ISSN 1839-5279 August 2018 CONSENT DETERMINATIONS BARUNGA AGREEMENTSIGNED NATIVE TITLE volume 8. 8. number 2. .9 P. PG. # THREATEN JOBSEEKERS NEW CDP PENALTIES .5 P. PG. # OUTSTATION PROJECT KICKS OFF .6 P. FREE .4 P. NEWS EDITORIAL Barunga Agreement signed, hard work on treaty begins Land Rights News Central Australia is published by the THE four Northern Territory Central Land Council three land councils made history times a year. at Barunga for the second time on June 8, when they The Central Land Council signed an agreement to start 27 Stuart Hwy working towards a treaty Alice Springs between the NT government NT 0870 and Aboriginal Territorians. tel: 89516211 “This is a momentous day in the history of the www.clc.org.au Territory, a chance to reset email [email protected] the relationship between the Contributions are welcome Territory’s First Nations and the government,” Northern Land Council chair Samuel Bush-Blanasi said. SUBSCRIPTIONS Mr Bush-Blanasi said the Barunga Agreement Land Rights News Central “gives us high hopes about Australia subscriptions are the future and I hope the $22 per year. government stays true to the It is distributed free of spirit” of the memorandum of charge to Aboriginal understanding (MoU). organisations and The Barunga Agreement communities in Central comes 30 years after NT Central Land Council deputy chair Sammy Butcher signs the Barunga Agreement. Australia. Aboriginal leaders delivered the Barunga Statement to then but we don’t want to stay the On the morning before The next step along this To subscribe email prime minister Bob Hawke only players in this game. the signing ceremony, NLC road is the appointment of [email protected] and were promised a national The next steps must be led by delegate John Christopherson an independent Aboriginal or call 08 8951 6215 treaty. had reassured the meeting treaty commissioner to lead It kicks off a long process that the agreement would not 12 months of consultations in aimed at delivering Aboriginal “The old way “sign anything away”. towns and communities. ADVERTISING Territorians greater control “It’s a piece of paper that Chief Minister Michael says we will, in good faith, Gunner told delegates he is Advertise in the only over their lives. “I hope a treaty will settle is finished.” sit down and discuss how we open to negotiating about newspaper to reliably us down together and bring are going to end up with a anything Aboriginal people reach Aboriginal people us self-determination,” CLC Aboriginal people across the treaty at the end of it. We are want in a treaty (or treaties). in remote Central chair Francis Kelly said. Territory so that everyone can going to travel down this road Australia. “Today we bounced the ball have their say.” together.” Continued on p.6. Next publication date: October 2018 Rates are at www.clc.org. Not giving up on constitutional reform au/land-rights-news OR email: [email protected] AT the same time as talking the Uluru Statement, Vincent OR about an NT treaty, land Lingiari’s granddaughter call 8951 6211 council delegates and many Rosie Smiler and Gurindji of the people they represent man Rob Roy met voters in continue to push for reform the prime minister’s Sydney COVER of the Australian Constitution. electorate, one of Australia’s After prime minister richest, to drum up support Malcolm Turnbull rejected for constitutional reform. the Uluru Statement, a federal Ms Smiler, from Kalkaringi, parliamentary committee was was part of a delegation set up to work out what to do that tested support for the next. statement in Mr Turnbull’s The committee, headed by electorate of Wentworth. former CLC chair, Senator Pat Ms Smiler followed in the Dodson, and Liberal Party MP footsteps of er grandfather, Julian Leeser, held hearings who travelled to Sydney in the with Aboriginal people around 70s to advocate for land rights. the country. Mr Roy believes Mr From left: Bill It also met with the NT land Turnbull’s constituents are Shorten, Francis Kelly, council delegates at Barunga on board with the idea of an Sammy Butcher, Tony in June. Aboriginal voice to parliament. Wurramarrba, Michael Harold Nelson and Barb “They told us to ‘keep Gunner and Gibson Shaw told the public hearing going’,” he said. Farmer Illortaminni that the Central Land Council “It was an eye opener for after the signing of the supports the Uluru Statement’s them and for us. Barunga Agreement. call for a voice to power, It made Rosie very proud treaties and truth telling. and happy.” The committee members, Trip organiser Thomas CLC MEETINGS federal politicians from all Mayor, from the Uluru parties, are trying to build working group, told The 22-24 August support for these aims despite Australian newspaper he Council, Mr Turnbull’s rejection. believes Mr Turnbull “is Coniston Senator Dodson said despite wrong about the feeling of the Commemoration the disappointment with Mr Australian people.” Turnbull, participation in the Mr Mayor has taken the 12-13 September hearings has been good. Kalkaringi’s Rob Roy and Rosie Smiler were part of a delegation visiting Uluru Statement, with its Executive, “People have come along Malcolm Turnbull’s Sydney electorate. design painted by Anangu Alice Springs with their frustrations. We women, to organisations 17-18 October do have people who have and the need for moving on,” mechanism the Parliament’s around the country. Executive, come to us and talked about he told the ABC. got, or one of the key He is gathering a growing mechanisms it has to deal with Alice Springs trauma within the Indigenous Some say ‘this is just another number of signatures forhe community. Who’ve talked committee’ but I don’t think complicated issues like this.” statement. about the need for healing, it is. I think this is the only On the first anniversary of 2 August 2018 NEWS What do you hope for in a treaty? Jennifer Breaden Alice Springs

“More education and more housing in communities. That’s all.”

Dakoda Lally Alice Springs

“It is a starting point, we are only at the start of getting into bigger and better things. So with the treaty it means Aboriginal people have a say.”

Roseanne Ellis Amoonguna

“Recognition! That the government will recognise us as the first nations people Dennis Colson of this land and give us back our self- Mutitjulu determination and work collaboratively with us.” “We’ve been fighting and fighting and fighting, now this treaty will change things around, give us more opportunities to do things on our own country. I think the NT is gonna be the Shirley Dempsey leader for it. It’s gonna benefit our children and grandchildren and give us a lot more recognition. So we walk proudly.” Bonya

“I hope that we can get recognition that we are the actual owners of the country and that our visitors, the European people and people from all over the world can understand that and respect us for that.”

Harry Moore Stirling

“Nothing. This law hasn’t changed. It’s still stuck. This government talk same way. Next government come, talk same way and next one, same. ”

Kim Brown Ti Tree

“I reckon it will bring hope, freedom and happiness. I hope all blackfellas can get involved in it.”

Sabella Turner Alice Springs CENTRAL LAND COUNCIL ONLINE “I’d love the government to show honesty. Come and talk to us, Website Digital archive Facebook work along together with us and not go against its promises. www.clc.org.au http://clc.ara-irititja.com @CentralLandCouncil We want to get self-determination to do our own things because we can do them.” You can also contact us : FREECALL 1800 003 640 | [email protected]

August 2018 3 NEWS Multimillion dollar outstations project has started A LONG-AWAITED out- Land Council region. stations project has finally Canberra has made some kicked off, with information strict rules for the project, sessions in Atitjere, Bonya, but CLC delegates will help Yuendumu, Yuelamu and Ti choose the outstations that Tree. will receive a share of the The one-off investment funds. of $15.7 million from the At their meeting in Aboriginals Benefit Account November last year delegates will benefit about 100 agreed on a process for outstations – roughly one selecting these ‘priority’ in three of the around 300 outstations. outstations in the Central After discussing the project

ABA Outstation Project

$500,000 each for two $1 million outstations for one group of ABA Outstation outstations Project

How much project funding for $15.75 million priority outstations in the CLC region? one off

up to $150,000 Priority outstations each for 90 outstations CAN apply for: Electricity, water or sewerage Banjo Madrill from Ilperle, near Bonya, hopes his place will become one of the ‘priority outstations’. systems and upgrades. Repairs or upgrades to Priority outstations in their regional groups, outstations will get support the government in Canberra,” CANNOT apply for: roads, bridges or airstrips. delegates decided the CLC worth up to $150,000 each. Mr Jagger said. Radio and phone systems New outstations. must consult outstation A few would get more and “The government will then and upgrades. New houses or major people in an open and fair others will have to miss out.” check if the applications Community buildings house upgrades. process, talk with outstation At the first project meet its eligibility and (like meeting spaces, toilet/ New or upgraded community resource centres about information sessions in the funding criteria and give shower blocks and sheds) buildings that get other carrying out the work and Plenty and Central regions in the applications it agrees to and upgrades. funding, like schools and make the employment of May outstation people shared fund to organisations such as Fences. clinics. locals a top priority. information that will help CLC outstation resource centres to Machinery owned and Cars and machinery for “The delegates also decided delegates choose the priority do the work.” registered by an Aboriginal personal use. the funding should stretch outstations. To find out about project organisation. New roads, bridges and right across the CLC region,” “After the council chooses, information sessions in your Support for businesses. airstrips or sealing them. CLC consultant David Jagger hopefully late this year, we region contact your regional Ongoing costs. explained. will help people at the priority CLC officer or call David “To make that funding places plan the things they Jagger on 8951 6371. useful and not spread it too want the project to fund and to For more information go to https://goo.gl/5gSyx9. thin, around 90 priority write funding applications to CLC’s native title role confirmed for six more years THE federal government claims, helps negotiate and has recognised the Central monitor agreements, supports Land Council as a native PBCs and advocates for native title representative body for title rights at a national level. another six years. ”The way we do business is It’s the first time indigenous based on decades of experience affairs minister Nigel Scullion working with Aboriginal has recognised the CLC’s people, and developing native title role for more than systems that ensure good two years. governance,” she said. “Six years, the maximum Ms McCarthy has had a recognition period possible successful couple of years under the Native Title Act, since her appointment gives native title holders the in 2015, overseeing 12 certainty they need to pursue consent determinations and their rights and interests in governance support for 24 country and develop their PBCs. corporations, also known as In June, she chaired prescribed bodies corporate a session on regional (PBCs),” the manager of the coordination at the National CLC’s native title program, Native Title Conference in Francine McCarthy, said. Broome. “This is a great achievement. She was also appointed It reflects the dedication deputy chair of the National and outstanding job the CLC Native Title Council, which has been doing in supporting is an alliance of native title native title holders and their representative bodies, service corporations.” providers and PBCs from As a native title representative around Australia. Native title holder Marlene Doolan thanked the CLC’s Francine McCarthy (right) with one of her paintings. body, the CLC runs native title 4 August 2018 NEWS New CDP changes risk trapping Land councils reject federal bush in a “cycle of penalties” government’s ABA plans MICHAEL Jones, from government’s discussion Tennant Creek, summed paper “risks a very up the view of land council unsatisfactory outcome for delegates at Barunga. Aboriginal people and the “Whatever money comes prospect that the government from the ground belongs to will benefit much more than us,” he said. they”. Mr Jones was referring to At Barunga, the delegates Aboriginals Benefit Account of the four land councils (ABA) grants. supported the 12 principles His, and the message from for reforming the ABA their many others was that executives had agreed at their grants are meant to help the Darwin meeting in March. Territory’s Aboriginal people They backed their executive and therefore it’s they who members who believe that the should be able to decide who structure and processes for Senator Scullion is imposing a new demerit points system on work-for-the-dole participants. gets them. ABA grants do not allow for This simple and decades-old Aboriginal decision making, JOBSEEKERS in bush system, which will start in capacity to work that he claims message from traditional strategic use of the funds and communities are worried about February 2019, will add to will be fairer. owners continues to fall on are not transparent. a harsh new penalty process the devastation the CDP has However, delegates were deaf ears in Canberra, where “Members also instructed us the federal government plans already caused, with reports of disappointed that the minister Nigel Scullion to continue to negotiate with to impose on participants in children and pregnant women government had failed to is tweaking the fund he the government,” Ms Douglas its work-for-the-dole scheme going hungry. address racial discrimination controls. explained. from next year. Senator Scullion also in the design of the CDP. “The proposed changes do “They want us to set up a The government’s plan, the not meet their expectations working group to develop so-called targeted compliance The new system will impose ‘demerit for greater Aboriginal control changes that can be agreed framework, blindsided the over the ABA,” CLC policy to by all.” land councils who had not points’ on jobseekers who break the manager Josie Douglas said. Members want the group to been consulted about the government’s rules, leading to harsher It is the main reason the include representatives from changes and voted at their members of the four NT each land council and staff joint meeting at Barunga to financial penalties for people land councils, meeting from PM&C. oppose them. the more points they get. together at Barunga in ABA funds come from the Delegates heard that the new June, rejected a discussion Commonwealth’s budget system will impose ‘demerit paper by the Department of and are intended to be the points’ on job seekers who announced a few positive They also backed the Prime Minister and Cabinet equivalent of royalties paid break the government’s rules, changes, such as support adoption of the alternative (PM&C). by mining companies for leading to harsher financial for 6,000 subsidised jobs in remote employment program “While the minister seems their activities on Aboriginal penalties for people the more remote communities. developed by the Aboriginal to be considering land land. points they get. “That would mean 6,000 Peak Organisations NT (APO councils taking on some, The land councils have “It’s going to get worse,” CLC of those people who are most NT). or all, administrative work always argued that Aboriginal policy manger Josie Douglas job-ready … will actually have Over the last few years, his department currently people should be able to said. real wages that will be the bush communities have had does around the ABA, he control the ABA, rather than “It means having income cut equivalent of the award wage, many changes in remote still wants to have the last the minister. for weeks and not being able to full superannuation and other employment initiatives word on whether to approve While the minister insisted do anything to get that money workplace entitlements and an imposed on them. grants,” Ms Douglas said. the ABA is “not a slush back. Once someone is in the opportunity for real long-term The CDP replaced the RJCP “Some of his proposed fund”, in recent times federal ‘penalty zone’ they may never employment,” he said. in 2015, which in turn had changes seem to significantly government control over the escape.” “For those people who want replaced CDEP from the 1970s. increase the risk of him funds has increased to such “It means less money for to move into a real job with The land councils believe making grant funding a degree that ABA grants already struggling families and real conditions that will now these initiatives will continue decisions for political have become part of the risks trapping people in a cycle be available where it hasn’t to fail until Aboriginal people reasons.” government’s Indigenous of penalties,” she said. been before.” are involved in their design. Ms Douglas said to continue Advancement Strategy. The land councils are deeply He also announced a new to negotiate based on the concerned the new penalty process for checking peoples’ Youth detention in the NT: 100 per cent Aboriginal

