Business

Territory Pioneer – Witiyana Marika

“It’s about bringing Yolngu and balanda – white people – together,” he says.  Witiyana is a Rirratjingu man, the Traditional Owners of the Gove Peninsula, and he wears that label with pride.  He was a founding member of the iconic Aboriginal musical group Yothu Yindi.  His love for music began with a childhood...

Current Issue

BORROLOOLA CENTRAL COMING SOON

The centre in the remote town of Borroloola is co-funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the McArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust. It will provide a much-needed community hub delivering retail, health care, government services and community facilities. Borroloola Central is an example of how the Glencore-owned...

Current Issue

SALTBUSH HERALDS NEW ERA IN JOBS

This simple yet profound idea drives Foundation 2 Future, a groundbreaking initiative that is empowering Aboriginal Territorians to move beyond welfare dependency and into meaningful, sustainable careers.  The innovative program, created by Saltbush Social Enterprises, an organisation founded by passionate Northern Territory...

Current Issue

TIWI TAKE CONTROL

This significant milestone reflects years of hard work and dedication by the Tiwi community, supported by the Savanna Fire Management (SFM) Program, which is funded by the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture.  Launched in 2016, the SFM Program aims to empower Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory by providing about $2 million...

Current Issue

YAPA CREW AS GOOD AS GOLD

His Alice Springs-based company, GreenGlass, has helped more than 60 Territorians do just that.  He manages the Yapa Crew, which is celebrating 10 years of finding pathways for Warlpiri workers to fulfilling jobs.  A dozen have joined the team at Newmont’s Granites gold mine in the Tanami Desert and more than 50 others work for...

Business

GUNBALANYA CELEBRATES

It was incredible to see the entire community of Gunbalanya come out to celebrate this wonderful occasion. The easy-to-operate laundry, set inside a six-metre shipping container, has four industrial-sized washers and dryers. It will provide a free laundry services to the Gunbalanya community while creating employment opportunities for...

Indigenous Affairs

BARUNGA FESTIVAL 2024

The tiny community of Barunga, 80 kilometres south-east of Katherine, underwent a population explosion in June as it hosted its highly regarded annual Bamyili festival. Barunga’s population is normally a little over 350 but it grew to more than 4500 for the three days of the festival as people from across Australia descended on the community...

Indigenous Affairs

TAKING CONTROL OF LAW AND JUSTICE

At this year’s Barunga Festival the Government announced a $1million investment to support the Barunga-Wugularr Law, Culture and Justice Committee. The funding aims to help improve community safety and deliver justice solutions that work for people in the Barunga and Wugularr (Beswick) region south-east of Katherine. Identified as a key...

Indigenous Affairs

MATES OUT TO RESURRECT LEGENDS OF THE MURRANJI

Nat Buchanan is credited with opening up the Murranji Track in 1886 with his son and ‘Greenhide’ Sam Croker, who was shot dead in 1892 by Charlie Flannigan at Auvergne Station in the Victoria River District. Charlie was found guilty of murder and hanged at Fannie Bay Gaol on 15 July 1893, the first official execution in the Northern...

Indigenous Affairs

RIRRATJINGU WORK TO SAFEGUARD THEIR FUTURE

In preparation for the closure of the Rio Tinto bauxite mine in about seven years, RAC has a long list of exciting projects that will continue to provide economic stimulus to the region. The closure of the mine is witnessing an economy in transition. While the region is expecting a drop in population as mining families depart, the reality...

Indigenous Affairs

BARUNGA FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING CULTURE ON COUNTRY

The Community Store, the Bagala Laundry and Bagala Community Bus are examples of the services the community enjoys due to the work of the Bagala Aboriginal Corporation Board and the support provided by Aboriginal Investment Group (AIG) to ensure sound governance is practiced. Bagala Aboriginal Corporation is on a journey with AIG to achieve a...

Indigenous Affairs

BUSHTUCKER BECOMING BIG BUSINESS

His company, Aboriginal Community Harvest, employs local people to work on their traditional lands, collecting native cuisine bound for Territory and interstate markets. “We work very closely with traditional owners,” he says. “They’re the experts on their country and are key to the business's success.” The company has...