Hello Cathy and others
Firstly, thank you for your good wishes. But reading your email, it
seems I should also clarify a few points.
I am adopted as many on the Birding Aus chatline already know. But the
circumstances of my adoption are a world away from those of for instance,
non-Aboriginal workers on Aboriginal land who are given a subsection name
to 'fit' them in. And it is for this reason that Patrick O'Neill
producer extraordinaire has approached us re an Australian Story next
year. (for those unfamiliar with his name Patrick used to produce
Quantum and Four Corners. His most recent production was a documentary
on the cloning of the thylacine). For anyone who wants more information
on my adoption there are some tales on websites (see addresses below my
signature).
Because of the level of trust between us, I am often asked to mediate in
inter and intra-tribal matters, and it was for these skills elders after
much thought, named me Lawungkurr, after a long-dead but still
highly-honoured woman of the Nangbali clan. But I didn't use the name
until the day a daughter asked if the reason was that I was ashamed of
it.
So while I would never claim to be a traditional owner, I happily tell
people I'm Lawungkurr, a member of the Nangbali clan; Peterson's mother,
Esther's dada (little sister) etc. for I don't want my relatives to ever
think again that I'm ashamed of them, and their feelings are infinitely
more important to me than those of the odd person who might think I'm
pretending to be something I'm not.
On the other points raised in your email, Carol - the words in my email
regarding the other Aboriginal TOs granting permission are those of
Peterson Nganjmirra who has worked with his mother Miriam and others for
years on this issue. They asked me to help get the project off the
ground. As for your offer to contact the NLC and other Aboriginal
organisations, thank you. But my relatives have this in hand.
Finally, for anyone who is interested there was a Common Redshank on the
Nightcliff side of East Point the other day.
Denise
Hello Denise and fellow birders,
Like many people who have worked in Arnhem Land I too am "adopted" into a
clan - this is a generous way many Arnhem Land communities work with
visitors who become friends / collaborators. Of course this is different
to
being identified as a traditional owner which Denise, quite rightly, does
not claim to be.
Under Aboriginal law and the 1976 NT Land Rights Act Aboriginal people
recognised as traditional owners have the authority to accept or deny
permission to enter, or do business, on Aboriginal lands. There is a
process of applying for a permit through the Northern Land Council to
ensure that ALL traditional owners comply with the region / reason of
your
travels. Some commercial companies, including tourist operators, have
entered into a formal agreement which sets out the terms and conditions
of
their business ventures in Arnhem Land. Under the Act this agreement must
be approved through a designated Aboriginal representative body (e.g.
NLC).
As stated in the Northern Land Council web site (www.nlc.org.au):
'Aboriginal land is not owned by individuals. It is granted as a communal
title. Land is formally held by land trusts - groups of Aboriginal people
who hold the title for the benefit of all the traditional owners and
people
with a traditional interest in the land. Under the Land Rights Act,
decisions over the use of Aboriginal land must be consented to by the
traditional owners as a group and ratified by the Land Council'.
I am really excited that Denise has helped to negotiate a formal
agreement
with the many clans that are responsible for the enormous region between
the East Alligator and Maningrida. Denise I suspect you have already done
this but I assume you have got the various Indigenous environmental
management organisations that exist in this area (e.g. Bawinanga
Aboriginal
Corporation) involved - I will forward your email to relevant colleagues
at
the Northern Land Council and Aboriginal organisations if this is needed.
I apologise that this is not a bird posting per se but I wanted to send
this out to clarify the various phone messages I have received -
especially
in response to the comment by Denise that Peterson Njangmirra has '...
secured the agreement of the traditional custodians from the East
Alligator
nearly to Maningrida, to open their country to visitors'.
Best of luck Denise I look forward to hearing how this birding venture
goes.
Cheers
Cathy Robinson
Denise Goodfellow (Lawungkurr Maralngurra)
08 89818492
www.denisegoodfellow.com
www.earthfoot.org
www.laurelhillpress.com
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