News & Publications
Almost four decades on: ‘a bittersweet and long-overdue’ handback of Gagaguwaja Aboriginal Land Trust
Nov 26, 2020
Traditional Aboriginal owners of land in the Northern Territory’s remote Barkly Tablelands welcomed the gesture by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Honourable Ken Wyatt AM MP, who has delivered to them the Deeds of Title to the Gagaguwaja Aboriginal Land Trust.
The NLC: looking forward to a continued ‘critical role’ in the COVID-19 response and the development of new Aboriginal economies in the NT
Nov 24, 2020
The NLC welcomes the recognition by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP of the ‘critical role’ the NLC and other NT Aboriginal Land Councils have played in the response to COVID-19.
The NLC draws line in sand on unlawful activity on Aboriginal land
Nov 4, 2020
The NLC has called for any person on Aboriginal land in the NLC area without a valid permit, lease or licence issued by the Land Council to leave immediately.
‘It’s always been in our hearts’ – an emotional day at Elliott for native title holders for Buchanan Downs and Hidden Valley pastoral leases
Oct 30, 2020
The Northern Land Council congratulates the native title holders of two Barkly Region pastoral leases for their hard work resulting in the long-overdue recognition of their native title rights to country in an historic ceremony at the Northern Territory town of Elliott yesterday.
‘Tears of joy for the old people’: native title holders celebrate recognition of rights in country
Oct 29, 2020
More than 150 people gathered at Old Banka Banka Homestead for a native title Consent Determination over pastoral leases in the Barkly region.
The Northern Land Council goes back to its roots - Territory Q magazine
Oct 8, 2020
The Northern Land Council has gone 'back to basics' - helping Aboriginal people acquire and manage their traditional lands and sea.
The NLC welcomes High Court decision that clarifies performance of native title functions
Oct 7, 2020
The Northern Land Council (the NLC) welcomes today’s unanimous decision by the High Court that the NLC has the power to delegate to its CEO and other staff members the job of certifying applications for registration of Indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs).
NLC welcomes recognition of native title rights to pastoral leases
Sep 22, 2020
The NLC congratulates native title holders of two pastoral leases for their hard work resulting in the long-overdue recognition of their native title rights to country.
Land Rights Act key for Mirarr traditional owners
Sep 3, 2020
A long struggle by the Mirarr people for ownership and control over the Jabiru township met with success today with the passage of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Jabiru) Act 2020.
Blue Mud Bay Plan will protect Aboriginal sea country rights
Sep 1, 2020
On 29 July 2020 the NLC and the NT Government signed the Blue Mud Bay Action Plan.
NT land councils: protection needed for remote drinking water supply
Jul 29, 2020
The four Northern Territory land councils condemn the unacceptable lack of protection for safe and adequate drinking water in the NT.
Vale Jack Ah Kit – the NLC mourns the passing of a great leader
Jul 13, 2020
The Northern Land Council mourns the passing of John Ah Kit – known better to many as Jack Ah Kit or just Jack – who passed away on Sunday 12 July at the Royal Darwin Hospital.
NLC supports Kakadu traditional owners and calls for review of Parks’ management
Jul 8, 2020
The relationship between senior management and traditional owners at Kakadu national park requires urgent action to be resolved.
Traditional owners try tech to keep ancient language alive
Jul 8, 2020
Malak Malak traditional owners have funded the development of a language app containing over 300 words and phrases. The Malak Malak Vocab Builder is now available on the Google Play and App store.
NT land councils want borders to remain closed
Jun 25, 2020
The Central Land Council and Northern Land Council call on the NT Government to keep the NT borders with all other jurisdictions closed until community transmission of COVID-19 has been eliminated in Australia.
NLC update on permit conditions after 5 June 2020
Jun 4, 2020
Restrictions on travel to and from remote communities in the Northern Territory will be lifted on 5 June.
Land Rights Act key to cultural integrity for the Mirarr traditional owners of Jabiru
May 13, 2020
The NLC has welcomed the introduction of the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Amendment (Jabiru) Bill 2020 into the Federal Parliament.
NLC’s Aboriginal language short films about COVID-19
Apr 4, 2020
“Stay on country, care for family” in Yolngu Matha, one of 18 language messages produced by the NLC.
NLC’s Chairman shares a message about Coronavirus
Mar 31, 2020
A message for all you mob in the NLC area from the Chairman, Samuel Bush-Blanasi. "Stay on country, look after your family and look after yourself."
New travel restrictions for communities in the NLC area
Mar 26, 2020
The Commonwealth government announced that from midnight, 26 March, anyone wanting to enter ‘designated areas’ in the NT will need to self-isolate for 14 days before they can enter.
The NLC announces suspension of all permits to enter Aboriginal land for non-essential travel
Mar 14, 2020
At its meeting on 14 March 2020 the NLC Executive Council determined that all existing non-essential permits will be suspended and no new non-essential travel permits will be granted until further notice.
