Cultural Worlds » self-determination

First Yolngu Nations Assembly held in Galiwin’ku

Carlyn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:55:05 +0000

Yolŋu leaders from across Arnhem Land enjoy the Opening Ceremony of the first Yolŋu Nations Assembly. Photo by Zephyr L'Green.

The first ever Yolŋu Nations Assembly (YNA) was held from 14^th-17^th 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.

31^st October 2011

Dear Supporters,

On behalf of Yolŋu Nations Assembly (YNA), I would like to extend our deep gratitude for your support of the first assembly from Friday 14^th to Monday 17^th October.

The Yolŋu Nations Assembly has been formed to represent eight traditional states that cover East, Central and West Arnhem Land. These states are called: Miwatj, Laynha, Raminy, Marthakal, Garriny, Gumurr-Rawarraŋ, Gaṯtjirrik and Miḏiyirrk.

The outcomes of the assembly will be made public in the coming months.

The First Yolŋu Nations Assembly was a very uplifting time for all the leaders involved. It cannot be expressed how greatly this action has provided a source of hope for the Arnhem Land people. One can’t help feel that this is a changing of the tide for this region, an expression of self-determination in what has been a sad period of external take-over.

It was with your generous support that this uplifting event could take place. More information will follow, but until then, please accept our sincere gratitude for supporting us on this journey.

Sincerely,

Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM

Djirrikay for Dhurili Clan Nation

Djiniyini Gondarra, Djirrikay for the Dhurili Clan Nation, speaks at the Opening Ceremony. Photo by Zephyr L’Green

Dhurili Nation Challenges Mining Lease Agreement in Court

Carlyn — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:22:29 +0000

Dhurili 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 owners of some areas of land that are affected by a new mining lease and agreement with Rio Tinto Alcan in the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory.

“We feel very sad because our rights under Madayin Law have been pushed aside and much pain and division has been created. This shows that colonisation is still happening today creating disharmony, by people ignoring due process. Again the failures of the Australian Government and the NLC to work with Yolngu people through a proper process of law has created division between the clans of Arnhem Land. We will not be celebrating along with others the signing of this agreement” said Dr Gondarra.

The Northern Land Council and the Minister have allowed a new lease to be signed, despite the Dhurili Nation raising its concerns about a lack of lawful consultation and a failure to seek the consent of its members in line with the requirements of traditional Madayin law and the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976.

The Dhurili nation, part of the Yolngu people, were previously recognised as traditional owners of parts of the affected area. For reasons presently unknown to them, they were not properly consulted about the recent negotiations with Rio Tinto Alcan. As a result, the clans of the Dhurili Nation consider that their rights under Australian and traditional Aboriginal law have been breached and that they have been improperly excluded from the negotiation process.

The Dhurili Nation is considering challenging the actions of the Northern Land Council and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs in the Courts.

Dated: 7 June 2011

Contact: Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra, OAM (on behalf of the Dhurili Nation)

Loss of Indigenous Languages – symptom or underlying cause?

Tim Trudgen — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:03:46 +0000

Some groups are now starting to recognise that struggling Indigenous groups need to be given greater levels of control and autonomy over their own lives, and a lack of mastery over ones own life is at the root of the problems in Aboriginal communities. However, when it comes to the importance of using local languages there is sometimes some confusion about the relevance of language related issues to Indigenous rights and self-determination. Language barriers, or the lack of utilisation of local languages is not just one of the problems in these communities. Utilising local languages is a major part of the solution to all the other problems. It is not that it would just be nice if Indigenous people could be taught in and participate in the global community using their own language. It must be understood that an Indigenous community cannot be given any kind of real control over their lives, where the dominant culture refuses to work through peoples’ own local languages. And it does not matter if that language is an ancient language, a kriol or ‘Aboriginal english’, what matters is that it is the langauge that people grow up with. People can not have equal rights while they have to negotiate the legal, health and educational aspect of their lives in someone else’s language. While treaties and legislative changes that legally give Aboriginal people greater degrees of autonomy and rights are important, they will be ineffective and almost useless while the white man can continue to have the upper hand simply by being a native speaker of English. Language is mastery, who ever controls language controls information and those who lack information are marginalised. When we talk of equal rights for Indigenous peoples, the right to hear and be heard using their native languages should be at the top of the list, because it gives people mastery over their own lives and the life of their community.