Central Land Council
in this section
CLC Press Releases
- 30 May 2008
- Seal the Mereenie Loop Road Now ›› more
- 27 May 2008
- Angela Pamela Negotiations ›› more
- 9 May 2008
- Angela Pamela and the native title process ›› more
- 18 February 2008
- Coalition should support permit system ›› more
- 15 February 2008
- Politicians threaten to derail fresh start ›› more
- 22 January 2008
- Police ignorance upsets Lajamanu community ›› more
- 26 November 2007
- Optimism for a fresh consensual approach on Aboriginal affairs ›› more
- 21 November 2007
- Concerns over Central Petroleum tactics ›› more
Police ignorance upsets community
The Aboriginal community of Lajamanu in the north-west Tanami region of the Northern Territory is deeply distressed that police officers, including a female officer, entered a sacred site near the community during an initiation ceremony for young men in January this year.
Lajamanu Community Council chairman Peter Jigili said people were especially upset by the presence of the female officer and see it as a serious transgression of Aboriginal law.
“The special sensitivity of the ceremony means Aboriginal women aren’t allowed to be present during it and so non-Aboriginal women shouldn’t either.
“We’re very upset that the police haven’t respected this well known custom.”
Several senior Lajamanu traditional lawmen have taken the unusual step of releasing a video stating why they’re offended by the action. They say two police vehicles drove through the site during the sensitive ceremony without providing senior men with any explanation. Central Land Council chairman Lindsay Bookie says the police showed a complete disregard for the most basic of Aboriginal customs and laws.
“This place is a sacred site. This was an important ceremony for the entire Lajamanu community and the police should not go there, especially that female officer. Nobody should go there.” Mr Bookie said.
“There’s lots of ceremonies for Aboriginal people at this time of year and those police work in an Aboriginal community. They should know these things and it should be important to them that they do the right thing,” Mr Bookie said.
“We urge the police and anyone who works out bush to learn and respect Aboriginal people’s customs.”
The chairman said the incident emphasises the need to retain permits on Aboriginal land.
“This happened to police who live and work there. Imagine if tourists drive in off the road and drive around the community anywhere they like.
“This site is very close to the Lajamanu community and if people don’t have to get permits to travel on Aboriginal land then more of these incidents will happen,” Mr Bookie said.
Note: A film featuring Lajamanu senior traditional lawmen commenting on the incident has been posted on youtube and can be found at: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=XsJBTEC_i8c
Contacts: Central Land Council media officer Murray Silby
(08) 8955 6216/0488 984 885
Lajamanu Community Council chairman Peter Jigili
(08) 8975 0886