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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, see also Laragiya language. Their traditional country runs from Cox Peninsula in the west to Gunn Point in the north, Adelaide River in the east and south to the Charlotte River. The Larrakia, who often refer to themselves as "Saltwater People" had a vibrant traditional society based on a close relationship with the sea and trade with neighbouring groups such as the Tiwi, Wagait and Wulna. These groups shared ceremonies, songlines and intermarried.
Contents
- Larrakia welcome to country
- Overview
- Larrakia organisations
- Land claims
- Alternative spellings
- Prominent Larrakia
- References
Larrakia welcome to country
Overview
When the first settlers arrived in the Darwin area, the Larrakia provided them with food. Despite conflict and marginalisation, from the beginning the Larrakia participated in the cultural life of the early settlement, and lived in and around the city, before they were moved out to camps further away from the city. Many popular sites around Darwin also hold specific meaning for Larrakia people, such as Stokes Hill, Mindil Beach, Rapid Creek, Casuarina Beach and Old Man Rock (Dareba Nungalinya). Today, Larrakia are a vibrant Aboriginal nation numbering around 2,000 people. Larrakia are broadly recognised for their strengths in performance, music and art. Many Larrakia have achieved mainstream success as doctors, lawyers, sportsmen and hold senior positions in government and other organisations. Larrakia feel particularly strongly about their role as traditional owners for the Territory’s capital, looking after visitors to their country. The Larrakia have established cultural protocols for visitors to the area. These are visible on Larrakia Nation’s website.
Today, it is considered that a Larrakia person should be able to demonstrate their claimed Larrakia heritage via bona fide genealogies with the eight recognised family groups, and are primarily identified by the Larrakia/Aboriginal community in which they live. Some Larrakia people are concerned that non-Larrakia have been included in various land claims. The Kenbi Land Claim proceedings defined 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'. The Kenbi definition was formed through legal proceedings and this definition may not be seen as culturally appropriate by some Larrakia.
Larrakia organisations
The Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1997 to represent the traditional owners of Darwin, the Larrakia. It is also the major Aboriginal service delivery organisation for the region. Larrakia Nation has a membership of over 500 people drawn from the various Larrakia families. It is active in the areas of homeless support, community services, arts and culture, research, and rangers. It generates nearly half of its income from fee-for-service and commercial activities. Its vision is “to be a strong, self-sufficient and healthy Nation of Larrakia people, participating fully in the wider economy of Darwin and the Northern Territory, where Larrakia language, law and culture is known, respected and valued by all members of that community”
The Larrakia Development Corporation was established in 2002 by Larrakia people with the support of the Northern Land Council. The Council holds all shares in the organisation in trust for the Larrakia people. The Larrakia Development Corporation does not have a membership base; instead, its mission is enshrined in the Larrakia Development Corporation Trust deed. Its mission is "to promote the financial independence and lifestyle of all Larrakia people through the commercial development of assets and to do so in such a way that promotes employment, training and business opportunities for all Larrakia people". The Larrakia Trade Training Centre is one initiative of the Larrakia Development Corporation
In 1998 Radio Larrakia was established to give a voice to Larrakia to "promote Larrakia culture and language to the Darwin and surrounding region through broadcast media". Broadcasting on 94.5 FM, it is an Aboriginal Community Radio Station established and controlled by the Larrakia people. From 2006 Radio Larrakia commenced broadcasting in over twenty-six Indigenous languages providing Indigenous community information, interviews, community services, music and programming.
The Gwalwa Daraniki Association owns title to the area of Larrakia land which contains the Town Camps of Kulaluk and Minmarama Park.
Land claims
In October 1972, a thousand Aboriginal people from all states and territories signed the Larrakia Petition, which called for land rights and political representation. Larrakia people attempted to personally present the 3-metre long document to Princess Margaret when she visited Darwin. Finally the people posted it to Queen Elizabeth II. In the petition, Aboriginal people argued that their land was taken by the British settlers, who signed no treaty to acquire it. Without their land they claimed to be refugees in the country of their ancestors.
The Kenbi Land Claim was a land claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act by the Larrakia traditional owners of the land, waters and islands encompassing the Cox Peninsula. It was the longest-running land claim in Australia, running for over thirty years.
In December 2000 the Land Commissioner handed 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. In February 2009 the Northern Territory Government announced that Kenbi would be handed over to the Larrakia traditional owners represented by Raylene Singh, a senior Larrakia traditional owner. At the announcement of the handover, Raylene Singh said that "I will ensure that the land will be protected for all the Larrakia families". In 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull formally handed the land back to the Larrakia people.
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 was later affirmed on appeal by the Full Federal Court in Risk v Northern Territory of Australia on 5 April 2007.
Alternative spellings
There are many alternative spellings of the name 'Larrakia' in English characters. These include: Laragai, Laragia, Laragiya, Larakeeyah, Larakia, Larakiya, Larikia, Larragea, Larrakeah, Larrakeeha, Larrakeeyah, Larrakiha, Larrakiya, Larreekeeyah, Larrekiya, Larriguia, Larrikia, Larrikiha, Larrikiya.