Larrakia

For other uses, see Larrakia (disambiguation).

Larrakia are the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Larrakia Country which includes the area in and around Darwin, Northern Territory in Australia. The original language name of the group now known as Larrakia, is Gulumirrgin.

Larrakia country traditionally includes the Darwin Harbour, Cox Peninsula across the Darwin Harbour, most of Gunn Point and much of rural Darwin.

Larrakia people are known as "saltwater people", Larrakia country extends up to 50 km inland. Larrakia had trading routes mostly extending down the western side of the NT. Established 'songlines' penetrated throughout the country, allowing stories and histories to be told and retold along the routes.

Larrakia organisations include the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) which was established in 1997 (via the Native Title Act) by the Northern Land Council which provided funding for over fours years to assist in the governance structure and operations. This provided an umbrella organisation for members of the wider interrelated Larrakia family groups including Batcho, Browne/Talbot/Kenyon, Roman, Fejo, Raymond/Mills, Mclennan & Cubillo. The eight groups are composed of numerous interrelated and unrelated individual families. The LNAC has a membership of 500+, not all members are Larrakia. As of the 4th October 2010, LNAC was put under Special Administration by the Federal Government.

In February 2002 Larrakia Development Corporation PTY LTD was officially incorporated under the Corporations Act. The Larrakia Development Corporation is a shareholder company established and owned by the Northern Land Council. Unlike many Indigenous Corporations, Larrakia Development Corporation is self funded and does not rely on Government Grants to operate. Working with the Larrakia people, Northern Land Council, and the Government of the Northern Territory, Australia to gain forward direction in achieving acceptable development. Larrakia Development Corporation has Memorandums of Understanding with: Kormilda College LTD, Ausurv Pty Ltd, Sitzler Pty Ltd, MacMahon Contractors Pty Ltd and Inpex Corporation. These Memorandums of Understandings are in place to help Larrakia to gain financial independence through employment opportunities.

A Larrakia person should be able to demonstrate their claimed Larrakia heritage via bonafide genealogies, and are primarily identified by the Larrakia/Aboriginal community in which they live. Some Larrakia families are concerned that non-Larrakia have been included in various land claims.

The Kenbi Land Claim proceedings defines Larrakia Traditional Owners as: 'a descendant of a known Larrakia ancestor and a member of one of the Larrakia families named and listed in the Kenbi Land Claim decision by the Land Commissioner, Justice Gray'.

NOTE: It is important to make clear that the Kenbi definition was formed through legal proceedings and this definition may not be seen as culturally appropriate by some Larrakia.

Kenbi Land Claim

The Kenbi Land Claim is the land, waters and islands encompassing Cox Peninsula, Darwin Northern Territory. Kenbi spanned over thirty years.

In February 2009 the Northern Territory Government announced that Kenbi, the longest running Aboriginal land claim in Australia's history would be handed over to the Larrakia Traditional Owners represented by Raylene Singh, senior Elder Larrakia Traditional Owner. At the Announcement of the handover, Raylene Singh Larrakia Aboriginal Traditional Owner said that "I will ensure that the land will be protected for all the Larrakia families"

The Larrakia have had a long history of fighting to regain their traditional country. In 1977, the Kenbi Land Claim was made by the Northern Land Council on behalf of the Larrakia to the lands and islands in the area of the Cox Peninsula, which is the western arm of Darwin Harbour. The Northern Land Council plans to allocate approximately 1/3rd of the 600 km² claim as Territory Freehold for the Larrakia Development Corporation to build as a foundation for decades of growth for future generations. Some Larrakia people see this as inappropriate and believe it raises legal issues of conflicts of interest. Some Larrakia wish to form their own land council, as they believe the NLC does not adequately consult with, or inform Larrakia people about decisions regarding their land and shares it holds, on their behalf.

It was not to be until December 2000, that the Land Commissioner would hand up his report, regarding the Kenbi Land Claim. He recommended approximately 600 km² be handed back to the Larrakia people. After a record 23 years of struggle, this recommendation was a great victory for Larrakia people. Sadly many of the Larrakia elders died before the claim was finalised. 11yrs later, the current Aboriginal Affairs minister (Jenny Macklin) has still not signed over the land.

In April 2006, a Federal Court of Australia decision denied the Larrakia's native title claim on the basis of "failure to prove continuous connection with the Darwin area". In his reasoning Justice Mansfield argued that there had not been continuous observance of traditional customs and laws. Justice Mansfield's decision is the subject of an appeal by the Larrakia and was due to be heard in the Federal Court of Appeal in November 2006. It is arrogant of the Government of Australia to think they have the knowledge and authority to know who is and isn't recognised as a person belonging to a clan or language group. Aboriginal tradition dictates that the elders are those who hold this knowledge. Aboriginal people of Australia are truly the Sovereign people, and the Australian Governments claim to all our resources and land has been proven to be historically corrupt. A treaty that recognises this sovereignty is the only way forward for Australia, and is how many of the wounds can be healed.

Alternative spellings

Laragai, Laragia, Laragiya, Larakeeyah, Larakia, Larakiya, Larikia, Larragea, Larrakeah, Larrakeeha, Larrakeeyah, Larrakiha, Larrakiya, Larreekeeyah, Larrekiya, Larriguia, Larrikia, Larrikiha, Larrikiya.

Prominent Larrakia

• Mathew Stokes
• Raphael Clarke
• Xavier Clarke
• Daniel Motlop
• Ash Dargan
• Bill Risk
• Koolpinyah Barnes
• Yula Williams (Snr)
• Robert Browne
• Audrey Tilmouth
• Bill Danks

See also

• Darwin, Northern Territory
• Charles Darwin National Park
• Native title
• Yolngu

External links

• Larrakia Development Corporation Pty Ltd
• Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (the largest representative NGO for Larrakia people now under special administration
• Larrakia Bibliography at Northern Territory Library