SEVEN months after the for young Aboriginal offenders ripped into public servants royal commission that and quite possibly systemic making a presentation on investigated allegations of racism that sees them receive the government’s Aboriginal institutional racism in the custodial sentences while non- Justice Agreement. Northern Territory justice Aboriginal offenders rarely “Where’s the early system handed down its do”. intervention?” an emotional recommendations it’s been Ms Havnen spoke of some Sabella Turner asked. revealed that every single child positive developments, “There’s a lot of services in detention is Aboriginal. but also frustration among in Alice Springs which don’t The news that all 17 Aboriginal organisations, that provide anything for the children in Don Dale in reform is not moving faster. children. They don’t have Darwin and all 21 jailed in “The pace of reform is mental health assessments. Alice Springs are Aboriginal slower than we would like,” “You should be building has highlighted tensions she said. “We are still seeing family centres in the between child advocates and far too many young people communities, let us old people the Territory government in custody on remand for deal with our children. You over the implementation property offences rather men got to start talking up of the commission’s than being supported in the for children. Always women recommendations. community on bail.” up front. Danila Dilba Health Service Central Land Council “Nothing is happening!” CEO Olga Havnen said the delegates at the joint land she cried out to prolonged statistic indicated “a failure councils meeting at Barunga applause. CLC delegate Sabella Turner made an emotional appeal for more prevention. to find workable bail options put it more bluntly as they Continued on p.8. August 2018 5 NEWS Barunga makes history again From p.2 “We don’t want to have He knows he must convince the same problems we’ve sceptical voters in the bush “The old way is finished,” Mr had in the past,” Tiwi Land that a treaty is more than a Gunner said. Council chair Gibson Farmer distraction from the delays in Anindilyakwa Land Council Illortaminni said. delivering on his government’s chair Tony Wurramarrba “We’ve got to be careful election promises. pledged to “work with the and understand each other The next step – 12 months NT government and other about what we want. The of consultations overseen land councils to continue MoU is a good start, but the important work we’ve got a long way to go. required”, celebrating “the The government needs to be highly significant step that honest and transparent.” has been achieved today.” Former NLC chair Galar- Federal opposition leader Bill rwuy Yunupingu presented Shorten promised to support the Barunga Statement to Mr an NT treaty if Labor wins the Hawke in 1988. federal election. He appeared to have given Indigenous affairs minister up hope for a national treaty Nigel Scullion stopped short of and said a treaty with the NT backing a treaty, saying only would “mean nothing at all”. that he would “look at it very CLC director David Ross, carefully”. meanwhile, challenged the The journey back to Barunga authors of a letter rejecting began in March, when the a treaty before they had even executives of the four land read the MoU. councils met in Darwin to “Three people against a agree on a roadmap for treaty majority of 3000. How does talks. that work?” Mr Ross asked. After the meeting CLC “You can’t have three people New NT Aboriginal affairs policy manager Josie Douglas hold you to ransom, can you?” minister Ken Vowles and Harry Hobbs from the His predecessor, Senator University of New South Pat Dodson, encouraged the by the treaty commissioner Wales, spent a couple of days “We are not waiting around for the current prime minister to have a delegates to stay united and - will show whether remote with the CLC executive to change of heart, we‘re getting on with it, state by state, territory by focus on their goals. communities trust Mr Gunner examine different types of territory,” Josie Douglas told the Barunga crowd. “Sometimes we hope we to deliver real change through treaties and how they might could take a big jump and fix what he has called a “binding help their people. treaties in Canada have as from his home community everything at once and we contract”. “It became very clear that key provisions more control of Yuendumu to Barunga in know that we butt up against they don’t want symbolic over education. Part of that is 1988, and remembers Mr the hard world of people who Read the Barunga gestures but substantial having much greater authority Hawke’s broken promise well. are ignorant, who are racist, Agreement at https://goo. change,” Ms Douglas said. who don’t understand, who gl/kHrnm4. They want real change in “They don’t want symbolic want to use the English words education, housing and local that we use in ways that try to government”. gestures but substantial change.” trip us up, who want to drive Asked if a treaty could wedges between us to say, ‘oh deliver bilingual ‘two-way’ you don’t all agree with this education, Mr Hobbs said to decide what the language “He said he’d give us a treaty because someone said this or in Canada treaties had given of teaching should be than but he didn’t want to. Got someone said that’.” the Inuit peoples control over Indigenous people have here.” himself into trouble. We have “I’ll just remind those their schools. Some questioned whether to look back and ask ourselves people that we come from “That includes instruction in a treaty with the NT would what happened.” a long line of leaders. Inuktitut, the main language deliver real change. That hard work has there, so schools teach in “I don’t know. only just begun.” Inuktitut as well as English, How will Some of the Territory and that’s a direct result of the the NT government’s heavy treaty,” Mr Hobbs said. government lifting will be done by Inuit make up the majority recognise MLA Ken Vowles, the of residents in Canada’s our culture? new Aboriginal affairs remote North West Territory They don’t minister Mr Gunner and have long pushed for recognise our appointed in bilingual schools, but it took law, nothing,” June. a treaty for them to succeed. said Tommy He said it is a similar story Watson. for other first nations groups. Mr Watson “Most of the modern travelled

6 August 2018 NEWS

August 2018 7 NEWS Fracking report turns up heat on Territory government A NEW report about the added. impact of fracking in the “I’m really concerned,” Northern Territory on global Shaun Angeles told a large warming is fuelling the crowd at a protest in Alice backlash against the Territory Springs which included government’s controversial current and former Central decision to lift its ban. Land Council delegates and The Australia Institute has staff. found that planned new shale “Arrernte mob, we have gas fields in the NT would got to organise ourselves and release as much greenhouse we’re going to put up a good gases into the air in a year front because we just can’t as a quarter of the emissions accept this.” the whole country’s transport Surrounded by his family, industry produces annually. Mr Angeles drew much As Australia notched up applause as he outlined their yet another greenhouse gas worries about the impact of record, the report says an NT fracking on water and the gas boom would contribute climate. as much as 6.6 per cent to “The health of the country Australia’s yearly emissions. determines how healthy This would put at risk the people are. If country is promises Australia made to damaged people are damaged. From left: Noelene Forbes, Shirleen Campbell, Danae Moore, Lazarus Chungaloo and Barbara Shaw. the world in the landmark We just have to work together 2015 Paris climate change That inquiry found even a market, would increase the fracking in the NT and cut and try and stop this mob.” agreement to cut dangerous single shale gas field in the NT, nation’s emissions by 4.5 per greenhouse gas emissions to After the rally, supporters greenhouse gases. producing for the Australian cent. zero by 2050, showing that tweeted their commitment to “Other Australian industries That’s more than double the government’s decision is “fight for Aboriginal people will have to reduce their “Arrernte mob, the emissions the entire as unpopular in its own party to have the right to say ‘No emissions by the equivalent Australian waste industry as it is in communities. to fracking’ under the Land of the Northern Territory’s we have got to produces each year. “I felt really betrayed,” Rights Act”. fracking emissions to fulfil organise ourselves The inquiry warned there Eleanor Dixon, from Marlinja Many were unaware that our Paris commitments,” the could be “unacceptable” near the gas-rich Beetaloo traditional owners (but not institute’s principal adviser and we’re going to climate impacts as a result of Basin, said when the chief native title holders) have won Mark Ogge told The Guardian. opening up new gas fields in minister lifted the ban on that fight, enjoying the power The report used data from put up a good front the NT. fracking. to stop fracking on Aboriginal last year’s independent because we just The latest report follows “I’m disappointed in people land for decades. scientific inquiry into fracking the annual NT Labor party who are willing to take a risk in the NT. can’t accept this.” conference vote to ban and destroy the earth,” she Continued on p.25.

From p.5. people from committing ways to deal with both child them have been Aboriginal, with frontline staff to improve crimes. protection and youth justice,” but now black kids are the their clinical practice. Barbara Shaw wanted to Meanwhile, the federal Ms Havnen said. only ones left behind bars. Ms Wakefield said this know “what’s being done to government that set up the She said participants want NT families minister Dale response to recommendations rehabilitate our men, women royal commission is yet to to lead the services needed to Wakefield said that “is an area of the royal commission would and children who are rackin’ contribute any money for support families. that we are going to need to ensure that frontline staff have and stackin’ in jail”? the implementation of its These are familiar themes to continue to develop”. ongoing training, professional “We know we need to offer recommendations while anyone listening a CLC council In June, Ms Wakefield support, mentoring and more youth diversion and to the NT government has debates. announced the investment coaching to assist them with do things differently,” Leanne committed $229 million over The Territory locks up of $2.77 million to support casework. Liddle, the director of the five years. children from the age of 10 at frontline workers in child “Fundamental to our reform Aboriginal justice unit in For child advocates, though, rates more than three times protection, youth justice and is that we have trained, the NT Justice Department, it’s not only about the amount higher than the rest of the domestic violence services. experienced and supported replied. of money, but more so about country (see below). The money will fund social staff on our frontline,” she But advocates are no longer getting the balance between Historically, 95 per cent of services experts that will work said. sure the NT government is on prevention and punishment the same page. right. Ms Havnen, who had vowed Ms Havnen renewed her to “do what it takes to make calls for a radical overhaul of the child protection and youth a system that currently errs on justice system work better for the side of punishment. our children and families” “The government needs wants the government to really hear the advice to prioritise “positive of Aboriginal people and programs and supports in organisations to make these the community” ahead of changes,” she said. spending money on the bricks “The solutions and the and mortar that keep children expertise to support the long- locked up. term wholesale reform of the “We are not seeing enough systems lies with Aboriginal switch in investment away people.” from the punitive parts of the During recent consultation system to the preventative workshops by the Aboriginal end,” she said. Medical Services Alliance of Among the royal com- the NT (AMSANT) people mission’s more than 200 consistently asked for their recommendations was to close families and elders with the Don Dale detention centre. cultural authority to be The NT government, involved in the decisions however, is spending more about young people and than $71-million to rebuild t children. and another youth detention “The workshops found a centre and only about a great depth of understanding seventh of that amount over of the issues and a wealth four years to stop young of knowledge about better

