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The first ever Yolŋu Nations Assembly (YNA) was held from 14th-17th October in Galiwin’ku, bringing together clan leaders from across Arnhem Land. Below is a letter of thanks from Yolŋu leaders to those who supported the gathering. 31st October 2011 Dear Supporters, On behalf of Yolŋu Nations Assembly…
Cultural Awareness Archive
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Economics of Remote Aboriginal Communities Part 2 – Today’s Economy.
Posted on September 21, 2011 | 2 CommentsIn the previous article I discussed some of the historical influences on the economy in the remote Indigenous communities of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Briefly, it shows that Indigenous people have been moved from a position of traditional economic independence to a situation... -
Effective communication – not intervention, the key to Closing the Gap
Posted on July 20, 2011 | 2 CommentsMedia Release: Tuesday 28/06/11 The Only Intervention Needed “The only intervention needed in the Northern Territory is an intervention in communication” Richard Trudgen, author of Why Warriors Lie Down and Die, responds to the news that the Gillard Government will spend six weeks... -
Galiwin’ku Women Speak Up to the UN for Recognition of Yolŋu Law
Posted on July 20, 2011 | No CommentsEarlier this year, Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights came to Australia on her first official visit to discuss rights issues with the Government, the Australian Human Rights Commission, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and non-governmental organizations. During her... -
Economics of Remote Aboriginal Communities – Part 1 History
Posted on July 15, 2011 | 1 CommentThere has been much discussion lately about economic development, ever since the Howard Government turned its attention to the capitalist potential of Indigenous communities and Aboriginal lands. As a result, policy and funding affecting Indigenous peoples have had a decided focus on economic development. The... -
Homelands
Posted on July 4, 2011 | No CommentsFor some of you, the term “homeland”, may not make sense. We would like to offer some explanation, as homelands are so vital to empowering Yolngu across Arnhem Land, and where ever people live on Aboriginal lands. -
Dhurili Nation Challenges Mining Lease Agreement in Court
Posted on June 7, 2011 | 3 CommentsDhurili Nation considers court action as Prime Minister celebrates historic agreement in Gove Peninsula, NT. The Dhurili Nation, comprising the Datiwuy, Golumala, Marrakulu and Marrangu clans have previously confirmed to the Northern Land Council and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs that they are lawful traditional... -
Our hidden biases. Test your unconscious racial associations.
Posted on May 18, 2011 | No CommentsI have mentioned to some people that there is a test online that allows us to test our unconscious racial associations or prejudices. It is called an Implicit Association Test and it can be found at implicit.harvard.edu All of us carry with us unconscious associations... -
Dirty Assumptions
Posted on February 2, 2010 | 1 CommentI was recently told a story about a black African visitor to an Australian Indigenous community. This man went to visit an important Elder in the community... This is a story about sitting in the dirt, about the 'cultural glasses' that we wear and the assumptions we can make. -
Learning the Indigenous Languages of NE Arnhem Land, The Northern Territory
Posted on July 4, 2009 | 2 CommentsWe sometimes get the question from people interested in working with people from North East Arnhem Land; 'Do you know of any good external language courses that are available?' There are a couple of options to begin learning Yolŋu Matha, the language of north east Arnhem Land. -
The Blame Game.
Posted on June 16, 2009 | No CommentsIt is the easiest thing to lay blame. It is also very easy to assume that you are being blamed by someone else. Recently, I have become more aware of the way groups all working to help Indigenous people fight against each other, laying blame or putting up walls. The clash of cultures that occurs within and among organisations working with Indigenous can result in what I call the 'blame game'. A dynamic that people brings added stress and disfunction to the whole system. The blame game is notable both between dominant culture workers and Indigneous people, as well as between different Indigneous groups.