The NLC welcomes Aboriginal ranger funding extension
Mar 13, 2020
The NLC welcomes the announcement that the NIAA Indigenous Ranger Program funding will be extended for seven years.
The NLC backs NTG’s call to cancel non-essential trips to remote Aboriginal communities
Mar 12, 2020
The NLC's Executive Council has met with the Northern Territory Department of Health and the Danila Dilba Health Service’s CEO Ms Olga Havnen to examine strategies and information focused on protecting Aboriginal communities in the NLC’s region from the risk of coronavirus.
Legune Station Native Title holders reach first community development milestone
Dec 9, 2019
Native Title holders have been working with the NLC's Community Planning and Development (CP&D) Program to complete an upgrade of their outstation at Marralum on Legune Station.
Indigenous Ranger Forum 2019
Dec 4, 2019
Hundreds of rangers from across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland came together near Darwin in August to share their knowledge and hone their skills.
The NLC members back stability and renewal
Dec 4, 2019
Delegates to the 121st Full Council meeting of the NLC have voted to return Samuel Bush-Blanasi as Chairman of the NLC, with Calvin Deveraux being elected as Deputy Chair.
The NLC reinforces that any examination of Yuendumu shooting be independent and transparent
Nov 12, 2019
The Chairman and Members of the NLC extend their deepest sympathies to the family of Kumanjayi Walker at this difficult time.
Territory Q’s profile of NLC CEO Marion Scrymgour
Nov 8, 2019
Marion Scrymgour was the first Indigenous woman in Parliament and later became the first Indigenous leader of an Australian government in history when she was made Acting Chief Minister.
NLC to NT government: ‘Stop blaming Aboriginal people for your failures’
Oct 14, 2019
The Northern Land Council says Aboriginal Territorians have been betrayed by the shock announcement today that the government won’t proceed with proposed amendments to the Pastoral Land Act.
Burial & Cremation Bill fails Aboriginal people
Oct 13, 2019
The Northern Land Council is profoundly disappointed with the failure of the NT Legislative Assembly’s Social Policy Scrutiny Committee to address serious concerns raised by Aboriginal people about the Burial & Cremation Bill 2019.
Connecting school students to learn on country
Oct 11, 2019
A three-day Learning on Country forum took place in Darwin in September, involving more than 80 school principals, teachers, rangers and ranger coordinators, Learning on Country coordinators and Indigenous cultural advisors.
Learning on Country: connecting school students to work on country
Sep 9, 2019
More than 80 school principals, teachers, rangers and ranger coordinators, Learning on Country coordinators and Indigenous cultural advisors came together for a three-day Learning on Country forum in Darwin this month.
NLC calls on the NT Government to delay the introduction of the Burial & Cremation Bill
Sep 5, 2019
The NLC's East Arnhem Regional Council has urged the NT Government to delay the introduction of the contentious Burial & Cremation Bill (2018) into the Legislative Assembly at the next sitting.
Rangers honing their skills at 2019 Indigenous Ranger Forum
Sep 3, 2019
Hundreds of Indigenous rangers travelled thousands of kilometres from across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland to learn, grow and share their knowledge last week.
NLC Regional Councils shout out on water security crisis in the bush
Aug 21, 2019
The 42nd joint meeting of the NLC's Borroloola Barkly and Ngukurr Regional Councils at Robinson River heard more details about an impending water security crisis in remote communities and homelands in the NLC’s area.
NLC objects to the McArthur River Mine approvals
Aug 20, 2019
The NLC objects to Minister for Primary Industry and Resources Paul Kirby’s approval of an amendment to the existing mine management plan (MMP) for the McArthur River Mine.
West Arnhem and Katherine Regional Councils express ‘anger and disappointment’ at health service provision out bush
Aug 19, 2019
At their meeting at Jabiru this week the Northern Land Council’s West Arnhem and Katherine Regional Councils passed a resolution expressing anger and disappointment at the poor state of health services for remote communities in the Katherine and West Arnhem regions.
Blue Mud Bay: NLC welcomes historic Nitmiluk agreement between first nations peoples, fishing industry and government
Jun 26, 2019
For the first time since the Blue Mud Bay Decision by the High Court of Australia in 2008, a vision to resolve Blue Mud Bay has been realised in a Heads of Agreement signed today at the 120th Full Council meeting of the Northern Land Council at Nitmiluk near Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Native Title over Pine Creek finally recognised
Apr 9, 2019
The Wagiman and Jawoyn Bolmo, Matjba and Wurrkbarbar groups were today recognised as the native title holders of the town of Pine Creek at a dedication ceremony held in the town, 20 years after it was lodged.
Pine Creek Native Title Determination Ceremony
Apr 8, 2019
The Federal Court of Australia will hold a special hearing in Pine Creek at 11am on Tuesday 9 April 2019 to recognise native title rights and interests over the town.