= FREE

April 2016 volume 6. number 1.

TENANTSPG. ## HIT THE ROOF ABOUT REMOTE HOUSING FAILURE

BIG ELECTION YEAR 2016 “NO” TO NUKE DUMP CRICKETERS SHINE

P. 5 PG. # P. 6 PG. # P. 30 ISSN 1839-5279ISSN NEWS

EDITORIAL Land Rights News Central Australia is published by the Central Land Council three Pressure rises as remote tenants take government to court times a year. AS A SECOND central The Central Land Council Australian community has 27 Stuart Hwy launched legal action against the Northern Territory Alice Springs government and an Alice NT 0870 Springs town camp is following tel: 89516211 suit, the Giles government is under increasing pressure to www.clc.org.au change how it manages remote email [email protected] community and town camp Contributions are welcome houses. Almost a third of Papunya households lodged claims for compensation through SUBSCRIPTIONS the Northern Territory Civil Land Rights News Central Administrative Tribunal in Australia subscriptions are March, over long delays in $20 per year. emergency repairs. A week later, half of the LRNCA is distributed free Larapinta Valley Town Camp Santa Teresa tenant Annie Young says the state of houses in her community has never been worse. to Aboriginal organisations tenants notified the housing and communities in Central department of 160 overdue water all over the front yard, sort told ABC Alice Springs. “Compensation is an Australia repairs, following a survey of like a swamp area,” Katie told “There’s some sort of inertia entitlement under the To subscribe email: by the Central Australian ABC. Some had wires exposed, or blockage in the system that [Residential Tenancies] Act,” [email protected] Aboriginal Legal Aid Service air conditioners not working, when tenants report things he told ABC Alice Springs. (CAALAS). stoves not working, showers and action isn’t taken.” “We’ll certainly be pursuing Legal action for over 300 bathrooms, kitchen sinks, taps Very similar problems raised that on behalf of our clients about town camps in the if they’ve been forced to live ADVERTISING Territory who operate under the in these conditions and have Land Rights News visited Papunya and Santa Teresa as lawyers same structure have triggered been paying for something they Advertise in the only were surveying over 100 households. Residents shared their an NT parliamentary inquiry. haven’t gotten.” newspaper to reach frustrations and worries about the remote housing system. The inquiry into repairs and Aboriginal people maintenance of town camp “Not fit for humans” next week’.” houses heard that the system in remote Central Inside the house the is clogged by bureaucracy and Santa Teresa resident Annie swampy is switched on but Australia. confusing for tenants. Young say the state of the doesn’t seem to be doing ABC News reported that houses in her community has much. Next publication date: requests for repairs in town never been as bad as it is now. Phillip says when he Aug 2016 camps in Alice Springs and She says the houses are old, switches it off, water drips Nov 2016\ Tennant Creek go through three overcrowded and riddled with from the ceiling onto the floor. layers of communication. serious problems. Many of the “It’s getting hot and hard to The resident calls a tenancy houses contain asbestos and Rates are available online sleep,” says Phillip. management provider, such as when it rains people move out at www.clc.org.au/land- Like many in the community, private company Zodiac, which of the houses because they’re rights-news OR email: Phillip is left to deal with then notifies the Department of frightened of being exposed. [email protected] OR call repairs and maintenance Phillip Lane shares a Papunya Housing, which in turn supplies “I see people in these 1970s 89516211 himself. house with his wife and seven a contractor to do the work. houses, people living with those Fed up with waiting, he children and grandchildren. The department’s deputy asbestos stickers on their door fixed a wiring fault that was His evaporative air CEO Jim Bamber admitted and I’ve asked government CONGRATULATIONS causing the power to trip conditioner hasn’t worked there was some confusion but people before, ‘is it safe?’ out whenever the stove was in years and the outdoor said the many steps provided “Because they’ve got ceilings turned on. taps, vital for keeping cool in employment for local people. falling down, these white things “Me and my wife just drove summer, are broken. “We were continually told falling down, I have seen people over to the dump and we seen “It’s been like this for a long when we visit communities getting sick, swollen faces … one stove,” he says. time,” the 74 year old says. ‘we’ve got people who want to What’s that? What’s the next “I jumped out of my vehicle “I ask them ‘I got a problem work’,” he told the inquiry. step for that?” and I got the wire from that old with my water and I got a NTCAT ordered the NT In an interview with ABC’s stove, took him out, bring him problem with my house, can I government to complete over Radio National, NT housing down here, now it’s working.” get someone to help me’? 600 repairs in Santa Teresa, minister Bess Price admitted “They say ‘sorry, come back including leaking roofs, that Aboriginal housing was electrical faults and faulty unacceptable. repairs in Papunya was broken. plumbing. “I’ve visited communities, withdrawn late last year after “They [the contractors] were Daniel Kelly says the where the houses have been the government heard about out there within seven days…we government says it has built in the eighties, and it’s not the plans and quickly sent were very pleased but it’s very completed about 500 repairs. fit for humans,” she said. contractors to start fixing the sad that the department simply His next step in the tribunal will Chair of Aboriginal Housing Patrick Dodson, CLC director problems. jumps when there’s a threat of be claims for compensation. from 1985 - 1989. But CAALAS lawyer Katie legal action.” Artwork by Chips Mackinolty. Gordon says 14 tenants are The government also reacted shed, had no door handle and seeking compensation for the promptly after Santa Teresa couldn’t be locked. Congratulations on your tenants took legal action in Jasmine said she was Senate nomination, Pat length of time they had to wait. February. concerned for the health and Dodson! “I’ve done a Freedom of Information request for the After surveying the safety of her family. Your foray into federal housing files,” she told ABC community, Australian She’d once caught her nine politics will raise the bar in Radio National. Lawyers for Remote Aboriginal year old daughter trying to the Senate, the Labor Party “[The files show that] Rights (ALRAR) notified the turn on a broken electrical and beyond. people had informed housing department of repairs needed switch in the kitchen with a “Whether it's the maintenance officers of the in 70 houses. knife. recognition process, the problems…the maintenance When ALRAR received no “I’ve had all these problems, rights of traditional land officers had told housing but reply, it lodged claims at the inside the house and outside,” owners in the Northern still nothing had happened.” tribunal. When lawyers surveyed she said. Territory, native title holders Lawyers from CAALAS and ALRAR director and former Jasmine Cavanagh’s house “Me and my kids didn’t have across the country, one thing the CLC surveyed 37 of the 48 CLC lawyer Daniel Kelly helped in Santa Teresa, they found a [working] shower for almost Pat Dodson has never shirked houses in Papunya last year survey the houses. problems including serious two weeks, we had to go to his ability to speak on behalf and identified more than 300 “It appears to us that the electrical faults, roof leaks family’s house.” of Aboriginal and Torres Strait repairs. repairs and maintenance and a broken oven. “I hope all these houses get Islander peoples.” (David “There were a lot of clogged system around housing in the Her ‘front door’, which knocked down and they build Ross). pipes outside and one house had Territory just doesn’t work,” he would be more suited to a new ones.” 2 April 2016 NEWS Pressure rises as remote tenants take government to court Childcare worker Courtney The top down approach of the housing services and service Ward (cover page) is 18 years Department of Housing hasn’t delivery, the strategy reflects old and lives with four other worked.” a business as usual approach adults and a ten year old boy. Ms Price’s admission comes that will continue to fail Until very recently, an amid revelations that her remote communities,” said CLC electrical fault meant that department no longer charges director David Ross. she had no power in half rent for houses in another But since the Santa Teresa of the house, including the remote community because legal action there have been kitchen. they are in a state of disrepair some signs that the government They lived like this for at that is bad even by the NT’s may be listening. least nine months. poor standards. Adam Giles told ABC News The NT News reported that that the government will release “We used a portable Suzette Ward lives with the government has given up a new model for community member’s house. electric stove and cooked in partner Jeremiah Butcher and on rent collection for some housing before the August “When we put something the lounge room,” she says. her 4 year old son. houses in Yaralin, southwest election. in the oven or grill it smokes “It was hard.” The house has no air of Katherine, where residents “It will be going back to really badly and there’s One of Courtney’s biggest conditioning and can’t be say they must wait weeks and control to Aboriginal people a really bad smell,” says concerns was that the house secured. The roof leaks and months for the most basic through a managed government Suzette. wasn’t secure. trips out the power when it repairs. structure.” “I tell them the same thing, Many of the windows rains. The government has not As remote housing tenants every month, but they don’t do and screens are damaged “Water leaks from the roof, revealed the number of houses continue to wait, Daniel Kelly is anything.” and one window has been through that corner where the elsewhere in the NT where committed to pursuing further Suzette says living in the completely knocked out power box is,” she says. it has also abandoned rent legal action with other remote house makes her really following a break-in. “I’m really scared from that collection. communities. unhappy. thing, if it leaks, that thing will “Certainly we’re talking to “I’m sad for my house, NT, Tony Jack, said he was glad go spark.” What’s next? other communities all around they’re not fixing things that Ms Price had acknowledged The kitchen is surprisingly the NT and we’ll be doing our properly, they just come and the problem, but now was the bare of cooking utensils, pots The NT government is best to repeat this sort of claim look and then they go…” time for urgent reform. and pans. reviewing its public housing in another community,” he told “I always say to my “We know the current housing That’s because the oven strategy but the CLC says a ABC Alice Springs. husband…’oh this house, we model is broken and we need to has never worked, and as a draft policy released late last “It can’t be ignored anymore.” can’t stay here, can we go look for a better way of doing result the kitchen is hardly somewhere else to stay?’” year shows no signs of fresh The CLC’s submission to the things,” he said. ever used. “But we can’t, there’s a lot thinking. NT government’s draft housing “We need local control over When Suzette wants to cook, of family staying in the other “Instead of putting forward policy can be downloaded from our housing so we keep the jobs she goes next door to a family houses.” and the skills in the community. ideas for the reform of remote www.clc.org.au/media.

Art worker Isobel Major lives “Sometimes you feel angry with her partner, children and in your body.” her two year old grandson. Isobel says trying to solve During winter, a faulty solar the issues over the phone is hot water system left them hard. with no hot water for two “They should have people months. here in the community hey, After making multiple calls where they can fix it really for help, the system was quick, instead of talking on finally fixed when she asked the phone. her grandson’s healthworker “You have to talk on the to intervene. phone all the time ... you wait “I was angry,” she says. one week, two weeks, then “I was ringing up every day, ring up again. They won’t every day, for my hot water. listen.” Government warned to keep sacred sites protection strong THE LAND councils have must remain strong, said CLC owners and native title holders put the Giles government on director David Ross. are more likely to agree to notice not to use a report it “Traditional owners and development proposals when has commissioned to weaken native title holders will strongly they have confidence that their the laws that protect sacred oppose any changes to the sites are well protected. Aboriginal sites. Sacred Sites Act that in any way The CLC’s submission to the The Central and Northern diminish the protection of their review says the government land councils have warned the sites. Such changes would also should: • Change the Sacred Sites “Traditional owners and native title Act to make sure the AAPA is independent and Nowhere do sacred sites enjoy stronger protection than in the holders will strongly oppose any changes its decisions cannot be Northern Territory – for now. Artwork by Chips Mackinolty. overruled by an NT minister; to the Sacred Sites Act that in any way • Give the AAPA enough land council processes owners would make sacred sites resources so it can focus on and sacred site clearance protection a central issue at diminish the protection of their sites. registering sacred sites and is certificates. the August NT election if the not just doing site clearance “If the government wants government weakened the law. NT government not to change put development at risk.” work for developers; Aboriginal groups to support “Sacred sites are at the heart the NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites “The government’s review • Make small changes to development the best thing of our Aboriginal culture and Act without the approval of the clearly frames sacred site ensure that the AAPA and it can do is to give the AAPA customary law. Any attempts Aboriginal Areas Protection protection as a barrier to the land councils work well back its independence, clarify to put development before Authority (AAPA) and the four development,” he said. together and don’t duplicate its role and to resource it to do protection of our culture will be Territory land councils. Our experience, on the other work; its job better and more quickly, condemned absolutely,” he said. “Sacred sites are protected by hand, shows that strong sacred • Allow land councils to in collaboration with the land both the Land Rights Act and site protection is good for continue to nominate AAPA councils, ” said David Ross. Download the CLC’s the Sacred Sites Act. Both acts development.” board members; and NLC chairman Samuel Bush- submission at www.clc.org. are critical and together they Mr Ross said Aboriginal land • Recognise the validity of Blanasi warned that traditional au/media April 2016 3 40 YEARS OF LAND RIGHTS Land rights anniversaries to be celebrated with festival THE GURINDJI Aboriginal Northern Territory (1976), also Corporation expects thousands known as ALRA. to attend this year's 50th Since then, the NT’s land Anniversary Freedom Day councils have supported Festival in and around Aboriginal people to win Kalkaringi on 18-21 August to inalienable freehold title to half celebrate the Wave Hill Walk of the NT's land mass, look after Off. their country and to develop Gurindji Corporation chair their communities. Justin Paddy said the packed The law that made it all program will include heritage, possible may not be perfect but culture, art, sports and music it is the strongest expression of concerts featuring national Aboriginal rights this country headline acts alongside the best has ever achieved. indigenous bands. Despite many attempts by “We wanna unite blackfellas governments to undermine and whitefellas for our big The Freedom Day Festival the ALRA, the transformative 50th anniversary. Everyone’s will also include the grand legislation is still the envy welcome.” opening of the Wave Hill Walk of Aboriginal people around This August will mark Off Route, a national heritage the nation who yearn for real national land rights. “We wanna unite blackfellas and whitefellas In the week leading up to the festival the Central and for our big 50th anniversary. Northern Land Councils will gather in the community for a Everyone’s welcome.” historic joint council meeting. The CLC will mark the land fifty years since Aboriginal listed tourist trail that will help rights anniversary with a major stockmen and their families, keep the story alive for the next new Aboriginal art prize, the led by Vincent Lingiari, walked generation. Vincent Lingiari Art Award (see off Wave Hill Station in protest This year is also a big story p. 28). against wages and conditions. anniversary of the land rights At Kalkaringi, members will The 1966 strike that became legislation that the walk off have an opportunity to preview known as the Wave Hill Walk helped bring about. the best entries and pick the Gurindji kids at last year’s Freedom Day Festival at Kalkaringi. Off was one of the defining Forty years ago in December winner of the Delegates’ Choice moments in the fight for land politicians in Canberra passed Award. also under the banner of 40 off the anniversary celebrations rights. the Aboriginal Land Rights Act This year’s Garma Festival, Years of Land Rights, will kick in July. Get set for a huge year! Land Councils negotiate positive changes to Aboriginal Land Rights Act A TWO year campaign by both such delegations are made, the Northern Territory,” CLC the Senate against regulations mind and joined the negotiating NT land councils to protect land traditional owners stay in director David Ross and NLC pursued by Aboriginal Affairs table. rights ended in a victory late control. CEO Joe Morrison said in a Minister Nigel Scullion after the The result are the new last year. The changes mean that the joint statement. 2013 federal election because amendments the Senate passed In November the Senate government cannot force a “Northern and Central Land they would have undermined in November. passed a range of positive delegation and any delegation Council members are pleased traditional owner control over The amendments also make changes to provisions in the must be made carefully, with with the government’s change Aboriginal land. it possible for the first time to Aboriginal Land Rights Act traditional owner consent and of heart and thank the non- When the Senate blocked change land council boundaries. about delegating land council with land council co-operation. government Senators who the flawed regulations later But this can only happen if functions to Aboriginal “The amendments are a contributed to this positive that year Senator Scullion the traditional owners, affected corporations. victory for common sense outcome by blocking the flawed considered reintroducing them groups and communities agree. The land councils fought and for Aboriginal property regulations.” along the same lines. hard to make sure that where rights and aspirations across The land councils lobbied Last March he changed his Giles’ own goal: COAG report leaves land rights alone recommended changes that NLC CEO Joe Morrison called administration by weakening may yet strengthen land rights it “an ambush … without any the rights of Aboriginal land and native title processes. prior involvement or consent by holders “has been shown not The Northern Territory Chief Aboriginal traditional owners”. to work”. Minister alarmed traditional A few days later Aboriginal It said any approach to owners last year when he said Affairs Minister Nigel Aboriginal land that did not the COAG investigation was Scullion appointed an “Expert properly recognise and respect a chance “to talk about the Indigenous Working Group”. traditional ownership “will Aboriginal Land Rights Act and The task of the group, chaired only lead to ill feeling, project the ownership and management by Kimberley businessman uncertainly and delays”. of land tenure” over Aboriginal Wayne Bergman, was to consult The final report recommended land in the NT. widely. how governments can improve “It also gives us an The group’s statement in the land administration: opportunity to talk about the final investigation report shows • Make the process of ownership of national parks it listened carefully: recognising rights more in the NT, something that is “Throughout consultations, efficient and effective really important to Territorians the Expert Indigenous • Support bankable interests in how we move forward Working Group have been in land progressively in an economic cautioned by indigenous • Improve how business is sense,” he said last year. people and organisations done on native title and “That outcome of the COAG that there is potential for Aboriginal land investigation must feel like the COAG investigation to • Invest in the building blocks an own goal to Adam Giles,” represent nothing more than of land administration said CLC director David Ross. a ‘Trojan horse’ through • Build capable and Chief Minister Adam Giles pushed for the investigation “He pushed hard for the which governments and accountable land holding investigation, saying the law industry would seek to further and representative bodies AN INVESTIGATION to change the Aboriginal Land held Aboriginal people back.” weaken indigenous land rights into the administration of Rights Act. Both NT land councils legislation.” The CLC’s submission to Aboriginal land by the Council Instead of attacking land were critical of the COAG The group was “adamant” the COAG investigation can of Australian Governments rights the investigation’s final investigation when it was that the “outdated ‘traditional’ be downloaded from the CLC (COAG) finished with no plans report to COAG in December announced last October. approach” to improving land website: clc.org.au/media

4 April 2016 NEWS Does voting matter? Barb Shaw, Tyson George, Alice Springs Tennant Creek

“I’ve been a voter for “Yes. It’s good to vote 20 years – ever since – to speak up and be I was 18. There was an strong. All Aboriginal election coming and people should vote so I remember my dad we can get the right saying, if you want people in power.” your voice heard, you better go and vote. We live in a democratic Doris Lewis, Lajamanu society, people should be allowed to have Sonya Braybon, “Yes, it does matter because we need their voices heard Ntaria a strong voice for the community. We through the people need someone in there who can talk who are elected.” “Yes, I’m enrolled to on behalf of our community.” vote. It’s the law that you need to vote if you’re Peter Wilson, over 18. The vote for me Areyonga is about seeing which party can run the country “Yes, I vote to try better and what’s better and make a difference. for us as well.” I vote for politicians who put education front and centre, Vincent Forrester, especially education Mutitjulu for the bush. When Sharon Rockman, you vote you want to “Our vote is possibly Katherine get results, but a lot of the last thing we have the time you’re pissing left, so make sure it “It’s really good to vote to change in the wind.” counts. All you young things. I go out to vote for people people out there, please, who come up with lots of ideas, who please enrol to vote!” can understand us and what we want for the whole community and who support us well.”

