ISSN 1839-5279 October 2017 LAUNCHED LAUNCHED TOUR APP INTERACTIVE ANTHWERRKE TOALL OUR GIFT NORTHERN TANAMI IPA TURNS 10 TURNS 10 volume 7. 7. number 3. P. 14

PG. # WUTUNURRGURA BUILDS WUTUNURRGURA BUILDS COMMUNITY SPIRIT .4 P. PG. # SEVEN SISTERSAREFLYING .6 P. FREE P. 19 NEWS

EDITORIAL Land Rights News Central Bush tenants need NT rental policy overhaul Australia is published by the THE TERRITORY’S Aboriginal Central Land Council three peak organisations have called times a year. on the NT Government to The Central Land Council review its rental policy in remote communities and 27 Stuart Hwy come clean on tenants’ alleged Alice Springs debts following a test case NT 0870 in the Supreme Court that tel: 89516211 highlighted rental payment chaos. www.clc.org.au At stake is whether remote email [email protected] community tenants will have Contributions are welcome to pay millions of dollars worth of rental debts. APO NT’s comments The housing department is pursuing Santa Teresa tenants over rental debts they didn’t know they owed. respond to the test case and SUBSCRIPTIONS reports since at least 2012 that several changes of landlord. half the Santa Teresa tenants that their houses be repaired, the NT Housing Department The department countersued owe an estimated $1 million in that they tell them about all Land Rights News Central has trouble working out who 70 of Santa Teresa’s 100 unpaid rent. this debt. It’s disgraceful.” Australia subscriptions are has paid what rent and when, households who took it to the When Justice Southwood With over 6000 houses $22 per year. and whether non-payment of tribunal for failing to fix their asked the Territory’s barrister across the Territory operating It is distributed free of rents was the fault of tenants houses last year, claiming Trevor Moses why the under the same rental system, charge to Aboriginal or bureaucrats. APO NT is concerned that organisations and “The Gunner government “These debts took years to build up, tenants elsewhere may face communities in Central has declared an interest in similar crippling debts, but Australia. fixing remote housing. If it and the department never have not been told by the wants a solution it will need told the tenants they were making department. To subscribe email to have more courage than “The government needs [email protected] the governments before it, and incorrect payments.” to come out and explain the or call 08 8951 6215 address this issue head on,” situation and the status of APO NT’s Leeanne Caton said. they had caused the damage department did not raise the these debts,” Ms Caton said. In a test case involving one of themselves and owed rent. debt with the tenants earlier, “If tenants are looking at ADVERTISING 70 Santa Teresa residents who The Australian newspaper he didn’t have an answer. repaying 10 or $20,000, reported the department “These debts took years to Advertise in the only last year sued the department for many people in remote for failing to repair and first claimed the tenant owed build up, and the department communities, who are already newspaper to reliably $20,000 in back rent, then cut never told the tenants they experiencing financial distress reach Aboriginal people maintain their homes, Justice Stephen Southwood ruled this to $4,000 and now plan to were making incorrect that will be an insurmountable in remote Central amend the claim again. payments,” Ms Caton said. burden.” Australia. that the tenancy agreement of a randomly selected resident According to the “It wasn’t until the tenants Next publication date: signed in 2010 is valid despite department’s records, about took them to court demanding Continue p.4 May 2018 Rates are available online Will the government frack under the pressure? at www.clc.org.au/land- rights-news OR email: THE NT Government is The CLC delegates voiced [email protected] OR under increasing pressure many concerns about fracking, call 8951 6211 to lift its temporary ban on especially about its big use fracking, ahead of the report of water and its impact on of the independent scientific climate change (see also story COVER inquiry into the controversial p 20). Lynette Ellis shows technique. “If fracking goes ahead, off the Anthwerrke The inquiry’s much will the government be able interactive tour she and anticipated final report, due to control it?” asked Mary before the end of the year, James who had travelled to other traditional owners will put the ball firmly in Chief the meeting from Elliott. funded and developed Minister Michael Gunner’s “Can the poisons be removed with their parks rent court. from the environment money. On one side are community safely?” Owen Torres, from members who want the Wutunurrgura, wanted to controversial gas extraction know. technique banned for good. Patrick Oliver, from On the other is the Ntaria, was worried about Australian Government, which whether the large amounts of is ratcheting up the pressure groundwater used in fracking on the NT Government to lift Scott Dinny protested during Justice Pepper addressed the will cause springs to dry up. the ban. “How are you going to the Freedom Day Festival at CLC’s council meeting in May. The NT, along with Victoria, Kalkaringi. manage our precious water?” NSW, WA and Tasmania, have he asked. complete or partial bans on Justice Pepper promised coal seam gas exploration or “How are you going to manage answers to all these questions, development. but made it very clear that the Prime Minister Malcolm our precious water?” decision whether to lift the CLC MEETINGS Turnbull, under pressure ban on fracking was the NT 7-9 November himself from east coast voters, threats to cut Commonwealth that energy companies such Government’s alone. Council, is blaming the fracking bans, payments to the Territory if it as Santos sell most of the gas The moratorium on fracking Alpurrurulam including the NT’s, for a gas doesn’t lift the ban. Australia produces overseas, was a key election promise of shortage that has pushed up Mr Gunner says the NT at lower prices. the Labor Party, which was 18-19 November prices. already produces more gas Independent inquiry chair responding to widespread Executive, “Pull the trigger, Gunner,” than it can use and is happy Justice Rachel Pepper told community concern about Alice Springs the PM said during his visit to sell it to the other states or the CLC’s council meeting its impacts on the local and to Darwin in September. welcome their industries to in Tennant Creek that the global environment. 6-7 December He demanded the NT lift the the Territory. Gunner government had Opinion polls show the ban Executive, ban on fracking and wrote to He is not the only one who asked her team of experts remains very popular. Alice Springs the Chief Minister that the does not buy the gas shortage to find out whether fracking Mr Gunner said he will not ban is putting jobs at risk. story. could be done safely in the be bullied by the Australian There have also been Experts have pointed out Territory. Government.

2 October 2017 NEWS Should the NT Government allow fracking or not?

Teresa Ross Yuendumu

If the governement allows fracking, it would wreck Aboriginal lands, it is not only bad for the land, but it is bad for the animals and the people too.

Sam Watson Yuendumu

I don’t think they should allow fracking because they would go to sacred places where we don’t even go. They would damage those places and have no respect for the land. Also, we are hunting and eating bush tucker and if they pollute the ground the animals and plants we eat will be contaminated too and we might be sick.

Cliffy Tommy Yuelamu

We know only a little bit about fracking. They’ve shown us photos of what happens, they just make a mess and leave. They already wanted to do it a couple of years Wanta Janpijimpa ago and the community said no. So no, I don’t Lajamanu think fracking should be allowed.

Fracking is not a good thing and me being an indigenous person from here, I would like to see the land like it has always been. Fracking would interupt ecosystems. I haven’t seen it in action, Martin Hagan but all indigenous people around the world seem to go against Laramba it and it seems to bring chaos. I don’t want to see fracking here. I think it’s a bad idea because on the land we have animals and plants and our water supply as well under the groud. Some people in my community have no idea of what fracking is. We need someone to come down and explain, to show us a video of what is happening in other countries.

Valerie Martin Yuendumu

No, because it’s gonna destroy our land. We already have no water left in Yuendumu, we have ground water shortage so no, we don’t want fracking at all!

Ron Hagan Laramba

I can talk only for my country, but they can’t do it here. It will hurt the land and pollute the ground water. This is not good!

Owen Torres Wutunurrgura CENTRAL LAND COUNCIL ONLINE No, there are too many uncertainties with fracking. Our water is sacred and we need to protect it from any contamination. We don’t Website Digital archive Facebook have water like other countries. Fracking is not the way to go and www.clc.org.au http://clc.ara-irititja.com @CentralLandCouncil we shouldn’t be forced into something the government should You can also contact us : FREECALL 1800 003 640 | [email protected] have been able to deal with without selling all our gas reserves.

October 2017 3 NEWS Fence off Darwin to build the bush says economist A NORTHERN TERRITORY for a better distribution of the Professor Gerritsen said the the growth of Darwin. researcher has called for budget to remote and regional pro-Darwin bias is now so “People in Darwin are much Darwin to be separated from communities,” Professor Rolf strong that those who benefit more readily able to influence the rest of the Territory to allow Gerritsen said. from it can no longer see just decisions than the people in more money to reach bush The economist, from Alice how extreme it is. a place like Yuendumu, for communities. Springs, told a social services He said two examples are example, who rarely see a Charles Darwin University’s conference in Darwin in the NT’s spending on housing politician,” the researcher said. Professor Rolf Gerritsen has September that Darwin should and “the over-funding of “Unless we challenge the called for a radical change to become a city state similar urban schools – but it hardly institutional basis of the the NT’s political system and to Canberra while the rest of matters where one looks to find Northern Territory and replace institutions in order to fix the the Territory should be run examples of underspending in it with a system that provides unfair advantage the capital has by a local government system the bush”. people in the bush with better enjoyed since self-government. “that rewards Aboriginal He said that while none access to politicians, we’ll see “If we are serious about participation”. of these examples was urban bias get worse as Darwin a fairer and more inclusive What’s needed, he said, is a “horrendous in isolation”, grows, and the potential for the Northern Territory then it model that gives equal access to taken together they showed rest of the Territory to influence is time that our governance and produces equal outcomes that the money the NT gets politics will be reduced,” he structures are reformed to allow for the bush. from Canberra mainly funds warned. Professor Rolf Gerritsen. Photo: CDU Wutunurrgura’s construction workers lift community spirits THE OPPORTUNITY to work Pedersens Pty Ltd is a on the construction of houses company that specialises in in Wutunurrgura (Epenarra) remote construction with 62 is giving a group of young men percent of its staff Aboriginal the chance to also build the workers, including a majority spirit of the community. of Wutunurrgura locals, The five men, Cedric Price, working on 12 new houses in Regan Morton, Silas Peterson, that community. Ezra Casson and Jeremiah The boss is full of praise for Beasley, have been busy them too. “I was doing welding and fencing before, but I like learning different skills, something more.”

building brand new houses for “They take ownership of their community for the past their work and feel valued as two months. part of the team because they They’ve been helping don’t just do the sweeping, the team of Alice Springs they get on the tools and they builder Michael Pedersen lay do everything that we do. brickwork, pour concrete, It’s all about being part of build cupboards and operate the team,” Mr Pedersen said. machinery. The National Partnership “I was doing welding and on Remote Housing, now in Cedric Price, Regan Morton, Silas Peterson, Ezra Casson and Jeremiah Beasley are building 12 new houses. fencing before, but I like its final year, is paying for the learning different skills, new houses. work and Mr Casson reckons Mr Pedersen agrees. work that they do, and the something more,” Mr Price Mr Morton said local the project is really making a “It’s about community community has a good spirit said. families are proud of their difference. pride. They are proud of the about it,” he said.

