Indigenous

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...

On March 10, Banjima Traditional Owners and the filmmakers behind Walkley Award-winning documentary YURLU | COUNTRY will take part in an official UN Side Event at the Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Switzerland. It comes off the back of Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation launching a $1.5 billion claim against the WA Government, as part of their Clean Up Wittenoom campaign...

Ted Egan's stories and songs ranged from the poignant, such as The Drover’s Boy, to the larrikan: There are some bloody good drinkers, in the Northern Territory ... Greg Egan was speaking ... at the state memorial celebrating the life of his father Ted Egan who, apart from being a nationally celebrated singer, was an author, academic and athlete.

The Victorian Minister for Planning, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, has decided that an environmental effect statement is required for the Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project and given reasons for her decision. Gippsland Critical Minerals Pty Ltd, the proponent of the Fingerboards Project, has responded to the decision. The community action group, Mine Free Glenaladale, has responded to the decision and GCM's statement.

Barkindji representatives travelled to the United Kingdom to share the Menindee fish kills film with international audiences and connect with cultural items. In the summer of 2018-2019, a million dead fish floated to the surface of the Baaka (Darling River) near the town of Menindee. The shocking sight was the result of a mass fish kill.

Last week, Friday 6th February, local elder Eddy Harris celebrated the opening of his latest exhibition at the Broken Hill Art Gallery ... "Eddy said he was very pleased with the response, with a number of works being snapped up by discerning buyers."