April 2016 5 NEWS NT Aboriginal landholders say ‘no’ to nuclear waste

TRADITIONAL owners and Aboriginal government’s call for nominations. It says the facility will not pose a threat. people living close to the NT site He did not speak to his Aboriginal “This national facility will be shortlisted for a national nuclear waste neighbours first. engineered to prevent any credible storage facility have vowed to fight the “I really feel they should be coming on risk to people or the environment,” proposal. board and not be so deadset opposed to a government spokesperson told the The AridGold date farm, south of Alice it without finding out the full story,” Mr Centralian Advocate. Springs, is one of six sites shortlisted for Micklem told The Centralian Advocate. “The materials will be locked in the radioactive waste facility. The government offered to buy the site concrete, in rock, glass or steel, meaning At community meetings held in Santa it choses for four times its market value. there’s no chance of it getting into our Teresa and Titjikala, about 40km from waterways or affecting crops or getting the proposed site, residents voiced “It’s something we never into the air either now or generations strong objections. dreamt would happen...” from now.” “We just don’t want that rubbish on Federal Resources Minister Josh our land, it would damage our land, Frydenberg told ABC Alice Springs that our bush tucker, our story lines for our Oak Valley outstation is home to an Australia needs to come into line with ecotourism business, produces olive oil kids and their generation,” Santa Teresa Mary LeRossignol “It’s something we other nations. resident Christopher Wallace told ABC never dreamt would happen.” and runs cattle. “Many countries around the world News. Mary LeRossignol set up the property have done this, finding a single waste “This is our home. We want to with her husband Robert on her father’s repository. We have an international live here. We just don’t want that country, granted to him under the Land obligation to deal with our own waste.” contamination going into our water.” Rights Act in the ’80s. If the government chooses the date “[The meeting] made us really upset. “He used to tell us, don’t let people farm site, it will decide how a ten million We’re thinking about the land and our come in and spoil the country, digging dollar grant for the benefit of nearby ancestors, they are still floating around here and there, you have to stand up for communities will be spent, following the land and [the government] is trying your rights and you have to learn to say consultations with local people. to destroy it,” Santa Teresa’s Sharon no sometimes, you know?” she said. It says the project will also provide Alice said. “And a lot of that’s to do with where road and infrastructure upgrades “It’s going to destroy the land forever. the water comes from, where the food and employment, including for the We’re thinking about our future. Dump comes from. If you destroy the land communities near the site. it somewhere else, not in our backyard.” we’re not going to have bushfoods or And approximately 15 permanent jobs Reggie Kenny, Loyola Jones and Peter anything, it will be all gone… The meetings were organised by Kenny from the Mpelwarre Land Trust went would be available once the site is up the Central Land Council so that “It’s something that we never dreamt and running. to a protest against the dump at Parliament would happen, that that sort of stuff Commonwealth government staff could House in Canberra. With the consultation period now over, inform the communities closest to the would be put anywhere near our land. the shortlist will be narrowed down to shortlisted site about the proposal. and get our words and minds together It’s just … it’s wrong,” she said. two or three sites (see also story p. 22). It also held a meeting with residents of as one, one voice, and speak up for our The federal government wants to build The government aims to choose a site Oak Valley, 15kms from the date farm, rights,” he said. the facility to store low and medium by the end of 2016 and start construction and other outstations on the Mpelwarre “This is not an empty land, we level waste, which is radioactive for by 2020. Land Trust. need to send a strong message to the thousands of years. The CLC’s submission to the Titjikala’s Pastor Phillip Wilyuka, a CLC government.” It plans to operate the site for a hundred proposed National Radioactive Waste executive member, called for all the affected Date farm owner Tim Micklem put years, take the medium level waste to Management facility is available at communities to unite in opposition. forward his 120 hectare property another place, then maintain and monitor www.clc.org.au/media “We need to hear from one another last year in response to the federal the site for another 300 years.

Some of the messages from residents at the Titjikala meeting read: ‘No poison on our land’ and ‘Keep our land safe and clean for our grandchildren’s sake.’ Commonwealth resists pressure to close the justice gap AS THE 25th anniversary of the tabling indigenous people aged 10 to 17 years The council wants all states and NAAJA had argued that only courts of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal are 17 times more likely than their non- territories to trial initiatives that divert should have the power to detain people. Deaths in Custody Report approaches in indigenous peers to have been under Aboriginal people from the courts and NT Coroner Greg Cavanagh criticised April, governments are under mounting youth supervision.” to develop strategies to stop violence the laws after the inquest of Kumanjayi pressure to cut Aboriginal jail rates. The AMA wants governments to against women and children. Langdon, who died in jail following a Across Australia, almost one in three fund programs and services that keep Opposition leader Bill Shorten has paperless arrest. prisoners is Aboriginal, even though Aboriginal people out of prison. promised to bring back the justice Mr Cavanagh said the 2014 laws were Aboriginal people make up only 3% of It argues that the high Aboriginal targets cut by Tony Abbott if Labor wins "manifestly unfair", disproportionately the population. imprisonment rates are a result of the the federal election. targeted Aboriginal people and should The Northern Territory has the highest health gap between Aboriginal and non- But Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel be scrapped. rate of Aboriginal prisoners in the country, Aboriginal Australians. Scullion said bringing back justice But in November last year, the High and the highest number of prisoners per The report highlights mental targets would “send the wrong signal” Court ruled that the laws were valid. head of population anywhere in the world. health conditions, drug and alcohol that Aboriginal offenders are different. Despite the outcome, NAAJA’s Powerful and respected professional abuse, foetal alcohol disorder and Jonathon Hunyor believes the challenge peak bodies such as the Australian other disabilities as drivers of high Paperless arrests are here to stay had won some ground. Medical Association (AMA) and the Law imprisonment rates. “[The High Court] did rule that the Council of Australia have called on the “Life expectancy and overall health Meanwhile in the NT the controversial new police powers are subject to the Commonwealth to reintroduce justice is most definitely linked to prison and ‘paperless arrest’ laws have been blamed normal limits that apply to police arrest targets in the government’s annual Closing incarceration,” the AMA report states. for increasing the record number of and detention powers,” he wrote in The the Gap Report. While the AMA represents Australia’s Aboriginal people in custody. Guardian newspaper. “Between 2014 and 2015 alone, the doctors and health professionals, the The High Court challenge by the North “These include limits on the purpose of number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Law Council represents judges, lawyers Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency arresting people for minor offences and Islander males in prison rose by seven per and legal academics around the country. (NAAJA) against the laws which allow requiring that a detained person must be cent and females by nine per cent,” says Late last year the council called on police to detain people without an arrest taken before a judicial officer as soon as the AMA’s 2015 ‘report card’ on Aboriginal all Australian governments to reduce the warrant for four hours without charge, for is practicable – an important safeguard health that was released late last year. rates and the length of imprisonment of minor offences, has been unsuccessful. against arbitrary detention.” “What is more disturbing is that young Aboriginal people by half, within five years. 6 April 2016 NEWS How traditional owners saved Watarrka

Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park. Photo courtesy Marie Rancon.

BESSIE LIDDLE, Julie Clyne their united appeals to reject an Instead, Mr Giles told the newspaper put their battle on the kitchen got a bit high and and Kevin Ungwanaka took the application by Palatine Energy ABC that traditional owners the front page. the polls got a bit bad they go traditional owners’ long battle for mining, including fracking, were divided about Palatine’s The story showed that and do this. It has been poorly to save Watarrka National Park in their park. proposal. traditional owners who don’t handled,” Mr Falvey told The from mining to the nation’s A week before the three Palatine Energy’s managing always agree on everything Australian. parliament in Canberra – and custodians flew to Canberra director, David Falvey, said the were speaking with one voice CLC Director David Ross won. to ask federal Environment NT government was working against mining in their park. was also critical of the NT The CLC supported the Minister Greg Hunt to through practicalities, such “That area has got a lot government’s handling of the of dreamings,” said Hubert issue. Pareroultja. “We don’t want "After years of unsuccessful that mining mob coming into advocacy on behalf of the that area.” traditional owners we were as Stephen Clyne added: surprised at the announcement “Mining comes and goes but as the company and, evidently, our culture, our land, stays with the NT Chief Minister himself,” us and keeps us strong.” said Mr Ross. “That area has got a lot of dreamings. We don’t want that mining mob coming into that area.”

What happened next was one "Only two days ago, when of those great NT co-incidences. Mr Giles could have responded Shortly after the custodians to our call to explain what his wrapped up their press new oil and gas mining policy conference at Parliament meant for Watarrka, he instead House, Mining Minister Dave made false claims to the ABC of Custodian Julie Clyne and lawyer David Morris address the media at Parliament House. Tollner announced he had divisions among the traditional rejected Palatine’s application owner group." because it didn’t satisfy the As she headed for an early decision of the traditional intervene, NT Chief Minister as exclusion zones around new regulations for oil and gas Canberra dinner, a tired but owners to ask the NT Adam Giles announced plans ‘sensitive areas’ in the park. mining. relieved Julie Clyne relayed Environmental Defenders for new gas and oil mining The custodians application As he took to the airwaves the CLC’s congratulations to Office in November to make regulations. to the federal Environment denouncing a CLC “stunt” the rest of the group. an emergency protection This was a perfect opportunity Minister was a last ditch a stunned David Falvey "Australia owes you a big debt application under federal to reveal at long last if Watarrka attempt to protect their country. complained that his company of gratitude for allowing future heritage laws. would be protected under the While their three had “been led along for 3 ½ generations to continue to enjoy For more than three years, new rules. representatives were on their years” by the NT government. your beautiful country," Mr the NT government had ignored But no announcement came. way to Canberra The Australian “Then just because the heat in Ross said. Calls to reveal new mining policy before NT election THE CENTRAL Land Council This would mean voters will “It needs to prioritise NT opposition to announce a has called on the NT government go to the polls in August without researching the many important moratorium [stop] on fracking. to finalise its new oil and knowing important policy aquifers in central Australia, Opposition leader Michael gas mining policy before the details. such as the Mereenie Aquifer Gunner said if he wins the Territory election in August. "On face value it looks like a which provides drinking water August election he will stop The plans, announced last big step in the right direction, for Alice Springs and many fracking for as long as it takes November, would ban oil and but as we all know, the devil is in remote communities,” said Mr “to do genuine consultation “ gas exploration in areas of high the detail," CLC director David Ross. and a “thorough independent ecological or cultural value. Ross said. The Mereenie Aquifer is part scientific review”. They would also bring oil The government’s discussion of the Amadeus Basin which The Giles government and and gas activities under the NT paper focusses on groundwater is currently the only inland industry have warned the Water Act which governs how in the northern half of the NT petroleum basin with oil and gas moratorium would threaten the Territory allocates, uses and and does not acknowledge the production in the NT. jobs. manages water. importance of groundwater in The CLC’s submission to the The NT government plans the CLC region. Fracking moratorium NT’s fracking inquiry can be to consult about its Balanced The CLC wants the would cost jobs: Giles downloaded from the CLC web Environment Strategy government to come clean about site, www.clc.org.au/media Discussion Draft until next if and how it will protect remote Concerns about water September. community water supplies. supplies have prompted the Photo: NT Chief Minister Adam Giles. Photo courtesy CAAMA. April 2016 7 NEWS Uluru handback anniversary: Hopes, promises and Anangu achievements THE POLITICIANS’ speeches see employment targets and felt endless in the late morning immediate investment to heat but residents listened achieve agreed milestones. politely as the 30th anniversary “The review of joint celebrations of the handback of management is due to conclude the Uluru Kata Tjuta National in the middle of this year. Park unfolded in Mutitjulu in October. Uluru rent money: 10 years As the clock ticked towards of community development noon, traditional owners who had prepared to present the achievements many successful projects they have funded with gate money The real success story of the from the park, watched the anniversary celebrations was visitors glance at their watches. revealed to the few reporters As soon as the photo and guests who stayed behind opportunities were over most to listen to a group of Anangu guests sped off, leaving dust women sitting on the ground and promises in their wake. beside the community’s The Mutitjulu oval would be swimming pool. upgraded, Indigenous Affairs Mutitjulu’s Judy Trigger and Minister Nigel Scullion had Pukatja’s Milyika Carroll were told the crowd. There would be among the traditional owners a new local ranger group and who spoke quietly and proudly the vandalised adult education about a decade of impressive Traditional owner Judy Trigger performs inma during the Uluru handback celebrations in October. centre would be repaired. development outcomes in their Six months later, the communities, using their rent showed, traditional owners fix up the Mutitjulu oval is just and out of trouble, which community is still waiting for money from the park. had invested in successful such an opportunity to meet the fosters community pride and the details. Since 2005 the Uluru Rent community development community half way. cohesion.” Hopes ran high in 1985, when Money (URM) Project has initiatives in dozens of places. But the community can’t Anangu leased the park back to allocated $8 million to 80 “In 2005 Mutitjulu saw Oval upgrade a chance for afford to finish the oval project the Commonwealth, to manage initiatives, 65 of which are the birth of what has become government buy-in on its own. it jointly with Parks Australia. complete. the CLC’s innovative and There is no money for an They wanted to work side Anangu have funded other very successful community ablution block, for electricity in What the minister didn’t seem by side with Parks rangers, initiatives on an ongoing basis. development program,” said the change rooms, or for flood to know was that earlier last year create opportunities to visit Traditional owners have CLC Director David Ross. lights needed for night time elected community members and manage their country, prioritised projects ranging “It started here and today games during the hot months. pass on knowledge through the leads the country when it comes had already committed more It’s where Senator Scullion’s to Aboriginal development than $300,000 of Mutitjulu’s announcement comes in. “Anangu don’t want to be left behind, from the ground up.” share of the rent money for In March he received a letter Independent evaluation and an oval upgrade project. from the CLC, reminding him they want to see employment targets monitoring of the project has Local workers got their white of his promise and inviting him found that it has also reinforced cards and have now started on to contribute the costs for the and immediate investment to achieve Anangu confidence in their two change rooms and a fence unfunded project components. ability to make decisions around the sports grounds. Six months earlier, when he agreed milestones.” and influence development Working with Tangentyere addressed the crowd on the outcomes. Constructions, they also plan to mound of dirt where Anangu It has built their capacity build six grand stands, install a took back rightful ownership of lockable score board and level generations and secure real jobs from support for dialysis to look after the millions of their land all those years ago, and clean the football and for their young people. patients to community dollars they have invested in the media dutifully reported the softball fields and surrounds. CLC director David Ross said stores, church and recreation their own projects, to solve promises. “They want to turn it into a the anniversary was a chance to hall renovations and youth problems, track progress After the last visitors had fully functioning sports and take a good hard look at joint diversionary activities. and to report back to their departed, a group of local softball ground to provide a management, which is currently Judy Trigger explained how communities. kids took the leftover cakes to safe place for healthy activities,” under review. the pool they are operating “Feedback from Anangu the recreation hall, another said the CLC’s community “There is definitely room with their own money helped to shows that they want to achieve building the community has development unit manager for improvement in this lift primary school attendance more training and employment fixed up with its own rent Danielle Campbell. relationship,” he told the ABC. thanks to the community’s ‘yes outcomes,” Mr Ross said. money. “The community sees this He said joint management pool – yes school’ policy. “But they can’t do it on their For these youngsters the project as a major contribution should put Anangu front and The pool may be the best own. To take this to another days of waiting and waiting for to safety and broader wellbeing. centre. known achievement of the level they need government to governments may finally be Sport and social activities “Anangu don’t want to be URM Project, but as the posters co-fund Anangu initiatives.” coming to an end. will keep young people busy left behind, they want to strung up around its fence Minister Scullion’s promise to

Traditional owners looked back with pride on some of the achievements of the URM Project: The new Imanpa store, the renovated Pukatja church and the regional Ara Iritija project.

