A special report from the Yuqui territory delves deep into the dreams, challenges, joys and sadness of one of Bolivia’s most vulnerable indigenous groups.
Indigenous Peoples
Australia. 52,000 hectares of land returned to Larrakia Aboriginals
The longest running aboriginal land claim in Australian history, the Kenbi land claim, was concluded on the 21st of June. This date signified the end of a 37 year long legal battle for the Larrakia aboriginal people against the Australian government: a fight to be given back ownership of their traditional lands. The victory of the Larrakia This
The longest running aboriginal land claim in Australian history, the Kenbi land claim, was concluded on the 21st of June. This date signified the end of a 37 year long legal battle for the Larrakia aboriginal people against the Australian government: a fight to be given back ownership of their traditional lands.
The victory of the Larrakia
This momentous victory for the Larrakia, who number 2,000, means that 52,000 hectares of land in Australia’s Northern Territory, including the Cox peninsula near Darwin, were officially handed back to them. The claim had previously been rejected in 2006. Despite this setback they continued to fight for their rights and on the 6th of April a land agreement was signed, with the ceremony taking place on the 21st of June.
At the handing over ceremony Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated that the fight was a “story that epitomises the survival and resilience of our First Australians”. The settlement also includes the handing over of an additional 13,000 hectares of land, which Nigel Scullion, the Indigenous Affairs Minister, stated “would give them the means to advance their own economic development“. Furthermore, the Australian government committed 31.5 million Australian dollars to rehabilitating the land subject to pollution due to its activities.
At #Kenbi hand back event Larrakia elder Eric Fejo takes aim at NT Chief Minister. https://t.co/UE4yCP83Yb #ausvoteshttps://t.co/qvCO42dowN
— Anna Henderson (@annajhenderson) June 21, 2016
A history of expropriation
Larrakia member Jordan Singh highlighted his joy over the victory, but also the sadness at the length of time it took for the land to be returned. In a speech at the handing over ceremony he stated, “I’m very happy after 37 years, we’ve got our land back. I’m very sad that our mums aren’t here today“.
The victory, however, exists in a much wider context. When the British colonised Australia, Aboriginal land was considered empty and was expropriated. This expropriation was combined with widespread abuse directed at aboriginal peoples. This has led to long-lasting intergenerational effects, with Aboriginal Australians currently making up a disproportionate amount of the prison population and tending to have lower living conditions that the rest of the country.
Reversing abuse
However, positive steps are being taken to reverse the tide of abuse and suffering. For example, the Mabo Case was a high court ruling emitted in 1992, which overturned the empty land precedent, providing recognition of aboriginal land titles and established a mechanism to determine land claims. Despite this ruling, most aboriginal land claims haven’t yet been successful. However, the prominence and success of the Kenbi land claim may represent a major step not just for the Larrakia but for Aboriginal Australians across the country.
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