8 August 2018 NEWS Native title a win in long battle for Henbury “WE been fighting for a long around country and show the bitter blow though when time for Henbury Station,” younger ones,” he said. Henbury was sold to Ashley former Central Land Council The native title holders can and Neville Anderson, Ted chair Bruce Breaden said. now legally visit and protect and Sheri Fogarty and David Now well in his 80s, Mr their sites, hunt, fish, hold Rohan, a consortium of Breaden has been “pushing ceremonies and try to make established Central Australian really hard all the time to get agreements about tourism, pastoral interests. country back” for much of his mining and exploration “The ILC was helping, life. proposals. but we didn’t have enough “Not only for my family, but However, they can’t say ‘no’ money,” Mr Breaden says. for all Aboriginal people,” he to non-pastoral development For now, Henbury will adds. of the station where their continue to operate as a cattle Traditional owners of the elders and ancestors were station, but old ringers never cattle property they have born, lived and worked since say die. long wanted to own under the late 1800s. “We will push it again next Australian law can now at There is a cemetery where time,” Mr Breaden says. least call themselves native many loved ones are buried “Working on country is good title holders. and within the determination for Aboriginal people.” As Justice John Reeves area are several outstations Barry Abbott agreed. handed down the native on Aboriginal land that are “I would be pleased to see a title consent determination connected by an old stock ranger group here, but it has for more than 5,000 square route. Peta Braedon celebrated the Henbury native title determination with to be our people, people from kilometres of land to six land Some of the old people still her grandparents Bessie Liddle and Bruce Breaden. the land. They know how to holding groups at Three Mile speak Pertame, an endangered In 2011, after an Australian and to source funding for an look after country,” he said. waterhole, Mr Breaden took a language they are working to government assisted purchase Aboriginal ranger group to Robert Coombs reckoned pragmatic approach. revive (see story below), while transferred the lease to manage it. that if Henbury returned “We know native title is not some speak Western Arrernte RM Williams Agricultural When RM Williams went to Aboriginal hands the strong like land rights, but it and Matuntara Luritja. Holdings for carbon farming, belly-up in June 2013, the rangers should look after “the gives us a chance to have a The traditional owners have they thought they were close. traditional owners and the waterholes and all the sacred say. We have sacred sites all fought unsuccessfully for The CLC helped them Indigenous Land Corporation sites”. over Henbury. Native title more than 40 years for the negotiate with the company tried to buy Henbury Station. “I would apply for it. As long research was a chance to look return of their country. for a staged return of the land Their plans were dealt a as it is a fulltime job.” Pertame School comes to language’s rescue ELDER and fluent speaker “Although I have been away of the severely endangered from my homeland for many Pertame language, Christobel years, my elders ensured I Swan, is keeping her first kept my language intact and language alive through fluent.” Pertame School. Ms Bradshaw says language “I want to teach my children, is “an important part of grandchildren and great our culture and a strong grandchildren our language foundation of our identities”. and show our country to them “I am passionate about so they can think and talk in keeping our language alive and Pertame,” Ms Swan said. strong. This has always been a Her plan started to take dream of my sister Christobel. shape during a weekend in May “I feel proud to support at Boomerang Bore outstation, and help her vision become a 120 kilometres south of Alice reality.” Springs, where 40 children Pertame School received and 30 adults gathered for the seed funding from the Fouress first of four intensive language Foundation and support from bush camps. Christobel Swan teaches family at Henbury Waterhole. Inset: Ms Swan at the Henbury native title determination. local businesses. Elders taught them Pertame The next one is greetings and words for grandparents and great of Southern Arrernte, or I speak English? That’s not my planned in seasons, plants, animals, grandparents to guide us,” Ms Pertame, the language that language!” August. kinship terms and body parts Stewart explained. belongs to the country south Ms Bradshaw faced through country visits, songs, “Our old people, poor things, of Alice Springs, around the similarly negative attitudes. art, stories and games. have all passed away now. Finke and Hugh Rivers. “Once when I was “Having the opportunity There are only a few of us left Aboriginal languages in younger at school, I was to go out bush to where our to teach our kids how our old Australia are disappearing told by a teacher never to language originated is the people used to live”. faster than in any other ‘speak that lingo again’,” most important part for us,” By all accounts, the camp country in the world. she recalled. Pertame School organiser was a success. A violent colonial history, “From that moment I Geraldine Stewart added. “Seeing families engaged, stolen country and policies made a promise to myself that don’t value bilingual that I will never education have pushed forget my “Having the opportunity to go out bush languages such as Pertame to language to where our language originated is the the brink. and no-one “When I was about 10, will ever most important part for us.” we used to come in from take it away the station, and we’d be from “It’s about our children and learning their language and walking along the street, and me.” grandchildren learning in a teaching our children is people would say ‘Don’t talk home and family environment, developing strong Pertame that language’,” Ms Swan and learning from the bush speakers,” Ms Swan’s sister remembers. itself. Kathleen Bradshaw, a teacher, “Even at school they used “That’s how we learnt suggested. to give us a hiding in the from the land when we The women are three of playground, and I often were children, with our fewer than 20 fluent speakers used to think why should

August 2018 9 NEWS Native title holders seek mining and TRADITIONAL owners of activities and ceremonies has cattle stations in the south finally been recognised in of the Northern Territory Australian law. have celebrated native title “This determination also consent determinations amid gives them right to negotiate negotiations with mining about exploration and mining companies. activities on their land, but At special sittings of the no right of veto,” Francine Federal Court near Titjikala McCarthy, the Central Land and at Aputula (Finke), Justice Council’s manager of native Natalie Charlesworth handed title, said. down consent determinations The Maryvale families are over Maryvale, Andado and negotiating an Indigenous land New Crown stations. use agreement (ILUA) about a The Maryvale determination salt mine and hazardous waste took place on the banks storage facility with mining of the Hugh River on May company Tellus. 23, followed by a non- “It is exciting if it comes exclusive native title consent about,” Merilyn Kenny said determination over Andado about the salt mine near and New Crown stations, an Titjikala. area of almost 20,000 square “There’s going to be jobs and kilometres, at Aputula (Finke) opportunities for education of the next morning. our children and young people. Margaret Campbell, Hazel Ungwanaka, Rene Pepperill, Ursula Johnson and Mya Hayes celebrate the determination. The Maryvale area covers I don’t know about the waste more than 3,200 square “It’s now our turn to make dump. I’m worried that they kilometres and includes an 18 sure that our children here might put something toxic in kilometre-wide salt deposit, take it on and the knowledge there, for our water.” while further south there are stays strong,” Ms Kantawara Mr Breaden hopes the mine plans for coal exploration. said. Horrible Histories will create local jobs and seal At both ceremonies Eric Breaden said his father the road to Alice Springs, but the native title holders and brother have missed out FRONTIER wars era who resented the he is equally nervous. remembered their families on seeing the determination. cattle stations were invasion of their country “This salt mine happened who lived on the stations from “My father worked as a cattle extremely harsh places and the kidnapping of so quickly and suddenly. We for Aboriginal people. local women. didn’t have any time to talk New Crown and The pastoralists about it among the family. “It’s now our turn to make sure Andado stations were no retaliated for the spearing Some of the old people still exceptions and Maryvale, of their cattle by shooting don’t know what’s happening,” that our children take it on then known as Mount people in their camps. Mr Breaden said. Burrell, has a particularly By the time Mt Burrell “As we were told, the waste and the knowledge stays strong.” violent colonial history. was abandoned following dump, they’re going to top it It includes a site where, the severe 1889 – 94 up with salt. We don’t really the 1890s until the 1970s, man, a drover and he was born in the 1860s, the party of drought, the local know what’s going on there in working as station hands and on Maryvale, and my brother,” explorer John McDouall Aboriginal population the background. We’re scared domestic servants for little he said. Stuart shot at three had fallen substantially of what is going to happen.” more than rations. “I’m the only one left to armed Aboriginal men because grazing and other Mary LeRossignol met with “It’s bittersweet. I’m very see this good thing happen. who allegedly threatened pastoral activities had the company three times, but proud because of the hard It means a lot to me what’s the expedition. destroyed its traditional still wants more information. work that our old people have happening today.” During the following food sources. “I do worry a lot. We don’t put in,” Maryvale native title The native title holders decade, three pastoralists The 1894 Horn Scien- really know. The only time we holder Helen Kantawara said. from the Imarnte, Titjikala struggled to run sheep, tific Expedition to Central see them is at a meeting and “Most of them are gone, but and Idracowra land-holding cattle and horses on Australia also noted that you can’t really ask that many we have a few of them here, so groups and the Andado, Mount Burrell. sexually transmitted questions.” we’re celebrating with them Pmere Ulperre, New Crown TGH Strehlow and diseases were “extremely The Southern and Eastern here today. and Therreyererte family other anthropologists rife” amongst the local Arrernte native title holders “We’ve got lots of stories groups are happy that their recorded frequent Aboriginal population, at the determination ceremony and song lines, even dances. right to hunt and gather on the violence between the “undoubtedly largely in Aputula are trying to We’ve been taught since we stations, protect their sacred pastoralists and the owing to the infection by negotiate an ILUA with Tri were little. sites and conduct cultural Aboriginal land owners the whites.” Star, a company that won an exploration permit and

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Maryvale native title holders. 10 August 2018 NEWS Anmatyerr mob celebrate exploration benefits native title over all of Pine Hill licenses to look for coal and for coal exploration. negotiate with the company coal seam gas. The plan was designed and its work on the native “Both New Crown and to help the company cut its title claim did not go Andado are subject to exploration costs, improve its unnoticed. minerals authorities held by security of tenure and avoid Artist and native title Tri Star,” Ms McCarthy said. negotiations with the native holder Marlene Doolan, The CLC lodged the native title holders. who has lived at Aputula title claim in 2013 in response The CLC lost an appeal most of her life, presented to the company’s oil and gas against this in the National Ms McCarthy with a ‘thank exploration activities in the Native Title Tribunal. you’ painting depicting region, as well as proposed The Gunner government connection to country, minerals exploration. granted the minerals dreamings and bush foods. Three years later, just authorities late last year, “I learnt my knowledge before it lost the 2016 allowing the company to from the old ladies who Northern Territory election, start exploration without an passed it down to me,” Ms the Giles government agreement with the native Doolan said. announced it would grant title holders. “My job is to teach the Dean Pepperill would like to live on his family’s outstation on Pine Hill. Tri Star mineral authorities The CLC’s efforts to younger generations today.” ARDEN’S SOAK BORE on important places and to do Pine Hill Station was the scene ceremony the right way,” Mr of celebrations in May. Stafford explained. Families from five land- “I sometimes go to Pine holding groups gathered to Hill and take young girls to hear Federal Court judge John show them how to get bush Reeves hand down a native tucker and medicine,” Daisy title determination over the Campbell Peltharr added. western side of the property. “I like to camp out at Pine The consent determination Hill and look for bean tree over more than 1,500 square seeds with my younger sister.” kilometres west of the Stuart Francine McCarthy, the Highway complemented an CLC’s native title manager, earlier determination over said the determination the eastern side of Pine Hill in recognises these rights under 2009. Australian law, as well as the It means that all of the right to negotiate agreements Justice Charlesworth with Therese Ryder, Stephanie Hayes, Ursula Johnson and Roseanne Johnson. station, where many native about mining and exploration. title holders grew up and Some of the native title worked, is now under native holders want to return to title. Anyungyunba outstation, “I worked for a long time on Pine Hill,” Leslie Stafford “I teach young people Looking after Akerre Pwerrerl said. “I branded about important places bullocks and broke horses.” THE newly-recognised native Peter Cole Peltharr said old and to do ceremony title holders of New Crown people told them “the right the right way.” and Andado stations have stories”. wasted no time in exercising “Old Bruce Campbell, he across the river from the Pine their right to care for one of was a cook who told us stories Hill homestead and hope the their most important sites. about country and I now pass native title decision will speed Just weeks after Justice on those stories to young that process up. Charlesworth handed down people,” Mr Cole said. “My family have been living the native title determination The native title holders hunt, there for many years, it would over both stations at Aputula, visit rock holes and practice be great to live on my own elder Marlene Doolan and ceremony on the station, often country,” Dean Pepperill said. young community residents in the company of the Central “I would like to come and Rene Stuart, Warrie Doolan, Land Council’s Anmatyerr live on the outstation. I feel and Dwayne Carroll joined Rangers in Ti Tree. grateful for the native title a group of scientists and “We feel good when we go consent determination. Territory government to country,” Amy Campbell “And to try and get it going rangers on a monitoring trip Peltharr said. again, to have more activity to Akerre. “When the CLC rangers and program going again, Also known as Mac Clark come to help us we go to places I have been taking kids there Conservation Reserve, the Rene Stuart warms a mulgara trapped at Akerre at dawn. we didn’t go to for a long time”. for school holidays - going on area on Andado is of great “I teach young people about country, they love that.” cultural significance to its measured the growth of the We’d have a lot of work out traditional owners. acacia peuce and spotlighted here,” she said. “We have lots of sacred well into the night. Aputula has long pushed sites out here,” Ms Doolan “I can go back knowing that for its own Aboriginal ranger said. three of our young ones are group. It is also home to many happy,” Marlene Doolan said. The community is high on rare and vulnerable animals, “We want more of our the Central Land Council’s including the Mulgara, young people to get involved wish list for new ranger a meat-eating marsupial to learn what the rangers are groups. mouse, and the acacia peuce doing to look after country. Traditional owners want (waddywood) tree that grows We’ve got to teach our young their future ranger group only at Akerre and two other people two ways.” to work alongside scientists places in Queensland. Ms Doolan told everyone and NT Parks and Wildlife The elders swapped about the cultural importance Service rangers. knowledge with the of the area, including sites They look forward to scientists while the younger that have been looked after joining similar trips in an participants got up at dawn and visited for generations. unofficial capacity until a with the rangers to check “There are big stories in joint management plan for Elliott traps for native that country and we want their region is developed and Amy Campbell (with Justice Reeves) said her family like “visiting the marsupials. our young people to learn implemented. country, hunting and visiting the little station house” on Pine Hill. The youngsters also and train to look after them. August 2018 11 NEWS Education champions push New WETT committee takes shape for ‘Warlpiri theme cycle’

