Koori Mail

Hundreds of protesters have marched to Parliament House, Perth, demanding justice for Kalgoorlie teenager Elijah Doughty. The 14-year-old boy was fatally run down in August last year and the man responsible received just three years’ jail after being convicted last month of dangerous driving causing death. The decision has been labelled an injustice, with ongoing protests held around the nation.

Troy Cassar-Daley, A.B. Original (featuring Dan Sultan) and Electric Fields took home major honours at the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards in Darwin last night. But is was tributes to the late Dr G Yunupingu, the NIMA’s most awarded artist over its nine-year history, that blew the crowd away at the open-air award concert, which included speeches, dances and a performance by Saltwater Band.

South Australian artists Anwar Young, Frank Young and Unrupa Rhonda Dick have taken out the top prize at the 2017 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, announced on August 12 in Darwin. Their multimedia collaborative work Kulata Tjuta – Wati kulunypa tjukurpa (Many spears – Young fella story) was chosen as overall winner of the 34th Telstra awards from 300 entries and 65 finalists. The artwork, which tells of the Anangu (Central Australian Aborigines), comprises 37 spears, digital print, wood, kangaroo tendon, and kiti (natural glue).

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People has been marked around Australia. It is observed each August 9 to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. The day also recognises the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues, such as environmental protection.

BILLIONAIRE Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) is likely to lodge an appeal after the Federal Court recognised a native title claimant group has exclusive rights over Pilbara land where the company operates the Solomon iron ore mine. Senior Yindjibarndi lawman Michael Woodley said traditional owners deserved compensation. “We believe strongly they are liable for what they’ve been doing for the last eight years on our country, mining without our … prior and informed consent,” he said. FMG chief executive Neville Power said the company was likely to appeal.

THE Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) opened last night with a vibrant display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and performance in front of more than 1200 guests at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. Held over July 14-16, CIAF awarded art prizes for the first time, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. “Tonight it was my great pleasure to present this award, which recognises the most outstanding work at the Fair, to Aurukun artist Garry Namponan from Wik and Kugu Art Centre,” she said.

A NSW Aboriginal Rugby League knockout delegates’ meeting will be held in Sydney on Saturday, July 29. It will be held at the Community Centre in The Block, Redfern, starting at 11am. Redfern All Blacks spokesman Deal Widders has encouraged all teams to be represented at the meeting, if possible. Widders also advised teams to get in their entries as early as possible. The Knockout will be held at Leichhardt Oval, starting on Friday, September 29, and ending on Monday, October 2.

MORE than 150 massacres of Aboriginal people during the Frontier Wars have been documented in an online digital map, created by University of Newcastle researchers. The online tool, which was launched today, records the massacre site locations, details of the massacres and sources corroborating evidence of the massacres. Developed by Newcastle Uni historian Conjoint Professor Lyndall Ryan, the map is a significant step in the recognition of the periods of violence in Australia’s history. The map is available at https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres

JOHNATHAN Thurston is out of rugby league’s State of Origin decider and his National Rugby League (NRL) season is over. It was announced today that the Queensland and Cowboys great would  undergo shoulder surgery. Thurston battled bravely with the injury through Queensland’s Origin II win in Sydney on Wednesday night, kicking the winning conversion in the Maroons’ 18-16 come-from-behind win over NSW, but will now be sidelined for some months.

ACCLAIMED Aboriginal director, writer and performer Leah Purcell was awarded the 2017 Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award at the closing night of the Sydney Film Festival last night. The $10,000 prize is awarded annually to someone whose work stands for innovation, imagination and impact. In addition to the cash prize, Ms Purcell will be offered the opportunity to take a desk at ‘Charlie’s’, the hub for the Australian film-making community in Los Angeles.