Indigenous Affairs

TOWARDS RECONCILIATION

The comprehensive plan of action for Power and Water to achieve its vision is detailed in its 2023-2025 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, launched in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in June this year and celebrated on Larrakia Country in Darwin a month later.  Power and Water’s role in delivering safe and reliable power, water, waste water...

Indigenous Affairs

TOURISM TARGETS EXCITING GROWTH

Aboriginal tourism will be at the heart of the drive. The exciting target is laid down in the Tourism Industry Strategy 2030, which was developed by Tourism NT in collaboration with industry and stakeholders as part of the Territory Government’s Turbocharging Tourism initiative. The strategy includes three key themes needing greater...

Indigenous Affairs

JAWOYN BUILD THEIR ROCK-SOLID FUTURE

The Katherine-based Jawoyn Association, which covers about 12 communities across land nearly the size of Tasmania, is forging ahead with a swag of economic development initiatives, ranging from a construction company to hotels, from an industrial laundry to a renowned tourist operation. “Jawoyn are strong people,” says John Berto, who has...

Education

AUSMAT ALWAYS WELL PREPARED

Fortunately, broader recognition of rehabilitation's value is growing. In May 2023, the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) welcomed the World Health Assembly’s endorsement of a historic resolution on strengthening rehabilitation in health systems. This resolution highlights the critical importance of ensuring...

Indigenous Affairs

JAWOYN ANCIENT ROCK START

One spectacular site, Gabarnmung, 35 kilometres west of Maningrida, was visited by Jawoyn people up until the 1950s but was forgotten until being rediscovered by Ray Whear and Chris Morgan of the Jawoyn Association while flying by helicopter in 2006. The Jawoyn Association found two Jawoyn elders, Wamud Namok and Jimmy Kalarriya, who said...

Indigenous Affairs

TOXIC TEALS

Facing North resonates on both the domestic and international front. Firstly, it’s an opportunity for those in Canberra to take a moment to “face north” and consider all the great things that are happening in the Territory. Secondly, it reflects the Territory’s unique positioning to face north to Asia, the source of much opportunity,...

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...