From p.2 heard about rental debts was In the same year, the NT the courts to enforce debts in place to manage their There has been speculation when they were countersued Ombudsman called for from such a chaotic system,” housing”. that the department may have by the department.” “every single” rental payment Ms Caton explained. After hearing evidence about to write off millions of dollars It is not the first time the collected by Centrelink “Especially in circumstances more than 600 long overdue in unpaid rents that were department’s mishandling of for remote housing to be where the housing provided emergency repairs the NT supposed to be invested back rent collection has come to reviewed, but no action was is of such a poor standard Civil and Administrative into fixing up the houses. light. taken. and subject to chronic Tribunal last year warned Lawyers for the tenants told In 2012 it was revealed that Last year the Northern overcrowding.” that the department may The Australian that the debts it held $1.39 million in an Australian Aboriginal Justice If the tenants don’t know not have the legal power to are “unconscionable” because about the alleged debts and force the tenants to pay the a string of NT governments “We are concerned about a government make incorrect payments the alleged debts and sent the mismanaged community debts keep increasing. case to the Supreme Court for housing. pursuing vulnerable people through the Then, when they complain clarification. “If the circumstances in about repairs not being done The dispute dates back to Santa Teresa are replicated courts to enforce debts from such a the department hits them with the ‘intervention’ in 2007, elsewhere in the Territory, the debts. when the Howard federal as we believe they are, then chaotic system.” This is what happened to the government took out five- that could amount to tens tenant at the centre of the test year leases over remote NT or hundreds of millions of unreconciled rent account, and Agency, part of the APO NT case. communities. dollars of unenforceable did not know who had paid the alliance, reported that the She signed her tenancy When these leases expired, debts,” Daniel Kelly from money, or for what housing. problems were continuing and agreement after the then in 2012, no alternative tenure Australian Lawyers for Remote A Commonwealth ombuds- that the department had kept Henderson government arrangements were put in Aboriginal Rights told the man found that the NT rental payments from people launched a new tenancy place. paper. Government had “difficulties not living in houses and who scheme in 2010. The Supreme Court ruled in “Households were making identifying whether people are did not have to pay rent. It promised “long-lasting September that the tribunal incorrect payments for years paying rent when they should “We are concerned about improvements” and to “ensure has the authority to deal with and never told debt was not or, conversely, not paying a government pursuing people in the bush pay fair these agreements and will accruing. The first our clients rent when they should”. vulnerable people through rents and have better systems reconvence on October 10.

4 October 2017 NEWS Peak Aboriginal groups tell UN of racist work for the dole scheme communities want to take APO NT members met with up the reins and drive job the Minister for Indigenous creation and community Affairs, Nigel Scullion, to development,” Mr Paterson press the case for their said. “Communities need a alternative model. program that sees people They also spoke to the employed on decent pay Senate inquiry into the failed and conditions, to work on scheme. projects the community Mr Paterson said the model needs. It’s time for “will see new opportunities government to work with us,” for jobs and community he said. development and get rid of APO NT members launched pointless administration, their alternative model for fair and provide incentives to work and strong communities encourage people into work,

APO NT members joined a trade union rally against the work for the dole sheme.

ABORIGINAL Peak payment as jobseekers in “Instead, they receive a basic Organisations NT has told cities. social security payment that the United Nations that the “The scheme discriminates is nearly half of the minimum Australian Government denies on the basis of race, with wage in Australia. People people in remote communities around 83 per cent of should be paid an award wage their basic rights to equality, people in the program being and afforded workplace rights work and income through Aboriginal, was imposed on and protections to do that its racist work for the dole scheme. In a joint statement lodged “People in remote communities want to with the United Nations take up the reins and drive job creation APO NT’s John Paterson at the Senate hearing into the CDP. Human Rights Council, APO NT and the Human Rights and community development.” at Parliament House in training and other activities, Law Centre called on the UN Canberra on September 8, rather than punishing people to urge Australia to abandon with the support of 32 who are already struggling to its racially discriminatory remote communities by the work,” Ms Walters said. organisations ranging from make ends meet”. so-called community government and is having The statement urges the local Aboriginal corporations, “Aboriginal organisations development program devastating consequences Australian Government to regional Aboriginal and local have brought a detailed policy (CDP) and replace it with an in those communities,” Mr work with Aboriginal people government councils and job solution to the government’s Aboriginal-led model. Paterson said. on APO NT’s alternative service providers to major front door,” said Ms Walters. John Paterson, a CEO Adrianne Walters, from the model that treats people national bodies. She said it would “create of the APO NT, said the Human Rights Law Centre, with respect, protects their Earlier that day, the trade jobs and strengthen scheme forces jobseekers in said some people in remote human rights and provides unions organised a protest communities, rather than Aboriginal communities to communities are required to opportunities for economic in front of the parliament to strangling opportunities as work up to 760 hours more do work that they should be and community development. drive home the message to the government’s program is per year for the same basic employed to do. “People in remote politicians. doing.” Award promises to spread Dr Josie’s research THE CLC’s senior policy WEH Stanner award from a officer Dr Josie Douglas has record number of entries in won a prestigious national August. award for analysing how Dr Douglas said she wanted young people in Central to understand how Aboriginal Australia learn and practice people renew and share this Aboriginal ecological knowledge amid the stresses knowledge. and challenges of modern life. Her doctoral thesis Kin and “Young people’s social and Knowledge: the meaning and cultural lives remain relatively invisible and I wanted to “Young people’s change this,” Dr Douglas said. The judges from the social and cultural Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait lives remain Islander Studies agreed that her work “actively challenges relatively invisible stereotypes” and was “a and I wanted to powerful counteractive against negative depictions change this.” and the deficit discourse around Aboriginal youth acquisition of Indigenous today”. Ecological Knowledge in the Part of the prize is support lives of young Aboriginal to publish the manuscript and people in Central Australia take it to a wider audience. was selected for the 2017 The CLC’s Dr Josie Douglas (centre), with AIATSIS council member Donisha Duff and AIATSIS CEO, Craig Ritchie October 2017 5 NEWS

Modern day app meets ancient wonder THE TRADITIONAL owners of Anthwerrke (Emily Gap) have made Alice Springs and visitors from around the world a priceless gift. Their Anthwerrke interactive tour app is like having a friend walk you through one of the region’s most significant dreaming sites and explain the hidden meaning of its natural features, plants, animals and cultural history. “I feel so happy that it’s finally here,” Lynette Ellis said about the virtual visitor experience she and other traditional owners funded “to put Emily and Jessie Gaps on the map”. The group spent $34,000 of their rent income from the Yeperenye/ Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park to develop the Territory’s first interactive visitor app by traditional owners. Ms Ellis, from Amoonguna, had come to the sacred site to launch the app, but first had to give Victorian couple John and Hilary Searle a sneak preview of the videos featuring custodians of the site. The Searles had popped into Anthwerrke for a quick visit, but decided to stay for the launch of the virtual experience of the Chansey Paech (third left) wants the Parks and Wildlife Commission to employ more local Aboriginal rangers on their own country. place where the three caterpillar songlines Yeperenye, Ntyarlke and “We don’t get many tourists in the For Ms Ellis, who had been working caring for country when it’s on their Utnerrengatye meet. East Macs, but now that the app is on the project with the Central Land doorstep and for tourists to have that “The app tells a story about good out we might see a lot more tourists Council’s community development interaction? bush tucker and snails out here and the come out this way to see this special team for four years, it’s the start of “I think that’s one of the best things caterpillar story,” Ms Ellis explained. place and us families getting more “something big and exciting”. about today, to see tourists coming recognised.” Her idea of a walking and cycling while we’re doing the launch and trail between Emily and Jessie Gaps see this amazing app where you can is taking shape and planning is actually have someone sharing stories underway. and lived experiences with you. You “Traditional owners could be at the just can’t put a value on that,” said Mr trail and tell stories about the country. Paech. They could be building it, it would be a “Without a knowledgeable guide job opportunity for young Aboriginal by your side you may be able to rangers,” she said. appreciate the beauty of Anthwerrke, “I reckon young people in but you would miss out on its stories Amoonguna should come and help. and leave this special place none the We have a good lot of young people wiser,” he said. out there who are willing to help and The app is one of many community want to work on their country.” development projects in which “For me as a person of Eastern Aboriginal people are investing “Without a knowledgeable guide by your side you may be able to appreciate the beauty of Anthwerrke

Traditionnal owners Andrew, Clem and Theo Alice showed the app to Chansey Paech. but you would miss out on its stories and leave this special place none the wiser.” Arrernte heritage it’s so refreshing collective income streams, such as to see investment go into the East the rent they receive for the 16 jointly Macs. It’s sometimes an area that is managed NT parks. forgotten,” said Chansey Paech, who “In 2010 CLC members decided to launched the app with Ms Ellis. use 100 per cent of this income stream The Member for Namatijira wants for community development and last the NT Government to match the financial year traditional owners generosity of the traditional owners invested more than a million dollars by employing more of them on their of their park rent income in projects country. they drive,” CLC director David Ross “It’s a great opportunity for the explained. government to work with the CLC He said those projects are some of around having Aboriginal rangers the most positive outcomes from joint caring for country within the Parks management of the parks to date. and Wildlife Commission,” he said. “This is an area that is close to To download the free app go to town, it’s highly visited by tourists. http://sitesandtrails.com.au/ Victorian tourist Hilary Searle (right) said the app “adds to the experience”. What better way to have young mob site/anthwerrke-emily-gap.

6 October 2017 NEWS The bush is impatient for reform BRUMBY PLAINS STATEMENT

e, the members of the Central WLand Council are sovereign people drawing our strength and laws from country. We sing for country, we dance for country and our laws and systems of governance are still strong.

The Australian constitution must “We need more indigenous voices in parliament.” - Gurindji leader Rob Roy with the Uluru Statement. recognise us as First Nations of CENTRAL Land Council delegates for a voice enacted. We join our voice with Australia. Nothing will be lost, instead, endorsed the historic Uluru Statement the vision of seeing a Gurindji speaking to Australia will gain 65,000 years of in August, but the campaign to keep the parliament, and the truth being told about culture and history. We endorse the momentum of the historic agreement our history,” Mr Roy said. alive in the face of government inaction Aboriginal people have been looking to Uluru Statement, which calls for cons- continues. Mr Turnbull for leadership and they are titutional protection for a voice to The statement, written after a meeting of getting impatient. parliament, supports treaty-making and Aboriginal leaders from across the country Referendum Council member Meagan at Uluru in May ahead of a proposed Davis has blasted Canberra’s “indifference truth-telling. referendum on constitutional recognition, to one of the most significant statements demands an active role in designing a issued by the first peoples to the Australian We have long called for Aboriginal ‘voice to parliament’. people”. Meeting at Brumby Plains, north-west Federal Labor MP Linda Burney, self-determination and Aboriginal self- of Kalkaringi, more than 70 elected CLC meanwhile, warned that time for government, and greater control over delegates discussed the double-edged consitutional reform is running out. our own communities. Local treaty sword that is the ‘races power’ of the Ms Burney told NITV that Labor is Australian constitution. waiting for the Prime Minister to respond negotiations should be protected by a They talked about how it has delivered to its request for a joint parliamentary national treaty framework. them land rights, but also the failed committee to progress the referendum, Intervention. something only Mr Turnbull can set up. The delegates released the Brumby Plains “We would like to see the issue of In the NT we have benefited from the Commonwealth ‘race powers’ through “We would like to see the question and the timing the enactment of the Aboriginal Land to be concluded by the end of this year.” Rights Act. We have also experienced the worst of the ‘race powers’ with the Statement that calls for an Aboriginal body constitutional recognition, the question imposition of the racist NT Intervention. advising the Australian Parliament. and the timing to be concluded by the end They said the body needs to represent of this year,” she said. The Australian Parliament should not remote community residents and act “And I’m afraid that time is running out. pass racially discriminatory laws that as a powerful voice against racially It is up to the Prime Minister to move and harm our people. discriminatory laws. we are waiting on the Prime Minister to The CLC’s statement followed big shows do so.” of support for the Uluru Statement from Ms Burney said next year there will not We want to be part of designing Kimberley Aboriginal organisations and only be a series of state elections, but other the voice to parliament to ensure it this year’s Freedom Day celebrations at constitutional referendum issues that Kalkaringi. could see the referendum kicked “off into represents people from the bush, and to The Kimberley’s peak Aboriginal the long grass”. ensure it is powerful. This work should organisations declared in September: Changes to section 44 that bars dual be progressed before we go ahead with “We, the Kimberley mob, endorse and nationals from being elected to parliament, support the Uluru Statement. We call on an Australian republic and four-year a referendum. the Australian Government and opposition parliamentary terms could all become to support a referendum”. distractions. A successful referendum requires the At Kalkaringi in August, Rob Roy read “The first cab off the rank has to be a out the endorsement of the Gurindji referendum to address the issues for support of non-indigenous people, and community after the re-enactment of the indigenous people within the constitution we invite all Australians to join us on Wave Hill Walk Off in August. and that’s what we are urging,” Ms Burney this journey to achieve constitutional “Dr Yunupingu put down a challenge to said. our Prime Minister at Garma to see the call reform.

