Peacemakers, stargazers, and trailblazers: how Elders protect their paradise

'We use the stars out here to show our girls how to find the Milky Way,' says Elaine Mamarika, Anindilyakwa Elder and NIAA Indigenous Engagement Officer (IEO).

'We take the girls out bush to show them how to find water and live on the land,' she explains. 'We want our girls to be strong.'

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been on this country for upwards of 60,000 years, they know their Country better than any.

Elaine and Mildred Mamarika (also an Elder and IEO) are Anindilyakwa of Groote Eylandt – part of the tropical cluster of islands that make up the Gulf of Carpentaria, NT.

Both Mamarika women describe themselves as wearing many hats for their community. As IEO’s, they act as a go-between for their communities and the government.

As well as being Elders, and IEOs for over 14 years, they serve as members on various boards, are mothers, grandmothers, mentors, and more.

'Lots of meetings!' Elaine exclaims, talking about their days on Groote.

'Always talking with people. This week we're talking with the CDP (Community Development Program) provider.,' she says.

The Mamarika women were born and raised on Groote. They talk brightly about their childhood playing in the island's white sands, monsoon forests and crystal blue seas.

'We would go out hunting with our families,' Millie says. 'We used to explore, get shellfish and bring them back to our parents.

Education played a big part in their lives, both leaving Groote Eylandt to pursue education and careers right out of school.

'I went to Darwin for 6 months to train as a health worker straight out of school,' Elaine says. 'That was my dream.

It was a good job. Sometimes the Aboriginal ladies would get shy so I had to talk with them. I would do their health checks, deliver babies, or even stitch people up.'

'We're now building a school that will be co-curriculum, which we're developing,’ Elaine explains. ‘They will learn both languages and learn on Country, and regular curriculum too.' 

Millie is a very accomplished student, having completed courses in Environmental Health, and Theology.

'I worked as a teacher in the 70s,' Millie recalls. 'After that, I went to work at the old store. Then I worked for the church. Then I became a Reverend in 2013.'

'She's the most senior person in the church [on Groote Eylandt] actually,' Elaine explains.

'I'm very involved, yo (Anindilyakwa for 'yes'),' Millie confirms. 

 Elaine and Millie are also Peacemakers – a program introduced on the island after a brawl between two men ended in tragedy back in 2017.

We stand in the middle,' says Elaine. 'We've been doing it for a long time to keep our community safe, and it has brought the prison rates way down.'

The NT Police report that offences committed by young people on the island between 2018 and 2019 dropped from 346 to just 17 the following year. 

Elaine explains how one of the things she's done to bring peace to her community was to draw a family tree for Anindilyakwa locals to see they are all one big family.

'I show them, we are all connected,' Elaine explains. 'There are 14 clans on the island but we only speak one language – that's different to other places. I tell them “We are one people. One voice".'

Family is their other clear priority. 'We have some of our kids and our grandkids live with us,' says Millie. 'They drive us mad sometimes! But it's nice to live with us, we want to be together.'

Talking about their hopes for the next generation, the pair can see a bright future ahead.

'Better education. We want to see a strong and safe community. We want our women to have a voice – to have power!'

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is very lucky to work with Elders across Australia. During NAIDOC Week we want to acknowledge all Elders, who are leaders not only within the NIAA workforce but also their communities. Elders, who contribute to our nation’s workforce, quiet trailblazers, and cultural knowledge holders.