Larrakia

Larrakia are the Indigenous people from the area in and around Darwin, Northern Territory in Australia. Their language is also referred to as Larrakia.

Their country traditionally includes the Cox Peninsula, most of Gunn Pt and much of rural Darwin. Darwin Harbour is also recognised as being within Larrakia country.

Larrakia people are known as "saltwater people", although their country extends up to 50km inland. The Larrakia had trading routes with Southeast Asia, and imported goods from as far afield as South and Western Australia. Established 'songlines' penetrated throughout the country, allowing stories and histories to be told and retold along the routes.

In 1997, key Larrakia people established The Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC), a proactive step in forming an umbrella organisation for members of the larger Larrakia family groups. The Northern Land Council was instrumental in this process. LNAC represents eight Larrakia family groups. The eight groups are composed of numerous interrelated individual families.

In February 2002 Larrakia Development Corporation PTY LTD was officially incorporated under the Corporations Act. Working closely with the Larrakia people, Northern Land Council and the Government of the Northern Territory, Australia to gain forward direction in achieving acceptable development.

Definition of Larrakia

A Larrakia person is defined as being 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. [http://www.atns.net.au/agreement.asp?EntityID=2960] , Summary Information] [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/2002/16.html#fnB11] , The Hearing before Justice Gray]

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

Kenbi Land Claim

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.

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.

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 is due to be heard in the Federal Court of Appeal in November 2006.

Things named after the Larrakia

* HMAS "Larrakia", a patrol boat
* Larrakeyah, a suburb of Darwin, named for the Larrakeyah Barracks located there.
* Radio Larrakia,a local Darwin radio station
* Larrakia Park, the home of the new Darwin Football Stadium.
* Adsteam Larrakia, a 55 tonne bollard pull tractor tug with fire fighting and oil spill response capability and recovery equipment. It will assist ships visiting the LNG terminal at Wickham Point.
* Lyons, a new 77 hectare suburb is to be named after senior Larrakia elder Tommy Lyons. The residential community of Lyons is a joint venture between partners Defence Housing Authority and Canberra Investment Corporation Ltd.

Alternative spellings

Laragai, Laragia, Laragiya, Larakeeyah, Larakia, Larakiya, Larikia, Larragea, Larrakeah, Larrakeeha, Larrakeeyah, Larrakiha, Larrakiya, Larreekeeyah, Larrekiya, Larriguia, Larrikia, Larrikiha, Larrikiya. [http://www.ncver.edu.au/statistics/avetmiss50/prov/pdf/langLU.txt]

ee also

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

References

External links

* [http://www.larrakiadevelopmentcorporation.com.au Larrakia Development Corporation Pty Ltd]