Central Land Council 31 August 2017

Philip Wilyuka translated information for CLC delegates at the Brumby Plains meeting while Barb Shaw reported on the outcomes of Uluru and Garma meetings.

October 2017 7 NEWS Phillip Creek native title sparks memories THE NATIVE title determination over Phillip Creek Station has triggered many memories for Warumungu and Warlmanpa families. “Some of us worked or grew up on Phillip Creek Station “As a young man, my father worked there, doing station work and looking after country.” or our families told stories of what life was like working and living on the station in the early days,” Norman Frank, one of the native title holders, explained. “As a young man, my father worked there, doing station The Kanturrpa group poses with Justice Debra Mortimer at the Phillip Creek native title declaration. work and looking after groups with traditional manager of the Central Land on our land while the lessee on the station for native title country,” he added. attachment to the claim area, Council’s native title unit, will continue to operate the holders and their families. In August, Justice Debra the Kankawarla, Jajjinyarra, Francine McCarthy. lease as a cattle station,” she These excisions are not Mortimer handed down a Patta, Pirrtangu, Purrurtu, “The determination said. part of the native title consent determination over an Wapurru, Yurtuminyi, recognises our rights to hunt A good relationship with the determination area. area of approximately 3,800 Kanturrpa and Linga groups and gather on the land and pastoral lessee has enabled the When Phillip Creek Station square kilometres during a had travelled from across the waters and to conduct cultural native title holders to continue was placed on the market, in special sitting of the Federal Territory to the ceremony at activities and ceremonies,” to visit their country and look the early 2000s, the native Court on the cattle station 55 Purrumpuru Waterhole, one said Ms McCarthy. after it. title holders were unsuccessful kilometres north of Tennant of a number of significant “It gives us the right to Between 1995 and 1998, the in their attempts at purchasing Creek. waterholes in the claim area. negotiate about exploration, CLC negotiated approval for it. The nine landholding One of them was the mining and tourism activities three community living areas Julalikari under new management Karlu Karlu justice hinges TENNANT Creek’s Julalikari Koeppen as the new CEO to the Registrar of Aboriginal Council has turned over a oversee the council’s housing, Corporations placed Julalikari new leaf, with a new board, employment and social under special administration on signage says AAPA a new chair and a new CEO services. after identifying problems THE ABORIGINAL Areas “The authority would following a period of special with its governance and Protection Authority need to prove that the administration that ended in strained relationships with said a successful individuals concerned September. business partners, members prosecution in the Karlu either knew or should have The new board charged and funders. Karlu desecration case known that Karlu Karlu with keeping Julalikari on In July former CEO Pat depends on whether those was a sacred site. track includes CLC executive Brahim resigned after 13 years responsible knew that it is “That is ultimately what member Michael Jones, at the helm. a sacred site. will determine whether Richard James, Rebecca The Officer of the Videos of a man a successful prosecution Moore, Barb Shaw, Norman Registrar of Indigenous defecating on rocks at the is possible under the Act Frank and Ross Williams. Corporations has praised the well-signposted sacred site and that will be strongly For the first time, the locals administrators. were published nationwide influenced by the issue of are joined by two independent “Over the last seven months earlier this year, prompting signage in the park area,” directors: Olga Havnen, the the special administrators an outcry and calls for the spokesperson said. CEO of one of the Territory’s have restructured the justice from the traditional Ben Scambary, the CEO largest Aboriginal medical corporation, improved its owners. of AAPA, promised CLC services, and Neil McLeod, the internal operations and AAPA said if those delegates in Tennant Creek managing partner of Deloitte resolved long running responsible for the in May that he would do in Alice Springs. disputes,” it said. desecration did not know everything he could to The directors elected Linda “Julalikari now has a much Karlu Karlu was a sacred bring those responsible for Turner, better known as LT, stronger focus on service site they could escape the desecration to justice. to chair one of the largest delivery and its core objective: punishment. His spokesperson Linda Turner is the new chair of Aboriginal corporations in Julalikari. Photo: TCD Times improving the lives of its 274 “The [NT] Sacred Sites said AAPA still needs to Australia, with a turnover of members and other Aboriginal Act allows for a defence interview “at least one approximately $15 million. people in the Barkly region of of ignorance in the more” witness before it “It’s a deadly board and I’m Mr Koeppen, who has the Northern Territory.” case of a prosecution if wraps up its investigation looking forward to working previously managed Julalikari’s members the defendant ‘had no and decides whether a with them,” LT told the Aboriginal organisations in and staff now enjoy a new reasonable grounds for prosecution is possible. Tennant Creek and District the Pilbara and Arnhem Land, benefits package that includes suspecting that the sacred The maximum penalty Times. said the council has emerged discounts at the town’s BP site was a sacred site’,” an for desecrating a sacred “There’s such a diverse stronger from the recent service station and Red AAPA spokesperson said in site in the NT is $61,600 range of skills and experience turmoil. Rooster, businesses jointly September. or two years in jail. amongst the board members “We are now well placed to owned by the council. and we are all looking forward re-establish ourselves as the The registrar will continue to advancing Julalikari and leading agency in Tennant to monitor the corporation’s helping them to become an Creek and surrounding performance for up to 12 organisation that looks after communities,” he told the months and provide corporate its people.” local paper. governance training to the The board appointed Andrei In February this the year directors in October.

8 October 2017 NEWS

automation is destroying many of the entry level jobs earmarked for Yapa. Yapa immerse miners in their culture When it comes to alternative employment that fits with Yapa FOOD is a great way for people culture, helping kartiya to navigate to learn about other cultures and the local ways seems hard to beat. embrace diversity and the managers The two days at the Cook family of Newmont Australia’s Granites gold outstation were a significant step mine found all that on their doorstep towards developing a training package after accepting a recent invitation Yapa actually want to deliver. from traditional owners. The package is part of a 10-year plan The managers enjoyed a rare taste for the Tanami region agreed to by of Yapa food at an outstation near Yapa, Newmont and the CLC in July. the company’s Granites gold mine in Mr Cook’s family enjoyed being the August while taking part in a cultural teachers. immersion experience involving “They wanted more teaching for young and old. Willy Johnson opened the miners’ eyes to “our connection to that land, our connections those miners and more excursions to “They were pretty happy about that through skin groups and family lines”. country,” Mr Kelly said. bush tucker,” observed Central Land As for setting up an intercultural Council chair Francis Jupurrurla training enterprise: “They’re thinking Kelly. about this, but that comes later,” he “One fella liked the yakajirri (bush said. raisin). ‘Hey, that’s nice. Any chance “We hope we can keep doing that,” I can grow this?’ It takes a long time added Mr Johnson. “So we can put to grow,” Mr Kelly added. The Granites mine on the map and Also on the menu were lizards and the cultural connection between the kangaroo tails. land and the Aboriginal people there.” “They were mad for it! And a little He said it’s up to the elders to drive bit of bush turkey. One of our fellas this so everyone benefits – Yapa and shot it,” Mr Kelly said. kartiya. “The traditional owners were happy. “You’ve got to be over 50 anyway, They were dragging those big bosses that’s the best age because you’ve around the rocks looking for tucker.” got to know the culture. You need The trip was also a chance for the someone there who can talk to hosts to deliver cultural awareness Centenarian Henry Cook explains his country to Newmont staff. strangers,” Mr Johnson explained. training. remember is the family relationships Ms Coleman watched the energetic He expects the chosen ones to rise to “For the first time we saw new faces and how complex it is. I had no idea,” centagenarian blow out the candles the expectations of their elders. from the Newmont mob, from outside Townsville-based Ben Stuart said. on his birthday cake, but it was the “They don’t ask. You’ve got to grab the Territory, and that was good,” “They really have a relationship to preparations for the women’s purlapa which one you want, who is willing to Willy Johnson said. this country and we are just guests,” (ceremony) that she recalled most learn from you. They’ve got no choice Mr Johnson has delivered similar he said. fondly. but to learn. training for government staff in “I’ve been here for four-and-a-half “I loved that we were included as “It’s not like a normal job, like Lajamanu. years and haven’t realised that there part of the women. That was very plumbing. You can get anyone to do “It made me feel good to tell them special,” she said. plumbing, but for cultural awareness what we’ve got in that area and the “It’s not like a normal The women performed a love song you’ve got to get your own family old ladies felt proud of it, and the old job, like plumbing. You for the miners at sunset and Mr Cook line.” men,” he said. joined in. For now, however, his focus is Mr Kelly said the exercise allowed can get anyone to do “It’s good to get to know the miners firmly on the Tanami Expansion Yapa to share their culture and views and have a good relationship for the with the Newmont managers. plumbing, but for cultural long-term,” Warren Japanangka “They showed them Yapa skin awareness you’ve got to Williams explained. groups and relationships, and how Both parties seem committed and Yapa and kartiya can work together get your own family line.” Newmont has vowed to expand and with respect,” he said. operate the mine until at least 2026. “We’ve got to teach them our side. is so much history here,” admitted Mr Williams loved the feedback They didn’t know about the country Francois Hardy, the general manager from the visitors, who promised to and we showed them.” of the mine. recommend the experience to their By all accounts, the “I understand it so much better colleagues. experience opened the now. The thing I really enjoyed is to Newmont is not the only employer visitors’ minds. talk to them about their culture and looking for strong intercultural “The thing what is important to them. It’s so skills. Local government, Aboriginal Abraham Cook and Stuart Green showed Paul Ford how to pluck a bush turkey. I’ll most different to what is important to us.” organisations and government Briony Coleman worked at The agencies all want quality intercultural Granites mine years ago and recently training and who better to offer this Project Opening Ceremony on Octo- returned from Perth, enjoying than the owners of the land? ber 9, when the 10-year plan will be a reunion with Henry Many of them have been re launched. Jakamarra Cook and luctant to embrace the fly-in “I’m going to be there. I’m not going his family. fly-out lifestyle at the to miss that one!” Mr Johnson said. mine and

Tara Morton and Evangeline Gumbula cleaned the new lathe.