THE Warlpiri Education and “It’s showing us how we can Training Trust is investing do it for the next theme, which community royalty income is kuyu [animal and meat],” in yet another attempt to she said. convince the Northern Among the Lajamanu Territory government to get residents Ms Martin and serious about bilingual and Annette Patrick have consulted bicultural education. are Robyn Napurrrurla and The WETT’s education Marlkirdi Rose. champions are talking with “Everyone was really Yapa school staff and elders supportive,” Ms Martin said. in four Tanami communities “One old man said it brought about a project matching the back happy memories of how Warlpiri theme cycle to the NT education was before for kids. school curriculum (learning “Now they all have mobiles plan). and new technology, but “We have been doing the they still need to be going Warlpiri theme cycle for a long out with the old people and time now,” teacher Barbara learning about places and New WETT advisory committee members from Nyirrpi Jacob Spencer, Agnes Brown (left) and Kirsty-Anne Napanangka Martin said. names, ceremony and making Brown (second from right) with the CLC’s Aysia Rodgers and founding member Fiona Gibson (centre). “It’s important to us and we artefacts. They can learn have always been using it to everything that way.” NYIRRPI has elected new Warlpiri Education Then they can go back home and think about teach our kids.” The $100,000 project and Training Trust (WETT) advisory what things from Nyirrpi they want to report committee members to recommend funding on next time.” for and monitor WETT projects in the Tanami. WETT committee newcomer Kirsty-Anne “One old man said it brought The WETT uses mining royalties to fund Brown went to boarding school at Kormilda educational initiatives for Yapa from four College in Darwin. back happy memories of how Warlpiri speaking communities. Ms Brown works with Warlpiri Youth Fiona Gibson, a founding member of the Development Aboriginal Corporation’s Jaru education was before for kids.” WETT, helped to run the election in her home Pirrjirdi program. community. The mother of two won ‘Jaru of the Year’ for Yapa educators began by aims to foster stronger links “Its good that we are getting new members. Nyirrpi in 2016. mapping the warlalja ‘family between the school curriculum It’s time for the young people to take on this She nominated to become a WETT and kinship’ theme, the first and a WETT program that role,” Ms Gibson said. advisory committee member because she of 12, at Yuendumu’s Bilingual funds country visits for “People like me have been on this committee “wants to learn more” and the WETT “helps Resource Centre. students and elders. for a long time now. communities and helps young people too”. “We have made a first draft With the support of the “These elections are really good for young Willowra elected Bradley Forrest and of the learning pathway from Central Land Council’s people – they really want to know more about Rhonda Larry and nominated Fiona Kitson baby to adult,” Ms Martin said. community development all the programs. as a proxy. “It looks at the different levels team it will also produce a “When they come [to Alice Springs] for the Yuendumu and Lajamanu will hold WETT at the different ages and what curriculum handbook and a [next advisory committee] meeting they can advisory committee elections in August. they should know at that age. web page. look at us all and learn and get used to it. History of bilingual education published ONE of the hopes teacher linguists. But it’s not Aboriginal people have only about money. for a treaty with the NT As time went by it got more government is that it may concerned that children deliver them bilingual weren’t learning English well education. enough, partly because under Linguist Samantha a bilingual model they would Disbray, who has worked learn literacy in their first closely with Warlpiri language first and start to read educators, has just helped and write English later. publish a book about When NAPLAN came, in bilingual learning in the 2008, it was clear that no Territory. Aboriginal students in the The History of Bi- NT were learning English lingual Education in literacy as quickly as children the Northern Territory who were learning English as has been entered in the their first language. This is Chief Minister’s book of course very obvious, but prize, with the first copy it created this political idea going to the NT education that if you blame bilingual minister. education you can get around Land Rights News the problem that lots of kids asked Dr Disbray why struggle because they are first bilingual education in language speakers of other the Territory has become languages. So the push for so controversial and national standard English politicised. literacy tests has made the Educators Barbara Martin, Annette Patrick and Robyn Napurrurla worked on the Yapa curriculum in Lajamanu. The NT education bilingual program in the last department right from 10 years very political. impact. Partly because they don’t see them as having an in the NT particularly the start thought it costs How much has this to do can’t understand what it’s economic worth in the many ignorant? more because there are with the fact that most of like to learn in a language ways that Aboriginal people No. Whether it is Spanish- extra positions involved the decision makers can they don’t know and partly themselves see their languages speaking students in the US with bilingual education, only speak one language? because they don’t value as preciously valuable. or whether we see Indonesian Aboriginal teachers and That has had an enormous Aboriginal languages. They Are decision makers being taught to minority 12 August 2018 NEWS Barkly calls for unity to tackle region’s problems A BARKLY delegation to black market is “front and Canberra has proposed a centre” for new police and public “regional deal” for Tennant housing safety officers. Creek and surrounding However, Mr McCarthy said communities, bringing together he doubted claims that at least all levels of government with one of the small town’s 11 grog local Aboriginal organisations outlets had been selling alcohol and the newly formed cultural to people late at night, above the authority group. limits set. With the prime minister Another good thing to come declining to visit the out of the community’s turmoil disadvantaged region for now, has been the cultural authority a group of Barkly councillors group it formed following and their mayor took their its big march for an end to idea for a multi-government Regional deal discussions in Canberra: Barkly councillors Kris Civitarese, prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, mayor Steve domestic and family violence regional development plan to Edgington and councillors Ronald Plummer and Ray Aylett. in November. Mr Turnbull. The group could be central to In Canberra, the delegation taken up an offer to work with housing for people,” she said. few options, with a long wait list the proposed multi-government pushed for a coordinated Territory Families because Key positions in the town, for the local rehab service and deal the delegation took to Mr approach to service delivery, it sees a growing recognition such as drug and alcohol the service in Darwin constantly Turnbull. infrastructure investment, that public servants are failing counsellors, remain unfilled full. Mr Edgington reported that employment creation and to connect with Aboriginal five months after the rape of a “You don’t actually have to the prime minister was “very community safety. families. toddler exposed the town’s child have residential treatment interested in the issues” raised. “There’s already collaboration “To have an expectation of protection crisis to the nation programs to get off the grog,” Mr Turnbull sent two in Tennant Creek, but the working with a family to change and brought home the extent of Ms Havnen said. ministers to follow up on the development of a detailed plan things around is hard stuff, so its alcohol problems. “But you at least need some discussions. around social and economic getting a lot more understanding “Many Aboriginal people regular and ongoing support, However, Senator Nigel development would be much ... is the thinking behind the want to get off the grog,” Danila whether it’s group work or Scullion did not offer extra more effective,” mayor Steve department’s offer,”Anyinginyi’s Dilba Health Service CEO Olga individual counselling and resources. Edgington said. general manager, Barbara Shaw, Havnen told The Guardian. support.” He instead called on the Aboriginal organisations are told The Guardian. The constant grief over One positive is that the Territory government to hand key to bridging the gap between There’s a “general system preventable and premature tougher alcohol restrictions the control of services to Aboriginal deeply distrusted government failure on behalf of government”, deaths and suicides are fuelling Central Land Council and others organisations. departments and the local she said. the drinking. called for earlier this year seem “If I’m in Alice Springs and community, where hungry “It’s a broken system,” agreed “Think about the things that to be working. a log falls on my head, take children reportedly break into Julalikari CEO Linda Turner. happen to people in their daily They have reportedly led to me to Congress, and if I’m in houses to steal food. “Territory Families has a lot to lives, the number of deaths,” Ms a drop in both alcohol-related Tennant Creek to Anyinginyi, Despite their loss of faith in answer for.” Havnen said. crime and admissions to the because they are better, more the system and being stretched Ms Turner also repeated the “Go ask anybody in Tennant women’s shelter, increased sophisticated, larger, deeper- to the limit themselves, local town’s increasingly desperate Creek the number of their school attendance and has freed capacity health systems,” he told services are trying to work with pleas for accommodation. immediate or extended family the police up to crack down on The Australian. understaffed and poorly trained “There still overcrowding, that’s passed away in the past grog runners. “Why wouldn’t we be moving, mainstream agencies. there’s still 20 people to a 12 months.” Local MLA Gerry McCarthy instead of having two health Anyinginyi Health has house and there’s no affordable Those wanting to quit have told The Guardian the alcohol systems, to having a single one?”

language speakers, or with bilingual program. But in the 1990s and strengthen young people and Aboriginal language and native American or Canadian In the 1970s, when the NT beyond, all of those positions communities. culture curriculum (learning languages. We see indigenous bilingual program started, and support were taken away We should really be listening plan) and really improve language speakers facing the just a few languages had until it was just individual to their informed ideas for the bilingual education same problems from this written texts, and most of schools trying to make their education and training. curriculum. monolingual mindset and them were Bible texts. A really own programs. And you So there is a good resistance to multilingualism outstanding outcome of the could see that schools really We’ve had a Labor curriculum but there are no and language rights of program is thousands of books struggled. government for the past positions dedicated to it in minority language speakers. in Aboriginal languages. They How are people resisting? two years. Do you have Central Australia. There’s no It all comes down to power. wouldn’t have been written Really interesting new much hope that things are obligation for schools to use about to change? it or develop programs that No. Remember, in 2008 it follow that curriculum. A “That’s a very positive thing about the was a Labor government that curriculum is just a piece of closed the bilingual program paper. It only has an impact bilingual program: it actually makes from one day to the next. if schools use it seriously. . Education minister Marion The NT government would learning easier for kids.” Scrymgour brought in the have to be willing to redirect policy that the first four hours its resources to really see How does your book without the program. initiatives are coming from of every school day had to be these things happen. show the value of Abori- Was bilingual education Aboriginal people who have taught in English. That policy Can it really afford to ginal languages? better in the past? that experience from the was peeled back but there waste more money on Yuendumu teacher Tess It was much stronger in bilingual program. They hasn’t been a lot of support monolingual education Ross talks about those young the past because when they are creating their own for the bilingual program. that’s not working? people who started to learn established the bilingual partnerships between schools If Aboriginal people Absolutely not. The research really quickly when they program they put a lot of and other organisations. For negotiated a treaty with that I and many other people started teaching them in resources into it. Some people example ranger programs the NT government could have done shows if Aboriginal Warlpiri. That’s a very positive were responsible for making where kids are learning that advance bilingual people are more involved thing about the bilingual books, others made sure language and cultural education? in education, including program: it actually makes English as a second language knowledge on country. Absolutely. I think that those bilingual education, there is a learning easier for kids. training was available for all The Warlpiri Education and kinds of agreements when much greater chance of good Tess talks about those teachers and there were all Training Trust is one of those they are followed up with outcomes. Even just greater Warlpiri students later these positions around that ground-up initiatives, where actions and implementation focus on Aboriginal teachers working in the clinic or as made the program work. a group of educators in the strategies can have enormous and Aboriginal languages police aides because they Many people contributed over bilingual program could see power. But it takes good will in schools is likely to lead were ‘two-ways strong’. She 50 years to making bilingual what schools couldn’t offer. and money because these to better attendance and talks about hearing Warlpiri education in the NT strong, These women were able to things do need resourcing. engagement. School becomes news on the radio. The writers lots of people working on design and fund their own The NT education more meaningful. of those radio scripts had it, lots of ways to share new programs to keep languages department last year did a lot developed their skills in the ideas. and culture strong and of work to rewrite its existing August 2018 13 NEWS Coniston Massacre 90 Time To Tell The Truth

IN historical terms 90 years is Many innocent Aboriginal anger. It was an extraordinary not long ago and for Aboriginal people were caught up in the level of forgiveness, if I use people in Central Australia, the massacres that followed. that word." Coniston Massacre still looms A group led by Constable She said it is important to large. William George Murray, who remember our shared past, For most of the rest of was already on his way to no matter how ugly. Australia though, it might as investigate cattle killings at “The most important thing, well never have happened. Pine Hill and Coniston, set for me, is that the story's being The Coniston Massacre of out from Coniston Station on told and not forgotten, not 1928 was a series of killings the 16 August and killed five pushed around underneath in response to two attacks on people that day. some sort of excuse that, 'Oh, settlers. By the time they returned that's what happened then.' One was the murder of to Coniston Station on the 30 Our history's complicated, Frederick Brooks on August August at least 17 people were it's bloody, it's messy, it's ugly, 7, 1928 and the second was dead. and that's just how life is. an attack on Nugget Morton Bullfrog hid from Murray’s I think, just because it makes around the same time. men in a cave (inset, opposite people feel uncomfortable, I Brooks, a friend of Randall page). don't think that's adequate Stafford who ran Coniston, He blocked the entrance (to avoid it). I think we need had set out with camels from of the cave with a stone or to know and understand Coniston to trap a few dingos spinifex and managed to ourselves, about where we to get him over hard times. He escape. live, and the context within set up camp at the soakage and He grew old and died at which we've established was, by some accounts, well- Yuendumu and people still Former CLC chair Kumanjayi Brown spoke at the 75 year commemoration. this nation, and some of the liked by the local Aboriginal visit the cave where he hid context is really ugly." people. with his little dog. Aboriginal people were killed A great-niece of Constable One of the key organisers There are many stories told Around the time Brooks was by Murray and his men, and Murray, Liza Dale-Hallett behind the 75th anniversary about Bullfrog (Japanangka, killed, a group of Aboriginal that all were killed in self attended the 75th anniversary commemorations, former CLC pictured below), the man who men attacked Stafford’s defence. of the massacre when a chairman the late Mr Brown killed Brooks. Some say he had neighbor Nugget Morton at Aboriginal accounts memorial, that promises to was adamant the Coniston however, say the figure is always remember the victims, massacre should be taught “It’s like a Port Arthur Massacre. And the more like 100 people. was unveiled on the site. in schools to give students The killings, the whitewash Surviving members of a fuller understanding of Trade Center in New York. A Bali bombing. afterwards and the lack of families massacred during the Australia’s history. recognition by the general Coniston attacks had invited “It’s like a Port Arthur That’s the history, you know? public in the years since are her. Massacre. And the Trade It just happened where we stand, some of the reasons why the "There I was, meeting with Center in New York. A Bali Uluru Statement calls for a people who had been directly bombing. That’s the history, on the bank of the river.” Makarrata Commission to affected over generations, but you know? It didn’t happen supervise a process of truth there were also people there anywhere. It just happened one wife staying with Brooks, Boomerang Waterhole, up on telling about Australia’s who were present during the where we stand, on the bank some say he had two. the Lander River. history. massacre, who survived and of the river,” he said. Most agree that Bullfrog was He fought them off, killed Massacres such as Coniston witnessed the most terrible The plaque erected to mark angry about his wife staying one man and called for help. are part of the Frontier Wars things. So, as children, they the events reads: “In 1928 with Brooks and that perhaps Constable Murray arrived and Central Australian leaders experienced that trauma,” she near this place the murder Brooks didn’t pay him enough in late September, got a party want conflicts between their told SBS News. of Frederick Brooks led to in rations. together and continued to kill ancestors and the invaders “Now, I met those people, the killing of many innocent Early one morning, Bullfrog people around the Lander and their supporters in and I was so impressed with Aboriginal people across the crept down and killed Brooks. and Hanson Rivers until government, the courts and their capacity to ... you know region. We will remember Again accounts differ, with mid-October. the police to be remembered ... acknowledge me in a way them always.” some people saying Bullfrog The official inquiry that annually in a similar way to that expressed love, rather And we still do. and another man killed Brooks. followed found that 31 ANZAC Day. than hatred, or some sort of

14 August 2018 NEWS Year Commemoration

Places which have been officially recognised as massacre locations.

