Latest news with #Jawoyn
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
In the shadow of the serpent
Some 317 kilometers south of Darwin, the mirror-still waters of the Katherine River cut a path through towering sandstone cliffs in Australia's Top End. Here lies Nitmiluk National Park, where land, legend, and time are inseparable. The red rock walls sculpted over millennia glow in the sun's passage, and their ancient presence speaks to something deep and silent in the soul. In the language of the Jawoyn people, traditional custodians of this land, Nitmiluk means 'cicada place'. Legend says, the Rainbow Serpent Bolung, a powerful creation spirit, carried water in his dilly bag and carved the gorge into being. It was Nabilil, a dragon-like ancestral figure, who named the gorge after hearing the nit-nit song of the cicadas echoing through its stone corridors. Formerly known to outsiders as Katherine Gorge, the park was officially handed back to the Jawoyn in 1989. Since then, the name Nitmiluk has reclaimed its place—not just on maps, but in the cultural revival of a people whose connection to the land spans tens of thousands of years. Today, 17 Jawoyn clans collectively manage the park, reinvesting tourism revenue directly into their communities.
SBS Australia
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Candice Lorrae: Leading the Way for First Nations Women in Music
A proud Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander woman, Candice's focus is clear, to amplify the voices of First Nations women in music production. With the support of a Creative Australia Fellowship, she will continue her mission to mentor and develop emerging female First Nations producers, while expanding her own creative and professional practice. In an interview with NITV Radio's Lowanna Grant, Candice reflected on what the award means to her, sharing insights into her journey from a young girl surrounded by music to becoming a dynamic force in the Australian music scene. She also spoke about her time as one half of the duo The Merindas and Candice highlighted how collaboration and her role as performer and producer have equipped her to uplift other First Nations women in the industry.
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Vista Gold fined $160,000 for damaging sacred site in illegal drilling near Katherine
A Canadian gold-mining company has been fined $160,000 for carrying out illegal exploration drilling at an Aboriginal sacred site near the Northern Territory town of Katherine. Vista Gold Australia Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the NT's sacred sites laws in the Darwin Local Court last month, after the company's own press release tipped authorities off to the illegal works. Vista Gold operates the Mount Todd Gold Project on Jawoyn country outside of Katherine, 300 kilometres south-east of Darwin, which is estimated to hold about 10 million ounces of gold. The court heard that in 2022, Vista Gold announced to its shareholders that it had successfully explored deposits at its Mount Todd operations, providing maps and coordinates for 26 drilling holes. The following year the NT's Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) discovered 12 of those holes, from which core samples were taken, were within the boundaries of a sacred site near Yinbarrie Hills. AAPA inspections of the site in 2024 found grass and vegetation had been cleared, drill pads levelled and excavated material deposited. In fining Vista Gold on Wednesday, Acting Judge Steven Ledek said the company's breach had "everything to do with the price of gold". "This is nothing more than a mercenary exercise, where they had been looking and looking for what they believed was there, but unfortunately found it to be under a restricted works area," he said. Despite describing the works as "invasive and ground-disturbing", Acting Judge Ledek said the $160,000 fine was "insignificant" compared to the company's projected profit from the site. He said the Mount Todd site was a "flagship asset" for Vista Gold, from which he calculated the company could earn more than $500 million. "All present market indicators suggest the only way is up," Acting Judge Ledek said. He said while the Jawoyn Association had "some" understanding of the unlawful works, the organisation did not raise any objections or submit any evidence to the case against Vista Gold. "The Jawoyn were not called in these proceedings, they have not prepared a victim impact statement, and I have no information … as to loss or harm that has been suffered by the Jawoyn Association," he said. "In fact what I have is an uncontroverted dissertation of all of the things Vista Gold has done for the people of the Jawoyn and Banjarn Associations." In a statement, AAPA chair Bobby Nunggumajbarr said he welcomed the court's decision. "Vista Gold's Mount Todd mine site is located on Aboriginal freehold land which is managed by the Barnjarn Aboriginal Corporation and the Jawoyn Association," he said. 'While Vista Gold may have met with members of these groups, [AAPA] ensures custodians are consulted properly and widely about the impacts of proposed work." Mr Nunggumajbarr said Vista Gold had "accepted they did the wrong thing." "We look forward to working with Vista Gold to keep the sacred sites near the Mount Todd gold mine safe," he said.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie national park spot hugely popular with campers reopens to the public after years