October 2017 9 NEWS “Not salty at all” – Ngatunitja revisited IN 1902, an Anangu man from Mt the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Currie led the explorer Richard to fund the trip so they could look Thelwell Maurice to a waterhole in the for water and teach Tjukurpa, or sandhill country around Pantu (Lake the foundation of Anangu life, to the Amadeus). young men. The explorer was crossing the The grandfathers showed their sons continent from South Australia to the and grandsons how to burn country Kimberley. and watched the young men clean the With him were an Aboriginal man waterhole. from Yalata and an Anangu man from “The young fellas, they have just dug near Ernabella, and they met two other out and opened up the waterhole and young Anangu men at the waterhole. now there is lots of water,” Mr Teamay Mr Maurice etched his initials into said. “The young fellas are happy and a tree by the waterhole known as satisfied. They did the work.” Ngatunitja. Senior man Hezekiel Tjingoonya Mystery surrounds what other said the water quality was very good. encounters Ngatunitja may have “We tried it. It was like rain. Not witnessed since the explorer Maurice salty at all. They always drank the and his band passed through. water here, long before our time.” Traditional owners will tell you Another elder, Johnny Tjingo, was though that nobody had been to excited by the group discovering a Ngatunitja since at least the 1930s grinding stone. until traditional owners Malya “This stone is for grinding bushfoods Teamay and Wangin rediscovered the to eat,” he said. “It could be my elder waterhole during a helicopter search sister’s or mother-in-law’s maybe,” he five years ago. said. And to the elders’ surprise, the tree Nine Anangu were employed on the marked with RTM was still standing. Ngatunitja trip. Something that is even more certain Their job was to work out and clear is that nobody had ever driven there – the route, drive the group in and lead until this April. activities at the site, teaching young That’s when Mr Teamay, from men important lessons along the way. the Uluru rent money community The trip was the first of the regional development working group, and language and cultural support projects others, organised a three-day visit in which the Anangu owners of the by three generations of men to national park have invested more than Ngatunitja. $1 million in over three years. Frankie Moneymoon is holding up the first kapi (water) since the 1930s while Malya The men used rent money from Teamay, Craig Woods, Henry Norman and Timo Connick are watching. Building a dream together Locals restore cemetery and pride A COLLAPSED picket fence around and erect a memorial to loved ones a dusty, weed choked patch of land buried there. - Yuendumu’s old cemetery was a The corporation will continue to sorry sight before the locals restored maintain the site over the next 12 it. months – all thanks to more than Now the once overgrown graves $70,000 the committee invested in are easy to identify, the grounds are November 2015. fenced, tidy and free of rubbish. “This is a really good project The community’s GMAAAC for Yuendumu. It’s important to committee chose Yuendumu’s support this project to keep the Yapa-Kurlangu Ngurrara Aboriginal cemetery good for the future,” Corporation, or YKNAC, to spruce said former GMAAAC committee up the cemetery which had not been member and CLC chair Francis maintained for decades. Kelly. YKNAC employees worked with The cemetery project has also senior members of the community restored community pride in Workers Garry Woods, Scoby Presley, Aston Ross and Sebastian Walker built the Nturiya church. to clear the site, install a new fence Yuendumu. NTURIYA’S new church shows what’s Tangentyere Constructions to build possible when families come together their church. to realise a shared dream. The group spent about $72,000, and In their very first meeting back in an extra $10,000 to maintain it for the 2015, the Nturiya lease money working first two years. group raised the idea of building a Garry Woods, Aston Ross, Sebastian community church Walker and Scoby Presley worked with “We talked and talked and talked,” Tangentyere on the build. remembers Nturiya resident and CLC Mr Presley said Nturiya residents executive member Jasper Haines. “like having the new church, it makes “The whole community helped plan them feel happy”. for the church”. He said it was good for younger After two years of meetings, planning community members “to get more and construction their prayers have experience [in construction], and been answered. different types of experience. We’d Their church will be opened in like to get more things happening out collaboration with the Finke River here.” Mission at a date yet to be set, Working group member Jacquie but it’s designed to be used by all Woods explained the community’s denominations and groups. next project plans. A committee representing all eight “We want to purchase equipment for families of the small community the church next and we are thinking of near Ti Tree met with a number doing something for the kids too,” Ms of organisations before choosing Woods said. Yuendumu locals fenced their old cemetery. 10 October 2017 NEWS Alekarenge leaders put their youth first

Any questions about CLC business? Call your regional officers:

1. ALICE SPRINGS Nigel Lockyer, 8951 6264

2. SOUTH WEST Allan Randall, 8956 2119

3. NORTH WEST Owen Miller and Heston Dickson fixed up the fence at the Alekarenge basketball court. Each had a four-legged superviser. Vacant (Marty Darr), 8951 6255 “ACTIVITIES for young people” were money, more than $770,000, on 16 “Doing things for the future of the the clear winners when Alekarenge projects. community and showing the way was decided how to spend compensation Some of them included: multi media a highlight,” Mr Beasley said. 4. TANAMI money the Australian Government projects, fixing up the footy oval and Sabrina Kelly, another leader of the Vacant (Marty Darr), paid for compulsorily acquiring its basketball court, keeping the water group, said many projects helped to 8956 6255 community lease during the Northern park safe, installing a wifi hotspot and divert youth away from trouble. Territory Intervention. organising three dance festivals and a “We made decisions to keep our 5. WEST Five years ago, Alekarenge’s sports carnival. young people occupied so they’ve Michael Turner, community lease money working The projects also created training got something to do, to stop sniffing, 8956 8658 and employment opportunities for stealing and drugs,” she said. “Our plans are to people in the community. Mr Beasley and another working Alekarenge invested more than group member, Peter Corbett, have 6. TENNANT CREEK keep working for the $61,000 in construction, media skills been addressing conferences and Darryl “Tiger” Fitz, and driver training and more than Central Land Council meetings on 8962 2343 community and showing $166,600 on wages for two youth what Alekarenge has done for its the way for a better media workers, as well as casual young people. 7. EASTERN employment for many others on the Next year Alekarenge will decide SANDOVER future for our children.” dance festivals and sports facility what to do with rent payments from Jesyjames Carr, upgrades. governments and other organisations 8956 9955 group started to plan quality projects Community leader and working for buildings in the community. that would engage local youth in fun group member Graham Beasley “Our plans are to keep working for 8. EASTERN PLENTY and productive activities. said the group prioritised projects the community and showing the way Richard Dodd, It stuck to this vision and has now that would bring the most benefit to for a better future for our children,” 8956 9722 spent all of its community lease Alekarenge. Mr Beasley said. 9. CENTRAL Willy Lane, Yapa plan record mining money spend 8951 6256

YAPA committees are working some for future initiatives. hard to plan community Since the GMAAAC elections benefit projects for the Tanami earlier this year 84 committee region. members across these That’s just as well becasue communities have started to they have a record amount of prioritise and plan projects money to spend this year. with a long-term view. The Granites Mine Affected "GMAAAC and CLC have Areas Aboriginal Corporation, taught us how to look to the or GMAAAC, benefits nine future and make ourselves communities that this year stronger," said Nyirrpi share a record $10.4 million committee member Lance of compensation money from Turner. The Granites. Valerie Martin, a committee Yuendumu, Lajamanu, member from Yuendumu, agrees. “I want to try “I want to try and make things better for the future and make things of our kids. Build a stronger community so it’s a better better for the place for kids to live,” Ms future of our kids. Martin said. Support for young people, Yuelamu, Willowra, Nyirrpi, elders, culture, education Tanami Downs, Balgo, and employment continue to Billiluna and Ringers Soak be the main priorities of the all have an elected GMAAAC committees. committee that uses the The CLC’s community Meet the decision makers: Bililuna’s GMAAAC committee is one of the smallest. Kumanji Padoon, Serina Samuel, money to pay for community development unit helps turn Sandra Mandijarra, Justin Brockman and Angus Manson are the members. driven projects and invests those project ideas into reality. October 2017 11 NEWS “You’ve got to do it for yourself” EIGHT adults and 10 children is. We’ve been in tents and a bough live at Desley Rogers’ outstation. shed, picked up scrap iron here and Ms Rogers says it takes grit and there and built the shed. determination to make a remote I applied through the Central outstation like Bamboo Springs Land Council for Aboriginals Benefit work. Land Rights News asked Account funds. Now I’ve got an the CLC member how it started. ablution block and a demountable Oh it’s a long struggle. It started in with rooms, but I’d like to see my 2000, but I’ve been living out here all the time, growing up out here because my grandparents used to live “The nearest fuel is at Mistake Creek. When we got the cattle company my outstation started in Kalkaringi, five because of people coming to get hours away.” killers and then we thought we need to put something here to watch so no outstation grow into a community for strangers are coming on the land trust my grandchildren. I’m already starting and because at this end there are a lot to teach them the knowledge of this of sacred sites. I’m just protecting this country that they will be bosses for. part of the area. The sites and the dreamings and I The government kept knocking want them to carry on. us back, but in 2014 they started to Where do they go to school? recognise us because I’ve been talking In Kununurra, the nearest town at a lot of meetings about how hard it where we go for shopping and Desley Rogers and her grandson James on Bamboo Springs outstation. Homelands to get $16 million boost CENTRAL Land Council delegates projects in every outstation. are getting ready for the launch of a This work is planned to take place The new ABA homelands project rent, community leasing and new multi-million dollar homelands in 2019 and 2020 with Aboriginal is not the only option for keeping compensation income on project in their region. and local government organisations outstations going. everything from fencing to water The project will use funds from first in line for the contracts. Aboriginal groups with tanks. the Aboriginals Benefit Account, so- “The CLC will keep a close eye on community development income During that time the CLC’s called ‘royalty equivalents’ controlled progress and speak up for fast and streams have been spending their community development program by Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel effective implementation,” CLC own money on their homelands has helped Aboriginal groups Scullion, for infrastructure and director David Ross said. for the past decade. invest almost $9 million of this services on homelands in the NT. Two years ago, the Australian Strong decisions by traditional income in 156 homelands projects. Approximately $16 million will be Government handed responsibility owners and residents have spent in the CLC region from 2018 to seen them invest their park Here is how they spent it: 2020 while the Top End will get some “It’s unclear how $27 million. the previous NT Government spent this money.” Water - 21% for outstations and homelands to the then Giles government, along with a final payment of $155 million. “It’s unclear how the previous NT Shelter/Shed/Housing - 20% Government spent this money,” Mr Ross said. The current Gunner government has not changed spending for general homelands services, but has increased Housing repairs +maintenance - 17% the Homelands Extra Allowance (for repairs and maintenance on CLC Policy Officer Peta Breadon presented inhabited outstations) to $6,000 per Others - 10% about homelands funding to council. year. Shower/Ablution - 9% “We remain concerned about the Between 80 and 100 homelands in future of these small communities Fencing - 6% the CLC region are expected to get a and have been arguing for the share. Australian Government to stay Entreprise - 6% The CLC delegates will be asked involved,” Mr Ross explained. to decide at their November council “We are obviously very happy for Power - 6% meeting how these outstations should the ABA to be finally progressing the Road and transport - 4% be chosen. commitment to invest in homelands, The CLC’s community development but this shouldn’t let government Communications - 1% team will start to consult with off the hook. Families living on homeland residents in the first half homelands are suffering the of next year. consequences of years It will use council’s criteria to select of under- homelands for funding and help the investment, residents to fill in ABA applications and they for their projects. really need Minister Scullion is responsible more help.” for assessing and approving the ABA applications and for delivering the

