Indigenous

Therese Schier. There’s a new exhibition coming to the Casino Art Gallery featuring internationally acclaimed Yuin artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby from Glenn Innes and Galibul Elder Noel Caldwell (Uncle Charlie). The Celebrating NAIDOC exhibition opens on Saturday June 13 with artworks by local and regional First Nations artists.

On the far South Coast of New South Wales, Gadhu Bagan, the Southern-Yuin Firesticks team, is celebrating the persistent presence of Guraban (koala) across multiple locations in Wadbilliga National Park, following on-Country survey and monitoring work undertaken in partnership with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM, a proud Kombumerri man of the Yugambeh Nation, made history when he joined the Queensland Police Service (QPS) at just 20 years old in 1965. As Australia marked National Reconciliation Week (which ran from the 27th of May to Wednesday of this week, the 3rd of June), the QPS acknowledged the contributions and legacy of the nation’s first, First Nations police officer, Dr Colin Dillon AM, APM.

Uncle Sunno, a proud Paakantji man, has been working tirelessly for 20 years, to support the learning of children and young people in Wilcannia ... His deep knowledge of Paakantji culture supports the school staff to develop the cultural competence required to be effective educators.

For decades, much of Nharangga warra Narungga language existed in fragments. Today, those fragments are being put back together. Across three generations of the Wanganeen family, the language is being recovered, taught and spoken once again, with a growing focus on returning it to everyday life.

Geoff Reid is in his 70s and he’s walking from Ballina to Myall Creek to visit massacre sites along the way. It’s a long walk – 474km with a lot to think about on the way. Geoff started at East Ballina Cemetery and then went on to Goanna Headland at Evans Head.

The biggest diphtheria outbreak since national record keeping began now (21 May) stands at 230 cases this year, affecting mainly Aboriginal people and believed to have caused the death one person. Around 60 per cent of the cases are in the Northern Territory, with further outbreaks in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

The Commonwealth Government has formally issued a Native Title Determination for the White Cliffs opal fields, bringing to an end a period of administrative gridlock that had threatened the economic viability of the historic mining outpost. The declaration of the White Cliffs Main Field as an "Approved Opal or Gem Mining Area" under Section 26C of the Native Title Act 1993 now provides a legal framework for the granting and renewal of mineral claims.

The town's embracing of the family struck by tragedy came to its culmination at a sunset vigil yesterday to say farewell to Kumanjayi Little Baby, dead at just five years old. There were no less than 1500 locals on Anzac Oval, the 20-80 black-white mix about the same as the whole town’s. The pain of the recent events had united them.

The Riverland’s Indigenous community is needing "practical outcomes" from bureaucratic processes that benefit all involved, according to a senior local politician. Riverland-based MLC, and SA Liberal leader in the Legislative Council, Nicola Centofanti last week met with numerous senior local Indigenous community representatives at the Berri riverfront.

The State Liberals will introduce legislation to repeal the First Nations Voice when Parliament resumes this week. The First Nations Voice Repeal Bill will make way for its replacement - practical, targeted support for Indigenous South Australians and a revived Aboriginal Lands Committee.

The BAAKA Board is very pleased to announce the appointment of Liane Wendt as the new Executive Director of the BAAKA Cultural & Arts Centre. Liane comes to Wilcannia from Derby in WA, where she led the Mowanjum Arts and Cultural Centre.

We’re honoured to partner with SBS to share the broadcast of My Cousin Frank — one of Rhoda Roberts AO’s final performances.

Carey Brennan. More than 100 farmers attended the recent VFF community meeting held by the St Arnaud branch on Thursday, April 9, to listen to legal experts speak about the effects of the new Victorian Treaty Act and the land acquisition procedures for transmission lines, all of which will adversely affect farmland in this district.

Parrtjima 2026 has celebrated its biggest opening weekend yet, recording the largest opening weekend attendance in the festival’s history, including the second-largest opening night, as visitors flocked to the Red Centre. Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the festival attracted nearly 8,300 attendances, with a program that’s still got plenty for all to enjoy until 19 April.

The six totem poles that line the driveway to the Casino & District Memorial Hospital were officially unveiled ... Hand painted by residents at Balund-a, each totem pole design represents elements of the natural world, including animals, bush foods, and water.

After 15 years, the Narrungdera Yulang Committee proudly brought back a powerful community tradition, hosting the Aboriginal Debutante Ball "Walking in Two Worlds" last week. The evening was a remarkable celebration of culture, family and community, marking a moment many had been waiting years to see return.

Dr Brookhouse and the Snow Gum Summiteers (Snow gum dieback raises fears for largest river system) should look at the history and basic ecology of chronic eucalypt decline or so-called dieback ... Pests, parasites and diseases are symptoms and contributors, not causes of chronic eucalypt decline ... Chronic decline of eucalypts is not a consequence of climate change.

The Baaka Cultural & Arts Centre is moving into its final stages, and the team is very excited to share they are on track to open in the second half of this year ... The building architect David Kaunitz was also out visiting the Centre on his annual trip with students from the University of Sydney.

We acknowledge the passing of Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, a Djura elder from the East Kimberly. We acknowledge her work and dedication in the fields of nursing and Aboriginal education and for her advocacy for equity for Aboriginal people.

The Albanese Government has ... tabled the annual Murray–Darling Basin First Nations water report for 2024–25. This report provides an overview of the progress made in 2024–25 by the Albanese Government to strengthen First Nations peoples’ leadership, knowledge and self determination in water management and planning decisions across the Murray–Darling Basin...