Indigenous

Sadly anthropologist Jeremy Beckett passed away in the last months of 2022. A Celebration of his Life was held on 19 February 2023 at Chai Chak Wing Museum, Sydney University ... I would like to share memories of my association with Jeremy when I worked at Wilcannia River Radio in 2012-13.

Robbie Kerwin says, 'I started doing art when I was a kid ... I learnt a lot from Nana Jessie Kerwin and Aunty Elsie Jones' ... Vicki Dutton says, 'When I was a kid I loved going down to the river with my family, going fishing and hunting. I'd sit down with pencil and paper and draw from the Darling River, everything I'd see.'

At the heart of "Our Dangerous Friend" is author David Jefford Ward’s belief that traditional Noongar knowledge should be a respected source of bushfire philosophy, ecology and management in south west Australia. In fact Ward, who started as a workman in the then Forests Department, places more value on Noongar bushfire knowledge than some refereed scientific papers.

Richmond Landcare has set an inspiring precedent for reconciliation by being the first Landcare group in NSW to have its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The Reflect RAP outlines the group’s dedication to increasing cultural awareness and knowledge, promoting engagement strategies, and building collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

To ensure that the emu population receives appropriate funding and care, a recent on-country meeting was held on Mount Wycheproof, with participation from Council, Traditional Owners, State Government agencies, Friends of Mount Wycheproof, Landcare, and community members. The group collectively resolved to establish a team representative of all stakeholders to oversee the welfare of the emus.

Dave Oakes. What’s the difference between Rap and Hip Hop? An unlikely place to find this out was the Yipirinya School yesterday afternoon, scene of a Heavy Metal concert for the young ... The youth concert organised by the town council was a focus on the possibilities in life as opposed to anti social behaviour.

From 3 April 2023, all interstate and international visitors will need to purchase a Parks Pass to visit most Territory parks and reserves ... “Territorians do not need to purchase a Parks Pass. This only applies to interstate and international visitors”: Parks and Wildlife Executive Director Sally Egan.

“My whole life journey is in my music and music is my way of letting things out. We cover up too many things and I’m not into sugar coating serious topics. My track ‘Don’t Give Up’ is about depression and like many people I’ve suffered dark times but the best way to deal with it is to talk about it, not bottle it up."

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has confirmed an impeccable line up of 15 Indigenous fashion designers and wearable art makers from across Queensland whose collective response to the 2023 theme ‘Woven’ will tell a powerful story marking 10 years of fashion performances.

What is a sacred site? According to the government, sacred sites are places within the landscape that have a special meaning or significance under Aboriginal tradition. Hills rocks, waterholes, trees, plains, lakes, billabongs and other natural features can be sacred sites ... When heritage moves from easily identifiable caves, rock art, convict buildings and federation houses to mythical spaces that are not registered on published maps, widely known and regularly visited, then we face endless abuse of process, as everything everywhere becomes sacred with a price attached to any disturbance.

Dr Simon Quilty. Today,  National Close the Gap Day, while there is a lot of focus on alcohol, crime and violence in communities such as Alice Springs, it is the long-term, underlying issues that are the real problem here. We are definitely experiencing difficulty in attracting, retaining and housing health professionals right across the NT, addressing this issue in isolation of the greater social disparity only makes the problem worse.

NSW’s first Aboriginal Violence, Abuse and Neglect (VAN) Services trainee has graduated in the Far West Local Health District. Proud Barkandji woman Kyeesha Jones said it had always been her dream to work in health and help her people access services.

Cook Shire Mayor, Peter Scott is looking forward to the upcoming festival, stating, "The Cooktown Discovery Festival is a celebration of our community's rich cultural heritage and the special place Cooktown has in Australian history. It is a time for us to come together and celebrate all that makes Cooktown and this region so special."

The Warumungu community is in mourning after a community leader sadly passed away ... Mr R. Plummer was a Warumungu Traditional Owner, a Cultural Advisor to the Legislative Assembly and a member of many organisational boards ... The senior songman was just 62 years old and he definitely left a lasting legacy in the community of Tennant Creek.

Now on display at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery is the national art exhibition Three Echoes – Western Desert Art curated by writer, artist and activist, Djon Mundine OAM FAHA, showcasing works by 57 acclaimed artists heralding from communities in the Western Desert regions of the Northern Territory.

When it comes to dealing with social and crime problems in Alice Springs, what are the legal obligations of government departments and publicly funded NGOs? How well are they following their mission statements? How much taxpayers’ money do they get and how are they spending it?

Collingwood Football Club (CFC) players returned to Tennant Creek this week as part of its Community Camp, the first since the Covid-19 pandemic. After the footy team worked up a sweat working out at the Barkly Regional Council’s Fitness and Wellness Centre on Tuesday, they headed to Purkiss Reserve to meet local children and Collingwood fans at a free Community BBQ hosted by AFL Barkly.