Australia's Oldest Aboriginal Newspaper. Since 1973
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Press CTRL and SHIFT to edit Northern Edition August/September 2020 • www.nlc.org.au 1 Australia’s oldest Aboriginal newspaper. Since 1973. NEWS NEWS EDITORIAL Time to vote in the Territory From the news: ‘All Territorians have a right to Land Rights News Northern Edition is A message from the NLC Chairman and CEO published by Samuel safe drinking water’ Bush-Blanasi for the Northern Land Council. Contributions Land Rights News ON SAFE DRINKING WATER welcomes stories and photos about Samuel Bush-Blanasi, NLC Chairman, quoted in the Katherine Aboriginal people Times on 23 August: and organisations. "The land councils call for urgent legislation to ensure that all Territorians have Editors access to safe drinking water. Leah McLennan Robert Gosford "All Territorians, not just those living in major towns, have a right to safe and adequate drinking water. Bush voters deserve to know how the parties are planning Contact to ensure they can enjoy this right." [email protected] Layout Jeni Jossaume Front cover Chips Mackinolty ON BORDER SECURITY Marion Scrymgour, NLC CEO, quoted in ABC News on 3 July: "Whilst we've got these numbers increasing, they're not decreasing in Victoria, our NLC borders should be closed to people from Victoria. The Chief Minister has shown CONTACT DETAILS great leadership from the outset with COVID-19. We're calling on that leadership Northern Land Council again, to be strong and to draw a line in the sand in terms of making sure that Territorians are kept safe." 45 Mitchell St NLC Executive Council and CEO Marion Scrymgour at the Joint Land Council Executive Committee meeting on July 29. Darwin NT 0820 *At the time of printing the NT Government had declared Victoria, greater Sydney and Port Stephens as COVID-19 hot spots for the NT. 08 8920 5100 ON Saturday August 22 issues that affect you, your everyone over the age of you’re unsure of where www.nlc.org.au the people of the NT will family and the community 18. You can be fined for and when you can vote decide its Government that you live in. failing to vote. speak to someone at your Facebook for the next four years. We also hope those We encourage you to local NLC office, your local @northernlandcouncil We as Aboriginal people candidates have listened cast a vote in the election council or get in touch Twitter play a significant role to what you have to say that you believe will be with the NT Electoral @NLC_74 in the decision making and what you believe is in the best interests of Commission on 1800 698 ON LAUNCH OF MALAK MALAK Instagram process. One in four NT important when it comes Aboriginal people. If 683 or 08 8999 5000. LANGUAGE APP @northernlandcouncil voter is Aboriginal - for to policy making over the this reason our vote will next four years. Joy Cardona, NLC Full Council Member, quoted in the YouTube make a difference. In this edition of Katherine Times on 30 June: NLC TV VOTE FOR 'We, as Aboriginal people, play "It’s important to preserve the language and hand it on to the next generation. a significant role in the decision "We needed to capture the language while the Aunties are still alive, to keep the making process. COUNTRY! language and Malak Malak clan strong, and to pass it on to our children.” SUBSCRIPTIONS One NT voter in four is Aboriginal To subscribe fill - for this reason our vote will out the online form make a difference.' at www.nlc.org.au It is important that Land Rights News we between now and when have reached out to the ON THE PASSING OF JOHN (JACK) AH KIT you vote, you give candidates from the six ADVERTISING considerable thought as to bush seats that fall in Lisa Mumbin, NLC Full Council Member, quoted in ABC News who will provide the best the NLC region: Arafura, on 22 July: Next publication date leadership and the best Arnhem, Barkly, Daly, Rates are at www. local voice for your region. Mulka (formerly known as "When he stepped into Territory politics, Jawoyn people were never far from his nlc.org.au/media- We trust you have seen Nhulunbuy) and Gwoja. I thoughts as he advocated for Aboriginal people from the Arnhem region. publications or email many of the candidates hope you take the time to [email protected] aspiring to win your vote read what the people vying "He taught us how to negotiate and how to stand up for our rights, and how to stand up for common causes through our humanity.” Circulation and you have made the to win your vote have said. 4,000 print most of any opportunity Voting in the NT to speak with them about election is compulsory for 2 Land Rights News • Northern Edition August/September 2020 • www.nlc.org.au August/September 2020 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 3 NEWS NEWS Blue Mud Bay deal will protect Aboriginal sea Winners of Australia's first National Indigenous country rights Fashion