8 April 2016 NEWS Bush and minister at odds about ABA reforms MEMBERS of the Central Land members on the committee that meeting delegates said representation on the Senator Scullion and the Council have given the thumbs advises the minister about how there should be more CLC committee would result in new ABA chair to the April down to Indigenous Affairs to use ABA funds. representatives on the ABA better advice and more local council meeting to talk about Minister Nigel Scullion’s plan Senator Scullion wants to advisory committee, not fewer. knowledge ensuring that how to make the ABA’s to change the makeup of the cut this number down to two Delegates don’t believe Aboriginal people have a greater decision making process more Aboriginals Benefit Account members and appoint two five members can properly say over how the minister transparent and accountable. Advisory Committee. additional ‘expert’ members. represent the nine CLC regions. spends ABA funds. The CLC has five elected At the November council They said more Aboriginal Delegates have invited

ABA Advisory Committee members Francis Kelly, Conrad Ratara, Veronica Lynch, Harry Nelson and Sandra Morrison. CLC seeks commitment to Utopia and other outstations THE CENTRAL Land Council fulfilling the promise within the The CLC has received no lease just in Utopia,” Mr Ross said. The CLC wants the CLP and has urged NT Labor to tell voters next couple of years. applications for Utopia and very “The Commonwealth has Labor to explain to voters how they whether it will deliver on the CLP “The Utopia region has suffered little detail of what is planned and washed its hands of the outstations plan to fund outstations. election promise to the Utopia many years of neglect from both where. it helped to set up, and handed a “We need both parties to Consultations are likely to take final lump sum payment to the NT guarantee a future for outstations “The Utopia region has suffered many years months, so that any works would government last year. in the NT,” said Mr Ross. take place under the next Territory Meanwhile the Giles government of neglect from both major parties and all government. is using the $150 million lump sum levels of government.” earmarked for NT outstations, What future for other which was meant to last for eight region if it wins the Territory major parties and all levels of outstations? years, to fund election promises in election in August. government,” said CLC director larger communities. In February the Giles David Ross. CLC director David Ross has also In March it announced it will government promised to spend “We’ll make sure Utopia called on both parties to commit to spend $3 million on housing $30 million on new houses, bores, residents are properly consulted a future for outstations in the NT. repairs in Elliott community, north water upgrades, bitumen roads, a about all aspects of the promised “Our constituents want to see of Tennant Creek. NT opposition leader Michael solar power plant and a bakery. investment and that they get every investment in homelands across It can do this because the Gunner addresses CLC The CLC has welcomed the long opportunity to participate in all the Central Australia and an end to Commonwealth handed over the delegates at Arlparra. Will he overdue announcement and said decisions, design and works before the moratorium on new outstation outstation money with no strings keep the government’s promise both parties should commit to any leases are agreed to.” houses or significant upgrades, not attached. if he wins the election? Helping men to own and beat their violence problem A PROGRAM run by three Alice reflect on their lives and imagine Springs agencies aims to hold strong futures for their town men who commit domestic camps, communities and children. violence accountable and Participants shared emotional support them to change their stories of overcoming hardship behaviour. and explored ways to achieve a The $1.5 million Marra’ka better tomorrow in a supportive Mbarintja Men’s Behaviour and encouraging atmosphere. Change Program was launched The women’s conference and by Tangentyere Council, the the launch of the men’s program Alice Springs Women’s Shelter coincided with calls from an and Jesuit Social Services late Aboriginal legal aid service last year. for more culturally specific The program involves training and longer term programs for around anger management and domestic violence offenders. substance abuse. Priscilla Collins, chief It also teaches men that executive of the North financial, physical, mental and Australian Aboriginal Justice verbal abuse are all forms of Shane Franey told CLC delegates at Ikuntji how Tangentyere’s programs help town campers to stop family violence. Agency (NAAJA), told ABC domestic and family violence. News that government agencies Seventy men are taking part home,” said Mr Farrell. “From the very start we have put their demands firmly on can only do so much. in the six month program and “It’s basically making the wanted to be really clear that the agenda. "You can only have two have already completed it. men own their violence and be this wasn’t going to be some Late last year, Tangentyere and government agencies do what Tangenyere’s Social Services accountable for it.” male group of apologists who’d the Women’s Shelter held two- resources they have available,” Manager Richard Farrell said The Jesuit Social Services sit around and justify their day women-only extravaganza Ms Collins told ABC News. the men must agree to their “That's where the Government partners being involved, a “... It’s where men come to be held accountable, to take needs to be focusing on what process overseen by the Alice are the key things communities Springs Women’s Shelter. ownership and hopefully to change their behaviours.” need to be able to deal with “We wanted to have a partner violence. contact service connected to our will monitor the program violence, it’s where men come called “Putting Gender on the “Once you break that cycle, men so when men were coming and give feedback about what to be held accountable, to take Agenda” that attracted 160 what you're looking at is saving here they weren’t saying one participants say is working and ownership and hopefully to women from town camps and money down the road on people thing in group and behaving in not working. They also support change their behaviours.” across Australia. going to jail, compensation, a completely different way at program staff. Meanwhile town camp women The forum was an opportunity to defence lawyers." April 2016 9 NEWS The Printery: keeping stories and language alive ghost gums to the south are the when animals connected to spotted cats coming,” she says. dreaming stories are no longer “Blood from the spotted present in the landscape. cats made the red ochre near The end of traditional Boundary Bore. The spotted lifestyles also plays a part. cats left and the possums had “You can lose a lot of a ceremony near Boundary vocabulary and a lot of Bore, where people used to have knowledge too, because it’s not ceremonies.” in constant use,” she says. The Printery, also known “People are no longer as the Bilingual Resources nomadic hunters and they’re Development Unit (BRDU), has not getting around seeing been producing books, posters, [certain animals] all the time.” Language is threatened when animals connected to dreaming stories are no longer present in the landscape.

and charts in the Warlpiri Last year 16 new books were language since 1974, the year produced at The Printery, bilingual education began in along with a range of other the NT. worksheets, posters and The materials are aimed at educational games. children from pre-school age They will be used in Warlpiri right through to Year 12. schools including Yuendumu, Another former teacher, Nyirrpi, Lajamanu and Wendy Baarda, also works at Willowra. The Printery and is helping “We want our kids to learn Literacy worker Barbara Martin with an illustration for a new book which tells the story of a fight between Barbara put together the new to read in their first language, two ancestral figures. book. Warlpiri,” says Barbara. Wendy says The Printery “These books are important LITERACY worker Barbara known as a spotted or native turns into red ochre.” is one of the most important so we can keep that dreaming Martin is working on a new cat) and a possum. Possums and quolls have language retention projects story going.” children’s book at The Printery, “In the story there are lots of long been absent from central supported by the Warlpiri The illustrator of the quoll and a Warlpiri education resource quolls and lots of possums and Australia but their stories live on. Education and Training Trust possum book is Jan Bauer, a centre based at Yuendumu they’re having a big war - with Barbara explains that the fight (WETT). German graphic artist currently School. boomerangs and spears and between the possums and the Although children in volunteering in Yuendumu. “Jajirdirli-kirlu manu shields,” says Barbara. quolls happened at Yurrpajipi, a Yuendumu speak Warlpiri both Janganpa – kurlu” tells the “Their blood is all dripping swamp south of Boundary Bore. at school and at home, Wendy story of a fight between two down from fighting and when “The mulga trees in the says that language is threatened ancestral beings, a quoll (also the blood drips down, the rock swamp are the possums and the Traditional owner funded Fun on tap: Alekarenge mobile hotspots spread water park has opened THE Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) is installing 30 mobile phone hotspots across Central Australia. CAT will put the mobile hotspots in outstations around Ntaria and Papunya and in the Utopia region. These hotspots are just like those the traditional owners of the Finke Gorge National Park funded with their community lease money. The Aboriginals Benefit Account and the NT government are jointly funding the CAT project. The hotspots provide mobile coverage at an exact location and people need to use the device standing on the platform. They don’t provide full coverage to a community. However Finke, Imanpa, Mt Liebig and Wallace Rockhole are likely to get mobile phone reception this year, thanks to the Commonwealth government’s Mobile Blackspots Program. The CLC has given the program a list of communities and important places that need mobile phone coverage, for example Atitjere, Willowra and the Lajamanu turn-off. Meanwhile Titjikala and FOUR years of waiting ended members of a local group Alekarenge are on a list for with a splash when Graham working with the Central Land additional telecommunication Beasley turned on the tap to Council that has committed upgrades to NT communities. launch Alekarenge’s new water $30,000 of the community’s Flashback: Finke Gorge custodian Kunmanara Ungwanaka tests one of park in February. compensation income for the the new mobile hotspots in 2015. Graham is one of the maintenance of the water park. 10 April 2016 NEWS Homelands push in Yuendumu “I get people fairly regularly coming to me saying we want to move back, can you put us on the list,” said CEO of YKNAC Malcolm Wall. “Some of these places have been set up before and some places all we’re doing when we go there is checking existing infrastructure and giving it a clean up and then people can move in. Other places have nothing.” The outstations range from just a few kilometres away, to several hundred, and only five are funded by the NT Some of the YKNAC crew in the workshop: Left to right: Steven Nelson, John Bauer, Josh Brown, Chris government Robertson, Malcolm Wall. Front : Connull Stevens. One of the few government funded outstations, Yartalu fund YKNAC with half a work together strong.” Affected Area Aboriginal Yartalu, is about 270 million dollars of their five year Tommy’s outstation is about Corporation (GMAAAC) kilometres from Yuendumu lease money. The payment was 150km away from Yuendumu. compensation money from the near the Granites goldmine. compensation for compulsory It was set up in the early Newmont mine to buy a new Malcolm says more families leases taken out during the eighties. bobcat to grade the roads, as YKNAC board member Tommy Watson. are close to moving back out to Intervention. “That’s our land, it’s not just well as a tow truck for vehicle their homelands permanently. Some of that money has been for living, it’s cultural land,” he recovery. A NEW Aboriginal owned “We’ve got a lady and her used to purchase five shipping said. In addition to providing outstation organisation family from Ali Curung who containers and five water tanks “That’s where in the early building and maintenance is causing a bit of stir in have moved back to Yuendumu for the outstations. days things started. services, the corporation has Yuendumu, with many who are going back to an “We’re lucky the lease money The old people who started found new income streams, hoping the venture will be the outstation south of us here,” came along,” said Tommy up the outstation movement, such as rounding up unbranded beginning of a new homelands said Malcolm. Watson, a member of the they’ve all gone and they’ve left cattle. movement. “We’re also waiting on YKNAC board. it up to us, to take it on, for the “The cattle muster has been Now more than six months a generator to be fixed on “We were battling really hard next generation.” a real success for us,” said into operation, the Yapa another outstation just south of to get our outstation movement YKNAC plans to rely on Malcolm. Kurlangu Ngurrara Aboriginal us. Once that’s fixed the family back but we didn’t have any existing contracts with two “We were able to get rid of a Corporation (YKNAC) has 28 that live here will be moving money. local businesses, as well as heap of feral horses and maybe outstations on its books, 19 back.” “[Now] we’ve got to work government funding for five 150 head of cattle. mostly Aboriginal staff and Traditional owners worked together as a team, just like of the outstations. It was a very hectic ten days plenty of work. with the CLC to set up and a football team, we’ve got to It also used Granites Mine but it was a good time.” Yuendumu traditional owners invest in their pool got time to go away and keep Year Amount Funding sources banging on those doors with government so we can try and secure longer term funding 2010 $100,000 GMAAAC from somewhere else as well.” Along with Borroloola’s 2012 $100,000 GMAAAC pool, the Yuendumu facility is on track to become a fully 2014 $200,000 Community lease money accredited swim school through the Royal Lifesaving Society – a 2015 $60,000 GMAAAC first for any remote pool in the Territory. 2015 $230,000 Community lease money Last year, the pool recorded 14,000 visits and over 200 Under her watchful eye, money from the CLC’s Granites organised visits by schools, children from communities Mine Affected Area Aboriginal childcare organisations and including Yuelamu, Willowra Corporation (GMAAAC) other local bodies. and Nyirrpi mingle with the Project, as well as community For pool manager Neil local kids – all enjoying what lease money, which has kept the Hummerston, the numbers she describes as a ‘really happy pool’s doors open. come as no surprise. place’. WYDAC general manager, “I just don’t know what the “I was on cloud nine, really, Brett Badger, says receiving kids would do, to be honest, if the pool wasn’t here,” he said. The Yuendumu pool is on track to “On the weekends, some of become a fully accredited swim school them get here in the morning and they’re still here at knock through the Royal Lifesaving Society – a off time. They’ll go for a swim, Donald Martin diving in the Yuendumu pool. get some lunch, go for a swim, first for any remote pool in the Territory. talk to their friends, go for THE MUCH loved swimming community, rather than another swim. Yeah, I don’t when the traditional owners all more lease money on top of pool at Yuendumu will stay distribute it privately, made know what they did before!” agreed,” she said. GMAAAC funding means the open for another two years, him feel good. The pool’s cultural adviser, “Where would we get the pool has never been more thanks to the generosity of the “It made me a little bit proud Valerie Martin, agrees. money that could keep the secure. traditional owners. to give half of our money “Now we’ve got a pool which swimming pool going?” “To get the lease money was The group has donated half of towards the pool,” he said. is clean, [it] cleans their eyes The pool is operated by the such a massive surprise, you its 2015 leasing income to cover “All the children like the and ears, which is great,” she Warlpiri Youth Development could have knocked us over operating costs for the pool. pool when it’s hot…and all the said. Aboriginal Corporation with a feather that day,” said Leasing income is rent paid visiting neighbours from every “It’s important and the whole (WYDAC), also known as the Brett. by agencies who have leased other place, they come and use community is really proud of it, Mt Theo program. “It gives us the chance to community land. the pool too. especially the little kids. They It receives a small amount know that we’ve got stability Traditional owner Walter Nobody knows this better love coming here, we can’t get of funding from the NT for employment, for provision Lechleitner said the decision than Valerie Martin, who works rid of them sometimes.” to direct $230,000 to the as a cultural adviser at the pool. government but it’s been royalty of the service and that we’ve April 2016 11 NEWS Ten year milestone for CLC ranger group

