Daily news digest June 12
Significant Indigenous news across Australia on June 12 highlights crucial developments in land agreements, cultural tributes, health alerts, and structural funding.
Landmark Legal & Resource Agreements
PKKP Ownership Deal:
The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Traditional Owners have finalised a major agreement to completely own a new mining project.
Koolan Island Backing:
The Dambimangari Traditional Owners have formally backed a comprehensive new ownership deal surrounding resource developments on Koolan Island.
National Tributes
State Funeral for Peter Buckskin:
On June 12, the Australian National Flag is being flown at half-mast across South Australia. The State is to honour Narungga educator Professor Peter Buckskin, AM PSM, for his four decades of leadership in Indigenous education.
Critical Health & Regional Updates
Kimberley Health Warning:
A 78-year-old Aboriginal woman from Perth tragically passed away after contracting the rare, mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis virus following travel to the Kimberley region.
Water Corp Procurement Changes:
Western Australia announced a structural revision to its Water Corporation procurement processes, specifically designed to drive broader employment and engagement for Indigenous businesses.
Community Infrastructure Funding:
Regional funding developments saw the green-lighting of the new Ali Curung youth centre alongside newly funded, Aboriginal-led family violence prevention projects in Victoria.
Structural Reforms & Inquests
Cold Case Inquest Concludes:
The highly anticipated coronial inquest into the 1988 death of 17-year-old Mark Haines on train tracks outside Tamworth is preparing to deliver its long-awaited findings following intensive coverage on First Nations cold cases.
Victoria’s “Gellung Warl”:
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has established a new representative body named Gellung Warl (“tip of the spear” in GunaiKurnai language), empowering elected co-chairs Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson to formally advise the State government on First Nations policies.