12 October 2017 NEWS everything. My other daughter lives out there to look after them. There’s a boarding facility in town, but it’s full. They come out on holidays and Persistence weekends. We don’t have proper room for them so they are still camping pays off for well out in the flat. It’s hard. Sometimes they want to bail up here because it’s connected Olivers home. I thought about the School of the Air, but at the moment I’m A 100 kilometre round trip to running around trying to get funding use the phone is not what you to get my community up and running. need in an emergency. When I get assistance, if it grows, For the Oliver family that’s maybe later on, for their children and what it took to call help to grandchildren we might have a school Williams Well outstation, out here. some 50 kilometers from Alice Where do most of your family Springs. work? Those days are now over, We had a CDEP program here and thanks to a $20,000 mobile then that stopped. We just had to go phone hotspot that connects back on the dole and we had to work the enterprising family to the for the dole – CDP, you know? There outside world. were five of us but two have gone to The Olivers invested $20,000 Desley’s chickens keep the outstation supplied with eggs and meat. town. We’re fighting hard to get CDEP of their rent money from the East MacDonnell National Park in a back, where it is based on community I’ve got a Kubota generator, diesel one. during the day and keep them off at hotspot designed and installed and we can do our own things. I wouldn’t mind getting solar in here night. We used to wander down the by the Centre for Appropriate What do you have to do for the which is cheaper than diesel. We’ve got river, push a pram with jerry cans to Technology (CAT). dole? bore water. I’ve got a Kubota on it, but get water from the river. The change "makes it We’re doing whippersnippering and only last month they put solar there That’s a long walk! Did you easier and safer [to live at the cleaning around the community and because CLC put in an application. have to boil it? outstation] and is working also trying to build new infrastructure How much help have you had Boil it first, then let it sit in the clearly,” said Williams Well like bough sheds. I’ve got a plan for a from the NT Government since billycan to cool and then bottles. resident Henry Oliver. garden and I’m getting chicken eggs. they were given responsibility Tell me about the floor in the The traditional owners of the I’ve got the cemetery to do, put plants bough shed, how did you do that? jointly-managed park worked around and put a shelter in there so I said to my daughters and cousins with CAT to install a larger dish we can have a church service and sit “we’ve got to do something if we than usual to ensure a strong there in the afternoon, visiting family. want to live here, not just waiting for enough mobile phone signal. What other plans do you have? kartiya”. We just picked up some slabs Put in a fuel tank here because the The outstation’s distance from of stone, limestone I think, from the the nearest mobile coverage nearest fuel is in Kalkaringi, five hours river and carted it all back and I had away. meant the signal was too weak an idea from growing up on Mistake for a standard hotspot. Do you have enough cars Creek and Waterloo Station. That’s coming through to make that The Olivers have previously what they used for tiling and I said used their share of rent for worthwhile? “come on, let’s do some cementing”, Dry season we do because a lot of the park to make the once so we did this floor. Same family abandoned outstation habitable tourists camp down the [Negri] river members went down to the Negri there. Plus some family members from again by fixing the causeway, River and got that lawn and it’ll water supply and housing. Halls Creek and Ringers Soak use probably spread in the Wet. this road, and other family members You’re very resourceful here. are travelling through. They pull up True, with some ideas. [It comes and want fuel, fix tyre, you know? from] working on stations where But during the Wet it would be slow we had nothing. I used to follow my because no-one will be travelling. grandmother and cousins when they And you’d have to pay money were working at Waterloo. They used to get the fuel here, so you to get ant beds for floors with bags and would have to rely on the family buckets and used to crush them up to members to pay you for what you make the floor hard. I said “come on provide. Would that be difficult? let’s do that” and my cousins look at Oh well they’d have to pay because Desley Rogers can’t hear the outstation’s me and laugh and say I was mad but I otherwise there’s nothing. Another pay phone ring when it rains. said “no, we’ve got to do something”. thing, too, with this basics card and What does it take to make a go white card we have to have to look for outstations by the Australian of an outstation in an isolated into businesses for outstations and Government? area such as this? communities in remote areas. They Not much really. It’s very slow. Determination. We want this, we use the card system and that costs Only the bore, and the fence through have to do it! They said “you have to money too, to get that gadget in. the resource centre in Timber Creek. have something to live in, an access I saw you’ve got a pay phone My son-in-law built it with these road and a water supply and once you some way from the donga. How’s two blokes from the resource centre have that, bang, you’ll get funding”. that working? and my other little cousin helped. But it took years and years and years. I’m having trouble with that during The other things are from ABA That waiting game … you can wait the Wet. The rain makes it hard for grants. Before we got on the funding and wait and it’ll never come to you. people to reach us. We can’t hear it bandwagon me and my kids just threw If you want something you’ve got to because the ringer is so low. We don’t in for the generator to keep our fridges do it yourself. have internet, but I wouldn’t mind. cool. I use the generator to run them

October 2017 13 NEWS Northern Tanami IPA celebrates 10th anniversary

processes, for example through people is vital for the future traditional cool season of young Aboriginal people in burning. remote areas,” CLC director It has a large number of David Ross said at the time. cultural sites, dreaming “Lack of employment tracks and historic locations contributes to urban drift, of significance for Warlpiri and alienation and social Gurindji families. dysfunction which costs lives “It’s only two years ago that and money.” old people like Molly Tasman Today there are eight ranger found Kurlpurlunu during a positions in Lajamanu and CLC burning trip,” said Mr with greater government Kelly. support there could be many “It’s a powerful rain making more. site these elders had not visited Mr Patrick said the IPA helps since they were little children young people focus on what living off the land,” he said. really matters. “We were crying with joy.” “Young people fighting for Ms Tasman said these days money, like royalties and look her only chance to see her around money, that’s all they country is to visit it with the see, straight up in front of rangers. them. “I feel so happy visiting The IPA helps us remember country with the young ones, [the value of] country without so proud to show songlines. the money story. Yapa should Molly Tasman took her nephew, Jonathon Dixon, and her grandson, Dione Kelly, both North Tanami rangers, to Every trip brings back not think of themselves. We a water hole on the IPA. memories of living in the bush. are all connected, all family.” “THE IPA is important for warringiyi (father’s fathers) Tanami rangers, Central It connects us with the old Mr Patrick is a strong me. Even if I leave it, it will be walked, travelling all over Australia’s first Aboriginal there,” said Lajamanu elder that IPA country and more, ranger group, since 2000. “The IPA helps us remember country Jerry Jangala Patrick. “It where they had important “They were called the makes us feel we can walk our ceremonies.” Wulaign rangers back then, without the money story. country again.” CLC chair Francis Kelly adds after the outstation resource Mr Patrick, one of the last another reason. centre in Lajamanu where they Yapa should not think of themselves. people to have lived off the land “The two Aboriginal land were CDEP workers.” his people are now protecting, trusts that make up the IPA “They have been doing a We are all connected.” reckons that ten years of are the cradle of our successful good job, cleaning up camel looking after the country they ranger program,” Mr Kelly damage at the waterholes”. times and the people that have supporter of the investments declared the Northern Tanami said. They have since been joined passed away.” his community has made in Indigenous Protected Area is “The traditional owners, by nine more CLC ranger The seeds of the IPA were the IPA and teaches school worth celebrating. CLC members and staff and groups and today three sown in 1999, when Lajamanu kids during royalty-funded “These are places where our everybody else who has helped groups, soon to be joined by residents talked with the excursions to important sites fathers to set up the first IPA in our two more, look after four IPAs CLC about developing local whenever he can. and region in 2007 should be very covering some 195,000 square opportunities for employment, Lajamanu recently proud of themselves.” kilometers. training and cultural contributed a quarter of a Mr Kelly said the 40,000 The IPA has an unbroken maintenance through land- million dollars of mining square kilometer area has history of Aboriginal based enterprises. compensation income for been in the capable management. “Investing in the bush, the development of a digital hands of Customary practices remain stimulating employment and storybook version of the IPA’s the North strong and influence ecological building on the skills of local management plan.

Ryon is a former Warlpiri ranger and ngankari people, new rangers, learning from each other. who moved from Yuendumu to Papunya to join What new skill have you learned this year? the Anangu Lurtijku rangers three years ago. Cybertracker. I like taking photos, recording I grew up both ways, speaking Warlpiri and animal tracks, marking tracks and waterholes. Luritja. It’s good to change to another group because I get sick when it gets too dangerous What would you say to people who think and then I can go to another town, other country. ranger work is not real work? Is there a lot of difference between the two Ranger work is hard work, not like sitting down. ranger groups? Send them photos or videos of what we do! Different country, different sites, different If they followed you around for a week, Tjukurrpa, different work. We do tracking, what would they learn? looking after princess parrots. Cleaning springs, Everything! They would understand that it’s cleaning weed and buffel grass, taking out dead good work, not boring. Being a ranger is a good animal bodies - camels and horses. At Ilpili job, whitefella and blackfella way, putting things Springs camels are dying, too many bones there. together. Cleaning them up is hard work. It was dirty water before, smelly. We put bush medicine up our What do you enjoy doing outside work? nose. Now it’s clean. It was no good before. Going bush, watching native birds and animals How do you stop the camels from wrecking and AFL, Sydney Swans. the water holes? We’ve got a fence at Ilpili to keep the camels out, Congratulations too many camels. to Ryon on What’s your favourite work? completing a certificate Cleaning up weeds. III in land What’s the best thing about being a management and ranger? conservation! Ryon Raggett Learning new skills, tracking, meeting new

14 October 2017 NEWS “I want to be really full on fit” Hanging out for the EVER since Kaltukatjara ranger co-ordinator Benji Kenny embarked on a alcohol panel’s report personal health journey he has had friends and family barracking for THE INDEPENDENT safer, improve decision- him. panel looking the making under alcohol laws Benji’s Facebook posts Territory’s alcohol and limit the size of grog about brumby breaking policies is running behind shops. and other outdoor schedule, but Central CLC delegates want to adventures are already Land Council delegates have their say about the the stuff of legend, but the are hoping its report will panel’s recommendations, supportive comments on be released in time for especially about the his daily walks showed their November council design of the new banned him just how many people meeting. drinkers register. have his back. The NT Government They prepared for He told Land Rights had asked the panel to this during their August News that it all started review initiatives to help council meeting, where with a visit to the clinic. reduce alcohol fuelled they discussed the alcohol “The doctors had been crime, manage grog in policy measures they have warning me for the past Kaltukatjara ranger co-ordinator Benji Kenny (with partner Amy and remote communities, supported so far. daughter Miekah) graduated with a certificate IV in conservation and land year about diabetes and how management in September. make entertainment areas serious it is, and it’s just scary. I thought ‘why not make a the morning and get walking on Facebook and it gives me change and do something and after work going for my hope that I can still do it and different?’ For most of my hour long walk. It’s been full I just keep going.” life I’ve been overweight. All on. It’s been so hard, but Do you think you’ll keep the overweight people are you’ve got to set your mind it up? on diabetes watch. It feels on it. Your body says ‘do it “Definitely. It’s a good place The CLC supports uncomfortable and I was not tomorrow, do it tomorrow’, out there and I keep myself the following measures: happy with myself. And now but you have to just get up and occupied. We’re getting into I’m noticing I’m a lot happier go and do it. horses for the community to and excited and want to go I’ve just done it myself and teach kids how to ride. We’ve Improve services and do more things. I just want to keep going. I’ve been taking the kids out with (more and better grog I’ve been walking a lot been getting good positive NPY [Women’s Council], rehabilitation services and and noticed I’m losing a lot comments from everybody taking them swimming, diversion programs, educate young women and families about the of weight and now feel a lot and out in the community. My keeping them occupied on the impact of grog on unborn babies, healthier and not complaining dad has started to go walking weekends. invest more in early childhood much anymore about a sore and he has dropped a lot of Down the track I hope to development programs) back. And the doctors are weight as well. There are a few teach them how to handle happy about the progress I’ve people doing it now and some the horses and break them been making. In the afternoon of my mates have stopped in and hopefully by the end Make grog licensing I go for my walk and in the drinking and are taking me to of next year start a trail ride more transparent morning. the gym and trying it out and for the young kids, take them (more say for I’ve been off the grog for it’s been great. It’s only been out to camp overnight and the communities and those who five weeks now and am going two months, but by this time traditional owners can talk want permits or exemptions, consider the public interest to keep going because I’m next year I want to be really to them about culture. I had before giving out licenses) feeling good now. I’m doing full on fit.” a phone call from one of my it not just for myself, but So you’ve got a little mates, from an all-indigenous for my daughter. There’s support group going? AFL group, and told me that Reduce grog supply better things out there than “Yeah, we go and do our own the Melbourne Demons are drinking. There’s temptations little things and they take me coming out to Docker to do (a floor price, but it’s good to be out there fewer grog shops to the gym when I’m in Alice cultural activities. and licences, replace [Kaltukatjara] and when I’m Springs and instead of going I want to get the kids ‘cops at shops’ with in Alice Springs I keep myself drinking every weekend we involved with that. They the banned drinkers busy doing other things.” decided to do something, like can go out with the rangers register) How hard was it to make go bowling or take the kids just for the day, and the all those changes? out. traditional owners, and teach “It’s been really hard at the My friends post messages them how to make spears or start, to try and get up early in saying ‘keep up the good work’ boomerangs.” Keep alcoholics out of jail (deal with grog addiction as a Rangers graduate health matter) THESE proud CLC rangers are part of a record number of Batchelor graduates. They support their families, make their communities proud and have dedicated years of study to build their careers through education. For the first time most of the rangers received conservation and land management certificates III and IV - professional qualifications that can open the door to lots of jobs. Champions!