I think we had 37 people in the group, supervised by two co- ordinators,” said former CLC land management section boss David Alexander. “They won a national land care award that coincided with politicians pulling the pin on the CDEP program, virtually the same day, so that was a bit of a kick in the guts…” “We started off on CDEP and then when CDEP got cut off, we worked for the dole,” said Tjuwanpa Ranger, Jeremy Kenny. “We kept working, kept working alongside of Will.” The Tjuwanpa Rangers finally won funding for full-time employment in 2008 through the federal government’s Working on Country program, an income stream that is secure Tjuwanpa Ranger group celebrating its 10th anniversary at their headquarters near Ntaria (Hermannsburg). until 2018. Around 10 Tjuwanpa Rangers THE CENTRAL Land Council’s I contributed back the other opportunities to work with NT Malcolm Kenny is one of the are now employed by the CLC, Tjuwanpa Ranger group way,” he said. Parks and Wildlife rangers on longest serving rangers in the part of an expanding program marked a decade of service in “I went to places I never the nearby West MacDonnell group. that now employs close to 100 December with a celebration at would have seen otherwise, and Finke Gorge national parks. “When I was getting breaks rangers across central Australia. their headquarters near Ntaria heard little bits of story, ate It also addressed the concerns out bush I’d come back out here Traditional owners guide the (Hermannsburg). and help this mob out, finally I rangers work, which includes About 50 people attended “I just want to work with families, look just joined in,” he said. maintenance of significant a formal ceremony and BBQ, “I enjoyed it, it was a similar sites and vocational education acknowledging the work of past after my grandfather’s country and look sort of work like station work, programs at the local school. and present rangers, ranger co- ordinators and Central Land after other people’s country as well” Council staff. Current co-ordinator Craig bush tucker…it was just a great of traditional owners like LeRossignol said the strength experience for me and it will Conrad Ratara, a former ranger of the group owes a lot to stay with me for the rest of my with NT Parks and Wildlife, commitment and drive of the life.” who wanted jobs and training original rangers. Another former co-ordinator, for young people to keep them “Today’s success is built on Shane Forrester, thanked the out of trouble and give them a their efforts,” he said. rangers for all they had taught future. “Many are still employed him. “I didn’t know what was going on the community and are “The Tjuwanpa rangers were to happen,” said Mr Ratara. traditional owners themselves. calm and focussed and they “But we thought let’s just give Will Dobbie and Conrad Ratara caught up at the anniversary. We draw on their help and took me under their wing,” he it a try, let’s see if we can get expertise.” said. those fellas to work.” but no cattle, just looking after Two former co-ordinators “Every morning I’d get up and Will Dobbie said the group country.” “I just want to work with travelled from Queensland to be so proud and happy to be soon began to thrive. Following short term families, look after my join the celebrations. working amongst them…we did “Conrad would say ‘try it, contracts with NT Parks and grandfather’s country and look Will Dobbie was the first it together and we understood get out on country and try Wildlife, the work expanded to after other people’s country as co-ordinator of the Tjuwanpa and learnt from each other.” something new’,” he said. include the thousands of square well,” said Jeremy. Rangers and maintains a The Tjuwanpa Rangers began “And soon the rangers kilometres of Aboriginal land “And I want to keep working strong connection with the as part of a pilot program that themselves began to play that around Ntaria. with the young kids, keep them community. started when the introduction role, encouraging others to join.” “By the time they’d got the out of trouble, they’re pretty “I’m sure I learnt more than of joint management opened up Former station worker momentum up to a fever pitch good if they work with us.” Farewell to David Alexander FORMER land management section head, David Alexander, enjoyed an early farewell of sorts during the Tjuwanpa anniversary celebrations. David worked with traditional owners during the heady days of the land rights struggle (pictured on the right). He and his partner Jayne Lloyd, a former CLC anthropologist, have very fond memories of the Tennant Creek region, where they lived in the 80s. In the new millennium David became the driving force behind the CLC’s successful ranger program, overseeing its growth from the first ranger group in Lajamanu to the 11 ranger groups working across the CLC Fire in the belly: David started as a land use research officer at the region today. David Alexander at the Tjuwanpa anniversary celebrations. CLC’s directorate back in 1983. 12 April 2016 NEWS Promised Muti ranger group could help to close the gap hospital. “Alcohol was a huge problem here, we had to go into “It is important that we restrictions and stuff in the past,” he said. listen to Aboriginal and “[But] once the ranger program was put into place - the people out in country, Torres Strait Islander they're walking around, they're exercising, they're eating good people when they tell tucker. And it's giving our kids a purpose. “We're ready to hit the straps us what is working.” out here, we just need to be helped, resourced to start running and get the job done.” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull The Commonwealth’s Closing the Gap Speech, 2016 Indigenous Ranger Program currently funds 770 full time positions around Australia. But the demand for the jobs is so high that many groups like the Ngadju rangers aren't getting paid. “It ticks every box you can think of,” said Les Schultz. “We just gotta step out there and say bloody fair go mate, it's time for these people to Kaltukatjara ranger co-ordinator Benji Kenny. Will his team soon be joined by the Mutitjulu Rangers? get back on country and we're WHEN Malcolm Turnbull “A proper ranger group at programs. every department,” he said. going to help them.” became the latest Prime Mutitjulu could capitalise on Patrick O'Leary from the “You know, we're here, we can Minister Scullion said it’s Minister to promise that his employment opportunities environment group Pew bring a positive to all of this.” too early to speculate whether government would ‘close the in the new Katiti Petermann Charitable Trusts told the ABC’s Mr Schultz says the volunteer the next budget will increase gap’, Aboriginal leaders were Indigenous Protected Area and PM program that a backlog of program is reducing the gaps funding for existing ranger sceptical. get ready to take advantage of Aboriginal people are waiting the government is trying to groups and fund new groups, They had heard those words real job opportunities inside the for paid ranger jobs around the close. such as the Mutitjulu rangers. before. park, where few local Aboriginal country. “We've got less people using They want the federal people work,” Mr Ross said. “Certainly our indigenous the detox unit now at our government to put its money “We are working with Parks partners on the ground tell behind existing programs that Australia and the Department us that if anything is closing are already closing the gap, but of Prime Minister and Cabinet the gap, this kind of job aren't funded adequately. on how to get a Mutitjulu ranger does - working on country is The CLC’s successful ranger group off the ground.” something that's really sought program is one of these The CLC will not take money after on the ground.” programs. off its existing 11 ranger groups, Indigenous leaders across It is currently only funded such as the Kaltukatjara Australia want ranger program until 2018 and gets many more Rangers in Docker River who funding doubled in the federal Congratulations to the CLC’s Docker River Ranger enquiries for ranger jobs than are already managing the huge government’s May budget and co-ordinator, Benji Kenny (pictured above), a finalist it can offer. Indigenous Protected Area a commitment to extend the in the NT Young Achiever Awards! Aboriginal Affairs Minister (IPA) surrounding the Uluru current funding past 2018. Benji’s and his team have been hard at work Nigel Scullion announced Kata Tjuta National Park on a Elder Les Schultz from on the recently declared Katiti-Petermann back in October, during the shoestring. Western Australia’s Ngadju Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). celebrations of the 30th Mr Ross said it’s not yet community told PM that their anniversary of the handback clear whether the new group local volunteer ranger program “The traditional owners of the country where of Uluru Kata Tjuta National would be run by the CLC or has trained about 30 people in I’m working at Docker River – most of them are Park, that he would support a Parks Australia, who currently fire prevention as well as weed getting old and they haven’t been out to their country new ranger group in Mutitjulu. support a group of casual and feral animal management. for ages,” Benji told ABC Alice Springs. But the minister was careful workers known as the Mutitjulu “Right now we've got ferals not to promise any new money. Community Rangers. that are just out of proportions, CLC director David Ross had Indigenous ranger groups we've got weeds that are just not “And the first time you take them out they’resee them really called on Senator Scullion to are funded through the being managed by government happy, joyful, you know? “It’s good to fund the new ranger group in Commonwealth’s Working on because government has cut real happy and glad that they’re back out on country.” the lead up to the anniversary. Country and Indigenous Ranger right back with its funding in Proud Anmatyerr rangers open their doors THANKS to the ranger group "We showed the community for sharing these photos from some of the work we have their recent open day at Ti Tree. achieved over the years and “It was a special day for the rangers, community and school “I felt really proud of what we’ve students,” said senior ranger, achieved over the years.” Serena Presley. “I felt really proud of what community members were we’ve achieved over the years impressed with what we have... Warlpiri rangers Christine Michaels Ellis, Magda Curtis and Luke Dingle – the ranger station started as done. I felt really proud seeing trapped their first fox at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary near Nyirrpi. a little demountable block and so many people come to our The fox was caught in a leg hold trap in habitat of the threatened great now we have a lovely office to open day.” desert skink and mulgara. organise and plan our work. Anmatyerr Rangers open day.

April 2016 13 NEWS 10 years of WETT: no piece of cake CUTTING the birthday cake founding members. was the fun and easy part. In 2005 a group of local But getting this far has been teachers asked CLC director no piece of cake, as the Yapa David Ross to help them find a teachers gathered for the 10th way to use some of their mining anniversary of the Warlpiri royalties for education and Education and Training Trust training projects. (WETT) well knew. “We had to Their timing was good. The talk up strong for our kids and CLC, on behalf of the traditional their future,” WETT committee owners, was re-negotiating the chair Maisie Kitson told the mining contract with Newmont. local media. On top of more money for “Now support for WETT is the members of the Kurra really strong.” Aboriginal Corporation, the new Late last year WETT’s deal included an additional half founding mothers invited their per cent of total royalties for supporters and partners to a new education and training the CLC kitchen to celebrate trust. At the time this was close the outstanding community to $1.23 million per year. Not development success WETT all traditional owners were on WETT Advisory Committee members blow out the candles on their birthday cake. has become. board. Over the past decade Warlpiri In the planning stages the 2008 and the first community established training, learning “WETT is for all Yapa, traditional owners have CLC consulted Yapa about learning centre opened its doors and employment pathways. everyone.” invested more than $18 million programs they wanted to in Nyirrpi in 2010. There is a model early The birthday celebration was dollars of their mining royalties fund. This led to a number of The diversity of WETT childhood program in Willowra also a farewell for one of the from Newmont’s Granites mine language and culture projects in programs reflects Yapa that combines a playgroup trust’s earliest and most loyal to improve education and the community schools. education priorities. and certificate training for partners, WYDAC’s outgoing training in Willowra, Nyirrpi, During WETT’s first year the As former committee playgroup workers with strong CEO Susie Low. Yuendumu and Lajamanu. trust invested in transport for member Cecily Granites put local governance. WETT’s partnerships with The WETT advisory language and culture activities, it: “There are things like School based language and local Aboriginal organisations committee worked with the CLC a printery in Yuendumu to purlapa [traditional dance] culture programs continue are among the secrets of its to set up Learning Community produce Warlpiri books and Centres and other programs teaching materials, school in their communities. These country visits with elders and a “There are things like purlapa and childcare, include early childhood, youth Warlpiri picture dictionary. and media, language and Building the capacity of the even country visits when we take kids out culture and secondary student Yapa members of the WETT support programs. advisory committee has so they can learn. It’s all part of education.” Maisie and her fellow been a priority from the very committee members – Yapa beginning. and childcare, even country country visits and camps and success, according to founding teachers and educators As their confidence grew, visits when we take kids out so the production of Warlpiri member Barbara Martin. from the four communities, they sought partners for they can learn. It’s all part of books that support two way “Everyone is working together representatives from major programs. The Warlpiri education.” learning. to make WETT a strong Newmont, the CLC and an Youth Development Aboriginal Ten years on, each of the four The governance of WETT program for our kids,” she said. independent education expert Corporation (WYDAC), Warlpiri communities offers is stronger than ever, with With ten more years forecast – remembered how it all Batchelor Institute, PAW Media adults opportunities for formal many of the original advisory for the Granites mine, WETT is started. and World Vision all came on and informal learning and committee members sticking in a strong position to support “The idea for WETT came board. Some stayed. training through the learning around to mentor the new Warlpiri education and training from meetings between the The secondary student centres. members coming through each into the future. Warlpiri schools. We got support program started in The youth and media year. Committee membership is “With that mine getting together and talked about 2007, the youth and media program has evolved into a more diverse than 10 years ago. bigger we hope that WETT Warlpiri education,” said program and the early development program that “It’s not only for school will go for another 10 years or Marlkirdi Rose, one of the childhood program followed in guides young people along people,” said Marlkirdi. more,” said Maisie. Warlpiri share indigenous education message with the world YUENDUMU’s Barbara Martin Enid, from the Warlpiri Youth the US, Canada, Norway and our stories and our teaching about how we teach themes and Enid Gallagher have taken Development Aboriginal Hawaii how the Warlpiri with other people from other to catch all that knowledge – lessons from two successful Corporation (WYDAC), schools teach their own places. We are similar in many plants, animals, ceremony, Warlpiri programs to New travelled to the Language, language and culture. ways,” Barbara said. songs. We shared about how Zealand to share them with Education and Diversity Enid presented about how “People were interested in we organise our programs and indigenous educators from Conference in Auckland in WYDAC’s youth programs keep how we use Warlpiri money she wanted ideas from us about around the world. November. language and culture strong. to support Warlpiri language themes. She learned something Barbara, a member of Barbara explained to “Lots of people came to hear and culture, and about WETT. from us.” the Warlpiri Education and indigenous educators and our presentations. I felt strong We told them how we invest “Lots of people from different Training Trust (WETT) and academics from New Zealand, and enthusiastic about sharing Warlpiri money ourselves.” places like Arizona and New Barbara said she really Zealand said that animals have enjoyed learning from a special role in their culture indigenous teachers from other – like they have dreamings in cultures. Native American and Māori “We were all at a special culture. They are important Māori place, the Marae at the spirits and messengers,” university. All the walls have Barabara said. wood carvings like totem “In our way, we go to our poles with all the spirits and country and talk to spirits. ancestors for different groups. So we have to teach children All the Māori greeted us with properly too. They do that too.” songs to welcome us. We met a “One night, young Māori lot of people that day.” people came to perform for She also listened to a Hopi the conference. They are Kapa [Native American] teacher from Haka national champions. They Arizona. were so strong and they were “It’s dry country there. She singing really traditional Māori talked about planning their warrior songs. We could hardly Hopi language program by the believe it!” Enid Gallagher and Barbara Martin at the conference in New Zealand. seasons, so we could share 14 April 2016 NEWS Anangu teach words for feelings UTI KULINTJAKU, in Pitjatjantjara, means to think and understand clearly. It’s also the name of the team behind some great work bridging the ‘emotional literacy gap’ between English and Pitjantjatjara/Ngaanyatjarra speakers. The NPY Women’s Council’s Uti Kulintjaku team are senior Anangu consultants and mental health professionals who are working together to make innovative new resources to improve mental health. The resources include video animations, posters and even fridge magnets! “We believe that if people can find the words to express their feelings, then they are better equipped to ask for the help they need,” said Angela Lynch, who manages NPYWC’s Ngankari Program. So far, the team has made three video animations featuring key words to talk about feelings, health and wellbeing. Kungka Mirrpantju, (upset and bad tempered young woman), for example, is the story of a young woman who is angry about being teased and how the love and support of family and friends helped her to feel better. Told in Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantjatjara with English subtitles, the animations can be found on the NPYWC Katelnd Griffin and Valerie Foster record the Ngaanyatjarra script for theKungka Mirrpantju animation. web site, www.npywc.org.au. The team has also launched a new of Land Rights News, is about growing product are bilingual fridge magnets staff are coming in to buy them,” said poster which shows the stages of a up strong, healthy children. with mental health terms. store owner Siri Omberg. child’s development from an Anangu Making the poster allowed senior They are currently being sold at For more information about the Uti perspective. indigenous women and ngangkari the Tjanpi Desert Weavers Gallery in Kulintjaku project and its resources, Pilyirrnguru Purlkarringkunytja/ (traditional healers) to share their Wilkinson Street and the Ininti store in call NPYWC on 8958 2345 or email Iti Nguru Pulkaringkunytja (child knowledge of child rearing practices. Alice Springs’ Todd Mall. [email protected] development), in the centre of this issue Another popular Uti Kulintjaku “Lots of hospital and mental health

Want to go to uni? Haven’t completed Year 12 or studied in a while? Our Preparation for Tertiary Success (PTS) program is specially designed to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to succeed at university. If you are ready to study, we also offer a range of university undergraduate degrees including: • Education • Health • Indigenous languages ACIKE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN • Indigenous knowledges CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY AND BATCHELOR INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS • Indigenous policy TERTIARY EDUCATION

APPLY NOW for Semester One | www.batchelor.edu.au/ACIKEcourses

April 2016 15

NEWS

RTO Provider 0383 ENROL NOW Our graduates are Our graduates are Our graduates are creative role models confident

Visual Arts Education Media Our graduates are Our graduates are Our graduates mean building business caring their futures

Health and Wellbeing Construction Business and Governance

Over 40 years in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education www.batchelor.edu.au/VETcourses Red dirt education – the view from the bush parents of school children, “Extra resources invested in closing the gap in education the child to be brave and to or are in the early stages of strengthening local aspirations means making remote learn new things,” she said. training and employment. and capacity builds a learning community values, languages “Our children need to learn The CLC has partnered with environment for improved and aspirations central to the together with us as one spirit. the CRC REP to gain a better outcomes.” schooling experience. Our spirits are like a solid rock understanding of what they “A very remote school that “There are many gaps in our for them to stand on.” demand from an education. strengthens relationships with children’s spirits and they can’t The RES project has put The RES project shows that communities define successful “When locals are working in the front office, school grounds, remote schooling as ‘parents in classrooms, canteens and on school busses, children are and communities involved in education’. more likely to attend and to be more confident and successful in While schools need to engage with families and the engaging with school based learning activities.” Anangu educator Katrina Tjitayi. community, the researchers families and communities and close them on their own. When presentations by remote say that trying to force people responds to the values, culture, a child is afraid, he can’t learn,” Aboriginal educators like EDUCATION should support doesn’t work. languages and aspirations of said Anangu education leader Katrina on YouTube. community aspirations for “It just discourages families the local community is far Katrina Tjitayi. culture, land, language and from joining in school,” said more likely to build success on “This is the way we can To listen to them go to identity. researcher Sam Osborne, a anyone’s terms,” he said. close the gaps: The child is in http://goo.gl/3WM7uK and It should also prepare young former remote school principal “It certainly beats hoping for the middle and his family are http://goo.gl/FYKb3f people for employment. now working as a senior research some form of ‘miraculous’ large around him... For more information about These are some of the strong fellow on the RES team. scale intervention.” “When the family watches the RES project go to beliefs of people in remote Sam said analysis of Educators from remote over him, the child feels secure. crc-rep.com.au/ central Australian communities, myschools data shows that very communities agree that The mother and father can help remote-education-systems according to research from remote schools with more local the Co-operative Research non-teaching staff get better Centre for Remote Economic attendance and literacy and Participation (CRC REP). numeracy results. Central land CounCil online The centre’s Remote “When locals are working in Educations Systems (RES) the front office, school grounds, ClC digital photo archive: http://clc.ara-irititja.com project has analysed more than in classrooms, canteens and 1100 contributions from very on school busses, children are ClC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CentrallC remote community residents more likely to attend and to be in the CLC region over the past more confident and successful land Rights news Central Australia five years. in engaging with school based http://www.clc.org.au/land-rights-news/ Almost two out of three learning activities.” Aboriginal people in this region The research also found a ClC website: www.clc.org.au are 29 years or younger. This strong relationship between means that most of them are funding and student results. ClC FReeCAll 1800 003 640 likely to be in school, are young 18 April 2016 EDUCATION Land Council speaks out about Sally teaches Aboriginal education gap

