the Scheme. your experience, and “You might want to ask Northern Land Council as a child in an institution George ‘Burri’ Butler, we’re here to listen and about our record searching Ms Pat Anderson AO and Teresa Lemon. MS Pat Anderson and Timothy Burr Burr.

26 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 27 MEMORIAL BUSHTUCKER Aboriginal leader defended land and ocean rights Let’s eat bushtucker! Taste of Kakadu food JOHN LYLE CHRISTOPHERSEN: 1952-2021 festival a hit with visitors By Chips Mackinolty The Taste of IT’S hard to imagine, nearly working on remote Kakadu Festival seven decades on, what the community power stations. kid growing up in the caravan He eventually became returned this year on Little Mindal Beach near foreman supervisor in 1976. with a jam packed Darwin thought life would The destruction of Cyclone hold for him. Most meals Tracy led to a period with his program over a long were caught fresh from the wife, Jenny, and the first of weekend at the end sea in front of him, though their young family moving goannas were sometimes a to Cressy in Victoria where, of May. nuisance as they stole bread in between working at a from the caravan. timber mill, he played as THE festival celebrated Burning country in Kakadu. Patsy Raiclin hold some bushtucker in her hand. If nothing else, it was a the only blackfella with the the culture, art and childhood introduction to local footy team. food of the Traditional saltwater country that would The big change in Owners of the region. inspire him for 40 years of Christophersen’s life came The popular food festival activism around Aboriginal in 1979-1980 at Aboriginal was cancelled last year land and sea rights. Task Force in Adelaide along because of COVID-19. John “Christo” with others such as Owen Kakadu National Park Christophersen was born Cole, Tracker Tilmouth and rangers took visitors on at the old Darwin hospital John Havnen. He completed tours of sites, such as to father Chris, a labourer a diploma in business NLC's longest serving member Mr Christophersen will be missed by many. Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), and gardener, and mother administration before Nanguluwurr and Judy Jane (known as Jane), returning to Darwin in 1980. Tennant Creek and Alice serving as vice-president recognised Aboriginal rights Nawurlundja, to see rock an Ulbu Bunidj woman who In 1983, he returned to the Springs before heading to of the World Council of extending between high and art and to view some of Patsy Raiclin from Animal Tracks Safaris. had lived the first eight years north as regional manager of and across Indigenous Peoples. low water marks adjoining Australia’s most diverse of her life in the bush in and the Aboriginal Development to Mildura and Mittagong He visited South Africa Aboriginal land. wildlife and stunning around Mt Borradaile and Commission for the northern before ending up at La on the eve of the elections Across much of the past landscapes. At Mamukala Cape Don before being sent region, helping establish Perouse, by which stage an of its first post-apartheid decade, Christophersen’s Wetlands, ranger Jacqueline to Darwin for schooling. community economic estimated 1000 Aboriginal government and made trips activities focused on the Cahill took a large group on The family pretty quickly development projects. people had joined the convoy. to North America, Asia and Northern Land Council, a bush tucker tour. Julie Scheibe shows visitors around the bush near Bowali Visitor Centre. grew to seven kids so the It was a period in which Christophersen’s account Europe. As he would tell and he became its longest At Burrungkuy seasonal move was made to Fannie his activism in defence of of the 11,000-kilometre it, he would pack his “bush serving member. ranger James Morgan Bay, where Christophersen saltwater country came to journey in the Land Rights bag”, drive in to Darwin and Those who knew him will gave visitors insight into met his maternal the fore. After his marriage News of May 1988 should then head off with little but recall his passions, and of Kakadu’s 65,000-year- grandmother, Lucy Wilmarga, break-up, he spent much be required reading for all a change or two of clothes course his willingness to old culture by sharing and adopted father Milbur, of his time “on country” Australians. It is an at-times and his passport. Once, he engage in argument, whether the stories of the rock Seasonal Ranger James Morgan at Burrungkuy. focusing his existence as a either by himself or among emotional tale including bus recalled, he discovered to it was about footy, politics or art, including Namarrkon, member of the Murran clan brothers and family at the breakdowns and a death, of his horror three bullets in sea and land rights. the Lightning Man. — one of the four traditional Gul Gul and Marreyah areas. driving all night, of dancing his bush bag minutes before Sitting down at Uluru The festival hub at owner groups from the He had little money but and singing, of hope and going through security at Kata Tjuta National Park Bowali Visitor Centre Cobourg Peninsula— became an international solidarity. Above all, it is a Sydney Airport. He turned last year, celebrating was a hive of activity and what became a traveller advocating for story about determination them into an official only to the closure of the Climb with workshops including lifetime connection with rights of traditional owners and unity for “all Aboriginal find on his return to Cobourg by Anangu traditional painting, women’s weaving western Arnhem Land. around the country and people in Australia”. some weeks later that he owners, he recalled what and men’s spear making, Christophersen went overseas. As one of the Throughout this period, still had a remaining bullet he said at the last Garma cooking demonstrations to Parap Primary before Cobourg representatives on Christophersen was involved which he had carried through Festival he attended: with Fervor’s Paul ‘Yoda’ Jacqueline Cahill at Mamukala Wetlands. finishing his school days at the Northern Land Council, in key actions around sea security across the world. “It must be understood Iskov and live music. Darwin High in third year. As he would serve on its rights, especially in the face After living in the bush for that for the white to man to Festival favourites a young bloke, along with executive from 1986 to 2000, of commercial fishing. some years, he returned to acknowledge and recognise including the Yellow Water Patsy Raiclin's damper on Animal Tracks Safaris. many other Aboriginal kids in including a two-year stint as From 1989-2001, he was Darwin in 2000 to establish Aboriginal people in the Canape Cruise and the the day, he became an active its deputy chair. a member of the Cobourg and manage the first men’s constitution, they don’t lose Taste of Kakadu Buffet sportsman, playing for the It was as deputy chair Peninsula Sanctuary health clinic at Danila Dilba, 200 years of history, but they at the Mercure Kakadu Nightcliff Dragons in rugby that he played a major role and Marine Park Board, the Aboriginal community- gain 60,000 years of history.” Crocodile in Jabiru also league and Aussie rules with among the thousands who which he went on to serve controlled health service. He is survived by his returned to showcase the Waratahs before turning travelled from the Kimberley as chair until 2006. He Between 2005 and 2008, he mother, Jane, and siblings, best flavours from across into a diehard Buffaloes and Top End of the Northern served on the Cobourg worked at the Northern Land his daughters Natalie, Kakadu and the NT. player and supporter. Territory to join the anti- Fisheries Management Council as its sea policy Jackie, Mia, Nova, Vanessa, At The Croc, visitors In 1969, he started an bicentenary march in Sydney Advisory Committee, the officer. It was a period of Ashley, Shilo, Channoa and joined Kunwinjku artist electrician apprenticeship for Australia Day, which National Federation of intense legal and political son Credence and nephews, David Cameron on an with the Department of was termed Invasion Day, in Land Councils, Indigenous battles which resulted nieces and grandchildren. art and culture tour, Works, and in 1975 became 1988. A growing convoy of Protected Areas National from the High Court Blue complete with bush food- Croc, wild boar and buffalo for dinner. Weaving with Patsy Raiclin on her Animal Tracks Safari. an electrical tradesman buses left Darwin, Katherine, Working Group, as well as Mud Bay decision which inspired canapes.