Places where Aboriginal people believe killings also occurred.

August 2018 15 NEWS Your vote is powerful… if you use it IT’S been a long time since councillor Jacinta Price go to ntec.nt.gov.au or Central Australia was from the Country Liberal call 8951 5971. last crawling with federal Party. You can also go to politicians, but lately they If she won the seat www.aec.gov.au/enrol/ have been all over the it would help Malcolm and follow the easy English region like a bucket of itchy Turnbull cling on to power instructions to get on the grubs. in Canberra. roll.” Everybody knows what In the NT elections “Or walk into the electoral this means. remote communities have office in the Yeperenye There’s an election just already shown that their Centre in Alice Springs or around the corner and the vote can make or break your town and get the staff Any questions about vast electorate of Lingiari is governments. to help you.” CLC business? up for grabs. “Don’t waste it,” former “Don’t wait for the Call your regional officers: This federal election is CLC executive member and people from the electoral shaping up to be close, ex Greens party candidate commission to come to your meaning your vote is as Vincent Forrester warned community,” he said. 1. ALICE SPRINGS powerful as can be. the land council delegates “If you leave it to the last Vacant (Jesyjames), Lingiari, represented by at Barunga. minute and an election is 8956 6255 Labor’s Warren Snowdon, “I don’t care who you vote called early you could miss covers all of the Territory for but, for god’s sake, enrol out.” 2. SOUTH WEST except for Darwin. to vote!” Mr Forrester said. “I don’t care who you vote for You don’t have to be green Denis Colson, Breathing down his “It’s easy. If you have but, for god’s sake, enrol to vote! to see that would be a total It’s easy.” 89 8956 2119 neck is Alice Springs town access to the internet just waste of your powerful vote. 3. NORTH WEST Howard King, Ladies, your land council needs you! 8975 0885 THERE is one election “All you have to do to “As long as you are a “Ladies, you can change 4. TANAMI where you don’t have to vote is to turn up to the community resident and are that,” Mr Kelly said. Fred Williams, enrol – the Central Land election meeting in your older than 18 you can both “We’ve got to be equal. 89 8951 0581 Council election in the first community,” CLC chair vote and be elected. Please have a think about quarter of next year. Francis Kelly said. And, unlike the coming running for council and make federal election there’s no sure you let your friends and 5. WEST chance the CLC election will family know.” Michael Turner, be called early. 8956 8658 “It will be around March CLC 2019. Look out for our DELEGATES 6. TENNANT CREEK election posters,” Mr Kelly Darryl “Tiger” Fitz, said. 8962 2343 There are many differences between the 7. EASTERN CLC election and the federal SANDOVER election but one sticks out Jesyjames Carr, like a sore thumb. 8956 6255 Central Australian communities have elected 8. EASTERN PLENTY many more men than Richard Dodd, women. 8956 9722 Some think it’s a shame job that only 15 of 90 members of the current 9. CENTRAL council are women and 15 75 Vacant (Jesyjames), there is not a single woman WOMEN MEN 8956 6255 Mildred Inkamala is one of too few female CLC delegates. on the CLC’s executive. VOTE 2019 Who do you want to represent your region?

16 August 2018 NEWS Rangers tackle threats to rock wallabies TENNANT Creek’s Muru- September, they found wallaby Karina’s mother, Krista Warinyi Ankkul Rangers are remains in the cat scats (poo), Price, enjoyed “walking up the helping traditional owners to showing that cats are eating hill to do wallaby surveys and save vulnerable black-footed the wallabies. it’s also good for the health”. rock wallabies from feral cats. They also trapped two cats, Photos taken with a sensor Protection of the wallaby humanely destroyed them and camera showed cats and colony near Nguyarrmini, analysed their diet. There were wallabies sharing the same 65 kilometres south-east of remains of a nyinkka (spiny rock shelters. Tennant Creek, is part of The rangers and traditional their predator control and “Surveying the owners set up the traps in the threatened species monitoring afternoon and checked them work. wallabies helps first thing in the morning That includes collecting data us to know their before it got hot. about wallabies for better land When they caught a cat management planning and location and Barkly vet Torquil would trapping feral cats. habitat.” put the cat to sleep using a The rangers and traditional tranquiliser and check its owners surveyed around the tail monitor lizard) in the cats’ stomach for prey. community for signs of the stomachs. They did not catch any wallabies and their main Last April the rangers feral cats on this trip, but one predator, having learnt the camped and worked closely jumped right over the trap. best methods for collecting with the traditional owners “This cat must have nine feral cat and wallaby data. of Nguyarrmini, sharing lives,” ranger Carl O’Cleary “Surveying the wallabies knowledge on how to survey said. helps us to know their location for wallabies and cats in their “If we had caught it we would and habitat,” ranger Kylie region. have checked its stomach to Sambo said. Everyone helped to monitor see what it had been feeding “The traditional owners wallaby scats by walking in off and sent the contents for know wallabies are good for transect (a line), recording further analysis,” Ms Sambo the country, they liven it up. scat and wallaby tracks with said. When you don’t have any the CLC’ Tracks app. The rangers enjoyed working wallabies it’s sort of like the Traditional owner Karina closely with traditional owners country is unwell,” ranger and Price said her favourite part on country and will continue to Nguyarrmini resident Gerry of this project was “learning collect data about the species Price said. about different animal scats”, in the rocky outcrops. When the rangers first while Mervyn Spratt liked surveyed Nguyarrmini, last “learning how to use the traps”. Ranger Carl O’Cleary teaches his colleague how to set cat traps. Strong Women on Country report urges boost of female ranger numbers 'BECAUSE of her, we can' is community of Nyirrpi. work keeps their families and distributed bush medicine of the Lowitja Institute this year’s NAIDOC theme. “My mum and dad taught communities strong. products to local clinics. for Aboriginal Health Pat It would have made a fitting me to track, hunt and catch The report uses the example “I like to educate the Anderson called the ranger title for a new report that pussycat,” she said. of the Arltarlpilta Rangers’ younger generation about profiles “an exciting and features several members of “I’ve been teaching my bush medicine program, staying on country and doing positive glimpse of what the Central Land Council’s children and my nephews which takes elders and the work,” Ms Petrick said. indigenous women are ranger program. and nieces so that they can young people around Atitjere Across Australia, achieving already”. The Strong Women on take over from me. Now there on collecting and harvest- approximately half of all “There is so much more to Country report urges the are girls asking me about this mapping trips. rangers are women, according do, so much more country Australian government to work, so they can learn and Barbara Petrick’s group to the report. to manage, so much need boost the numbers of female teach others.” has published a book about At the CLC women to sustain our cultural Aboriginal rangers and At the same time, their 13 local medicine plants and make up one third of the connections and local celebrates them as successful ranger program and the communities,” Ms Anderson role models. organisation’s first female said. The release of the report is Aboriginal ranger co- "Now more than ever, we a call to double the funding ordinator, Josephine Grant, need to recognise the value of for Aboriginal rangers and was appointed last year. strong women on country and Indigenous Protected Areas The report showcases Ms expand our vision to match (IPAs) over five years, commit Grant’s career path and their commitment, resilience to 10 years of funding, and support a target of 5,000 ranger jobs across the country. “An exciting and positive glimpse Compiled by the Country Needs People campaign, of what indigenous women it includes profiles of CLC rangers Josephine Grant, are achieving already.” Barbara Petrick, Christine Michaels-Ellis and Helen explains how the CLC builds and optimism to deliver Wilson, among case studies the confidence of its female a stronger and healthier from around the country. rangers. Australia for us all." The report explains how “I’ve gone for training "The report is a testament women rangers look after and workshops, been to to the incredible work of their communities at the conferences and would like women rangers and supports same time as they tackle to learn even more,” North the call to grow more ranger environmental threats. Tanami Ranger Helen Wilson jobs across our IPAs," Sophie It features interviews with said. Walter from Country Needs women who protect their “Now I’m standing up in People added. country from wildfires, front of biggest mob of people The federal government invasive weeds and feral and speaking aloud. I’ve never currently funds paid work for animals. used a microphone before. more than 2,500 Aboriginal Warlpiri ranger Christine But now I’m standing strong rangers, many of them casual Michaels Ellis explained how and can do anything.” and part-time, but there is no she is keeping the vital skill of Launching the report long term funding to secure Helen Wilson and Gladys Brown are two CLC rangers featured in the report. cat hunting alive in her home in Melbourne, the chair their futures. August 2018 17 NEWS Rangers’ study achievements celebrated Congratulations, Dr Kevin!

Dr Hagan honoured Malcolm Kenny for serving for 10 years with the Tjuwanpa Rangers in Ntaria.

BEING a ranger is all about certificates 1 to 4 in con- signed up for a certificate 4 getting better at the job servation land management. this year. through two-way learning. There were big rounds of “My goal is to inspire Formal study is an applause from their peers the next generation of important part of this and the as Dr Hagan called out the community leaders to take rangers love to celebrate their rangers’ names one by one. greater responsibility for their education successes together. Some rangers had travelled education, their careers and During a presentation up from the APY lands for the how they would like to achieve ceremony at the Central event. their goals,” Mr Oliver said. Land Council’s annual Among the names was He is looking forward to ranger camp at Hamilton that of Fraser Oliver, an receiving his award again Downs, Dr Stephen Hagan, award-winning ranger in front of his family at the from the Batchelor Institute, who completed certificates official Batchelor Institute congratulated every ranger 2 and 3 since starting graduation ceremony at the EASTERN ARRERNTE and David Peltharre who had completed a with the Ltyentye Apurte Desert Peoples Centre campus man Kevin Dolman Dolman joined him. qualification over the last two Rangers three years ago. in Alice Springs later this year. Pengarte’s graduation was His thesis is called years. It meant spending long In addition to celebrating a proud family affair. "Dismally poor returns Between them, 21 rangers periods of time away from his the achievement of various Dr Dolman (above right) to date": a review of the received 33 qualifications family and community. qualifications, 34 rangers received his Doctorate of Indigenous affairs system. rom Batchelor, ranging from “Which is hard for a young, also received service awards Philosophy at the Alice It takes a close look culturally strong person,” for continuous employment. Springs campus of the at a five-year Council of he said, “but I learned to Those awards recognised Charles Darwin University Australian Governments balance this and maintain more than three year’s service. in June. (COAG) project which a solid connection with my Tjuwanpa’s Malcolm Kenny His mothers Sylvia overhauled the national family, culture, country and was honoured for more than Perrurle Neale, Veronica administration of money employment.” 10 years of work with the Perrurle Turner, sister spent on Indigenous Mr ranger program. Veronica Pengarte Dolman Australians. Oliver has

What strengths do you bring to your traditional owner ranger advisory committee ranger group? ask us to do. Commitment. Making sure rangers are always What are some of the hard things? on time. Getting new rangers to stay committed and step What projects has your ranger group up to become leaders within our group. been working on? What is the best thing about being a Our latest project is the bush tucker poster. It ranger? has just been released (see story on p. 19). Being a ranger isn’t just all about getting paid. What languages do you speak? To me it’s more about going out on country with Gurindji and English. traditional owners and looking at their reactions when visiting their country after so many years What made you want to be a ranger? of not being able to. It breaks my heart seeing I wanted to become a role model for our younger my countrymen like that - both sad and happy generations and also to my kids. at the same time. Why is it important to work on your It’s about country trips with them and country? organisations such as our Karukarni art centre or our local school. It strengthens my connections in looking after country. I was only raised here but my family What do you like doing outside of work? are laid to rest in this beautiful Gurindji country. Spending quality times with my What is the type of work you do as a family, friends and my kids. ranger? What would you say Looking after country, such as weed controlling, to the prime minister checking if our waterways are healthy, taking about rangers? traditional owners on country trips, making sure “Give us a fair go so that the pastoralists are looking after our country the we have enough rangers right way and fencing off important sites such looking after country.” Ursula Chubb as springs and massacre sites. Whatever our

18 August 2018 NEWS Gurindji bush tucker poster for sale

THE Murnkurrumurnkurru to look for them. open to get the nut out and Rangers have produced a new Then they visited Cattle how people use the leaves as a poster of Gurindji country. Creek Station with some of medicine to treat skin sores”. While the rangers’ previous the traditional owners to During lunch at the old posters have featured birds, photograph fruits, nuts and homestead, elders who had fish and bush medicine, this yams. worked in the 1970s, such as year they decided to focus on Ranger Helma Bernard said Ena Oscar, showed them the bush tucker. her favourite part of the trip old ‘blacks camp’ and talked Bush Mechanics They were assisted by their was “listening to Paddy Doolak about how they used to get elders, who advised on which talking about partiki (bush food at the station. plants to document and where nuts) – how they bust them The rangers learned about to the rescue! “kurrarntala (brolga) egg dreaming rocks, which BUSH mechanics saved kicked in while people are located close to the the day when disaster scrambled to stem the leak homestead”, Ms Bernard said. struck a group of 26 with their bare hands. Penny Smith, from people at Jiwaranpa on the Before long, not a drop Karungkarni Arts, and Felicity North Tanami Indigenous of water was escaping, Meakins, from the University Protected Area. thanks to an ingenious of Queensland, supported Central Land Council combination of a garbage the production of the poster, rangers, elders and a PAW bag and a hand-carved which can be purchased from Media crew, who were at carrot. Batchelor Press. the remote site to film for Four days and more than the IPA’s digital storybook, 200 kilometres of dirt watched in horror as the roads later the carrot was coupling to their 1000 still in place and had to be litre drinking water trailer dislodged with a drill. snapped off shortly after Listen up you mob: when arriving. going bush don’t forget Bush survival instincts your veggies!