THE Central Land Council has called bush are still missing out on a good start outside the box for urgent reforms as the latest Closing to school,” Mr Ross said. the Gap report shows little progress in The submission also highlights “The work Sally was doing was tackling the education crisis out bush. concerns about the NT government’s groundbreakingly positive, and she The Commonwealth’s 2016 report push to end secondary schooling in created a real model for other schools,” demonstrated that Aboriginal students remote communities. he said. in the Northern Territory not only “Even though there is no clear evidence Ms Mackande spent several years remain behind the rest of Australia when that boarding schools are creating developing a night school program for it comes to attendance but that the NT successful education outcomes for parents from the Rockhole, Binjari and deserves a ‘fail’ for its poor reporting of indigenous students, the NT government Kalano communities to help them get education results. is pushing ahead with plans for more involved with their children’s Indigenous Advisory Council residential facilities in regional centres schoolwork. chair Warren Mundine said the while starving secondary education in “Building that relationship and having Commonwealth should make states remote communities,” Mr Ross said. relationships with parents, it doesn’t “Strong family connections, The CLC submission recommends matter whether they are indigenous or research to demonstrate the links not, if you have that relationship then personal identity and respect between education results and boarding the kids will come to school for a start for local knowledge and schools. and get stuck into their work, rather It also calls on the NT government to than thinking about ‘when is home time, languages are important for properly resource bilingual education. when is lunch time’,” she said. improving student results.” “Our members know that strong “So, that made a huge difference in the family connections, personal identity kids being at school.” and territories provide more detailed and respect for local knowledge and As well as developing a night school information as a condition of education languages are important for improving program that covered literacy, numeracy funding. student results.” and digital literacy, Ms Mackande “We need to know that individual “These principles need to be part of a helped new teachers break the ice by data,” he told the ABC. high performing, high quality education taking them into the communities. “It helps us map how do we work with and training system.” Teacher Sally Mackande. Photo courtesy “When we got new teachers come families and how do we work with kids Mr Ross said CLC constituents feel Fairfax Media. to school, I would take them out and to improve them attending schooling that they and their families are being introduce them to families, and it helped and also the quality of education and blamed for poor school results while TEACHER Sally Mackande has been break the ice,” she said. the standard of education that they’re the education system’s failures are never honoured for the dramatic difference “Some parents have had really receiving.” addressed. she has made to the life of students bad experiences at school and find it His comments coincide with The absence of a strong Aboriginal at Katherine’s Clyde Fenton Primary daunting to come to school, so I’d take recommendations from the CLC for voice in the NT education debate allows School and surrounding communities [the new teachers] out for visits [in the more transparent reporting about NT these failures to go unchallenged. over the past five years. communities].” education spending and results. “We have called on the inquiry Ms Mackande’s dedication was Ms Mackande is currently the acting The CLC’s submission to the federal to recommend the creation of an recognised in Melbourne in March teaching principal at Wugularr School Inquiry into Educational Opportunities independent Aboriginal controlled peak when she received the Arthur Hamilton in Beswick and plans to “see how things for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NT Aboriginal education body,” said Mr Award, a national Australian Education go” at the end of the contract. Students also calls for urgent reform of Ross. Union (AEU) honour for outstanding In the future, she said she wants to remote school funding. The inquiry is holding public hearings achievement in indigenous education. take leave to study early childhood CLC director David Ross reminded the in Alice Springs on 6 May and is due to The AEU’s NT branch president education. government to deliver on its promise report in June. Jarvis Ryan said he was impressed This is an edited version of a story that to provide early childhood education The CLC submission can be with the work Ms Mackande had done first appeared in the North Queensland across remote communities. downloaded from the CLC web site, in challenging circumstances. Register. “The vast majority of pre-schoolers out www.clc.org.au Iltyem-iltyem: Sign of the times ANMATYERR speakers have shared commented how much they enjoyed being done around the world. their knowledge about central Australian seeing Aboriginal people present about “What amazed me was seeing the ways sign languages with an international their own sign and spoken languages that sign languages are just as diverse audience. through video recordings. and complex as spoken languages. It was April Campbell, Clarrie and Janie Long “The Iltyem-iltyem project is a a real eye opener,” said Elizabeth, who from Ti Tree travelled to Melbourne to wonderful example of how Batchelor had never been to a conference like it. present at an international sign language Institute is working to preserve our The women were impressed by the conference in February. endangered indigenous languages that skills of the interpreters, who translated The Theoretical Issues in Sign form part of our national identity and between the many spoken and signed Language Research Conference is held rich cultural history and diversity”, she languages of the conference participants. three years and attracts researchers said. Presenting at the conference has from all over the world. The group told the conference that inspired Elizabeth to set her eyes on The women were part of a group they had spent three years recording a new goal: “We would like to get our of researchers who gave a talk about Aboriginal sign languages and creating indigenous sign languages taught Iltyem-iltyem, a project of Bachelor an online sign language dictionary. through the school system.” Institute that documents Aboriginal sign They also learned about similar work languages from Australia’s central and western deserts. Many researchers at the conference had no idea that Aboriginal sign languages exist and are still being used. The Iltyem-iltyem project includes Ngaatjatjarra linguist Elizabeth Ellis from the Australian National University, Jenny Green from Melbourne University and Margaret Carew from Batchelor. “Sign is very important to us. We learn sign language, as well as spoken language, from our parents and families as we are growing up”, Elizabeth said. “A real eye opener,” Elizabeth Ellis. Margaret said many people Ti Tree’s April Campbell (centre) speaks about Aboriginal sign language at the conference. April 2016 19 NEWS Adam Goodes supports Aboriginal entrepreneurs

FORMER AFL star Adam Goodes is three per cent of government contracts making his mark by backing Aboriginal by 2020. entrepreneurs. “I’m going to continue being who I am Goodes is on the board of Supply and keep standing up for what I believe Nation, an organisation set up by Kevin in,” he said. Rudd’s Labor government to help “I’m just really proud that the things indigenous businesses win contracts that I’m involved in are things I’m for goods and services from federal passionate about.” government departments. At the moment only 0.02 per cent Supply Nation certifies indigenous of businesses winning government owned businesses and helps them contracts belong to Aboriginal people. market their services. Adam Goodes says Supply Nation needs “The way forward for our people is the support of the whole community and education and it is earning our own a lot of promotional effort to increase wealth,” Adam Goodes told the ABC. that percentage. Goodes new direction: the former footy star means business. Photo courtesy ABC/Jonathon Gul. “And I find that indigenous owned “A lot of people might not know about businesses are hiring indigenous people, [Aboriginal businesses],” he said. US where they met executives of some Google,” said Goodes. which is also then creating more wealth “They might not know the services that of the world’s most successful tech “These companies that are just right in the communities. those businesses provide and how we companies. on the edge of using IT [information Since swapping the footy field can actually grow their business.” Some of Australia’s biggest companies technology], design, different innovation for the boardroom, Goodes has Earlier this year Supply Nation paid for the trip. techniques that can really benefit all of been determined to help Aboriginal organised a visit of four Aboriginal “It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet our businesses back here in Australia.” businesses reach the goal of winning business owners to Silicon Valley in the with companies like Facebook and Funding worries for Aboriginal governance program A PROGRAM that builds strong NT The Aboriginal Governance and and long term on site advice for “If their good work must end due Aboriginal organisations and leaders may Management Program (AGMP), Aboriginal organisations, will run out to lack of funding, it will be a great soon end if it can’t get ongoing funding. which provides workshops, resources of Commonwealth funding in June. opportunity lost for more strong Overseen by the Aboriginal Peak organisations to lead Aboriginal The program plans to become the more permanent and independent Aboriginal Governance and Management Centre if it can secure ongoing funding. It would remain Aboriginal run. Organisations NT (APONT), which community and economic development,” includes the Central Land Council, the said CLC director David Ross. program has been unable to secure The program plans to become the more further funding. permanent and independent Aboriginal It has applied to the Commonwealth’s Governance and Management Centre if Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), it can secure ongoing funding. It would the NT government and the Aboriginals remain Aboriginal run. Benefit Account. More information about the program, Big business and philanthropic its very positive independent evaluation David Ross drums up support for the Aboriginal Governance and Management Program organisations have also been approached and how to help its work continue is at during a corporate lunch in Sydney. for support. www.aboriginalgovernance.org.au. All in a day’s work for Leonie TWENTY one year old Leonie Jones is with a living allowance, study and travel one of the CLC’s newest recruits, coming costs and a wage. on board as a human resources (HR) “With the cadetship you get a wage the officer in December. whole time, while you’re studying as well She was offered the position after as when you’re on placement – it’s pretty completing a cadetship with the CLC, good,” says Leonie. a program which gave her valuable Leonie completed a Bachelor of support while she was completing her Business majoring in HR Management “The program provides a strong pathway to employment, combining tertiary studies and the opportunity to apply that knowledge through work experience with CLC” Leonie Jones went from an indigenous cadetship to a full time HR job in three years. university studies in Adelaide. at the end of last year, and didn’t have “The cadetship runs for as long as your long to wait before she was offered the pathway to employment, combining For local woman Leonie, full time degree,” she explains. job. tertiary studies and the opportunity work is great, but there are a few things “My cadetship was for three years and “I was offered the job just before my to apply that knowledge through work about the student lifestyle she’s missing. I had to come back every year and do a final exams,” she says. experience with CLC,” he said. “I think I’m still getting used to coming 12 week placement.” “It feels good to be working and it feels “When they finish, cadets can either to work every day, it’s not like university The CLC’s cadetship program is good to be home.” pursue employment with the CLC or where I had a bit more free time!” run in partnership with an Australian David Hurst, the CLC’s training and in the private, public and community government initiative called Indigenous development officer, says the cadetship sectors. For more information about a Cadetship Support (ICS). program is a great step forward in “We’re extremely proud of all of our cadetship with the Central Land The scheme allows the CLC to support closing the employment gap. cadets and look forward to continuing Council, call 8951 6325. students in a range of professional fields “The program provides a strong this program.” 20 April 2016 NEWS Meet the manager: Martin Darr

Any questions about CLC business? Call your regional officers:

1. ALICE SPRINGS Nigel Lockyer, 8951 6264

2. SOUTH WEST

Martin Darr, Manager of the Regional Services Unit (RSU) at the Central Land Council. Vacant (Marty Darr), 8951 6255

MARTIN DARR is an Martin says when he started the desert a try. 3. NORTH WEST Aboriginal/South Sea Islander out in the unit, he got help from Having a strong interest man who has headed up the the elders. in Aboriginal affairs, Martin Rob Roy, 8975 0885 Central Land Council’s Regional “A lot of the older mothers packed his bags and headed Services Unit (RSU) for the last and some of the men, they took inland where he landed an three years. Martin joined the me under their wing and helped administration role in the CLC’s 4. TANAMI unit, which organises all big me,” he said. Native Title Unit in 2004. CLC meetings out bush, in “They all knew I was from “A lot of my work back in Alan Dickson, 8956 4118 2006. Before he took on the top Queensland, they introduced those days was with Lhere job, he co-ordinated the CLC’s me to people and told me Artepe, [the Alice Springs’ busy Region 1, working with different things to help me do native title representative 5. WEST traditional owners, delegates my job, cultural things like body]. We ran meetings with Vacant (Marty Darr), 8951 6255 and constituents in Alice when to talk and when not to the executive. Springs, Wallace Rockhole, talk.” “But when they became Amoonguna, Hermannsburg, As English is not the first independent all the work that I 6. TENNANT CREEK Titjikala and Santa Teresa. language of many Aboriginal did on a daily basis pretty much Originally from Queensland, people in the CLC region the fell through.” Darryl “Tiger” Fitz, 8962 2343 Martin was drawn to the RSU RSU team play an important Martin then moved to the because he didn’t mind a long role in distributing information RSU. In charge of Region 1 drive and he loved the ‘hands and making sure members for seven years, Martin found 7. EASTERN SANDOVER on’ nature of the work. understand it so they can make himself assisting a lot of the Jesyjames Carr, 8951 6255

“It’s really important for the traditional owners and 8. EASTERN PLENTY the delegates to understand the topics because Richard Dodd, 8956 9722 they’re making decisions that affect the future.” 9. CENTRAL “You’re dealing directly informed decisions. same traditional owners he’d Lawrie Liddle, 8952 6256 with traditional owners and “They’re the contact point worked with for Lhere Artepe, from there you’re dealing with for the delegates, for each one as well as spending a bit more delegates who are the decision of our council meetings,” says time out bush. makers,” he said. Martin. Seven years later, he threw his “I was also interested in “Part of their role is listening hat in the ring for the position learning about the Aboriginal in on meetings and advising of RSU manager. Interested in working for the side of life, because the way I staff to use simple, clear “That was my ultimate goal,” was brought up, we didn’t have language. says Martin. that – my father was a minister “It’s really important for the “I would often put my hand Regional Services Unit? of religion.” traditional owners and the up for extra work when other The RSU has 14 Aboriginal delegates to understand the positions were vacant. staff members who provide topics because they’re making “I’d been to meetings right There are two vacant regional an important link between the decisions that affect the future.” across the land council region CLC’s operations, its elected Martin has come a long way and had gotten to know services officer positions. One in members and constituents. since he started his career in everybody. I was wrapped when The unit provides transport, Townsville in the early 80s, I got the job.” the Mutitjulu region and one meals, and other essentials for working in what was then the Martin says working for the Papunya region. large meetings that are held Commonwealth Department of the CLC has been incredibly all over the CLC region. This Education. satisfying, despite it being very massive area is broken up into After 14 years in both different from his home town These vacancies are nine separate regions, each education and employment in of Ayr, just south of Townsville, Aboriginal identified positions. assigned a regional services the public service, he took a which is full of sugar cane and officer. break so he could take care of minutes from the beach. For more information The RSU also co-ordinates family responsibilities. When “I love working with the elections of CLC delegates he was ready to re-enter the Aboriginal people, I’ve learnt a call 8951 6377. and assists communities with work force, a relative in Alice lot over here.” ceremony funding. Springs encouraged him to give April 2016 21 NEWS Will women get an equal say in APY governance? WOMEN may get an equal say The gender equality measure Anangu Lands Paper Tracker on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara is one of several changes in February there will be Yankunytjatjara Lands for the proposed by an independent consultation meetings over the first time if proposed changes review of the APY Act that next couple of months. to the APY Land Rights Act are started three years ago. These meetings, which will passed by South Australia’s Chaired by former Supreme take place across the APY lands parliament. Court judge Robyn Layton, and in Alice Springs, will be an Under the changes, half the the review aimed to improve opportunity for people to have seats on a future 14 member governance on the lands. their say about the proposed APY Executive Board will be Among the recommended changes. reserved for women, with each changes are criminal record If the SA parliament votes of the seven APY electorates checks of APY candidates. for the proposed changes fresh voting for one man and one Anyone who has been found elections for the APY Executive woman. guilty of a serious offence in will have to be held within six The state government’s push the last 10 years would not be months. for gender equality is the first allowed to stand for election. of its kind in Australia and Serious offences are crimes More information about would radically change the APY against people such as sexual the proposed changes, Executive. offences and serious drug including in Pitjantjatjara/ APY Executive chair Milyika crimes. Yankunytjatjara, are at www. Milyika Paddy, chair of the APY Executive, enjoys some bush tucker at Paddy currently is the only SA Aboriginal Affairs papertracker.com.au/2016 Blackstone. Photo courtesy NPYWC. female member of the board. Minister Kyam Maher told The Community opposition against nuclear dump ignored DESPITE strong community down to Lake Torrens, so it's a opposition against a nuclear very significant place for us." waste dump at all six of the Ten years ago Adnyamathanya shortlisted sites the major man Tony Clark helped to win parties are not prepared to drop the fight against a nuclear dump any of them from the shortlist. at Woomera. Now he is fighting In February Liberal and to keep the Flinders Ranges free Labor MPs voted down a Senate from nuclear waste. motion by the Green Party “This is a pristine area and to acknowledge community represents a dreaming story opposition at all six shortlisted that we want to preserve,” Mr nuclear waste sites and to Clark said. remove them from the list. “The white man preserves Local opposition to a nuclear ancient things in museums, this waste dump is strong not only part of our land is our museum. in the Northern Territory “So our great grandchildren "It's actually the site of our first storyline that runs 70 kilometres from Hawker right down to Lake Torrens, so it's a very significant place for us." (see story p. 6), New South can come along with their Wales and Queensland. South great grandchildren and show Australian communities are people.” also deeply divided. The other shortlisted sites in The Adnyamathana people SA are near the small farming spirit, but at the moment that’s findings said the state should Labor leader Bill Shorten has of the Flinders Ranges don’t community of Kimba. getting ripped apart because of also look at storing high level praised the royal commission’s want the facility to be located at Local farmer Peter Woolford this nuclear waste dump.” nuclear waste from other interim report. Wallerberdina Station, north- owns land near one of the The federal government has countries. He is now under pressure west of Hawker. proposed sites. said it won’t choose a site if the That goes well beyond the low from inside and outside his "We're just hoping that it's not He told the ABC’s PM community is opposed. to medium level waste plans for party to stand by Labor’s going to be here," traditional program that the stress of the But Mr Woolford was the six sites shortlisted by the opposition to the importation owner Regina McKenzie told government’s consultations is sceptical. Commonwealth. and storage of nuclear waste. ABC News. taking its toll. “The consultation team Almost half of South The Greens say Mr Shorten "It's actually the site of our “The community is fractured. cannot tell us what percentage first storyline that runs 70 Kimba is a wonderful place to is against, you know, we’ve kilometres from Hawker right live, it has great community asked that question to them, “The community is fractured. Kimba is ‘what percentage against will a wonderful place to live, it has great stop this?’,” he said. “But at the end of the day they community spirit, but at the moment keep saying to us that it’s up to the minister’s discretion.” that’s getting ripped apart because of this The Commonwealth government is whittling down nuclear waste dump.” the shortlisted sites from March. An announcement is Australia’s voters back a high has raised the stakes on moves expected later in the year. level nuclear waste dump in to establish an international their state, according to a nuclear waste dump in A high level waste dump recent survey of 474 voters by Australia. The Advertiser newspaper and “Far from being a miracle for South Australia? Galaxy Research. cure for South Australia’s More men favoured such a faltering economy, hosting the The Commonwealth process facility than women. Support world’s radioactive waste sets has been running alongside was highest in Adelaide, while the state up for colossal open- SA’s Royal Commission into in the three northern areas ended costs for thousands of This waterhole is near where a nuclear waste dump would be built, if the Nuclear Cycle. shortlisted for the dump most years,” Green Party Senator the Flinders Ranges is chosen as the site. (ABC News: Nicola Gage) The commission’s interim people were against it. Scott Ludlam said.