October 2017 15 OBITUARIES Ms Hayes - a life of caring for and teaching others KWEMENTYAYE Hayes Ampetyane was a strong, inspiring and wise leader. She spent her life caring for and teaching others. She believed in the value of maintaining Arrernte laws and traditions alongside European ones, and worked hard to protect and pass on cultural knowledge. Kwementyaye passed away peacefully on September 6 in Alice Springs. Her passing is a great loss. She was born in the bush on Undoolya Station in the 1940s and found at Antulye, on irretye (eaglehawk) country. Her mother Jessie Petrick was from the Atula/ Indiana area and passed away when she was a baby. Her father Davy Hayes Angale was doing stock work and she was raised by her grandparents, Old Angelina and Line Party Bob, who were also working on Undoolya. She was also a daughter of Louise Hayes, the second wife of Davey Hayes. She was the sister of Wallaby Patrick, Lindsay Cavanagh and Nellie Margaret Kemarre Turner and Kwementyaye Hayes (centre) gives an interview at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Lynch. Kwementyaye grew up her sisters’ and brothers’ children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught them so that the next generations can keep following the stories. When she was still a young child, she was taken to the Arltunga Mission, where she lived on milk, bread and porridge. She learnt to read and write English and developed a beautiful copper print script while also becoming a strong Catholic, a faith which stayed with her throughout. Kwementyaye saw her family after church on Sundays, when they went out for picnics and collected bush tucker. During holidays, she visited her father and grandparents, travelling around with them by camel, donkey and horse, and learning the stories for different places. In 1953, when she was 13, she moved with the mission to Santa Teresa and cared for the old people. When she was 19, she returned to Undoolya Station to help her aunty with domestic work and gardening for Ted and Jean Kwementyaye Hayes at home at Irrkerlantye atwatye (White Gate) community. Hayes. She enjoyed that work very much. Kwementyaye lived in the camp of the Akeyulerre Healing Centre politicians, senior Catholic leaders, the too ill to continue living there, she with her dad’s cousins. and she supported the Children’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity reluctantly moved into town, but her Later, she lived and worked at Santa Ground, an organisation that aims to Commission, and a delegation of heart was still with the eaglehawk that Teresa, Deep Well Station and Ross help Aboriginal children reach their dispossessed bush men from the soared over Antulye. River (where she looked after tourists). full potential, and she contributed to Kalahari Desert in Africa. But her When Justice Olney went to Irrker- She met and married her husband, native title body Lhere Artepe. favourite visitors were the children lantye atwatye to hear evidence in the who was from Artwele (Atula station). Kwementyaye was a great and who clamoured for her to go hunting. Alice Springs native title claim and Kwementyaye spoke out strongly gracious teacher to all those who She showed them the bush tucker and was being told about the eaglehawk for her country and fought for it to story two of those magnificent birds be protected and recognised. She circled above the court. belonged to the three estate groups of Kwementyaye was a great and gracious Kwementyaye loved her family. She Alice Springs: Mparntwe, Antulye and cared for her father, husband, sisters, Irlpme. teacher. She tolerated ignorance with a brothers, aunties and uncles at home In the early 1990s, she campaigned until they passed. Her cross-cultural to protect important sacred sites at wry smile and sometimes a quiet joke. healing practices and skills helped Junction Waterhole on the Todd River keep them strong until the end. from a flood mitigation dam and, in worked with her. She tolerated bush medicine, and now they know it Kwementyaye trained as a health 1997, gave powerful evidence and was ignorance with a wry smile and well. worker and won two certificates while a strong leader in the Alice Springs sometimes a quiet joke. She was One of Kwementyaye’s greatest living in Amoonguna. She got sick native title claim. comfortable with people from all disappointments was her inability to with arthritis and went into hospital. Kwementyaye was a talented artist, types of backgrounds and everyone obtain secure title and basic essential Although she recovered, she had and two of her paintings of Antulye was welcomed into her home at the services, such as power, water and arthritic pain for the rest of her life, were used in the claim. She also Irrkerlantye atwatye (White Gate) sewerage, for her beloved Irrkerlantye but rarely complained about it. She worked with the Central Australian community on the outskirts of Alice atwatye where she lived for more than returned to Amoonguna, and cared for Aboriginal Congress, Tangentyere Springs. 30 years on her father’s mother’s her father until he passed away, and Council, Aboriginal Areas Protection National and international visitors country. then moved to Irrkerlantye atwatye, Authority, Central Land Council and included the Pope (at Blatherskite Despite the hardships, however, she where she lived until ill-health forced local schools, especially Yipirinya Park in 1988), special rapporteurs always offered visitors a cup of tea her to move to town. School. She was also a co-founder from the United Nations, judges, and a place to sit. When she became Condolences to her families. 16 October 2017 OBITUARIES Courage, spirit, fight and determination IN 1985, during the ceremony the age of 75. had inspired people far to hand back Uluru to its He’d long bothered beyond his own. Anangu traditional owners, politicians over his various “We owe him a great debt one of those traditional campaigns and the current because he faced adversity owners and a key campaigner crop, represented by with understated courage with for its return, Yami Lester, South Australian Premier humility, with humour, with said: “I welcome the Governor Jay Weatherill, Federal great strength,” Mr Sweeney General this afternoon. He's Indigenous Affairs Minister said. able to come here today to Nigel Scullion and member Premier Weatherill said Mr see the rock. By tomorrow for Lingiari in the Northern Lester’s legacy should inspire the rock will be missing, the Territory Warren Snowdon, those left behind to strive for Aboriginal people going to were present to honour his a better place. take it away.” resilience and success. "We’ll miss his storytelling, The comment pointedly, but The singer-songwriter Paul his generosity of spirit, his with good humour, tore down Kelly, who was inspired by kindness, his warmth," Mr the myths perpetrated by a Mr Lester to write the song Weatherill told the mourners. "May his legacy always inform, inspire and enlighten “An Aboriginal leader who embraced us – to make us strive for a better, fairer world," he said. the challenge of bridging two worlds.” NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Mr Lester didn’t racist, hysterical campaign Maralinga, was also there, allow a lack of sight to restrict that had been led by the NT along with around 500 people his campaigning. Government against the in total. “Mr Lester was a key handback, which among other An Order of Australia Medal Aboriginal leader who falsehoods, had suggested it recipient for his campaigning embraced the challenge of would remove access to Uluru for indigenous rights, Mr bridging two worlds,” Mr Yami Lester tore down racist myths. for non-indigenous people. Lester was blinded as a young Gunner said. On August 8 this year, Mr man by what he referred to loved, but the Yankunytjatjara That devotion helped lead to “He never let his blindness Lester was honored through as the “black mist”, or fallout, man devoted much of his a royal commission in 1985 hold him back, he was sharp a state funeral on Walatina from British nuclear testing in ensuing life to fighting for and group compensation for as a tack in negotiating at the Station on the APY Lands in the 1950s. the clean-up of the Maralinga the Maralinga Tjarutja people. highest levels of business and South Australia’s far north The ailment forced him to the site and compensation Anti-nuclear campaigner government.” having passed away in July at give up the stockman’s life he for people impacted by it. Dave Sweeney said Mr Lester A huge legacy in community and cultural leadership

THE INDIGENOUS Remote a lead role as inaugural Davidson travelled the region Davidson became a powerful She won the Preston Award Communications Association minyma (female) chair as a health worker. advocate for reinvigorating for her lifetime contribution says pioneering media figure from Ngaanyatjarra Media’s She moved to Irrunytju Ngaanyatjarra culture to the remote indigenous Belle Karirrka Davidson, a incorporation in 2002 until (Wingellina) with her family and language for future media sector in 2010 and founder of Ngaanyatjarra 2008, and as minyma cultural in the late 1980s where she generations of Yarnangu received numerous other Media, leaves a huge legacy officer throughout the 2000s. became interested in media (Ngaanyatjarra people). She awards for her extensive video as a community and cultural She retired in 2013 although production. did this by making videos production work in Tjukurrpa leader. still featured in numerous Her interest was sparked of Tjukurrpa stories in re-enactments, Turlku Ms Davidson passed away productions beyond that. by helping her sister and country and Turlku dance performance, oral history on Saturday July 22 in Ms Davidson was born brother-in-law, founding performances. storytelling and educational Irrunytju community a film- in the bush at Lilirr near videos. maker, teacher, storyteller Papulankutja (Blackstone) in Ms Davidson was Ngaanyatjarra The Minyma Kutjara and artist. 1944 and lived a traditional Tjukurrpa (Two Sisters Along with Noeli Mantjantja lifestyle with her family until Media’s first female chair and an Story), a cultural documentary Roberts, her sister Pantjiti she was about six-years-old. she directed and co-wrote McKenzie and brother-in-law She was then taken to the active member of NPY Women’s with Irrunytju Media in 1999, Simon Tjiyangu McKenzie, Warburton mission with her won the Tudawali Award for and Simon and Roma Butler, sister Tjawina and infant Council from its beginning. best language documentary Ms Davidson was a key brother after both parents in 2000. player in the establishment died. members of Ernabella Video She encouraged and trained In 2009 Ngaanyatjarra of Irrunytju Media from 1992 She grew up at the mission and TV (today’s PY Media), on many other local video Media produced a sequel and its development into the before marrying Daniel cultural video productions in producers, especially women, of that story, which she co- regional media organisation Davidson at age 17 and having the local region. to carry on this vital cultural directed and acted in. The film Ngaanyatjarra Media in the five children, all of whom she Despite being discouraged work across the region. won Best Video at the 2009 late 1990s. out-survived. from learning her language From watching the videos of National Remote Indigenous She continued to play Before her media career, Ms and culture at the mission, Ms old people performing Turlku, Media Festival in Darwin. she became an important Ms Davidson also co-directed cultural teacher for Yarnangu the ‘Ngaanyatjarra Turlku’ women across the region. She performance and multi-media also played a significant role presentation at the 2007 Perth in numerous Turlku tours, International Arts Festival. nationally and internationally, She will be greatly missed including performing with by all who know her for her Bangarra Dance Theatre and wonderful storytelling, wicked Jimmy Little in Sydney in sense of humour and generous 1999 and at the 2000 Sydney spirit. Olympics. Deepest condolences to Ms Davidson was an active her family and friends in member of NPY Women’s Irrunytju and Papulankutja Council from its beginning in communities and right across 1980 and served as a Director the Ngaanyatjarra and APY during 1996-1997. She was lands, as well as to everyone also a professional translator at Ngaanyatjarra Media. and sought after for her cultural liaison skills.

