First Nations News: April

Community

The 474 deaths inside: tragic toll of Indigenous deaths in custody revealed

9 April 2021, The Guardian: At least 474 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in police and prison custody since the royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody handed down its final report in 1991, new research has revealed.

Seventh Indigenous death in custody in under two months

27 April 2021, NITV SBS: Two Aboriginal men have died in prisons in Victoria and NSW, authorities in each state have confirmed. It follows the deaths of five other Aboriginal people in custody since March 2.

Hundreds of Stolen Generations survivors to sue the federal government

28 April 2021, ABC News: Stolen Generations survivors from the Northern Territory are taking their fight for compensation to the courts, with legal firm Shine Lawyers preparing to file a class action against the federal government this morning.

Growing calls for overhaul of how Aboriginal corporations and trusts are governed

May 2 2021, ABC News: Aboriginal community leaders are demanding an overhaul of how Indigenous corporations and trusts are governed. The sector continues to be plagued by tensions over transparency and financial mismanagement.

First Nations woman to run for community 'neglected' by disgraced MP Laming

April 16 2021, NITV: "We all know that the community has been neglected over the last 17 years with this current representative. It's the fault of the LNP in their inability to respond to it," Yadhaigana and Wuthathi woman Donisha Duff says.

Calls for Ken Wyatt to pressure the states to better prevent Aboriginal deaths in custody

April 17 2021, ABC News: The most powerful Indigenous politician in the country is coming under increasing pressure to lead the response to deaths in custody, an issue that is personal for him.

Clothing the Gap forced to rebrand after legal battle with GAP

27 April 2021, National Indigenous Times: Aboriginal-owned and operated business Clothing the Gap has been forced to rebrand after a two-year legal battle with US clothing giant, GAP, moving from Clothing the Gap to Clothing the Gaps.

Badu Gili: Wonder Women – highlighting First Nations matriarchs

24 April 2021, The Guardian: The Sydney Opera House sails lit up for Badu Gili: Wonder Women, curated by Coby Edgar in collaboration with Art Gallery NSW and showcasing an all-female lineup of First Nations artists.

Elizabeth Geia honoured – Australia's first Indigenous fashion model

26 April 2021, ABC News: Palm Island residents are following in the footsteps of Australia's first indigenous model in a tribute fashion show dedicated to the late Elizabeth Geia.

Arrernte woman's design to adorn cross-country train ahead of Parrtjima light festival

7 April 2021, NITV: Crossroads, an original design by Arrernte artist Chantelle Mulladad, will adorn the sides of The Ghan as it makes its journey from Darwin to the Red Centre.

Briggs wins national award for children's book inspired by iconic song

29 April 2021, NITV: Hip Hop artist Adam Briggs has taken out the 2021 Australian Book Industry Award for Children's Picture Book of the Year.

After 160 years, Aboriginal cultural burning returns to Coranderrk Station

21 April 2021, ABC News: Nearly a century after being ejected from Coranderrk, Wurundjeri people have returned cultural burning to the land as part of a program giving cultural burning knowledge to a new generation of traditional owners.

Aspiring Indigenous rangers fight weeds threatening Australia's endangered 'dry rainforest'

11 April 2021, ABC News: Young, local Indigenous people are getting experience as rangers in the Bowen and Burdekin area of north Queensland, as Indigenous rangers are calling for more funding to secure jobs for their young people.

Aboriginal groups support calls for a national standard on heritage protection

14 April 2021, NITV: The loss of Aboriginal significant and sacred sites across the continent has prompted calls for stronger cultural heritage protections and a national standard to keep the locations preserved.

How a therapy dog, meditation and Indigenous language transformed this outback school

18 April 2021, ABC News: Meditation, a therapy dog and traditional Aboriginal games are some of the unconventional strategies that are transforming the lives of the primary students at Dareton Public School.

Indigenous health workers deliver trusted medical care to outback communities

13 April 2021, ABC News: Young Indigenous healthcare workers in Queensland are following the footsteps of their family members and hope more of their generation will do the same.

Indigenous health leaders hatch plan to increase COVID-19 vaccine take-up in remote NT

15 April 2021, ABC News: The Northern Territory's peak Aboriginal health service is working on a plan to improve the take-up of COVID-19 vaccines after reports of growing reluctance in remote areas.