22 April 2016 NEWS Aboriginal heritage laws silence WA custodians TRADITIONAL owners in Western Then decisions can be made in a Australia are worried that their voices more transparent process than what’s will be silenced and their sites destroyed currently happening, which appears to under proposed changes to the state’s be favouring one stakeholder [mining] Aboriginal heritage laws. over peoples’ own heritage.” Native title representative body, the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Existing WA laws already unequal Corporation (YMAC), says under the Since coming to power in 2008 the changes, developers and miners, but Liberal state government has blocked not custodians, will be able to appeal over 1,000 Aboriginal sites from gaining decisions about Aboriginal sites. protection, simply by reinterpreting “If the [WA Aboriginal Affairs] exiting laws, Curtin University’s Tod minister refuses an application to Jones wrote on The Conversation destroy a site then miners can appeal website. Larrkardiy, also known as The Prison Tree near Derby, is protected under WA’s Aboriginal that, which is outrageous. But traditional A recent report by archaeologists Heritage Act 1972. Photo from sunphlo, CC BY-NC via Flickr. owners can’t,” the CEO of YMAC, Simon from the University of WA has found Hawkins, told CAAMA. more than 3,000 sites have already “We do not have any confidence in the where we Western Australians live. WA It looks like the Liberal government is lost protection as a result of the Liberal [WA] Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to has enjoyed at least 50,000 years of determined to remove these rights from government’s earlier changes to the adequately protect our cultural heritage, Aboriginal inhabitation, he said. Aboriginal people with regard to their state’s Aboriginal Heritage Register. nor do we trust the department to act “We need to recognise that Aboriginal heritage.” Chair of the National Native Title responsibly in the light of the fact that connection and heritage is ongoing and Aboriginal custodians were not Council, Nolan Hunter, is critical of the many significant sites have already been will continue to exist within our cities, notified or consulted about these unequal treatment of Aboriginal and removed from the register,” Mr Hunter our suburbs, our towns, our parks, our changes, said Mr Hawkins. non-Aboriginal cultural sites. said. yards and our farms. YMAC is lobbying members of the WA While non-Aboriginal heritage is Tod Jones believes WA’s whole “We need a system of cultural heritage parliament not to pass the proposed bill managed by a network of professionals heritage protection system needs to be management that is able to cope with the without changes. across all levels of government, WA’s reformed. recognition that Aboriginal connection “There needs to be an appeal right, as Aboriginal heritage is managed by the “The first step towards a fairer and heritage is living, ongoing, and with all other legislation,” said Mr Hawkins. Department of Aboriginal Affairs. system is a new understanding of constantly around us.” Treaty is the main game in Victoria ABORIGINAL communities in Victoria the mob in the room didn’t support Victoria’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister government to take on options, she said. may be the first in Australia to get constitutional recognition,” he said Natalie Hutchins has announced Mr Frogley said a treaty would be an a treaty following their rejection of “What has come out of the meeting consultations about how to draft a education process for all Victorians. constitutional recognition. was that if any frameworks are gonna treaty between the state and Aboriginal “If we don’t have mob come along In February, a forum of 500 Victorian be done, it’s gonna be black-led. It has Victorians, ending in a convention. with us and the rest of the community Aboriginal people rejected the idea in to be, right?” Dja Dja Warung elder Gary “Hopefully out of that convention, along with us, this is really going to be favour of a treaty. Murray told Lateline. we actually get to a process stage of a fraught process,” he said. “Constitutional recognition is simply “Recognition’s a distraction, but you formalising talks towards a treaty,” she Ms Hutchins has hosed down any warm and fuzzies for white fellas, to be can park it in a treaty process. Of course told NITV. fears. quite honest. It makes the white fellas we want to get rid of racist constitutions “Canada have been doing it for a long “No Victorian needs to be scared of feel good,” Taungerong man Adam and racist laws. So what we do, we time, New Zealand have successfully losing their property and where they Frogley told the media. park it in a treaty process and there’s a done it, and it’s time for Australia to live, and what they own now,” she said. “It sort of moved from talking about chapter in the treaty just on that. step up.” “But certainly, reaching agreement our feelings about constitutional It shouldn’t be the main game. The “This is something that was really high about how services are delivered to our recognition to putting a motion to main game is sovereign treaty and on the agenda for Aboriginal Victoria Aboriginal communities, how crown community and mob in the room fairly reparations for all the injustices,” he and it was something we committed land is managed, how waterways early in the piece [that] asked: do we said. to in the lead-up to the election, and are managed, these are all up for support constitutional recognition or The forum chose a working party of that is to look at options for treaty negotiation.” not? It was unanimously voted that elders to establish the terms of a treaty. and recommendations to the federal Welfare card to spread across Australia?

dollar of peoples’ welfare payments. The as a result of this, a lot of crime in these chairperson, Ian Trust. rest can be spent as cash. areas is related to very significant alcohol “Unless we come in with some sort Like in the first trial site, Ceduna in abuse,” he told the ABC. of an interventionist reform agenda, SA, the WA trial includes over a million But Mr Gooda said there is no proof especially around welfare, nothing’s dollars in promised ‘wrap around’ social income management such as the NT’s going to change,” he told the ABC. services funding. Basics Card makes people safer. “The flipside of all this of course According to The Australian newspaper, “We have no evidence to support the is having incentives, such as more the Turnbull government plans to extend prediction that a restriction on cash housing, better quality education, jobs the card to all welfare recipients across payments will curb an individual’s or traineeships and so on, that people regional Australia if the Kimberley and addiction or their ability to provide a safe can be attracted to once they’re starting Ceduna trials achieve positive results. environment for their children. Our mob to change their lives around.” “This is a watershed moment in how are once again the guinea pigs in a trial Paul O’Neill, the chief executive we deliver welfare,” Human Services program lacking any evidence base.” of Ngnowar Aerwah, a residential Minister Alan Tudge told the paper. “Where people have experienced rehabilitation centre in the East Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge is spruiking the almost cashless welfare card. “It is deeply troubling that the benefits as a result of income Kimberley, supports the trial but worries Photo courtesy ABC. government is ‘contemplating how management, the results have been that there aren’t enough services in place to proceed should the trials prove modest. For many, income management to help people kick their addiction. THE federal government plans to roll out successful’ before any trials have even results in few or no benefits, and a sense “Mr Tudge has to make sure he is as a controversial new welfare debit card begun,” Aboriginal and Torres Strait of loss of control, shame and unfairness,” committed to this program. The proof across regional areas if trials in Western Islander Social Justice Commissioner he said. will be in having access to the funds to Australia and South Australia prove Mick Gooda said. “Any possible benefit of the card create the services to make sure those successful. “Have the trials been structured in must be weighed against the sense of gaps aren’t left longing.” Welfare recipients in Kununurra and such a way the results have already been disempowerment our people already The Australian reported that if the Wyndham in WA’s East Kimberley will predetermined?” face. It must be weighed against the card were rolled out across all regional be placed on a 12 month trial of the Mr Tudge said the card is a “full- stigma our people continue to face, and communities in Australia, it could affect government’s Healthy Welfare Card - a frontal assault” on the impacts of drug the restrictions placed on our basic rights up to 100,000 people on government debit card that can’t be used for alcohol, and alcohol abuse, particularly to women and freedoms we fought so hard for.” income support, and even more if the gambling, or to withdraw cash. and children. “[Police commissioners] But the East Kimberley trial has the Basics Card in the NT were replaced by The card quarantines 80 cents of each fully expect the crime rates to decline support of local Wunan Foundation the Healthy Welfare Card. April 2016 23 OBITUARIES An appreciation of the life and work of Japaljarri Spencer YOU can tell the truth to Indigenous law, yet think. He could follow and of a man by the lines he mindful of the obligations invent lines of thinking follows, by the tracks. and responsibilities of in the most original I have been tracking Northern Territory law. way, weaving ‘black’ and Japaljarri Spencer for I have witnessed ‘white’ minds together. 25 years. He followed a him, in uniform, in He sometimes strong line. the company of senior reminded me of a There are four of those Warlpiri and Pintubi Socrates. He would size lines to note in this men and correctional up a situation and come appreciation of him, services officers, working out with the most brilliant written just five hours their way through the and convincing question after he passed away in conceptual problems in or image that would Alice Springs from kidney the reconciliation between lead to a way through and heart failure. More the two laws. Law was an impossible human lines might emerge as Japaljarri Spencer’s line. problem. more people speak to his A second line is the line He could think with achievements. of care, Kanyinjaku. both sides of his brain. Japaljarri was It was Japaljarri It is the loss of Japaljarri determined to work Spencer and Christine the thinker, the mentor, with the law: Aboriginal Franks who in the mid- that will be a great loss cultural law and 1980s, in Yuendumu, to the culture of central Australian law. This was started up a petrol sniffing Australia. a main line in his work. prevention program that Just before 3 o’clock, He plaited these two lines gradually became HALT on the morning of 8 together from 1993, when (Healthy Aboriginal Life December, Japaljarri he became an Aboriginal Team). HALT set the was alone with Marlene community police officer. way of working inter- in the hospital, Room 13, He should have been a culturally (two ways) in Medical ward, West. He superintendent. authentic partnership. knew that his time was In incident after incident Two way partnership coming. Japaljarri Spencer “a man can choose which way will you go?” he was an instrument of between Aboriginal His last words were reconciliation between and non-Aboriginal to his wife and partner, cultural law and police law. professionals is now who had been beside him He negotiated, advocated, the ‘best practice’ resolutely all through the Eagle and Crow interpreted and translated methodology . The ‘two long night. His last words the meaning of law both ways’ working method were ‘Marlene, I love you.’ This shows the life of a man. Any man. ways and he took action was won through blood In the Gospel of John You see him born into his father’s Jukurrpa, his family all around looking fearlessly and intelligently. sweat and tears. the man from Nazareth at him, singing. He follows his spirit and his Jukurrpa to bush camp. I have seen him disarm Local indigenous said, “Greater love has He becomes a man. The eagle, Walawaru comes. “Come with me – a man in a dangerous state substance misuse and no man than this, that he I will show you all your life.” of mind in a town camp. youth development lay down his life for his Eagle lifts him high in the sky. Eagle shows him a strong way for a man The weapon was removed projects, such as the Mt friends.” living in these times. He shows him how to work the white way and the black and Japaljarri went Theo Warlpiri Youth Japaljarri Spencer way together. Eagle gives him a clear sharp mind. He follows Jukurrpa. His back to settle the man’s Development program laid down his life for his vital spirit, Kurunpa, stays strong and intelligent. He learns many things, he derangement. follow on in that track. family, for his countrymen works for people. Jukurrpa, Kurunpa and Mapanpa (power) run inside him. I saw him face down an The 2014 Jungarai and for the country. It was He learns and works in two cultures, English and Indigenous. angry (and famous man) Wanu ngangkari /healing an act of love. It brought He keeps his family together. They have a good time. in a bush community, a story has been influential him much trouble. Karnka Crow is jealous. He calls out. “You come with me, have a good time, man armed with spears in primary health care, He gave everything plenty of grog, plenty of women. Don’t listen to that eagle.” who was intent on suicide prevention and away, money, motor cars, The man changes tracks. He looks into Karnka country. mayhem. mental health. In truth ideas. In return many “I’ll be ok, Crow won’t suck my blood.” Over several days the Spencer was a barefoot people troubled him. He He sits down in drinking camps. He gets lazy. He gets lost in town. matter was gradually doctor, a ngangkari who was patient with them. He He learns ganja culture, his mind changes, he kills women, he forgets settled and the famous turned his attention to the was good humoured. He Jukurrpa, Kuranpa slides away, he loses power, he lies down. man returned to painting. social ills of our time and followed the line of law, Karnka sucks his blood. There he is, sick. I have witnessed place and took pragmatic the line of care, the line Walawaru comes again and lifts him up high. Eagle says, “This is your life. Japaljarri diplomatically actions to work a cure. of clear thinking and the Use your brain. A man can choose. Which way will you go ?” negotiating a very A third line in his line of love. He has left a “I will stick with you”, says the man. complicated matter life and work has to be clear and strong track. This is the story of any man. This is the parable of Eagle and Crow. between police, the family Spencer’s genius. by Craig San Roque of an offender and the It is true that he learned (Edited extract of an ~ By Japaljarri Spencer, 2013 ~ family of a victim in order to read and write English obituary first published in to settle a matter according only slowly, but he could the Alice Springs News.) Paul Pholeros made a difference to remote housing ARCHITECT Paul Pholeros made a Sydney. His friends in Alice Springs difference to the lives of Aboriginal watched a live broadcast of the service people with his housing projects. at Tangentyere Council. Many people will remember his This is part of Paul’s story: Housing for Health teams staying in In 1985 Aboriginal leader Yami Lester their remote communities where they was running a health service in remote trained local people since the mid 90s South Australia. to carry out housing repairs. Yami knew that the infectious diseases Paul’s team would assess every house his people suffered from were caused by in a community, help to fix as many a poor living environment. things as they could and then come back He called together a medical doctor six months later to check on the houses and a public health worker and Paul to again. figure out what to do and asked them to “I never go into an Aboriginal “stop people getting sick”. community without making some The team developed Uwankara difference to better people’s lives on that Palyanku Kanyintjaku (UPK), a very day,” Paul is remembered as saying. successful public health program that After he passed away in February a is still working strongly in six South great many people farewelled him in Australian communities and clinics Paul Pholeros and Kumanjayi Ward. Photo courtesy Suzanne Bryce.