Ranger Helma Bernard helped make the latest poster. Kunpulu catch inspires rangers THE recent catch of a “We always knew about the recorded in Australia.” freshwater sawfish has left rock art painting of the saw Dr Kyne took a sample the Murrnkurru Murrnkurru fish,” Ms Chubb said. “It was from the rostrum (saw) of Ms Rangers keen to learn more shown to us by our elders.” Smiler’s sawfish to help work about the endangered species Mr Jimmy first saw the out the size of its family. and how to look after it. painting “when I was a boy, “We basically look at the The rangers had suspected walking around on country”. relationships of individuals that sawfish, kunpulu in “I was walking in this creek and then estimate the Gurindji, were still around and I found this painting of population size based upon the creeks feeding the Victoria the number of mothers that River, but seeing a 2.7 metre “This is the have produced the juveniles specimen with their own eyes that we’ve seen,” he explained. was something else. furthest inland The locals flocked to “When Lisa Smiler first his education sessions in caught it, it was all over that sawfish have Kalkaringi to find out more. social media. No one had ever been recorded in The largetooth sawfish is experienced it before,” ranger extinct in all but three of the Ursula Chubb said. Australia.” 80 countries where it was once People were “in shock to see found. a giant fish that size. It was so this sawfish on the other side Nobody knows how many enormous it fed the whole of of the creek, and I could see it are left in Australia. Daguragu”. really clear,” he recalled. Linguist Felicity Meakins is When Ms Smiler pulled A hunter had probably working with the rangers and the sawfish, a relative of the painted the giant fish to elders to help biologists study Above: Lisa Smiler with the rostrum of the sawfish. sharks, out of Wattie Creek remind himself and others the sawfish population. Below: Rock painting near Wattie Creek: “We always knew about it.” she was frightened. of the creatures’ existence in Kunpulu is the same word “She thought it was some these waters. used in languages along the other thing,” ranger Phillip Mr Jimmy led biologist Peter Victoria River. Jimmy told the ABC. Kyne, from Charles Darwin “We can use that linguistic Scientists were stunned University, to the site where information to track the path to hear of a sawfish this far Lisa Smiler caught the fish. of the fish,” Dr Meakin said. inland but the rangers not so “We had no understanding The information is compared much. that sawfish occurred so far with the findings of the They had taken nearby rock inland,” Dr Kyne said. scientists, and is then used to art depicting the rare species “This is the furthest inland work out how best to manage as a sign of its presence. that sawfish have been its habitat. August 2018 19 HEALTH Taskforce to fight dangerous New centre part of push to make FASD history virus in Central Australia THE Northern Territory’s the centre would be in high first centre for foetal alcohol demand. spectrum disorder (FASD) in “We do have a lot of babies Alice Springs has seen many that come into DASA, they’re children since it opened in almost all Aboriginal kids,” April. she said. The centre provides Some believe that helping assessment and treatment for kids with FASD could also help children with developmental preserve Aboriginal culture concerns. because it needs to be passed It has already diagnosed on through stories, song and children with FASD, the mental tradition. impairment that can affect Meanwhile almost 200 children whose parents drink Aboriginal leaders and too much grog, especially at representatives of community- conception and during the controlled organisations have early weeks of pregnancy. met with politicians, public FASD causes severe servants, medical professionals developmental delays, and non-government disability, learning difficulties, organisations and vowed to memory impairment and “make FASD history”. behavioural problems. The forum in Darwin, where “Many children are 37 organisations from across presenting with developmental the Territory made the pledge, Education and prevention is the key: Dr Lloyd Einsiedel and researcher Joel Liddle are working on a public health response to the HTLV-1 virus. Photo: ABC News/Tom Hancock. delays and Congress felt that was organised by APO NT, it was important to not only the Aboriginal peak bodies do full health checks, but including the Central Land A NEW $8 million govern- communities surveyed were limitations of existing wraparound services and Council. ment taskforce to fight found to have the virus. information.” support,” Congress child and “Alcohol misuse and its communicable diseases in In May, the Global Virus Funding will also be family services senior manager consequences are an issue for remote communities will Network reported that a available for detailed Dawn Ross told the ABC. all Territorians, particularly our target the HTLV-1 virus that recent hospital-based study studies of the spread of the “Every parent wants to know most vulnerable,” the forum’s is causing great concern in Central Australia found virus and for international if there’s a delay that there’s a communique said. around Central Australia. that more than one in three collaboration on treatment service out there that’s going to Delegates agreed that The Human T-cell (33.6 percent) of tested options. be provided for them.” stigmatising women or Lymphotropic Virus-1 is a Aboriginal people had the Minister for indigenous The centre offers a team of Aboriginal people is not helpful. potentially cancer-causing virus in their blood. health Ken Wyatt said child doctors (paediatricians), “It is important that we don’t virus that lives in human Only about one in a working with Aboriginal mental health doctors lay blame, but instead work blood. hundred (1.3 percent) families and communities (psychologists), speech and together, to support our women The virus is completely children tested had the will be a vital part of the occupational therapists and and young girls,” they said. preventable, but can virus, but those figures rise taskforce’s work. other specialists. Because “everyone is at risk cause a chronic infection sharply in older people. “Progress on HTLV-1 It is not known how many of FASD” everyone must be and damage to the body’s children in Central Australia aware of the harmful effects immune (disease-fighting) have FASD but in some other of drinking before and during system. “Indigenous Australian residents of remote communities one in pregnancy. It can make some people Central Australia have the highest five Aboriginal children are “Our men also need to step very sick or even kill them. estimated to suffer from FASD. up and support our mothers, Many others only get HTLV-1 prevalence in the world.” Australia-wide it is thought sisters, nieces and partners, to mild signs or none at all, so that more than half a million ensure that we give every child they do not know they are The network said the virus and other communicable people have what is also known the best chance in life.” infected. is spread by people who diseases will only be as the ‘invisible disability’. Congress CEO Donna Ah HTLV-1 can be sexually don’t know they have it. achieved through working That’s because people Chee said that means reducing transmitted or passed from “As with most blood- and walking together with with FASD can often go the level of heavy drinking by mother to child. borne and sexually trans- our First Nations people undiagnosed and untreated. cutting grog supply. It is very common in mitted viruses the majority from the start,” Mr Wyatt Many get into trouble with “No matter how good services some parts of the world of HTLV-1 positive said. the law. and programs are, once the and among some groups people transmit the virus The new funding comes Congress’ Dr John Boffa said [FASD] diagnosis is made, not of people but very rare unknowingly,” it reported. on top of $8.8 million over almost one in three children in all of the damage can ever be elsewhere. These people are unaware three years to combat a juvenile detention in Western undone.” Experts say some that they are at risk of syphilis outbreak in Central Australia have the disorder Aboriginal communities developing diseases caused Australia and northern and less than one in 10 had no in central and northern by the virus. Australian regions until developmental disorders. Australia have very high The network also says mid-2020. “This is cause for great rates of HTLV-1 infections. HTLV-1 can cause a blood The Central Australian concern as we know there are Executive director of cancer in adults, called T Aboriginal Congress chief many young people in Central the Central Australia Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. executive Donna Ah Chee Australia also ending up in Baker Heart and Diabetes Health minister Greg told The Guardian that youth detention but up to now Institute, Dr Lloyd Hunt said the new the response to HTLV-1 they have not been assessed,” Einsiedel, is a member of taskforce will be led by must be led by Aboriginal Dr Boffa said. a national HTLV-1 working the Commonwealth’s chief communities. He hopes that diagnosing group. medical officer and bring “The role of Aboriginal children with FASD as early as possible will help secure Dr Einsiedel said the virus together representation community-controlled support from the National is a cause for great concern from Aboriginal com- primary health services will Disability Insurance Scheme in Central Australia. be critical,” she said. munities, health providers, and Congress, as well as to help “Indigenous Australian researchers, clinicians and “Through our sister lower prison rates. residents of Central all levels of government. services in Western and “Throwing them in prison Australia have the highest He said it will investigate South Australia, we must won’t solve the problem,” said HTLV-1 prevalence in the HTLV-1 and develop a develop a public health Drug and Alcohol Services world,” he warned on the response plan. response covering education Australia chief executive Carol group’s website. “Its overall impacts and prevention.” Taylor. He reported that, so are not well understood, Ms Taylor believes that a lot far, more than half of the due to difficulties with of the youth problems in Alice adults in some remote data collection and the Springs stem from intellectual impairment and predicted 20 August 2018 NEWS Rangers have a clear vision of better eye health WHEN Aboriginal rangers that trachoma tablet’.” “All of their family they live report feeling healthier than “They were well aware. with need to be treated as well other countrymen and women They are not worried. The and then we have to monitor it may well be because they blindness that can potentially them in the future to see if are healthier. occur, that’s decades down the they develop these chronic Just ask Alice Springs track.” changes, which can lead to optometrist Jo Murphy. Mr Murphy has contacted blindness down the track,” Mr Murphy spends a lot of the clinics where the infected he said. time in remote communities, rangers live so they could get “We’ll be able to prevent checking peoples’ eyes antibiotic tablets to clear up them from going blind if they for signs of serious, but the infection. have regular eye tests.” preventable diseases. He is a familiar sight at Central Land Council ranger camps. At the Hamilton Downs What is trachoma and camp he set up shop in one of the old stone buildings, how can we stop it? Optometrist Jo Murphy examines CLC ranger co-ordinator Benji Kenny. offering eye checks and some good news. also not as advanced among “I saw 31 people yesterday AUSTRALIA is the only “The number one thing is “The rate of diabetic rangers as among the general and found that two people had developed country in face washing and cleaning retinopathy, cataracts and population out bush. active trachoma, a bacterial the world that still has around the house and sight-threatening trachoma “It’s still prevalent and he infection of the eyelids,” Mr trachoma. the yard,” Mr Murphy in remote communities is a said. Murphy said. “Most optometrists never explained. lot higher than among the Diabetics need to have their Mr Murphy said the news see a single case in their “Remove anything that rangers,” Mr Murphy said. eyes checked for trachoma about the disease, which working lives, but here in attracts flies and wash your “That may be partly because Central Australia it’s far too face at least morning and rangers are younger, but also “The eyes of rangers appear to be common,” Mr Murphy said. night.” because they are physically Flies spread the bacteria “When you wake up in the active and have better general much healthier than what I see on my that cause the infection. morning try and remove any health.” Repeated eye infections gunk from around the eye to “While I can see signs of standard remote community trips.” can cause scarring of the make it difficult for flies to trachoma among rangers I once a year, and the ranger can make people blind if eyelids years later. They transmit the trachoma,” he haven’t come across the sight- program is encouraging staff untreated, didn’t cause too change their shape so that said. threatening cases that I often to get all their check-ups. much alarm. the lashes scratch the eyes. “When the trachoma team come across during our trips This years’ ranger camp, “When I explained to the This is what can lead to come just make sure you get to remote communities.” attended by 130 rangers from rangers ‘you know, that blindness. checked for trachoma and He said diabetic retinopathy, the CLC region and beyond, trachoma bug, that’s what’s Luckily trachoma is easy take the tablets when you changes to the blood vessels in showed that it pays to be causing your eyes to be a bit to prevent. need to.” the eye from sugar diabetes, is vigilant about eye health. watery’, they said ‘ah, I need

“Nothing has changed”: Martin Luther King III

STU DY Call us on: Were you in the 1800 SN A P N T SN A P (1800 68 7627) Study? * or

Contact our local

team:

Karen in Darwin: Margaret Scobie (left), Martin Luther King III and his wife Arndrea. Photo: Akeyulerre. 0484 611 544 THE son of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr was [email protected] disappointed about the lack of progress since his last visit to Alice Springs, 20 years ago. Yvon in Alice Spring: Martin Luther King III said it was not a good look that the dominant 0432 704 011 building in the centre of town was the Supreme Court and Aboriginal people were locked up more than those of any other nation on earth.

