Latest news with #AboriginalLandRights
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Visit the heart of Arnhem Land
From the air, Arnhem Land is full of grand gestures: the glint of serpentine rivers winding their way through ancient gorges, a flash of terracotta earth slicing through arboreous countryside, swathes of azure ocean washing up against white sand. On the ground, the experience is no less dramatic as wetlands vibrate with the beating wings of thousands of waterbirds, while dolphins, dugong and manta rays frolic in the waters the Cobourg Peninsula. This is Yolngu Country, one of the most remote and culturally significant regions in Australia. From Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land, it stretches west across the Top End almost as far as Jabiru, covering a distance of 97,000 kilometres. The Arafura Sea along the northern coastline offers some of the best barra fishing in the country, while rocky shelters inland protect rarely glimpsed art that's thousands of years old. And that's just the beginning of what you'll experience on Outback Spirit's 13-day Arnhem Land Wetlands & Wildlife Tour. Country, culture and adventure The tour begins in Nhulunbuy, following a short two-hour flight from Cairns arriving at Gove Airport. Built in the 1960s as a service hub for the local bauxite mine, Gove is a buzzy regional centre and an idyllic gateway to the region. Over two days in Nhulunbuy, you'll experience a special Welcome to Country ceremony on Wirrwawuy Beach, learn about Yolngu culture and bush medicine, and visit the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Yirrkala) Art Centre, whose artists are internationally recognised for their remarkable paintings done on bark and totem poles. This is also the seat of the Aboriginal Land Rights movement — in 1963, it was from Yirrkala that the 'bark petition' was sent to Federal Parliament in Canberra. The tour then ventures deeper into Arnhem Land, to the spectacular Arafura Swamp. Home to as many as 300,000 waterbirds, the swamp is a haven for birdwatchers. Onboard a scenic cruise, spot brolgas wading alongside black-necked storks, and listen for the distinctive honk of magpie geese. Later, a 4WD tour around the swamp offers the chance to hear First Nations guides share Dreamtime stories of Country and culture. After two nights at Murwangi Safari Camp, you'll head north-west to Maningrida on Kunibídji Country, where Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge is your home for the next couple of days. The eponymous barra are a big attraction around these parts and there's plenty of opportunity to cast a line as you cruise the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers (plus you'll pick up a few tips from the expert fishing guides along the way). If you're not keen on fishing, exploring the gently winding waterways under the shade canopy of the Ocean Master vessel can feel almost meditative. Later, a visit to the Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and Djómi Museum is an opportunity to see and learn about local artists, whose painted and woven works have been highly collectable for decades. This includes the art of Yirawala (1897–1976), the first Indigenous artist to have work included in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. There's more to come for art lovers as the tour moves from Maningrida to Mount Borradaile, where you'll jump in open-back vehicles to explore the hidden rock-art galleries that depict traditional Aboriginal life over thousands of years. Here, you'll witness the breathtaking Rainbow Serpent, the largest known depiction of this powerful creation spirit in Australia, stretching over six metres. This more-than-50,000-year-old painting was kept secret by the local Amurdak people until its reveal in 1987.
ABC News
24-04-2025
- General
- ABC News
Wakaya-Alyawarre people welcome land hand back after 45-year struggle
Sitting on country in Central Australia, senior Wakaya-Alyawarre traditional owner Eileen Bonney did not think she would see the day her people's land was returned. Ms Bonney is the most senior surviving claimant in one of the Northern Territory's longest running Aboriginal land claims. It was formally resolved last week after more than four decades. Eileen Bonney says she is glad to see the day some of her people's land is returned. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) "I kept on trying for a long time, kept coming back every meeting — at last we got it," Ms Bonney said. "I got real sick, my kidney no good now. " I didn't think I'd get this land back. " Lodged in 1980 under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, the Wakaya-Alyawarre hand back is the Central Land Council's (CLC) second to last land claim. At a ceremony last Wednesday, the federal government formally handed back about 484,000 hectares of land near Canteen Creek, south east of Tennant Creek, to its rightful custodians. Speaking at the event on Wednesday, CLC chair Warren Williams acknowledged the people who had been instrumental on the "long journey" who had since died. "Traditional owners have waited so long," Mr Williams said. "During its proud 50-year history the Central Land Council has won back more than half the land in the southern part of the territory." Traditional custodians and children celebrate the formal land hand back. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) 'Happened at last' It took decades of painstaking negotiation, advocacy and legal proceedings before the Wakaya-Alyawarre people could celebrate the milestone. In 1990, traditional owners received two of three small parcels of the claimed area, agreeing to withdraw the township of Canteen Creek from the claim. A map of Wakaya-Alyawarre people's land claim area in Central Australia. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) But it was not until they agreed to relinquish their native title rights over the Canteen Creek community, in a deal with the NT Government, that a settlement was reached in 2020. The Indigenous Land Use Agreement, which was agreed to by both the traditional owners and the Canteen Creek community, meant residents would receive freehold title to parts of the area. The rest of the claim area would be granted as Aboriginal freehold land under NT's Aboriginal land rights act. Traditional owners fought hard over decades so their families could receive the legacy of their land. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) In November, when the federal government amended legislation to allow for the title deed to be handed over to the Wakaya-Alyawarre people, Ms Bonney said she was glad to see it settled while she was "still living". "The traditional owners all wanted to get this done for a long time," she said. "Too many of us have died waiting for this day." She said her daughter could now move to their homeland near Canteen Creek. "I am happy to see this settled for my children and all our families," Ms Bonney said. "It's happened at last [and] I'm still here." Marlindirri McCarthy formally handed over the title deed to the land to traditional owners. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) Historic occasion Minister for Indigenous Australians, Marlindirri McCarthy, and federal member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, were present at the ceremony. Ms McCarthy handed a framed title deed to the land to Ms Bonney to applause from community members. She spoke about her personal connection to land hand back processes in the Northern Territory. "I was only about five or six when I saw the first court case for my families, the Yanyuwa Garrwa people of Borroloola, who were the first under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act to go for land," she said. "It was in a very hostile environment … in the old police station at Boroloola where my elders had to sit and speak in English which was not their first language. "That took us just about the same time, nearly 40 years, before we had our lands turned back." Addressing Ms Bonnney, she said she fought to get the legislation through in parliament. "It was difficult in the senate … we had people opposing us for their own reasons, but I was determined to see this come through because I knew what it would mean to you Aunty and to all these families here." The hand back ceremony celebrated the strength and determination of Wakaya-Alyawarre traditional custodians. ( Supplied: Central Land Council ) CLC chief executive Les Turner said the hand back "honours the determination and strength" of traditional owners. "It's a moment to celebrate and reflect on the sacrifices of those who didn't live to see this day," Mr Turner said. "We recognise their legacy and the leadership of the families who have carried this claim forward."