24 April 2016 OBITUARIES Japangardi Miller 1922 - 2015 BORN in the central Australian bush Japangardi vividly recalled the first up near the Western Australian border day working physically in the desert sun, to indigenous hunter gatherer parents, time he saw white men while hiding in across to near Brisbane, droving cattle sometimes having a break for smoke but Johnny Japangardi "Hooker Creek" the hills of Mount Theo. It was around long before there were roads and trucks then "working, working, we didn't knock Miller was one of those rare Australians 1928, during the time of the Coniston plying those routes. off until about seven”. who knew what it meant to live off the Massacre, where police shot many On one such trip the boss drover sold He recalled: "If we didn't do work land. Aboriginals. the horses at the railhead in Longreach kardiya would give us hiding with whip Many decades later Japangardi would or green sticks. Kardiya always pushed deploy these skills at Mount Theo, us round, we're friends now. Station 450km northwest of Alice Springs, days were rough days.” saving a generation of petrol-sniffing He worked on stations all around teenagers and, in doing so, solving what central Australia and spent over three social policy analysts had described years at Adelaide River in the Top End. as remote Australia's "unsolvable Japangardi also worked for Lord Vesty problem". at the Wave Hill stock camp for many His methodology was simple: take years. He walked back to Lajamanu just young petrol sniffers out bush, teach before the uprising which led to the 1966 them traditional law and bush skills, and Wave Hill Walk Off – a turning point in let the power of the land and culture heal the land rights movement celebrated in their spirits. the Paul Kelly song From Little Things You won't find his methodology in Big Things Grow. any drug service manual, but the results In the early 1990s, after retiring from were stunningly clear – half the teenage stock work, Japangardi decided to move population of Yuendumu in 1994 were closer to his ancestral country at Mount sniffing petrol but eight years later no Theo Outstation. one sniffed at all, and ex-sniffers had In 1994, with petrol sniffing become youth leaders and community rife throughout central Australia, workers. Japangardi's sister in law, Peggy Brown, Awarded the Order of Australia Medal proposed that she and her family, in 2007, Japangardi's pioneering efforts including Japangardi, would care for all in saving the lives of petrol sniffers Yuendumu community's petrol sniffers resulted in him developing what is Japangardi Miller – one of the last Yapa elders who lived off the land. at Mount Theo. internationally regarded as a model for The outstation's isolation made it an partnerships between indigenous and Japangardi and his family were fearful and forced Japangardi and the others ideal location to run a rehabilitation non-indigenous community workers. of the bullets of the police who, they to walk back home to the Northern program. A fitting final chapter – spending the heard, had already killed hundreds of Territory. It was a truly Aboriginal grassroots last 20 years of his life devoted to saving Warlpiri people. "It was a rough time," This was a man who lived through a initiative, starting with no outside the lives of others. Japangardi recalled understatedly. period that most Australians probably resources – Mount Theo's only Aged 93 when he passed away, "Kardiya in the old days were really think of as long lost history but in fact infrastructure was a windmill for water Japangardi defied all the indigenous hard." was in many people's lifetime. and a solar powered pay phone. health statistics. He lived outdoors for Japangardi was no ordinary man, Japangardi's nickname comes from his The Yuendumu school put up $5000 most of his life, camping in a traditional awarded the Order of Australia on one importance in the establishment of the for food while Japangardi obtained bush shelter, or sleeping in the open on vehicles. He and Peggy used their age the ground, and smoked handrolled “If we didn’t do work kardiya would give us hiding with pensions to run activities for the kids cigarettes. and to buy extra food and clothing. All Japangardi was born and grew up in whip or green sticks. Kardiya always pushed us round. their work was voluntary. a time before white people had come to For almost two decades Japangardi his traditional country and so he knew We’re friends now. Station days were rough days.” was a grandfatherly figure to those wild how to live and flourish in Australia's Mt Theo teenagers who would tug at his wide open spaces. He was a man who hand for his life long work protecting settlement "Hooker Creek" now known beard, asking him to tell stories of his survived the invasion of his land and the children, while on the other hand as the Lajamanu community. young days and the Dreamtime. coming of new ways. growing up with his life controlled by In his young days he had a reputation It was he who enabled Yuendumu to Japangardi spent his early childhood an Aboriginal protectorate. as a hard worker and a ‘lover boy’. These rid itself of the curse of petrol sniffing. living a traditional nomadic Warlpiri It was an era when Aboriginal people two characteristics caused him to be sent Since 2002, the Mount Theo program life. His parents travelled from rock could not vote or own a bank account. away from the Yuendumu community has been rolled out to other communities holes to water soakages, guided by the In Japangardi's case this meant at settlement "in a big red government in central Australia. Jukurrpa. "They knew the country, I the age of ten being placed under the truck" to build the new settlement at know most soakages," he said. control of a white pastoralist and being Hooker Creek in 1953. By David Hodgkin, Liam Campbell He remembered how he walked along used along with so many others as free There, he said: "I bin do everything" and Andrew Stojanovski (First with his parents, or was carried on their labour for his mine and cattle station. – building stockyards, an airstrip, tin- published in the Sydney Morning backs, as they went about their daily Japangardi was a drover who rode on sheds, doing stock work. Herald). hunting and gathering. horseback thousands of kilometres from He would wake up at sunrise, spend all through Nganampa Health Council. community houses. Only one in ten will give them a much greater chance of ground and then used it to create bio gas Later, the three friends started problems were caused by the tenants. getting kidney trouble later in life. Some for cooking and powering a kitchen light. Housing for Health and took their As Paul said many times, “the people of those kids, because of skin sores, will Soon, the women were no longer ideas to Aboriginal communities across in the house are not the problem.” need the renal machine by the time they coughing. turn 40.” Paul will be missed all over the Paul also worked with poor world. He trained and influenced “I never go into an Aboriginal community communities in South Africa, the USA dozens of other people, Aboriginal and Asia. workers, architects, builders, plumbers, Paul believed that good design can electricians, doctors, public health without making some difference make a difference in even the poorest specialists and government workers. living environment. He was a remarkable man of action to better people’s lives on that day.” “It can improve health and it can play and he leaves us not only his big ideas a part in reducing if not eliminating but many people who are inspired and Australia. They researched, repaired Paul, Yami and the team developed poverty,” he said. dedicated to work for better housing and and built houses. Over the years they The Nine Healthy Living Practices. A great example of his approach is the health. worked on 7800 houses of Aboriginal The most important of these practices toilets his team designed in villages in Our thoughts are with his wife Sandra, families. was to wash every day because this Nepal, where people had similar health their families and friends everywhere They found that these houses were not protects people from the bugs that cause problems as Aboriginal people. and all who loved and respected Paul. built well in the first place and were not permanent damage to ears and lungs. The villagers had gut infections from properly maintained. Paul said this is especially important dirty floors and nasty coughs from By Suzanne Bryce. Paul’s research tells us that faulty for children. cooking on smoky cow dung fires. construction was to blame for problems “Skin infections, the scabby sores you The team raised money to build some with almost one out four remote see on kids’ legs and arms and scalps, toilets. They got the kuna [poo] off the

April 2016 25 INTERNATIONAL Indigenous villagers fight ‘evil spirit’ of hydropower dam AT DUSK on the Tapajós River by international conventions of these species,” he said. in northern Brazil’s Amazon Brazil has signed. María Parawá doesn’t know region, the Mundurukú The hydropower project has how old she is, but she does indigenous people gather to also interrupted the process of know she has always lived on bathe and wash clothes in legalisation of their indigenous the river. waters rich in fish. territory. “We aren’t leaving this “I’m afraid of the flood “The river is like our mother,” land,” he said. because I don’t know where I’ll says Delsiano Saw, the teacher “There is a law that says we go,” she told IPS. in the village of Sawré Muybu can’t be moved unless an illness “I have a lot of sons, daughters in the northern Brazilian state is killing indigenous people.” and grandchildren to raise and of Pará. The village is located in a spot I don’t know how I’ll support “She feeds us with her fish. that is sacred to the Mundurukú them,” Just as our mothers fed us with people - their ancestors were The companies that will build their milk, the river also feeds born here and are buried here. the hydroelectric dam want to us.” “This is going to hurt us, resettle the local inhabitants But the ‘evil spirit’, as they not only the Mundurukú away from the areas that would call the proposed? Sao Luiz people who have lived along be flooded. Tapajós dam in their language, the Tapajós River for so many But for people who live threatens to leave most of their years, but the jungle, the river. along the riverbanks, like the territory – and their way of life It hurts in our hearts,” said the Mundurukú, the river and – under water. village’s shaman or traditional fishing are their way of life, “It will fill up the river, and healer, Fabiano Karo. sociologist Mauricio Torres the animals and the fish will Fabiano fears being left explained. disappear,” Delsiano told the without his traditional “Their traditional knowledge Brazilian village chief Juarez Saw (inset) and local kids in the Amazon International Press Service region. Photos courtesy Gonzalo H. Gaudenzi/IPS and Brent Millikan/ medicines when the water has been built over millennia, (IPS). International Rivers covers the land around the passing from generation to “The plants that the fish eat, village – and his healing plants. generation, it is at least 10,000 the turtles, will also be gone. Mauricio Torres, a sociologist need it,” he told IPS. Academics warn that the years old,” he said. Everything will vanish when at the Federal University of The Tapajós River, which flooding will destroy the “When a river is dammed they flood this area because of Western Pará (UFOPA), told flows into the Amazon River, plant cover, while generating and turned into a lake, it is the hydroelectric dam.” IPS. runs 871 km through one of greenhouse gas emissions when transformed overnight and this According to the government’s Brazil’s government see the best-preserved areas in the the trees and plants that are traditional knowledge, which plans, the Sao Luiz Tapajós dam the Tapajós River dams as subtropical rainforest. killed decompose. was how that region survived, will be the main dam in a group important because they will Here, the government has This biodiversity rich river is wiped away.” of seven hydropower plants to provide energy to the richest reduced the size of protected basin is home to unique It’s evening in Sawré Muybu be built along the Tapajós River and most industrialised part of areas in order to build the species of plants, birds, fish and and the families gather at the and its tributaries by 2024. the country. hydroelectric dams, which are The dam will flood 330 square “The country needs them. banned in wildlife reserves. kilometres of land – including Otherwise we are going to have The area is home to 12,000 “I’m afraid of the flood because the area around this village of blackouts,” said José de Lima, members of the Mundurukú 178 people. director of planning in the indigenous community and I don’t know where I’ll go.” But the 7.7 billion dollar municipality of Santarém, Pará. 2,500 riverbank dwellers who project has been delayed once But the Tapajós Alive are opposed to the huge project. mammals, many of which are ‘igarapé’, as they call the river. again because of challenges Movement (MTV), presided The Mundurukú have threatened or endangered. While people bathe, the women to the environmental permit over by Catholic priest Edilberto historically been a warlike “The impact will be great wash clothes and household process. Sena, questions the need for the people, and although they because many Amazon River utensils. dams. have adopted many Brazilian fish migrate from the lower From childhood, boys learn ‘‘No river can survive a “Why do they need so many customs in their way of life, to the upper stretches of the to fish, hunt and provide the hydropower dams on the they still wear traditional face rivers to spawn,” ecologist village with water. For the complex of seven dams’’ Tapajós River? That’s the big paint when they go to the big Ricardo Scuole, at the UFOPA community, the river is the question, because we don’t cities to demonstrate against university, explained to IPS. source of life. “Environmental experts have need them. It’s the large the dam. “Large structures like dykes, “And no one has the right to demonstrated that it will kill mining companies that need Village chief Juarez Saw dams and artificial barriers change the course of life,” says the river. No river can survive this energy, it’s the São Paulo complains that they were generally hinder or entirely Fabiano, the local shaman. a complex of seven dams,” and Rio de Janeiro markets that not consulted, as required block the spawning migration Swedish Sami people win back hunting rights INDIGENOUS Sami people in region of Sweden, Norway, Sweden’s icy north have won a Finland and Russia. 30 year battle for land rights. The paper reports the Sami Nomadic reindeer herders had to take their case to the from the Arctic village of Girjas European commission and the won back exclusive rights to court of human rights before control hunting and fishing on they could get a court hearing their country. in Sweden. A Swedish court ruled in Lawyers for the Swedish favour of the country’s only government had argued that indigenous people, also known Sweden was not obliged to as Lapplanders, in February. recognise special rights for Only a small minority of the Sami “whether they are Sweden’s approximately indigenous or not”. 20,000 Sami, who have their Larsson Blind said she was own language, still continue relieved that the court had seen the traditional reindeer herding through the “colonial speech” of way of life. the lawyers. “It’s a symbolic step “By getting this verdict, towards getting Sami rights many Sami individuals will acknowledged, and we hope feel strengthened after hearing Sami man tries to catch a reindeer. Photo courtesy ©robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo that this verdict can shape the harsh wording used in the policies towards Sami issues court,” she said. happy and relieved,” he said. that didn’t result in decisions. “The verdict has no direct in Sweden; that was the main Matti Berg, the chair of Girjas While the case was about a It has also boosted their effect on mining plans, but it is goal,” Sami Council vice village, faced threats or violence small area and might still be morale for a bigger battle. one piece in the puzzle to get president Asa Larsson Blind after the case was launched last appealed, the court ruling has Many Sami are against plans Sami land rights acknowledged, told The Guardian newspaper. year. relieved the frustration many by British company Beowulf so we can get more influence in The council represents Sami “It is a long struggle and we Sami people felt about their Mining to mine iron ore in the mining,” Larson Blind told The people in the cross border have been victorious. I am so issues attracting a lot of talk far north of the country. Guardian. 26 April 2016 INTERNATIONAL Go Canada! DESPAIRING Aboriginal based on recognition of rights, leaders in Australia may need respect, co-operation and to look to Canada to lift their partnership.” spirits. In December he adopted Stephen Harper’s conservative all 94 recommendations government had alienated of Canada’s Truth and Canada’s 1.4 million Aboriginal Reconciliation Commission, people for a decade, but since its a body set up to shed light on defeat the pace of the country’s Canada’s stolen generations. progress in indigenous affairs is From 1874 until the 1980s, putting Australia to shame. about 150,000 indigenous A record 18 indigenous children were forced to attend candidates from new Prime boarding schools with the aim Minister Justin Trudeau’s party of weakening their family and ran in last October’s elections. cultural ties. As in Australia, Eight of them were elected children reported being abused following a higher than ever at these institutions. voter turnout in indigenous “Our goal as we move forward communities. Mr Trudeau together is clear: it is to lift this appointed two of them as burden from your shoulders, ministers for portfolios that from those of your families matter to Canada’s first nations. and communities,” Mr Trudeau Inuk leader Hunter Tootoo promised. became fisheries minister and “It is to accept fully our Canadian Chief Perry Bellegarde and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Assembly of First Nations Special Kwakwaka’wakw lawyer and responsibilities and our failings Chief’s Assembly in Quebec. Photo courtesy Adrian Wyld /The Canadian Press via AP/AAP activist Jody Wilson-Raybould as a government and as a is the new justice minister and country.” Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal total of 1181 between 1980 and and that law makers get to work attorney general. Canada’s Aborigines make Canadians. 2012, according to Canadian on bills about child welfare, “No relationship is more up just five per cent of the In January Mr Trudeau police. indigenous languages and important to me and Canada population but represent about accepted a human rights He has also promised to fully indigenous business support. tribunal ruling that Canada implement the UN Declaration “Through charisma and his “It is a time for a renewed discriminated against on the Rights of Indigenous embodiment of generational indigenous children by Peoples. If taken seriously, change, Trudeau is persuading nation to nation relationship underfunding child welfare this would have revolutionary many indigenous peoples to re- services on reserves compared consequences for Canada’s engage with the government,” with indigenous peoples, to what is spent on non- policy of fighting Aboriginal wrote Ravi de Costa from Aboriginal children or people land rights in the courts, for Canada’s York University in based on recognition of rights, respect, not living on reserves. treaty making and every aspect The Conversation. Nine years in the making, of life on the reserves. “But as older Australian co-operation and partnership.” the decision could affect the First nations leaders have readers may recall of Bob way his government funds welcomed the change of Hawke, getting emotional than the one with indigenous half of the children in foster education, health and housing direction but are now waiting about indigenous affairs is peoples,” Mr Trudeau wrote to care. for Aboriginal Canadians. to see if the new government’s not enough. A high bar has his cabinet. Recommendations include Mr Trudeau has started words are matched by actions. been set. Indigenous people “It is a time for a renewed reducing that number and to set up a national inquiry They expect reforms of in Canada now expect the new nation to nation relationship closing educational and into missing and murdered Canada’s criminal justice, government to meet it.” with indigenous peoples, employment gaps between indigenous women and girls – a education and health systems Pope Francis says ‘sorry’ to indigenous peoples POPE Francis has asked and featured indigenous Mexico’s indigenous peoples ministers who had previously for forgiveness for the exclusion been suspended by the church and alienation they have hierarchy because they are suffered. married. The pope made the apology The pope also said there is in February during an open much to learn from indigenous air mass in San Cristobal de people about environmental las Casas in the impoverished challenges caused by humans, southern state of Chiapas. such as climate change. The mass featured prayers, “We can no longer remain readings and hymns in Tzeltal, silent before one of the greatest Tzotzil and Chol, the main environmental crises in world indigenous languages of over history,” he told his indigenous one million people in Chiapas. audience. “On many occasions, in “In this regard, you have a systematic and organised much to teach us. Your peoples way, your people have been … know how to interact misunderstood and excluded harmoniously with nature.” from society,” said the leader The pope’s visit to Chiapas of the Catholic faith. was widely seen as a criticism of “Some have considered your the Mexican church hierarchy values, culture and traditions to which has long downplayed the be inferior. Others, intoxicated local culture and the ‘Indian by power, money and market Church’, a mix of Catholic trends, have stolen your lands and indigenous culture that or contaminated them.” worships ‘God the Father and Indigenous Mexicans greet Pope Francis. Photo: courtesy L’Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP/AAP “How sad this is! How Mother’. worthwhile it would be for each Pope Francis has often voiced of us to examine our conscience his admiration for indigenous Support for migrants fleeing Central America and learn to say, ‘Forgive me!’ peoples and this is not his first After his visit to Chiapas, old pope said anyone wanting Last year, he made more Today’s world, ravaged as it is apology. Pope Francis travelled north to to build a wall to keep poor headlines when he issued an by throwaway culture, needs When visiting Bolivia last year, the US/Mexican border. migrants out of the US (as US encyclical [strong teaching] you.” he apologised for the Catholic At the border in Ciudad presidential candidate Donald against the exploitation of the The mass included a Churches’ crimes against Juarez, one of the most violent Trump has proposed) “is not a planet by the rich at the expense traditional dance of prayer America’s indigenous peoples. towns in the world, the 79 year Christian.” of the poor. April 2016 27 ARTS “Help us to find Jay Creek people”