[email protected] “How do you justify mistreating human beings who really were here

* The SNAP study is a research project that first, before anyone?” Mr King asked at a Reconciliation Week event helps people keep smoke-free. at the Telegraph Station, hosted by Arrernte elders.

August 2018 21 ARTS A manifesto to a generous life National Cultural Centre process a lesson for government THE idea of a national This is really being driven Aboriginal art and cultural by Aboriginal people, that’s centre in Alice Springs the major difference. It’s first received support about time that everybody from Central Land Council started listening to the native delegates four years ago. title holders and the other Much has happened Aboriginal groups throughout since Harold Furber’s Australia. We’ve got to form resentation to the council this MoU with the Arrernte on a hot and dusty day native title holders, there’s got at Alpurrururlam (Lake to be a formal agreement.” Nash) in 2014. Harold Furber added: “The NT Labor committed local Aboriginal community, $20 million to a national the Arrernte people have to Aboriginal cultural centre be foremost in this. This is and $50 million to a about everybody together. national Aboriginal art We’re the heart of Australia. gallery. People around Australia Once in power, the understand that we’ve got government appointed the perfect location. If the NT an expert panel for the government and the people of gallery, including Desart’s Alice Springs want an iconic The late Nura Ward’s first hand account of her life shows her dedication to the APY community. Philip Watkins and visitor experience they will curator Hetti Perkins, to listen to us. We started this POET Ali Coby Ecker- adolescence, and the and duty of cultural law. consult widely. whole project off.” mann pays tribute social changes Aunty Nura She loved being a It then ignored the Has the NT government to Nura Ward’s watched throughout her teacher; it made her feel panel’s preferred site contacted you about the autobiography. lifetime, from first contact young. and tried to impose an cultural centre since the with Europeans and the I remember her saying, unpopular plan to locate controversy about the Ninu is a book pulsing irreversible effects of ‘Ali go get a Toyota’, and the gallery at the ANZAC proposed gallery site blew with love. assimilation. together we would go on Oval, kicking off an up? A first-hand account of Mostly, this book is a adventures through the almighty controversy. Cole: “They have tried to Nura Nungalka Ward, it’s story of land, orated by APY Lands, visiting sites Flying under the radar and our position has been: a manifesto of her life told a woman who knew her and learning story. meanwhile, the cultural we’re going to consult. We’re with a generosity of heart. place within her family, Her generosity was centre working group not going to be prescriptive. Ninu is the telling of her environment and her boundless. has received support We think the people around a real life, each page law. She was always sharing from an estimated 100 Australia will say: ‘We will filled with happiness This was the strength story of country, and the organisations. listen to the native title and love and worth. It’s of her, a Rabbit-eared cultural context. It has quietly expanded holders’. It should be where into a national committee Aboriginal people want it to be. comprised of Mr Furber, Our model is hub and spoke, “We were well looked after as children. Owen Cole, Cameron with cultural centres all over Miller, Karl Hampton Australia coming into Alice We had good lives and we were happy. and Deanella Mack (Alice Springs and bringing their Springs), Christine Fejo culture, their art, everything We grew up in a safe environment. King (Larrakia), Lydia Miller (NSW), Leitha “This is really We grew up healthy and strong.” Assam (Torres Strait) and Wayne Barker being driven amazing in its telling, Bandicoot woman, and She is still sharing (Kimberley). and the accompaniment she delivers memories of knowledge with us, even The committee has by Aboriginal of stunning archival family and kinship, in her passing. received support from photographs. A n angu love and A good teacher embeds the Alice Springs Town people, that’s Her loving friends Julia obligation of traditional lessons deep within. Council and is waiting Burke, Linda Rive and land estates, storytelling The student carries these to hear if the Territory the major Suzanne Bryce worked and the significance of lessons inside, even after government will fund hard to finalise this traditional medicine. the teacher has departed. national consultations. difference.” dream; the publication by It is a powerful These lessons reverberate The committee believes they have collected. This is Magabala Books. philosophy told in her when needed, revealing the government could where the government is ‘We were well looked voice, capturing her joys themselves with deeper learn from its approach. missing the obvious: they’ve after as children. We had and reflections, often with meaning. “We started it off as a got to talk to the native title good lives and we were a resonant of laughter. This has been Aunty’s national art and cultural holders and get them onside happy. We grew up in a This is a story of a life legacy to me, from our centre and the NT government because otherwise we are safe environment. We grew that was cherished and personal and poignant decided to excise the art not going to get the rest of up healthy and strong.’ richly rewarded by her times spent together. component of it. It got together Australia onside.” This profound auto- passion to advocate for her Such is her love. the specialist group and they Do you still want to co- biographical statement people, that she continued Now she has gifted her went through that process locate the cultural centre marks a line in the to her final days. story and knowledge to and ended up very much with with the gallery? sand for the benefits Aunty was fearless in Australia, and to the world. an international standard art Cole: “Art is a manifestation of a rich cultural life this task, her work guided Minyma wiru that one! gallery and recommended as a of Aboriginal culture. It makes lived in childhood and to explain the importance location the Desert Park,” said more than sense to have them Owen Cole. co-located. Just imagine, it “What differentiates us would be a so much more is we’re going out to the fulfilling experience.” communities, right around What would it look like? Australia, and talk to Cole: “It will be a hub and Aboriginal groups and get their spoke thing, not a permanent views on what this cultural collection of exhibitions. It’s centre should comprise and rotating and tapping into that will guide our decisions. cultural organisations around We’ve got a draft concept Australia. We can have the we’re going to take out to Torres Strait Islander people the indigenous masses and here for three weeks, we can we’re going to talk to them have the Kimberley mob and it’s going to be exciting. here, or Arnhemland come in

22 August 2018 ARTS National Cultural Centre process a lesson for government since the First Fleet. It’s work, except it’s got to be the about the Bennelongs, the whole of Australia. Pemulwuys, it’s about all the They even have commercial leaders who have said ‘hang activities under a different on, this is not good enough. structure which generates We want you to sit down and income. They’ve got hotels, talk to us’.” they’ve got two massive We’re about to com- commercial offices across memorate the 90th the road that the indigenous anniversary of the Conis- affairs department leases ton massacres. How would from them. It’s probably three a national Aboriginal times the size of the Yeperenye cultural centre deal with shopping centre. The funds that? they generate go back into the Furber: “It would probably cultural centre. So all this is have a week of it on Coniston possible over time.” and other things that were Furber: “The equivalent occurring at that time. And of that would be to relocate then people could be invited departments from Canberra back to the sites themselves to here. People laugh about where the things actually these things but they can do it happened, the real one the elsewhere!” ground stuff, and talk to the Cole: “We could have descendants of the people who the federal department for Owen Cole and Harold Furber are part of the working group driving the national Aboriginal cultural centre plan. were there.” indigenous health. It could Photo: Chloe Erlich. Cole: “There’s no reason be located right in the centre why we could not get the of the activities. Rather than and take over and show their Participation in the war different viewpoints on the so- Anmatjere and Warlpiri being divorced from the culture, their performances effort. People don’t know called settlement of Australia people to come in and tell their activities in a town called and their artefacts, or bring how many Aboriginal people which also equated to the stories in this cultural centre, Canberra it should be in the their plays or what they want. were involved in the actual dispossession of lands for and about other monumental heart, in Alice Springs.” The one thing that’s constant backup stuff that happened many groups so we want to tell things that have taken place.” Who are you talking to is that we want to showcase in this town and the Northern that story. The positive side of So it could support next, where are you going Arrernte culture because it’s Territory. The hidden story of it, too.” Aboriginal tourism next? on Arrernte land and they’ve Aboriginal people farming the And delivering on the initiatives? Cole: “We’ve done a got to be 100 per cent behind country. It’s only just coming Uluru Statement’s call for Cole: “Economic deve- report and requested that it, and so far they have been.” out now.” truth telling? lopment. Tourism is one the NT government fund Furber: “Not secret/sacred Cole: “The contribution Both: “Yes!” aspect of it. It’s about social national consultations. We’re and cultural development and waiting for it to approve our “Some stories have to be told for us to move forward it’s got to generate work at the submission to go on the road centre and with the associated and talk to 50 communities as a country, as a society, to take its rightful place in groups. We’re hoping that we around Australia over the can use this as an incubator to next 12 months. Furbs and the world community.” develop these other cultural some young people on a centres around Australia. And road show. From that we’ll culture, it’s about the whole to the mining industry. Furber: “A lot of it will be gamut of society and what We’re going to talk about the difficult for us, too, to read Aboriginal people have been Aboriginal scientists, their use some of what’s happened. “They’ve got to talk to the native doing for the last millennia, of astronomy. We want to use Very, very difficult, but some and particularly for the last the latest technology, massive stories have to be told for us title holders and get them onside 200 years. It’s a story of the domes and the latest story to move forward as a country, interaction between Aboriginal telling techniques. We’re going as a society, to take its rightful because otherwise we are not going people and the settler state. to bowl people over with the place in the world community. It’s all the sporting activities use of technology, we’ll lead We have to acknowledge good to get the rest of Australia onside.” where Aboriginal people have the way because we’ve seen and bad.” made a name for themselves, the best and we’ll have better Cole: “It’s about all the that could be the Anmatjere, fine tune the concept and get including developing the than the best. It will cover the people who have struggled for the Pitjantjatjara. We want to agreement from these various national game, Aussie Rules. whole story, the interaction, indigenous rights, basically use this as a springboard for indigenous groups around cultural development. The Australia to participate and possibilities are endless.” then we’re going to go back to Furber: “It could help the government and say “right, groups struggling here in this is what we think needs to Central Australia to get truly in happen and we want you to control of their activities. Some support it”. feel overloaded - the tourism Obviously we have to get industry controls them, not federal government support. the other way around. It We need a hell of a lot more would help Aboriginal people money than 20 million. We get more control over the conducted a national workshop industry.” and the working group has Have you seen any been volunteering its time. governance models in We’ve gone a hell of a long your research overseas way with minimal funding and that could work here? the Aboriginal organisations Cole: “At the Pueblo Culture themselves have put in an Museum in Albuquerque in equivalent amount of funding New Mexico they’ve got 19 to let us go overseas and let us communities. They’ve got have a look at other cultural governors on each of these centres. Furbs has been over communities, can you believe to New Zealand, I’ve been to it, and they’ve got their own New Mexico and we’re looking community councils. They at the best possible models.” decide to come in and take over the cultural centre. That’s the model we’re thinking could “We have to acknowledge good and bad.” Harold Furber performs in Bungalow Song at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station during the Mbantua Festival in 2013. Photo: Kieran Finnane. August 2018 23 SPORTS Push for basketball to embrace an indigenous round CENTRAL Australia’s Rising local star Iesha Smith basketball champions have said once the few Aboriginal joined a call for an Aboriginal players in these leagues are round within the men’s and offered pathways such as women’s national basketball those available in the AFL and leagues. NRL an indigenous round will Former National Basketball become a reality. League player Timmy Duggan Ms Smith is off to study put the idea to the nation’s top in the US on a basketball basketball coaches because scholarship and looks forward he believes the move would to seeing progress when she encourage the next crop of returns in four year’s time. home-grown stars. “How great would it be “How great would it be for me to come back from college basketball to play in the WNBL and they had an indigenous round?”

Mr Duggan told the National for me to come back from Indigenous Times that college basketball to play in Basketball Australia should the WNBL and they had an celebrate Aboriginal culture, indigenous round, to show my just as the AFL does with its culture and heritage and to ‘Dreamtime at the G’ feature show we are capable of doing game during indigenous these things?” she said. round and the NRL does with “It also will lift the profile of its Aboriginal all-stars game. the sport in our community Iesha Smith wants to see progress when she returns from the US. Photo: Centralian Advocate/EmmaMurray. Jaiden Preece, the NT’s and that will be a good way to junior state basketball get more indigenous involved representative, agrees. in the sport and lift up those “It happens across other numbers,” she said. national sports. It will be good Another way of raising to recognise the indigenous the profile of Aboriginal people in the NBL and WNBL basketballers would be as there is a lot of upcoming to design uniforms with juniors that are indigenous Aboriginal motifs with past playing the sport,” Ms Preece and current top level players, said. Mr Duggan suggested to the “It will also be good to Australian Institute of Sport. recognise past players like “What it will do is create Rohanee Cox, the first interest in our communities,” indigenous woman to play at he said. the Olympics.” “We’re already participating She said the round would at a high level and it would be a good way to teach give them an interest into an Aboriginal culture to overseas elite pathway into the NBL basketballers. and also the WNBL. They “With all the imports that have to embrace it, they’ve got come over to play in the to immerse themselves in it. NBL and WNBL, having an “It’s got to be a genuine indigenous round we will be contribution to the cause and able to share our culture with within that we might get our them and what it means to all next Patty Mills or Rohanee of us.” Cox.”

Timmy Duggan put his idea to top coaches. Photo: SPUN/Helen Orr.

