Empowering the clans of the Miwatj region in Arnhem Land

Media release - Minister Wyatt

Yolngu clans in the Miwatj region of the Northern Territory have renewed their commitment as an Empowered Communities region, increasing the level of decision making and self-determination of more than 800 Indigenous people.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said now the planning and design is complete, the Australian Government is committing more than $700,000 per annum for the backbone organisation to underpin the traditional governance and community-led planning structure.

"The Australian Government is working with Indigenous leaders and communities in new ways that recognise the diversity of cultures and circumstances of Indigenous Australians,” Minister Wyatt said.

“The best outcomes are achieved when Indigenous Australians are at the centre of decision making and we are committed to supporting greater Indigenous ownership and true partnerships with Government.

“I am pleased to see the clans in the Miwatj region will continue their traditional governance structure, the Dilak, as part of Empowered Communities.”

Senior Gumatj Clan Leader, Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM said, ‘‘The Dilak has forever operated as our system of governance and we wish to maintain it in a more formal manner.”

“I first announced a pathway to a Dilak authority at Garma in 2008 and now for the first time, a government will work with us through our traditional governance to achieve effective policy reform in our region.

“The government has heard that Yolngu people are taking responsibility and agreed to back us to determine our future. There is a lot of work to do, but this work will be a pathway to our future as Yolngu people within the Australian nation.’’

The Minister congratulated the leaders of the region on successfully collaborating with government to find a balance between traditional and modern governance structures that places more power in their hands for the benefit of the people in the region.