October 2017 17 NEWS CLC limits meetings impact on school attendance THE CENTRAL Land Council research findings, based on at four out of the eight schools. is using its research into the interviews and attendance By the following week impact of royalty distributions figures for schools in eight attendance at the schools was on school attendance to better remote communities between back to normal levels. understand how they affect 2011 and 2015, to the Tennant Interviews with community communities and schools, and Creek Council meeting in May. members, teachers and school to develop solutions. “Attendance rates are low attendance staff also informed The CLC is working to shift already and there are many the research. bigger distribution meetings other events that cause Enrolling visiting students to the school holidays and attendance to vary. temporarily where the reviewing other meeting dates. Royalty meetings further meeting is being held may Some meetings already take reduce attendance in some be an answer, however place during school holidays. places, but not all,” Dr Douglas procedures vary from school “This is no mean feat told the delegates. to school. because the small team at our Aboriginal Associations Management Centre deals “Attendance rates are low already with many associations that and there are many other events all need to comply with strict legal deadlines for holding that cause attendance to vary.” their meetings,” CLC director David Ross said. She said that in four schools “Some schools don’t take “We are also looking attendance was down by visiting students because they at how we can fast track between 2.6 and 15.9 per cent find it disruptive or it affects the distribution process, during the week of a royalty their attendance data,” Dr whether it’s with the help of meeting. Douglas said. additional staff or better use During the week royalty She said flexible solutions of technology,” Mr Ross said. payments hit bank accounts, and a consistent approach Senior Policy Officer Josie attendance was between 1.3 between schools, need to be Ampie Paddy at the launch of the Katiti Petermann IPA. Douglas presented the and 11 percent below normal looked at. Mining security bonds revealed Solar survey backs CONSERVATIONISTS have The Arid Lands Envi- Director of Vista Gold, welcomed the Northern ronment Centre (ALEC) said which runs the Mount Territory Government’s that secrecy was “a major Todd gold mine, Brent bold power target decision to publish mining barrier to ensuring the Murdoch, told the ABC the security bonds. environmental accountability Territory’s reform would The bonds are the amount and transparency of the discourage competitiveness, of money companies have to industry. but said other investment pay the government upfront “This policy shift represents opportunities in the Territory to fund the cost of fixing the a major step forward, which is would make up for this. environmental damage caused drastically needed for ongoing “There are many other by mining and exploration. community acceptance of factors that make the Northern Territory such an “This policy shift represents a major attractive prospect,” he said. “In the short and medium step forward, which is drastically needed term, those factors will certainly outweigh this.” for ongoing community acceptance The two largest bonds held by the government are for the of mining in the NT.” bauxite mine at Nhulunbuy They are necessary to mining in the NT,” ALEC’s (almost $651 million) and make sure that miners Alex Read said. for the McArthur River lead, properly rehabilitate the He said the public’s silver and zinc mine near environment and don’t leave acceptance of mining Borroloola (more than $476 the community with the bill projects “is dependent on the million). even if the company runs out company being able to prove The government holds of money. environmental credentials almost $39 million against Until September security for the project and to provide The Granites gold mine in the bond amounts had been kept the necessary finance for Tanami. secret from the public. rehabilitation”.

Solar power is very popular with remote communities. Piyultjara outstation near Kaltukatjara used Uluru rent money to install panels.

A SURVEY of Central power to come from Australian residents, renewable energy by 2030. including from two bush Only 13 per cent supported communities, has found the Northern Territory they overwhelmingly Government’s policy of support more solar energy 50 per cent renewables by in the region. 2030. The RePower community Just 2 per cent thought group conducted its solar there should be no change survey over four months. from the current position. The survey was only For 78 per cent of the open to residents of Alice respondents their main Springs, Ltyentye Apurte motivation was reducing (Santa Teresa) and Ntaria greenhouse gases. (Hermannsburg). Sixty per cent thought a Of the 816 responses, 76 lack of political will was the per cent wanted 70 to 100 main barrier to increasing Traditional owners visit The Granites. Newmont paid a bond of almost $39 million for the gold mine’s future rehabilitation. per cent of Alice Springs’ solar power in the region.

18 October 2017 NEWS National acclaim for Seven Sisters and 14 artists

Miriam Lane, Yayimpi Lewis, Mildred Lyons, Jennifer Connelly, Elaine Lane, Angilyia Mitchell, Sokaway Lyons, Jennifer Mitchell, Mrs Davidson, Freda Lane, Anawari Mitchell and Nora Davidson from Papulankutja (Blackstone) with Kungkarrangkalnga-ya Parrpakanu - Seven sisters are flying. 2015. Photo: Vicki Bosisto/©Tjanpi Desert Weavers, NPY Women’s Council. AN EXHIBITION highlighting a of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Mitchell/Nora Davidson, and Janet of the songline wanted the wider creation story, or songline, from Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Forbes/Freda Lane. Australian public to know about their Central Australia has opened to great Council in the tri-state border region Their quirky sculptures are held Tjukurpa (dreaming). acclaim at the National Museum in of the Northern Territory, Western together by colourful wool, string and “The sisters are running and forming Canberra. Australia and South Australia. raffia and carry pirti (carved wooden [the country], they are making rock The Songlines: Tracking the Fourteen artists worked in pairs to dishes) and wana (digging sticks). holes, clay pans, bush tomatoes and Seven Sisters exhibition opened sculpt the Seven Sisters out of tjanpi in September and its centrepiece (desert grasses) and feathers. They is seven sculptures of the sisters were: Miriam Lane/Yayimpi Lewis, “The sisters are running and forming [the Kungkarrangkalnga-ya Parrpakanu Jennifer Connelly/Mildred Lyons, country], they are making rock holes, clay (Seven sisters are flying) created by Elaine and Janet Lane, Angilyia the Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Mitchell/Sokaway Lyons, Jennifer pans, bush tomatoes and all Anangu are now The weavers are a social enterprise Mitchell/Mrs Davidson, Anawari seeing this when they go hunting.”

A great interactive version means art all Anangu are now seeing this when lovers on a budget don’t have to fly to they go hunting,” he said. Canberra to watch the sisters flying. “They recognise the sisters made Potter celebrates joint They can can simply go online to this.” watch the sculptures shoot up into Central Australian women first the night sky, rotate them around brought the legend to a global management of parks to admire all the crafty details, audience when they performed it learn about the artists and enjoy a during the opening ceremony of the performance of the famous Seven 2000 Olympics. A CHOPPER ride over Palm Sisters inma (ceremony). Valley during a joint management The NPY Women’s Council got the meeting two years ago has inspired ball rolling two years ago with an artist an entry in this year’s Desert Mob camp for women from Papulankutja in exhibition at Araluen in Alice Western Australia. Springs. The women camped near Kuru ala, Hayley Panangka Coulthard’s an important site in the Seven Sisters terracotta pot Joint Management songline. Meeting celebrates the gatherings The exhibition is inspired by in her mother’s country. senior custodians of Martu, Anangu “These meetings and working Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara and together is really important to Ngaanyatjarra country working me and my mother, for everybody together to investigate the creation and for the future,” Ms Coulthard story they share. explained in her artist’s statement. According to the legend, the sisters “My mother and I went up in the travelled from WA to the APY lands, helicopter to show country to the chased by the evil Wati Nyiru. land council people.” “The sisters don’t want to marry the “We have looked for animals Wati Nyiru, but the Wati Nyiru was together, made fires and had a really tricky man,” Pitjantjatjara meetings together. We walk with cultural ambassador Tapaya Edwards different family groups through told the ABC. country, working together. We The shape-shifting spirit pursues have to work together for this land them until they flee into the night sky The Seven Sisters interactive website lets management.” and become the Pleiades star cluster. visitors explore each scultpture. http:// Mr Edwards said the custodians songlines.nma.gov.au/tjanpi. October 2017 19 INTERNATIONAL Climate change lapping at islanders’ doorsteps

Joseph Billy, a fisherman from Masig Island, pictured on a visit to Thursday Island, said residents are watching their land disappear. “The last five years, every year I have moved my shed back from the beach another few metres,” Mr Billy said. “We used to have a road that went all around the island but now it is broken. We will lose our land eventually.” Photo: Brian Cassey/Oxfam Australia

SMALL Pacific island countries have “We are but on one canoe for Guardian newspaper. Oxfam Australia’s director Helen appealed to the United Nations for humanity, no one country must jump Mr Gibuma said the battle with the Szoke said the islands had been forced action on climate change, which is ship! We either must paddle together sea is beginning to fail. into the frontline of the climate crisis. threatening the very existence, not just to keep us afloat and safe or allow the “When the high tide and strong “The Torres Strait Islands are already of their nations, but also the islands of canoe to sink, and we all drown. winds come together, it breaks. We facing the challenges of delivering Australia’s Torres Strait. It is our hope, that with this Paris pray we don’t lose our homes. We health services, housing, secure The Prime Minister of Samoa, water supplies and other essential Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, says the infrastructure,” Dr Szoke said. consequences of inaction will be great. “But the impacts of climate change are growing and “But the impacts of climate change “As small island Pacific countries, are growing and pose a long term we are no longer protected by our pose a long term threat, including the community threat, including the community isolation,” he said. members losing their connection to land and culture members losing their connection to “Climate change, like other global land and culture if they are forced to challenges, crosses borders seamlessly. if they are forced to leave their islands.” leave their islands.” It has no respect for sovereignty and Oxfam called on the Australian does not discriminate between rich or Government to ban new coal mines poor.” Agreement, the canoe, we can save don’t want to leave this place.” and take stronger climate action to Mr Malielegaoi urged global leaders Tuvalu, and if we can save Tuvalu we The nearby island of Masig is less save the islands. to prioritise the implementation of the can save the world.” than three kilometres long and just Paris Agreement on climate change. Torres Strait Islanders, meanwhile, 800 metres wide. “Its dire consequences are real, are seeing more of their land disappear Engineering officer Songhi Billy said including [for] those who remain in under water every year. “the island is being eaten”. denial,” he said. “Our seawall is no longer any good,” “I kind of feel hopeless in a sense. President of Palau Tommy Esang Boigu elder Dennis Gibuma told The Our land is part of us,” Mr Billy said. Remengesau Jr. implored nations to fully implement the agreement. “Palau in the Pacific has experienced, first hand, the impact of climate extremes,” he said. “[Climate change impact] is a ticking time-bomb – no one knows when or where the next disaster will strike, but we are a keenly aware that it can wipe out years of progress in a span of hours.” The prime ministers of Vanuatu and Tuvalu also stressed the importance of the climate pact. “The Paris Agreement is our common hope of a decent life on a sustainable planet,” Tuvalu’s Enele Sosene Sopoaga told the UN. About 250 people live on Masig Island, “For Tuvalu, it is our hope of security at the centre of the Torres Strait. It is and survival.” 2.7km in length and 800m at its widest point. Rising sea levels have heavily But he also noted that hope is eroded some of its shoreline; including “dimmed with the announcement by Thursday Island fishermen Alan Passi and Phillip Lewis Mabo: “I’m close to 60 and I’ve a stretch where the island’s road is being the United States that it will abandon been fishing all my life. Something is changing. The pattern is no longer seasonal,” said Mr washed away. Photo: Brian Cassey/Oxfam the agreement”. Mabo (left). Photo: Brian Cassey/Oxfam Australia Australia