28 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 29 SPORT PRESS CTRL AND SHIFT TOSPORT EDIT

Impressive mullets from the Naiuyu team. Mullets dominate the field Katherine Camels versus the Arnhem Crows. Imalu versus Garrak. at pre-season carnival

MORE than 300 footy players 40. They finished strong by to brush up on their skills, from all over the Top End defeating in the the carnival was also a kicked off the season at the final with a score line of showcase for some of the Big Rivers Umpires Carnival, 9.5-59 to nil. Northern Territory’s finest Keith Rogers of Ngukurr Bulldogs. held at Katherine’s Nitmiluk President of the Tiwi haircuts. Mullets dominated Oval in late April. Bombers Mary Dunn was the field, and the Naiuyu The carnival occurs extremely proud. “We’re team from Daly River took annually as a pre-season showing other communities the unofficial win for the fundraiser for the local that the women have strongest ‘mullet mob’. Umpires Association. This something to look Legendary footy veteran year's carnival brought forward to,” she told the Keith Rogers was one of the in over $2400 which will Katherine Times. Ngukurr Bulldogs’ strongest go towards young umpire “Ms Dunn said the club assets on the field, not just development and equipment. wants to push their players because of his mullet. As Umpire Kiara Jean-Baker as far as possible, first to the one of the oldest A-grade said the carnival marked the premier NT competition, and players in the Big Rivers beginning of her third footy then get their best players all League, Rogers has a 40+ season. For her, umpiring the way to the AFLW clubs if year footy career under his is about keeping fit and they are good enough." belt and doesn’t look like The Garrak Men's Team celebrate their Grand Final Win. Umpires Kiara Jean-Baker and Stewart Whiteaker. getting a chance to run Local men’s team the he’ll be hanging up his boots Image: Katherine Times around the field. Garrak Bombers took the win any time soon. Teams travelled from against Northern Walpiri in Naiuyu player Felix far and wide, with the the final, 4.5-29 to 1.1-7. After Slater said he enjoyed the Tiwi Bombers and Imalu an initial loss to Ngukurr social aspect of the footy Tigers making the 350km early in the day, the Bombers the most. “It’s good to verse journey to warm up for had a steady stream of wins. other people and get to the season ahead. Nauiyu took third know other people." The trip was worth it for place, followed by Ngukurr Regional Development the women’s Tiwi Bombers Bulldogs, Arnhem Crows, Manager Gavin May said the team who took home the Imalu Tigers and Eastside. carnival was a success both trophy after winning every Not only was it a chance on and off the field. game by a margin of at least for the players and umpires Naiuyu player Desmond Bush.

The trip was worth it for the women's Tiwi Bombers team. Tiwi Bombers goal kicker Spectators Kade Wilson, Naiuyu player Felix Slater and Kye Ahfat. Watch out whistling kite!

30 Land Rights News • Northern Edition June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au June 2021 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 31