24 August 2018 INTERNATIONAL

Indigenous Kanak lead fight for Indigenous rights crushed in Guatemala New Caledonia independence

THE French territory of sections of society. New Caledonia will hold an These divisions, as well independence referendum in as economic and social November to decide the future disadvantage among the of its ties with France. Kanaks, have been ongoing Located about 2,000 issues in New Caledonia. kilometres north-east of They contributed to a hostage Sydney in the South Pacific, crisis in 1988 that left 21 people the idyllic collection of dozens dead. A recent poll suggested more “Our goal is to go than half of voters opposed independence, but around a as far as possible fifth were undecided. which is to close There’s no indecision about Rock Wamytan, president the colonial chapter of the Kanak and Socialist with France.” National Liberation Front, though. of islands relies heavily on Mr Wamytan told Ruptly support from France and on news agency his view is clear. mining. Our goal is to go as far as Indigenous women pray during a ceremony by human rights activists in front of the Supreme Court in New Caledonia has a quarter possible,” he said, “which is, for Guatemala City. Photo: AAP. of the world’s nickel deposits. us, to close the colonial chapter Four in ten New Caledonians with France.” THE United Nations has A community leader from murders and other attacks and are indigenous Kanak French president Emmanuel warned of a deteriorating the grassroots social justice threats against human rights who traditionally support Macron recently visited New “climate” for human and group known as Comité defenders, and to ensure independence. Caledonia. indigenous rights in the Campesino de Desarrollo del that those found responsible Almost one third of the Mr Macron has pledged Central American country of Altiplano (CCDA), are held accountable,” Ms. population of almost 280,000 not to back either side of the Guatemala after the murder of people are of European decent referendum, however, he’s three activists. “We call on the authorities to and in the past conflict has made it clear he’d like the The spokeswoman for erupted across the different territory to stay part of France. the Office of the UN High promptly investigate these murders Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, and other attacks and threats urged the Guatemalan against human rights defenders.” Photo of the Amazon forrest by Neil Palmer/CIAT. government to ensure a safe working environment that is was murdered the next day, Shamdasani said. free from threats or attacks and another member of the “We share the deep concerns for those helping indigenous organisation was found dead about the protection of peoples. three days later. indigenous peoples who claim “We are concerned The two latest killings took rights to land, as expressed by about what appears to be a place in an area of Guatemala UN Special Rapporteur on the deteriorating climate for the where CCDA, and other Rights of Indigenous Peoples, defence of human rights in civil society organisations, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, during Guatemala,” she said. have been working with the her visit to Guatemala earlier The UN said a rights Government, on an agreement this month.” officer working on behalf to address more than 50 land The OHCHR said other of indigenous peoples, was conflicts in the country. rights campaigners have French president Emmanuel Macron (centre) visits the New Caledonian killed in the town of San Luis “We call on the authorities suffered threats and attacks capital of Noumea. Photo: Blondet Eliot/Sipa. Jilotepeque Jalapa on May 9. to promptly investigate these in recent months.

From p.8 the delegates resolved. doubt very much that the “Why should the rest of fossil fuels in the last 10 or 15 Two seats at a new table bureaucracy will be able to Australia’s industries have to years, there’s no room for any Some traditional owners advising the government create and enforce the strong carry the can to make room for bridging fuels, there’s no room have said “yes” to fracking on how to implement the regulations the fracking the oil and gas industry?” Mr for any new long-term fossil on their country and the CLC recommendations of the industry needs. Ogge asks. fuel developments.” has supported their decisions fracking inquiry will allow the NT Environment Centre There also appears to be no Aboriginal Territorians need because it has a legal duty to land councils to ask questions director Shar Molloy gave it plan for achieving offsets. urgent climate action more do so. and put their members’ “no chance” to implement the The Chief Minister said only than anyone because people It can’t make a blanket policy views about fracking to the inquiry’s recommendations that he wants federal political out bush are sitting ducks for for or against fracking on government. properly, saying the public leaders “to partner with us the dangers of global warming. Aboriginal land, even though The fracking reference service lacked the “resources in offsetting all additional The predicted more extreme some delegates want this. group, which also includes and the personnel”. emissions” his pro-fracking weather and heatwaves will hit A joint meeting of Territory people from industry, The inquiry also found the policy will bring. their communities harder than land councils at Kalkaringi in community and environment government could manage the But climate scientists say it’s most, according to another August 2016 debated fracking groups, will have a say about climate risks from fracking if it too late and that “the days of member of the fracking and voiced its support for “the how the government regulates offsets the methane and other offsetting are gone”. reference group. rights of traditional Aboriginal the industry. dangerous gases released by The idea that gas is a clean “This will exacerbate owners to make their own The government set it up new gas fields. transition fuel “might have existing health, housing and decisions about the use of their in response to the inquiry’s Offsetting these gas been true 15 years ago,” said liveability issues and have a land”. finding that Territorians emissions means cutting the Will Steffen, an emeritus significant impact on remote “It is important to ensure distrust NT public servants emissions produced by other professor at the Australian communities,” Jimmy Cocking that traditional owners have to “ensure mining companies industries, such as electricity, National University and a of the Arid Lands Environment all the relevant information. do the right thing and are transport, grazing and waste. councillor with the Climate Centre said. The land councils will continue accountable”. The Australia Institute’s Council, told The Guardian. to make sure this happens,” Environment groups report questions this approach. “But we’ve burned so much August 2018 25 OBITUARIES Loss of former CLC chair Kumanjayi Granites mourned THE members and staff of the backgrounds and institutions by a businessman to bring Central Land Council mourn to engage with and deepen them back home to their the passing of Kumanjayi their understanding of his rightful owners,” Mr Ross said. Japanangka Granites, who culture,” Mr Bevis said. During a CLC symposium on chaired the CLC from 1994 “He inspired many people the return of sacred objects in until 1996. to take seriously his culture’s 1995, an effort to persuade Kumanjayi is remembered as abiding strength and its museums around the country a senior law man, pastor and relevance for the nation as a to return more of these objects, teacher. whole.” he spoke about the urgency of “He was a good and humble He was also an ATSIC this unfinished business. man who helped people in councillor and served on “Our people need these communities and homelands the Yuendumu Community objects back now. Ours is a in many ways,” Central Land Council, including as its living culture,” Kumanjayi Council chair Francis Kelly president. said. said. Until close to his death on “The old people need these Mr Kelly considers himself June 17, Kumanjayi worked objects to pass on Aboriginal lucky to have been one of the as an interpreter, mentor law to young people. I don’t students of his future brother- and mediator in his home think people have realised the in-law, both “at Yuendumu community. terrible anxiety and distress school and out bush”. He was born in Yuendumu in caused to the traditional “Mr Granites knew the value approximately 1950 and raised custodians of objects still held of a well-rounded bilingual there by parents from the in museums.” and bicultural education,” Mount Doreen and Granites Around the same time CLC director David Ross areas. “It was his mission to help people from Kumanjayi began to make a remembered. Kumanjayi was widely name for himself as an artist. After completing a Bachelor related to families from across other backgrounds and institutions to His works are held by of Education, Kumanjayi Central Australia. public and private collections undertook post-graduate “My grandfather was Pintupi, engage with and deepen throughout Australia. studies. Lake Mackay area. My mother’s their understanding of his culture.” “Our paintings aren’t just to His PhD supervisor and side my grandmother, her be hung on the wall,” he said. Uniting Church pastor Steve connection takes her right up mother’s side,” he said in the repatriation of sacred objects. “They have a sacred story Bevis said he travelled widely to Warumungu areas, towards CLC’s oral history collection, “In 1994, he travelled with that we are responsible for across the nation as a lecturer. Alekarenge and Willowra. I Every Hill Got a Story. inaugural CLC chair Wenten looking after. When our time “It was his mission to have bigger responsibilities In his time as the CLC chair, Rubuntja to Sydney to collect is up, that responsibility will help people from other in my kurdungurlu side, my Kumanjayi focussed on the sacred objects bought overseas pass on to our children.” An advocate of equality, a defender of people’s rights A HERO to many who lived for land rights for his people, to “this distinguished old man became a school councillor great legacy and it is now a good, fulfilled life pursuing especially during the land and his amazing contribution. and chaired the council. the responsibility of the next his passions – that’s how claims process”. “He was a driving force “He was an advocate for the generation of leaders to carry Utopia residents remember Mr Nelson never tired of behind the growth of the development of the education on his work.” Mr Nelson, who passed away reminding decision makers health service over this time, resources for the community in April. that Aboriginal elders are the including getting approval for here and the need for young Born to Ruby Pitjara and equals of the government of a dialysis unit,” CEO Linda people to go to school and get Charlie Nelson in 1937 at Thee the day. Keating said. an education,” Mr Snowdon Bores outstation, he spent his “Together, the senior law Ms Keating was one of said. early life travelling around people are the ‘government’ the many people Mr Nelson “He saw the need for the his country with his parents, for Aboriginal people of mentored during his long life. development of other services brothers and sisters. the land. They can sit down “He always spoke up at because of the great need, He met his wife, Maureen especially in areas such as Thompson, a Roper River “He was a champion of the land rights housing.” woman, at Mataranka on his Ms Keating said Mr Nelson way to Darwin to look for movement from the very early years provided “a strong moral work. and ethical grounding for He brought her back to the and his advocacy for his people’s rights all of us”, knew the value outstation and she gave birth did not diminish with old age.” of hard work and overcame to their daughter Faith in 1971. “some enormous obstacles He survived Cyclone Tracey together and make decisions,” meetings, of which he never in order to keep his family while on another visit to he would tell them. missed one and was very vocal and community together Darwin during Christmas “In order to truly work in praising the health service and to be able to live on 1974. together ‘two-ways’ with white team for their dedication and the homelands”. The 70s saw the start people, the senior people need hard work,” Ms Keating said. Mr Nelson will be of Aboriginal land rights to sit down with the actual “He was at the health service sorely missed by campaign, a cause close to Mr government ministers, the most days to oversee the day so many people, Nelson’s heart. He embraced it ones who have the power to to day activities and was very including by ardently and patiently. make ‘white law’ decisions. highly respected by all the staff politicians he Central Land Council “Don’t keep sending who worked for him.” held to account director David Ross said Mr government workers who can She lauded his “deter- over the years. Nelson could always be relied sit down with us law people mination in maintaining “I regarded upon to speak up at meetings and listen, but who can’t make strong community control him as a with politicians and that he led any decisions together with of the service” and “his friend, some- many a land rights march. us!” amazingly strong leadership, one who “He was a champion of the Land council staff remember his unwavering cultural views was always land rights movement from his speech at the CLC meeting and unbreakable family spirit”. willing to the very early years and his at Arlparra in 2015, where Mr Nelson and his wife Ruby express a advocacy for his people’s he tore shreds off hapless raised their children Esau, view, but rights did not diminish with federal public servants about David, Susalina, Richard, Susie who had old age,” Mr Ross said. the failure of top-down and Stephanie at Arlparra and a great Federal MP Warren government policy. surrounding outstations. sense of Snowdon, who knew him Mr Nelson’s other passion As a strong supporter of humour,” for more than 30 years, told was Utopia’s Urapuntja Health education, he made sure the Mr Snow- mourners he remembered Service, where he was a board children went to school. don said. “his role at the CLC and his director for many years. When the Arlparra high “He left fierce determination to fight Urapuntja staff paid tribute school opened in 2009, he us all with a 26 August 2018 SOCIAL

Sarah Lynch, Jacob Gorey, Alicia Entata, Leanne Entata, Conrad Ratara at the Henbury native title determination.

Marlene Doolan at the Andado native title determination.

CLC deputy chair Sammy Butcher and chair Francis Kelly with NLC chair Samuel Bush-Blanasi (centre).

Five year old Deshawn Turner at the joint land councils meeting. Stephen Ellis and Bradley Turner drove the truck that fed hundreds at Barunga.

The moment smashed avocado entered the menu on the North Tanami IPA: the Lajamanu Rangers’ resident hipster, Lionel Mick, served the spread to his colleagues Norelle Robertson, Helma Bernard and Dione Justin Allen helped cook for hundreds of guests and delegates at the joint councils meeting. Kelly at Nyukulku, followed by freshly caught roast goanna.

August 2018 27 A COUPLE OF OLD FELLOWS CHOPPED HIM UP INTO PIECES, POOR OLD BUGGER. There were droughts. That’s when the Coniston massacre took place, because people had to congregate at that spring, people from all over the Warlpiri nation – not all at once, but they used to come in in dribs and drabs and camp out, squat around this particular soak. At the time the Coniston massacre took place, there was this one whitefella, Fred Brooks, who was also squatting at this particular soak, Yurrkuru [on Mount Denison Station]. He was a dingo trapper who was camped there as well and sort of got friendly with the womenfolk, and of course the husbands were beginning to feel uneasy with what was happening. A couple of old fellows went around there one morning and chopped him up into pieces, poor old bugger. That’s what set off the Coniston massacre. And hundreds of our people got shot, along the Lander River, Hanson River. They didn’t go further west of Yuendumu. They thought the people around that vicinity, around Coniston, Willowra and Napperby, were the culprits in that murder of Fred Brooks.People talked about it when I was growing up. They told us the history, what had happened, how the people were shot.

~ Harry Jakamarra Nelson ~ Excerpt from Every hill got a story

For more information go to clc.org.au/every-hill-got-a-story

This painting was done by M. Joseph between 1974 and 1977 when she was a student at Yirara College in Central Australia. Painting courtesy of National Museum Australia.