Indigenous Affairs

SARAH’S LOVE LETTER TO ARNHEM LAND

Arnhem Land is the place she loves. It is a place that she advocates for bravely –- to ensure that the best parts are not swept away. When she was old enough to broaden her horizons and travel, she became acutely aware of a disparity between access to essential health care in her home region and other places. “I witnessed really good...

Indigenous Affairs

FACING NORTH – TELLING THE TERRITORY’S STORY

The Facing North Expo in Canberra in August was a smash hit. Many of the biggest decision-makers in the country heard a powerful message from our politicians and business leaders: look north to the land of...

Indigenous Affairs

OUR CULTURAL HEARTLAND

Ngulmiya Nundhirribala, who comes from Numbulwar in Arnhem Land, will perform work from his self-titled album with his son Nayurryurr and two other Territorians, double bass player Anthony Gray and violinist Emma Williams.  The senior ceremony man, who has been performing for more than 20 years, is in demand around the...

Indigenous Affairs

INDIGENOUS TERRITORIANS: WE’RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Northern Land Council chair Sam Bush-Blanasi says Indigenous leaders often say to him: “The battle for land rights has been won. Now we must do something for our children and their children.”  Aboriginal people are using their land and manpower to reap economic benefits, not just in wages but profits to be ploughed back into community...

Indigenous Affairs

ADG GOES INTO BAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Or maybe he’ll take after our own master batsman Kenny Vowles, who as an under-19 Australia player held the record for the fastest century scored at the Melbourne Cricket Ground until the record was broken by Viv Richards. This boy had many great Aboriginal sporting stars as role models when he took part in an Indigenous cricket program...

Indigenous Affairs

INDIGENOUS DISADVANTAGE: ADG GOES INTO ACTION

Airport Development Group, which owns and operates Darwin International, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek airports, has set up an Aboriginal training academy. Two groups of trainees have been taken on so far with plans for many more. ADG chief executive Tony Edmondstone says: “We are purposefully moving from statements like ‘where...

Indigenous Affairs

IRONBARK MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE AS IT GROWS

It evolved from humble beginnings in a single demountable on the outskirts of Darwin to a sprawling  business of 11 offices and more than 70 staff.   So it’s not surprising that the organisation is still thriving and continuing its steady growth.  Ironbark has experienced remarkable expansion – it now boasts 10 healthy business...

Indigenous Affairs

BARUNGA FESTIVAL – THE EMERGING GENERATION

The tiny community of Barunga, 80 kilometres east of Katherine, swelled from 360 to more than 5000 for the three-day festival of culture, art and sport. Campaign Edge Sprout have more than 20 years’ experience working with Aboriginal people, delivering results based on an inclusive, productive and cultural awareness strategy. Through many...

Indigenous Affairs

AIG: IMPROVING COMMUNITY LIFE

A team worked tirelessly through the three-day event – helping in everything from running the remote laundry to working alongside the Heart Foundation to carry out healthy skin and healthy heart checks. AIG chief executive Elizabeth Morgan-Brett says: “This year’s festival was certainly fitting to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the...

Education

STUDENTS LEARN WHILE GIVING

Film and TV head Mark Overett says the festival is an “essential event” in the academy’s educational calendar. It was their third year of involvement. A cohort of five FTV students, one audio student and three staff members from Brisbane and Melbourne worked at the festival. The team created a portfolio of marketing assets for...

Indigenous Affairs

BARUNGA: UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

At this year’s chapter, as always, music, art and sport took centre stage, with musicians and artists Yilila, Coloured Stone, Ngulmiya, Blekbala Mujik, Yung Milla, Nangu Red Sunset Band and Emu Sisters making their sounds heard across the weekend, sharing the audio issue of songline. Ever popular, the art sales, from prints to totems, tea...

Indigenous Affairs

BRINGING US TOGETHER

The Barunga Festival is a unique event that brings together remote Northern Territory communities to celebrate Indigenous music, culture and sport. This iconic event, held on the traditional lands of the Bagala clan of the Jawoyn people in Barunga, is a testament to the rich cultures, heritage, and contributions of the Aboriginal communities...