Indigenous news digest January 15
Indigenous Australian news for January 15, includes significant historical commemorations, governance reviews of native title settlements, and ongoing legal challenges regarding youth welfare and cultural heritage.
Historical Commemorations
Torres Strait Maritime Strike 90th Anniversary:
Communities across the Torres Strait and leaders have gathered on Thursday Island to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the 1936 maritime strike. The event included a march from the wharf to Anglican Hall to honor workers who walked off the job in protest of oppressive government controls.
Legal and Governance News
Noongar Settlement Review:
The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) is reviewing the “rule books” of seven organisations involved in the $1.3 billion South West Native Title settlement. The probe focuses on internal governance and adherence to the federal CATSI Act.
NT Law and Justice Groups:
Reports released today highlight that only five of the 20 promised Aboriginal Law and Justice Groups have been established in the Northern Territory, despite a 2027 deadline.
Brisbane Olympic Stadium Dispute:
The Federal government rejected an application to stop construction on the Victoria Park Olympic stadium site on Indigenous heritage grounds. However, three other heritage-based applications for the site remain under consideration.
Nuffield Australia student Marlon Motlop.
Culture and Industry
Native Foods Industry Report:
A new Nuffield Australia report by Marlon Motlop calls for increased First Nations leadership and stronger intellectual property protections for the native foods industry.
Indigenous Screen Stories:
The “Sovereign Shorts” initiative has been highlighted for its role in empowering First Nations screenwriters and filmmakers. Sovereign Shorts gives Victorian-based First Peoples screen storytellers the chance to make short documentaries that explores Treaty as a lived experience, capturing what this historic event means for individuals and communities.
Health and Community Welfare
Aboriginal Youth Suicide Reports:
Calls for transparency have increased as it was revealed that Western Australian government reports on Aboriginal youth suicide have faced significant delays.
Health Partnerships:
Perth-based Aboriginal organisations have formalised a new health and wellbeing partnership to improve service delivery.
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service and Moorditj Koort Aboriginal Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations.
