When Muckaty traditional owners first heard about a proposed waste dump on their land seven years ago, it didnβt seem like such a bad idea.
Many thought it was a general rubbish tip that would recycle, sell reclaimed materials and provide work opportunities for people living in the remote area of the Northern Territory.
Millions of dollars were promised for roads and scholarships. In an area with few employment prospects or education opportunities, it is little wonder the offer seemed attractive.
Mparntwe/Alice Springs
More than 250 people gathered outside the office of the Northern Land Council in Tennant Creek and marched to the local Peko Park on May 25, protesting against the proposed radioactive waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory.
The Muckaty site is part of a Land Trust, which is shared by five interrelated groups β Milwayi, Ngapa, Ngarra, Wintirku and Yapayapa.
Traditional owners call the Muckaty Land Trust βManuwangkuβ. Members of all five groups were present at the rally.
Forty people travelled over 6000 kilometres as part of an anti-nuclear educational trip from Melbourne to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and back from April 12 to 27.
The annual weaved its way through Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory to educate people about the dangers of the nuclear industry.
More than 200 people gathered at the Yirara College in Alice Springs over July 6-9 for a conference entitled Defending Indigenous Rights: Land, Law, Culture Convergence.
The convergence brought together Aboriginal communities affected by the Northern Territory intervention to speak and coordinate with anti-intervention and Aboriginal rights groups from around the country.
- Previous page
- Page 2