Legal systems
My Yolngu World; how structure brings harmony
This speech was delivered to Warramiri Cosmology Conference at Charles Darwin University by Dianne Biritjalawuy Gondarra on 21st February 2019. It was translated into English by Richard Trudgen Image by Wayne Quilliam ** Thank you…
Australia Has Its Own “Haka”
As a number of Yolŋu watched Adam Goodes perform his "war cry" or "haka" on TV after he kicked the goal, they were excited because it was great for their culture to be represented there on the big screen. “Here in Arnhem Land in the NT we call what Adam performed ‘balyunmirr’."
What Happened to the Second Bark Petition?
This week is NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme is focused on the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petition. It is a good time to remember the…
Madayin Law System; The Assent law of the Yolŋu of Arnhem Land
This is the paper from Dr Djiniyini Gondarra’s presentation to the The Law and Justice within Indigenous Communities conference in Darwin, NT, Feb 2011.The Assent law of the first people: The Assent law of the first people: Principles…
Galiwin’ku Women Speak Up to the UN for Recognition of Yolŋu Law
Earlier this year, Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights came to Australia on her first official visit to discuss rights issues with the Government, the Australian Human Rights Commission, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities…
Dhurili Nation Challenges Mining Lease Agreement in Court
Dhurili Nation considers court action as Prime Minister celebrates historic agreement in Gove Peninsula, NT. The Dhurili Nation, comprising the Datiwuy, Golumala, Marrakulu and Marrangu clans have previously confirmed to the Northern Land Council and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs…
An Indigenous voice – How is Yolngu law separate from the Governments Law
Here is a YouTube video that is worth watching because it contains the genuine voice of an Indigenous a significant person from one the remote communities most effected by recent Government polices. She speaks of why she sees her people's Law and the Mainstream Law of Australia of the 'Balanda' (the Europeans/non-indigenous) as separate from each other.
An example of disempowerment- Why dont you talk to us first?
The Elder speaking was quite irate about decisions that had been made by Goverment and organisations that had not been discussed with local leaders. "Why don't you Balanda explain to us what are your plans?... You don't talk to us... You just change things." ...
Cross cultural issues confound Australian justice systems.
An interesting report called “An absence of mutual respect” was released at the beginning of June by our friends at ARDS which gives great insight into the difficulties faced by English second language Aboriginal people. It is a report on…
A Foreign Australia – Working in Aborignal Communities
If you are working with, for, or planning to enter an Aboriginal community in Australia the first thing you must do is begin to think like you are about to enter an overseas country. Of course physically these Aboriginal communities…
