Indigenous Affairs

FROM RECOGNITION TO OWNERSHIP

This year marks 50 years since the passage of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 – legislation that fundamentally changed the relationship between Aboriginal people, land and economic power in the Northern Territory.  Today, Aboriginal people own approximately half of the Territory's landmass under the Land Rights...

Indigenous Affairs

GUMATJ CORPORATION

East Arnhem Land’s history of land ownership is not only written in history books, but witnessed in the businesses being built, the classrooms being opened, the jobs being created and the decisions being made by Yolngu people on Yolngu land.  As the Northern Territory marks 50 years of land ownership, Gumatj Corporation stands as one of...

Indigenous Affairs

LAND RIGHTS

In 2026, Australia marks fifty years since the passing of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth), a landmark moment in the recognition of Aboriginal people’s enduring connection to Country, culture and lore. For Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, this anniversary carries particular significance. The foundations of...

Indigenous Affairs

THAMARRURR 

The remote community of Wadeye is often seen through a narrow lens.  In the news, it is portrayed as a place of violence and dysfunction. But step inside the community and a different story emerges — one grounded in deep culture, strong family connections and an enduring relationship to Country.  Life in Wadeye is not easy. Each...

Indigenous Affairs

CREATING WEALTH FOR YOLNGU

They were talking to politicians and bureaucrats from Canberra – men who knew little or nothing about Indigenous attachment to the land – and knew they had to put their case intelligently and clearly. The negotiations began in 1968 and continued until the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act was passed by the Federal Parliament...

Indigenous Affairs

A QUIET REVOLUTION

In the heart of the Barkly Tableland, in one of the country’s remotest regions, a quiet revolution in clean energy is being forged in the tiny Outback town of Marlinja.  In July 2024, the Marlinja Community Solar Microgrid was commissioned, following five years of development preparation, and making history as Australia’s first...

Indigenous Affairs

CARING HANDS FROM ACROSS THE SEA

Like many parts of regional and remote Australia, Alice Springs faces significant challenges when it comes to delivering aged care. Distance, workforce shortages and high staff turnover place sustained pressure on providers, requiring practical and scalable solutions to maintain continuity of care. At Australian Regional and Remote...

Indigenous Affairs

ABORIGINAL HOUSING NT 

Aboriginal Housing NT, the Northern Territory’s peak body for the Aboriginal community-controlled housing and homelands sector, represents 23 Aboriginal community-controlled housing providers.  AHNT strongly advocates for the return of housing and homelands service delivery and management to Aboriginal people, their organisations and...

Indigenous Affairs

BUSH BENEFITS FROM MASSIVE HOUSING BUILD

The Northern Territory Government is matching the Federal Government’s $2 billion commitment to deliver the Our Community. Our Future. Our Homes. project.  The massive investment focuses on:  Reducing overcrowding and improving living conditions  Community-led decision-making and engagement with...

Indigenous Affairs

FUND TAKES FLIGHT IN TIWI ISLANDS

The fund has been established by Santos and its Barossa LNG joint venture partners to benefit Aboriginal coastal communities in the Territory.  It will enable Tiwi Resources to create more employment opportunities for rangers and upgrade their infrastructure and equipment – strengthening the ability to care for Country across land and...

Indigenous Affairs

LI WUNUNGU 

A new partnership between Mawurli and Wirriwangkuma Aboriginal Corporation and DCT Australia is setting a bold standard for collaboration in the Northern Territory’s civil and building construction sector.  Launched at DCT Australia’s Howard Springs headquarters in September, the joint venture represents more than a business deal –...

Indigenous Affairs

TAKING THE MESSAGE TO CANBERRA

Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT (APONT) takes practical suggestions from its member organisations to the Territory and Federal governments. The overarching message is always centred on key issues: housing, health, education, economic empowerment, land rights, native title, and the high rate of Indigenous incarceration. “We’re a...