CAN YOU help identify some of On the morning of Sunday, the people who lived and died at April 17th, an information stall the old Jay Creek settlement? at the Old Telegraph Station There are 64 graves at the will show photos, videos and cemetery there, but only seven stories of Old Jay Creek, as part have inscriptions. of Heritage Week. Traditional owners of the area If you can identify people would like to know the names in the photos or share stories of all the people buried at Jay from Old Jay Creek please come Creek and who their families along! are. There are plans for a special The settlement, also known as event at Jay Creek later in the Iwupataka, was once home for year. many Aboriginal people. Glen Sharpe is working with In 1928 Jay Creek became other traditional owners and the home of ‘The Bungalow’ past residents on the project. children’s home until it was Also involved are the Central moved to the Old Telegraph Land Council, Friends of Station in Alice Springs. Strehlow, the Lutheran Church Later, in 1937, it became a and the NT Heritage Branch. government ration depot, a The information stall will place where Aboriginal people be held from 9.30 – 1pm on could live away from town and Sunday, April 17th. receive rations. For more information call Despite all the research about the CLC’s Wendy Stuart (8951 the people who once lived at 6295) or Helen Wilmot (8951 Jay Creek residents outside the newly opened church, 1941 – courtesy Lutheran Archives Jay Creek a few names are still 9360). missing. New Aboriginal art prize celebrates land rights DESART and the Central Land is one of the social, cultural claims,” he said. medium and are encouraged to opportunity for the staff of Council have joined forces to and economic success stories “Many Central Australian produce collaborative works. Desart member art centres. award a major Aboriginal art to have emerged on Aboriginal artists and their families have Desart member centres and “The exhibition will be an prize marking this year’s twin land.” played a role in the fight for individual Aboriginal artists important chance for Aboriginal anniversaries of the Aboriginal The major prize of $15,000 land rights and continue to do close to the CLC region with art workers to build their Land Rights Act (ALRA) and will go to the work that best so.” strong links to Aboriginal experience in all aspects of the Wave Hill Walk Off. represents the past, present and Mr Ross said Aboriginal art land in that region will also be curatorial practice,” said Mr The Vincent Lingiari Art future of land rights. remains one of the main vehicles eligible. Watkins. Award celebrates the shared A $2,000 Delegates’ Choice for non-Aboriginal people to The winner of the Vincent The winner will also be history of land rights and the Award will also be up for connect with Aboriginal culture Lingiari Art Award will be invited to talk about their work Aboriginal art movement which grabs. It will be chosen by and aspirations. announced at the launch of the at the Desert Mob Symposium. evolved at the same time and CLC members at their Council “What better way to celebrate Our Land Our Life Our Future draw strength from the same meeting at Kalkaringi in the 40th anniversary of ALRA exhibition at Tangentyere For an artists’ brief and entry sources. late August, just ahead of than to honour the visual artists Artists Gallery in Alice Springs form contact Desart, a not for “The land rights struggle and the Freedom Day Festival who best express the history, in early September. profit peak industry body for the Aboriginal art movement celebrating the 50th Walk Off contemporary relevance and The month long exhibition over 40 central Australian share the same roots,” said anniverary. the possibilities land rights at Tangentyere will double as Aboriginal art centres, on 8953 Desart’s executive officer Philip CLC director David Ross said offer to coming generations?” a professional development 4736. Watkins. art and land rights have both he said. “Aboriginal art, as an empowered Aboriginal people. Aboriginal artists and art expression of identity and “They have used their art as centres in the CLC region are culture derived from country, evidence in numerous land eligible to enter works on any Council NEWS

To find out what’s happening at Council, download a copy of the latest Council News at: www.clc.org.au/ council-news/ or pick up a printout at any CLC regional office or at the head office in Alice Springs on 27 Stuart Highway.

Council NEWS

Q&A with Minister Scullion May 2015 “Don’t change horses in the middle of the race.” Tjuwanpa ranger co-ordinator Craig LeRossignol explains to the minister why the rangers want to stay with the CLC.

The CLC andRangers ranger groups Future are worried about flagged changes to the ranger program. Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion told the Council meeting Warren Snowdon on bringing back a in April at Yulara Pulka he was looking “non-gammon” CDEP. at splitting ranger groups into small He said CDEP workers would get top-up organisations that manage their own which employers would have to pay back administration and commercial contracts. if they did not offer them a “real job”. He called it “more choice”. And that the workers, including those on Rangers drew lots of applause when they outstations, would get Christmas, cultural presented to Council about their work and and sick leave. Empowered Communities then told the minister why they want to He promised to support more teachers Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council stay part of the CLC. through the new CDEP because CEO Andrea Mason sought support for a new model for managing Tjuwanpa ranger co-ordinator Craig Aboriginal teachers with cultural Aboriginal communities called Empowered Communities. LeRossignol said: “The support for the authority and language skills are The NPY lands are one of eight regions across Australia where rangers from CLC is second to none. “fundamental” to better school attendance community leaders want to use the model to get more control over how Having a direct link to traditional owners and education outcomes. taxpayer funds are spent and how services are designed and delivered. who drive the work of the rangers means Four NPY communities are in the CLC region. it is more than a job, it is a way of life. Ms Mason told delegates Empowered Communities is “a self It’s working. Don’t change horses in the determination model where we take control”. It is being developed from middle of the race.” the ground up and would therefore work differently in each region. In The minister said there were “no changes the NPY lands the model is based on five ideas: on the table” for the CLC rangers. He 1. praised the CLC ranger program and said Access to quality educational opportunities and children ready many kids now want to be rangers. 2. willing and able to take advantage of them Delegates asked the minister to expand 3. Safety and welfare of kids and vulnerable people the ranger program but he made no 4. Housing access and mutual responsibility promises. 5. Capable adults take part in economic and cultural opportunities Tackle domestic, family and community violence and drug Other regionsabuse would be welcome to “opt in” if they liked the model. Minister ScullionA new discussed CDEP? his plans to Delegates had lots of questions and some asked to talk directly with the work with the CLC and local member CLC delegate Raelene Silverton elected leaders of the NPY Women’s Council. , The federal government is yet to respond to the Empowered Communities report from the eight regions. Indigenous Advancement Strategy For more information go to http://www.clc.org.au/publications/content/ Minister Sullion also defended the empowered-communities-presentation-npy-womens-council/. controversial Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS). He said more funding is going to Aboriginal organisations. Those which had not delivered good services had missed out. Aboriginals Benefit Account Minister Scullion said the Aboriginals No promises about new ranger groups: Benefit Account (ABA) members decided Minister Scullion to move away from funding ceremony over 3 years and want people to use their royalty money for it. “I am not dictating to the ABA anymore.” He said it was up to ABA members to allow senior land council staff to observe ABA meetings.

Andrea Mason, NPY Womens Council CEO

David Ross and Philip Watkins hope artists competing for the Vincent Lingiari Art Award will be inspired by land rights veterans who contributed to the artwork around the Barunga Statement.

28 April 2016 ARTS TV fantasy based on Aboriginal stories premieres in Berlin

In the new ABC series Cleverman Hunter Page-Lochard plays a superhero with whom Aboriginal kids can identify. Photo: Lisa Tomasetti CLEVERMAN, an X-Men-like The show’s creator, Ryan The applause of the four must live amongst humans and and kicks the asses of four guys fantasy inspired by Aboriginal Griffen, told The Guardian he hundred strong Berlin crowd battle for survival in a world harassing her on a bus. peoples’ history and mythology, wanted to invent “a superhero was thunderous, reports The that wants to silence, exploit The acclaimed ensemble cast premiered at the Berlin Film my own son could connect Guardian. and kill them. is 80 per cent indigenous but Festival to great acclaim. to, while learning about his After the screening director Page-Lochard and Collins also includes Scottish actor It’s the first time an Australian indigenous culture”. Wayne Blair was asked how star as estranged brothers, Iain Glen (Game of Thrones), TV show has been invited to the Mr Griffen gathered it might ever be possible for Koen and Waruu West, who are Golden Globe nominee Frances festival. Dreaming stories from around “fictional media” to make a forced together to fight against O’Connor (The Missing), and In March actors and Australia – with permission difference: “What can it do?” terrifying enemies, both human Stef Dawson (The Hunger directors of the six part ABC from elders to re-tell them – Blair replied, “One has to take and not of this world. Games). series walked the red carpet and set out to “put 60,000 responsibility. It’s our history Can Koen, a man with a The Bangarra Dance Theatre’s in the German capital before years of old stories in a modern of how we treat ‘the other’ in powerful gift, learn to use his Jacob Nash collaborated with attending a packed screening context, and keep them rooted society that makes us who we power before everything around the creators of Lord of the of the first two episodes. in culture”. are. him crumbles? Rings, The Hobbit, King Kong Directed by Wayne Blair and Cleverman also draws You make films about how Miranda Tapsell plays one of and Avatar to come up with the Leah Purcell, Cleverman is set on Australia’s colonial past you wish the world was like. the ‘hairypeople’. Considered fantasy creatures and special in the near future in Sydney and its brutal treatment of Hopefully, you can push people subhuman by the government, effects. and stars Hunter Page-Lochard, asylum seekers today. Border to change.” they must live in ghettos or are Cleverman will screen on Rob Collins, Deborah Mailman, protection and racism are In Cleverman, the ‘hairy- sent to detention centres. ABC TV and on Sundance Jack Charles and Miranda themes that play out through people’, a species from ancient In one scene the tiny Top TV in the US later this year. Tapsell. the episodes. mythology with super strength, End actor rolls up her sleeves

April 2016 29 SPORTS NT women cricketers shine at National Indigenous Cricket Championships Most of the NT women’s Division, and the Bush Potatoes side were players from central (0/66) defeated Alice Bush Australia. The team consisted Grubs (6/64) in the Community of Geraldine Reid, Sheralee Women’s Division. Taylor-Fitz, Devana Lankin, Tournament director Mitch Mica Fleming, Rita Tomlins, Farnell made special mention Tahlia Holtze, Tara Liddy, of Amoonguna who tripled the Kelea Lovell, Sally Moylan, number of entrants competing Lauren Taylor, Carmella Grey, in the tournament. Naree Riley and Laelia Dunn. The community near Following the tournament, Alice Springs entered the Alice Springs’ Carmella Gray Intelyapelyape Queens in and Darwin’s Sally Moylan were the Community Women’s selected for the first National Division and two teams in the Indigenous Women’s Squad. Community Men’s Division - Like the men’s national the Amoonguna Crows and the squad, the women’s squad will Amoonguna Kanagaroos. offer further development and Young Australian paceman touring opportunities for the Pat Cummins and recently Left to right: Kale Bell, Tara Liddy, Kelea Lovell and Rita Tomlinson (in air) at the NICC women’s final in Alice Springs selected players. retired star test star Ryan THE TERRITORY’S Aboriginal the first time. “There were a lot of things I “This year we came out and won every game women’s cricket side stepped it “Last year was our first year needed to work on but in general, up a notch in Alice Springs for with an official NT women’s the basics of fielding and seeing except two, both against NSW. the first National Indigenous team and we didn’t win a game,” the ball and hitting the ball was We beat every other state.” Cricket Championships (NICC). said NT player Tara Liddy. pretty much the same as in The NICC is a new “And this year we came out softball. I really enjoyed it.” In 2015, Cricket Australia Harris were special guests, competition formed from and won every game except A special guest at the announced that the along with women’s Big Bash the Imparja Cup’s state and two, and they were both against tournament was 83 year old National Indigenous Cricket stars – Briana Binch, Kristy territory divisions. NSW. We beat every other Faith Coulthard Thomas, the Championships will be held in Lamb and Lauren Ebsary. Held in February alongside state.” first Aboriginal woman to Alice Springs until 2018. NT Cricket CEO Troy Watson the Imparja Cup, the NICC saw A softball player who had represent Australia in any sport. said the special guests provided 12 teams from all over Australia never before played the game, Faith played England at the Record numbers of cup valuable insight into the game. compete for cricketing glory. the experience has quickly Gabba in 1958, and reportedly participants “Having some of the biggest New South Wales were the converted Tara to cricket. bowled so fast to their captain names in men’s and women’s men’s champions with a 123- “I was first asked to play in that she took out the middle Over 500 participants cricket visit Alice Springs was run win over Queensland. the NT team early last year stump. It bounced and went competed across five divisions a great opportunity for our They also claimed their ninth and I think it was just through hurtling over the wicket keepers at the 23rd Imparja Cup, held young cricketers to learn from straight title in the women’s friends who had seen me play head. at the same time as the NICC the best,” he said. finals, with a convincing win softball before,” she said. “She brought down her green in Alice Springs. “The likes of Pat Cummins over the Territory. “We started training about a cap, it was really cool to see In the major centres division and Briana Binch are extremely But the two year old NT week before the Imparja Cup that,” said Tara. Alice Springs (7/134) defeated talented, and know what is female side can still hold its started and it was the first “She came down to a couple Darwin (9/124). required to take the next step head high, having won most time I’d ever held a cricket ball of our games as well which was Reclink Rebels (3/130) in their career.” games in the lead up, and before so it was really exciting,” really good. She spent a lot of defeated Rainbow Valley Stars Results can be found at www. making it to the grand final for she said. time on our bench.” (4/87) in the Community Men’s mycricket.cricket.com.au Young Barkly footballer’s South African exchange RISING football star Liam Holt- the Freemantle and West Coast Fitz (15) has recently returned Eagles Football Clubs. from South Africa where he took In South Africa the Australian part in a two week international team took part in matches football exchange. against the national side in Organised by School Sport Johannesburg, Cape Town and Australia, the 2016 Football Pietermaritzburg. Schoolboy’s International Their two week stay also Tour saw 25 promising ‘Under included cultural exchanges 15’ players from all over the and coaching clinics with local country compete against the school children. South African side. “We did footy clinics over Liam, who hails from Tennant there and taught the little kids,” Creek, was one of a handful of said Liam. indigenous players who took “They were pretty good, in five part. minutes they could handball AFL South Africa gave the Australian schoolboys football team their SA Lions jumpers. Just a month earlier, Liam and kick proper good.” toured England, Ireland and Tour organiser Luke Solas Potchestroom Disability Day said Liam. where he wants to take his France for Wanderers Australia said the indigenous footballers, Care Centre. “I want to say thanks to football career in the future. International for Gaelic including Darwin rising star “It was more than just a everyone who helped out.” “My goal is to play AFL at its Football. Michael Mummery, formed football tour, it was a real Since returning from his trip highest level,” he said. “South Africa was very close friendships. cultural, educational and Liam has moved to Darwin and “I want to show everybody different,” said Liam. “They all really bonded well, sporting experience,” said Mr is on a rookie contract with NT that I’m good enough to go all “I thought it was just going they were a great little unit Solas. Thunder. the way.” to be trees and jungle but it amongst the tour,” said Mr “It really was life changing for “It’s going pretty good, The 2016 School Sport was actually a nice place, the Solas. a lot of these kids.” training with bigger guys out Australia Schoolboys weather reminded me a little “Liam was a very popular tour The community of Tennant on the oval,” said Liam. International Tour was the bit of Darwin.” member, the kids loved him.” Creek helped raise funds for “I’m one of the smallest there third of its kind since it started The tour left Australia for The team also visited the Liam to get to South Africa. but it’s a great experience, in 2012. Johannesburg after a two day Apartheid Museum, national “I had heaps of help from another step up from just local It was organised with support training camp in Perth, where parks and spent time with small businesses in Tennant footy in Darwin.” of the AFL and AFL South they spent time as guests of disabled children at the Creek, and family and friends,” Liam makes no bones about Africa. 30 April 2016 SOCIAL

CLC executive members Phillip Wilyuka and Jasper Haines at the Arlparra council meeting.

Ltyentye Arpurte Rangers helped celebrate the Tjuwanpa Ranger Group’s tenth birthday in Ntaria.

Anmatyerr ranger Serena Presley on right and Atitjere ranger co- ordinator Sam Kendal cuddle some rescued joeys at the annual ranger co-ordinators meeting Alice Springs.

David and Jayne met at the CLC as young researchers but they never had a wedding cake. At David’s farewell they made up for it.

CLC regional services officer Robbie Kopp has bid farewell to Papunya and is heading home to Ltyentye Arpurte (Santa Teresa).

Phenix Jacob Starr, baby of Taylah Starr, born 30 December. Rodney Junior, 1 year old son of Noreen Hayes and Rodney Coulthard.

Fiona Nelson, born 14 December, with proud parents Rosalie Driffen Zenith Nandy, daughter of and Keenan Nelson. Taryn Palmer. Javahn McMillan,10 months old son of Alicia John and Clint McMillan. April 2016 31 OLD PEOPLE ARE REALLY FOND OF HUMPIES

At Alekarenge there was humpies and tin sheds. Maybe first avenue there’s a tin shed, second avenue, third avenue. And right on the end is the brick houses, and the other side them brick houses were humpies. Old people are really fond of humpies, you know; they’re not used to the house. We used to have different camps. On the eastern side was Alyawarr tribes, in the middle corner, north side, Kaytetye mob, western side is all the Warlpiri tribe and southern side was where the Warumungu tribe. All living in humpies, them old people. In winter it used to be warm, those humpies, because we used to sleep near the fireside. They used to keep the fire going. And then in summer we used to sleep outside, out of the humpy, just out on the plain, getting the fresh air. Maybe 50s, late 50s, they started building houses, ‘cos we used to stay in Kingstrand [metal pre- fabricated houses] or sometime brick houses. We never stayed all the time in that brick house because we used to live out in the single camp. We didn’t live with our parents – we used to live with our aunties, or grandmothers, or great-great-grandmothers. They used to look after us. So the ladies all grown up, young girls grown up with grandmothers. And all the boys used to sleep in the single quarters camp, with all the men.

~ Gwen Brown ~ Excerpt from Every hill got a story - page 123

Woman outside a humpy near Yuelamu (Mount Allen), Northern Camp, Hooker Creek Mission, Hooker Creek (Lajamanu), Warrabri Settlement (Alekarenge), 26 February 1972. Northern Territory Territory, 1950. National Library of Australia. Northern Territory, 1958. National Library of Australia. Library, Northern Territory Government Photographer Collection.

Learn more about the book and listen to the stories online http://www.clc.org.au/every-hill-got-a-story