After six years of closure and a long-running dispute over cultural site protection, one of the country's most popular waterfalls is again set to open to tourists. Gunlom Falls, an iconic spot in the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, will officially reopen next month. It has been closed since late 2019, when the construction of a new walkway inadvertently disturbed a site sacred to the Jawoyn people, the traditional custodians of the land. The Northern Land Council (NLC) described the disturbance as a "deeply disrespectful violation" of Traditional Owners' rights. Parks Australia was later fined $200,000 under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, admitting fault and issuing a public apology in 2021. After years of negotiations, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek confirmed a new lease agreement had been secured between the Commonwealth and Kakadu's traditional owners, allowing the park to move forward. Gunlom Falls has long been a favourite among campers, offering breathtaking views, natural infinity pools and a serene bush setting perfect for an overnight stay under the stars. The Northern Land Council successfully negotiated an increase in annual rent to $10.7 million, up from previous figures, as part of the new lease terms, the NT News reported. Traditional Owners will now receive 50 per cent of commercial revenue, including entry fees, permits, camping charges, and licence fees, providing a greater financial return to Indigenous custodians. Online, Australians were overjoyed to hear the news. "Beautiful place. Please take care of it," a woman said. "How exciting," another wrote. "Please go! This place is truly magic," another commented. Gunlom Falls, located in Kakadu's rugged southern "stone country" region, is accessible only by 4WD, with the nearest hub being Cooinda, about an hour away, and Darwin, 4.5 hours. The falls have long been a favourite among Territory visitors, famous for their tiered rock pools, panoramic views and emerald-green swimming holes. Calls for major change at famous Aussie waterfall after double tragedy Tourists slammed for ' stupid' behaviour at notorious Aussie crossing Crocodile warning sign ignored by men 'with a death wish' They reach peak flow just after the wet season, making May the ideal time for reopening, with the newly constructed access track about a 15 to 20 minute hike. The reopening is expected to be a major boost for tourism in Kakadu, aligning perfectly with A Taste of Kakadu — a popular festival celebrating Indigenous culture, bush food and local storytelling which runs in late May. Kakadu Tourism Chair Lauren Ganley called it a "new era", emphasising the need for cultural respect in future park developments. "There is no destination in Australia more culturally unique than Kakadu," she said. "It's essential we present it in a way that respects the heritage and wishes of Traditional Owners. "The reopening of Gunlom Falls is part of a wider program to upgrade infrastructure to allow visitors to better appreciate Kakadu's natural wonders. Another major attraction — Twin Falls — will reopen next dry season after infrastructure upgrades, and there are plans for significant investment throughout the park to re-establish it as one of the world's leading national parks." With Qantas resuming direct Darwin-Singapore flights, tourism in Kakadu and the broader Northern Territory is expected to see an upswing. Meanwhile, Cooinda Lodge is upgrading its Outback Retreat glamping tents, with plans to add ensuite facilities to 10 of the 20 air-conditioned tents in preparation for increased visitor numbers. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Authorities admit guilt over 'heartbreaking' damage to sacred site: 'This place needs to be healed'
Park authorities exist to protect green spaces and vital ecosystems, but sometimes, they get things very wrong. In Australia, traditional groups have fought back after Parks Australia built a walkway over sacred rock art near Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park. National Indigenous Times reported Parks Australia admitted criminal liability after the organization's actions in 2019, and it has now applied for an authority certificate to work with Aboriginal groups to set things right. Citing Junggayi (traditional policeman) Joseph Markham, National Indigenous Times detailed that "Gunlom Falls sits at the bottom of Buladjang (Sickness Country), where the Bula creation spirit sleeps." "[Markham said] the men's site under Jawoyn law is forbidden for women but when the walkway was built over it, not only did it disturb Bula, it risked making women and children sick when they visited Gunlom Falls." Despite working alongside Parks Australia and coming to an agreement that any plans would be built around and above the sacred site, clan groups were devastated to discover that the area of construction had been changed by a project manager who "did not understand the significance of [the walkway's] route." Rachael Willika, a Bolmo traditional owner, told the National Indigenous Times that Parks Australia "shattered" her spirit, noting that the organization needs to pay a "big price" for the damage caused. "So that place we need it to be healed," she said in court. "This place needs to be healed. This country needs to be healed." According to the Guardian, Parks Australia has been ordered to pay a $200,000 AUD fine for the walkway deviation. This is in addition to the $500,000 in compensation that traditional owners need to receive for lost earnings after the park was closed to tourists for five years since 2019 amid legal proceedings. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Park groups need to be mindful of how construction activity can impact the local community and the wider ecosystem. But we all need to consider our actions, too. That means respecting natural areas and leaving them as good as we found them — or better. Littering, vandalism, destruction of ancient art, and disturbing wildlife are all examples of things that should not be tolerated and that should be called out when we see them happening. Respecting Indigenous groups and nature is essential to ensure we can all live in harmony and continue to enjoy the many benefits that time outdoors can bring. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