20 October 2017 INTERNATIONAL Ten years of rights - no end to the fight THERE was some good news UN General Assembly in and some bad news on the September 2007. Australia, 10th anniversary of the United Canada, New Zealand and the Nations Declaration on the United States, voted against Rights of Indigenous Peoples. the declaration, following The declaration outlines more than two decades of the individual and collective debate about the non-binding rights of indigenous peoples, text. as well as their rights to Australia’s Howard culture, identity, language, government said at the employment, health, time it wouldn’t support education and other issues. the declaration because “it’s There are 370 million outside what we as Australians indigenous peoples living believe to be fair”. across 90 countries around “We haven’t wiped our the world. They make up hands of it, but as it currently five per cent of the world’s stands, it would provide rights population, but three times as to a group of people which many (15 per cent) of its poor. would be to the exclusion of They represent 5,000 others,” former Indigenous different cultures and speak Affairs Minister Mal Brough the vast majority of the said. world’s 7,000 languages. However, in April 2009 the “The most fitting way to mark

the declaration’s anniversary is A Hmong woman at work in Sin Chai, Viet Nam. UN Photo/Kibae Park. to honestly identify and confront production”, adding that they itself represented progress, declaration’s success into the obstacles it faces for effective must lead an international but also had a warning. the future was to openly fight “to save humanity and “The struggle is far investigate its flaws. implementation at all levels.” the world”. from over,” he suggested. “The declaration is Mr Morales said, “There are “Although the declaration was an essential tool for The declaration enshrines Rudd government adopted the no issues in which indigenous approved 10 years ago, many reconciliation, a much-needed the rights of indigenous declaration and Canada has peoples could not or should of the obstacles that led to its process in countries where peoples to maintain and also since adopted it. not be involved”, adding enactment are still present indigenous peoples continue strengthen their own At a special UN General that indigenous peoples had today. to suffer gross human rights institutions, cultures and Assembly meeting to mark the been resisting invasion for “Endorsement of its fine violations,” she stated. traditions and prohibits 10th anniversary, Evo Morales centuries from powers that principles, alas, does not equal “The most fitting way discrimination against them Ayma, the President of Bolivia, had aimed to extinguish their implementation,” he said. to mark the declaration’s while promoting their full declared “Indigenous peoples identity. Special rapporteur on the anniversary is to honestly participation in all matters are the moral compass of Assistant Secretary-General rights of indigenous peoples identify and confront the that concern them. humanity, with their own for Human Rights Andrew Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, said obstacles it faces for effective It was adopted by the ways of organisation and Gilmour said the declaration the best way to ensure the implementation at all levels.” Schools urged to involve parents in education A REPORT by the Schools that work alongside opportunities and outcomes Organisation for Economic parents as partners achieve of successive generations and Co-operation and gains in student well-being, of indigenous children and Development has urged participation, engagement young people, at times with schools in three former British and achievement.” catastrophic effect.” colonies to build relationships The report found that two The report said three things with indigenous students and forces had conspired to harm need to happen to improve their families. education outcomes for education outcomes in The Promising Practices indigenous boys and girls. Australia, Canada and New in Supporting Success for “Indigenous peoples are Zealand: Indigenous Students report diverse, within and across 1. Identify promising by the OECD says a positive nations,” it said. strategies, policies, programs relationship helps the “However, the indigenous and practices that support students do better at school. peoples have experienced improved learning outcomes “Where respect, trust and colonisation processes that for indigenous students; 2 Collect data about what “Schools that work alongside works to better help them to parents as partners achieve succeed; and 3. To help provinces and gains in student well-being, territories to learn from one another as they strive participation and achievement.” to make fast and lasting progress in closing education positive relationships have have undermined indigenous gaps between First Nations not always been part of young people’s access to their students and those in the rest historic or recent experiences, identity, language and culture. of the nation. families are likely to be wary “At the same time, Canada took part in the of engaging with school staff,” indigenous children have not study, along with New Zealand the report says. generally had access to the and Queensland. “However, where bridges same quality of education The OECD promotes policies are built and mutually [as] other children in their to improve the economic and respectful relationships country. These two forces, social well-being of people are formed, the benefits in combination, have Photo: Rusty Stewart around the world. for students can be huge. undermined the educational October 2017 21 SPORTS Getting a bounce out of life USING basketball as the working with communities driver, Charity Bounce wants to build practical support to bring positive change to structures for young people. the lives of young people in During its visit to the Centre, Central Australia and around Charity Bounce brought Kevin the country. White, from the Illawarra Launched a year ago, Hawks in the National Charity Bounce has delivered Basketball League, and Darcee clinics in the Nyewente Garbin, from the Townsville (Trucking Yards) town camp Fire in the Women’s National and at Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Basketball League, as well as Teresa) to promote education Cal Bruton, an NBL Hall of and employment pathways. Famer and all round legend “We came to Alice Springs of the sport. Cal Bruton gives young basketball players at Ltyentye Apurte a pep talk. in July last year and ran our “I think the raw talent, pathway and right messages follow their goals in whatever anything is possible for a lot it be, it’s great. A big focus “I think the raw talent, natural skills and of these kids,” he added. of ours, where ever we go, abilities that some of these kids have Darcee Garbin said she is partnerships, so working hoped Charity Bounce’s visit together. is just unbelievable.” would help young people of “It’s not us doing something the region reach for their for someone, it’s us doing program with the Nyewente natural skills and abilities dreams no matter what the programs with someone, with community, which already that some of these kids have odds might be. community, with individuals, had a strong basketball is just unbelievable and you “You look at these kids, they working together. We’re really program, and that’s the can understand that if we have dirt footy fields, outdoor big on partnerships. reason why we came back out can tap into these resources a basketball courts, if they had “We are so thankful and again this year,” CEO and co– lot of these kids will be very the facilities and opportunities appreciative of Nyewente. founder Ian Heininger said. successful in whatever career that the other kids have in the The fact that they invited us Charity Bounce wants to path they choose,” White said. city imagine how good they to come and partner and work build partnerships and expand “Because they’re so driven can be,” she said. with them. Being invited to its activities throughout and so family and community “Giving them a taste of be a participant and partner the Northern Territory, by oriented, with the right that and inspiring them to together,” Mr Heininger said. It’s three times lucky for Laramba softball champs Papunya sports fans sitting pretty

Laramba champions triumphed in the community section of the competition. Photo: Central Desert Regional Council TWO time runners up testament to their perseverance Championships. Laramba have gone one better and stamina,” said Central The championships in OD in this year’s NT softball Desert Regional Council Engawala were keenly O championships in Darwin. president Adrian Dixon. contested by teams from Western Desert footy now has a very loud voice. G The players celebrated their Playing five games over two Atitjere, the Anmatjere win in the division 2 community and a half days in the humidity region, Yuelamu and the host IN THE Western Desert ambition of community leader section of the competition, of the Top End proves just how community. sporting hub of Papunya, the Sid Anderson. beating the MacDonnell fit these women are. That win was the players’ hot summer months can’t A commentary box Council All Stars. In August, Laramba won ticket to Darwin. deter athletes and fans. dedicated to Mr Anderson at “The team’s victory is a the Central Desert Regional Footy and softball the football oval is also part of competitions keep going the project. regardless, but this summer Papunya hosts a number the spectators are barracking of regional sporting events, in style and comfort. including the Puyu Wanti They have their community Football competition during development working group summer. and local workers to thank for Mr Anderson said the shade shelters and seating at upgrades were a community their footy and softball fields. goal. Jarrod Anderson, Ricky “We had a dream to make Nelson, and Abraham Major our sporting ground better built them with Tangentyere for people to play on, and we Constructions builder trainer spent our own money from Chris Malouf. section 19 and five-year leases The CLC helped the group on this,” he said. to plan and invest more The projects complement than $148,000 of Papunya’s upgrades of the football oval community lease money in the playing surface in 2015. Ltyentye Apurte celebrates its 13.6 (84) to 12.8 (80) footy win over MacDonnell Districts. Photo: Charlie Lowson new facilities, a longstanding 22 October 2017 SOCIAL Alan Drover keeps driving

Ronnie Jakamarra, from Tanami Downs, found some tucker for the Newmont managers during their cultural immersion experience at Mr Cook’s outstation.

THE RETIREMENT of recalled Wenten Rubuntja anthropologists such as the Central Land Council’s hiring both he and Mr herself: “I couldn’t have longest serving employee, Drover in 1979. done this job without him, Yellowshirt, aka Alan Mr Ross paid tribute certainly wouldn’t have Vincent Lingiari’s great great great grandson Zaccheus Rogers-Maylay with grandmother and CLC delegate Desley Rogers and mother Juanita Rogers. Drover, turned out to be a to Mr Drover for stuck it for this long.” new beginning. singlehandedly winning the Mr Drover’s retirement Mr Drover celebrated Simpson Desert land claim, plans include working with his last day of full time thanks to his encyclopaedic the Strehlow Centre and work with a BBQ and a knowledge of his country. more driving for the CLC. cake on the back veranda, He knows “every patch “He won’t sit on his bum surrounded by family and of gidgee between the doing nothing, he’s still got old and new colleagues. Stuart Highway and the plenty to do. He’ll still be A few days later he was Queensland border,” around to help out here and back, looking chipper in his according to his colleague there, as you do when you new role of oldest casual Rebecca Koser. are a CLC staff member. worker. Ms Koser said Mr Drover I’m glad about that,” Mr At his farewell David Ross trained generations of Ross said.

BYE CHA Francis Kelly helps Henry Jakamarra Cook to celebrate his 100th birthday. OOD R G L I E

Charlie’s angels were out in force in the CLC kitchen in September to see the most famous extra from the Cuz Congress TV series off to his next adventure. Thanks for a decade of fun, Charlie. Sign me up! Josie Grant inks her new contract as the first female Aboriginal co-ordinator of a CLC ranger group. Watch out, Ti Tree!

October 2017 23 TALK TO THIS MAN ABOUT DOMESTIC

I joined the police force [at Alekarenge]. We used to go out to these other places like Epenarra, Canteen Creek, and I’m meeting up with different tribes, trying to talk to them about laws around fighting in the community, or drinking, that sort of thing. So lot of people used to come and talk to me about it, when we used to go to Epenarra and Canteen Creek. Talk to this man about domestic [violence], just talk to him. Sometimes maybe with young girls, I used to talk a lot with them. Then I resigned from the police job in April [2013], so I been in the police force for eleven years. Oh, it was really hard job, but I used to cope. Because I used to get support from my people, maybe some in Alekarenge, some in Tennant Creek.

~ Gwen Brown ~ Excerpt from Every hill got a story

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

‘I used to cope’, Gwen Brown at work in Alekarenge in 2007. Photo: Chris Crerar/ Newspix.