Awards revealed Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo, NLC Chair Samuel Bush-Blanasi, Chief Minister Michael Gunner and NLC CEO Marion Scrymgour at Timber Creek. THE NLC and the NT the intertidal zone. That Council, the NT Amateur commitments up to December 2022’. Government signed the means that traditional Fishermen’s Association the end of 2022. NLC Chairman Blue Mud Bay Action owners control access and the NT Guided Fishing These commitments are Samuel Bush-Blanasi Several NT designers and artists were among the mix of winners including Evonne Muyuyngu, Margaret Djarbaalabal Malibirr and Daphne Banyawarra of Plan on 29 July. to around 85 per cent of Industry Association too extensive to list here, said: “Following the Bula’bula Arts at Ramingining, pictured here with family. “The Action Plan the NT coastline. signed the Nitmiluk Heads but include for example, election we look forward provides sea country ‘the NT Government will to working closely with THE best of Aboriginal were among the mix of their collaboration with creatives nominated from and bring about a truly traditional owners with a 'The new Fisheries Act needs provide funding to support the NT government to and Torres Strait Islander winners including Kieren Maara Collective. across the country, and emotional experience” clear pathway to achieving to include Aboriginal people as the establishment of an develop and deliver a new fashion and design Karritpul of Merrepen The NIFA showcased awarded winners across six and also for his “use of culturally appropriate was put on show at Arts Centre, and Mary collections and designs unique categories. movement and truly economic and employment part of the Northern Territory's the inaugural National Dhapalany Mangul, from Australia’s Judges said Karritpul breathtaking colours”. outcomes that will benefit economic program going Indigenous Fashion Margaret Djarbaalabal leading and emerging was selected as the textile our mob for generations forward, and it's about how Awards on 5 August. Malibirr and Evonne designers and artists. design winner due to to come,” said NLC CEO we manage those fisheries in a Several Territory Muyuyngu of Bula’bula The event saw 33 his, “ability to tell stories Marion Scrymgour. designers and artists Arts at Ramingining for Indigenous fashion through his textiles In mid-2008 the High sustainable way so that they are Court of Australia, in the there for the future' - NLC CEO Blue Mud Bay case, found Marion Scrymgour that traditional owners NLC’s new Wadeye office opens have the right to control In June 2019 at of Agreement. The Action THE Wadeye access to waters overlying Nitmiluk, the NTG, the Plan implements this Regional Office ‘Aboriginal Land’ including NLC, the NT Seafood agreement with specific is now in action, with the office set up, with WiFi connected, as Aboriginal fishing entity Fisheries Act, which will to facilitate participation reflect the undeniable fact well as video- of traditional owners of Aboriginal ownership of conferencing in fishing, aquaculture sea country and the need and other opportunities to implement sustainable facilities. Setting associated with fishing and appropriate policies up offices outside activities in the NT’. for the future management It also sets out NLC’s of our fisheries and of Darwin is part commitments, for protection of this most of the NLC’s example, ‘the NLC will precious resource”. consult traditional owners Regionalisation on extending the permit Strategy – ‘Building free interim arrangements Catching some fresh air at the new NLC office in Wadeye. for fishing access in Blue the Bush’. Mud Bay tidal waters to 31 4 Land Rights News • Northern Edition August/September 2020 • www.nlc.org.au August/September 2020 • www.nlc.org.au Land Rights News • Northern Edition 5 OBITUARY OBITUARY 'My personal light on the hill': Pat Dodson's Vale our Jack: 'A big man with a big vision' eulogy to John (Jack) Ah Kit The first Aboriginal minister in the NT parliament died in late July. This is a shortened version of Labor Senator Pat Dodson’s tribute to him. WHEN announcing the death of our great friend, Jack Ah Kit, his immediate family said “this is a life that should be the focus of celebration and commemoration” – and that is indeed why we are here today. In remembering and celebrating, we are thinking of the many, many stories that made up his life – some that we shared with him; some that we heard tell of; some that we witnessed. The importance of stories to Jack – and indeed to all Aboriginal people – was perhaps best summed up in his own words, in his first ministerial statement to the Legislative Assembly: “Sitting around the camp fire, yarning with the old people and watching the faces of kids in the fire light reminded me of my own childhood and of how the lives of Aboriginal people are inextricably linked with each other through family and community.