By KEIRA JENKINS
Arriving at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory, the newly sworn-in Indigenous Australians Minister says it is a time to talk, listen and reset.
Ms McCarthy told media she was thankful for the opportunity to take on the portfolio.
“I’m certainly deeply proud to represent the people of the Northern Territory at the cabinet table,” she said.
“As a First Nations woman from the Gulf region, that holds a special sort of pride too.”
This year’s event is the first Garma Festival since the defeat of the referendum for an Indigenous voice to parliament, with a strong focus on the way forward after the rejection in October.
Senator McCarthy said Garma was an opportunity to discuss what the future might look like.
“It’s really quite a special place,” she said.
“You do feel the strength in the country here at Gulkula.
“It’s an important opportunity for people to talk, to listen and to reset where we might be going.”
Senator McCarthy said her focus for the future as Indigenous Australians Minister would be to continue the work of her predecessor Linda Burney, particularly on the remote jobs program.
Malarndirri McCarthy is “deeply proud” to represent the people of the NT at the cabinet table. (Mick Tsikas/AAP)
“Linda was working very diligently on the remote jobs program which I’ll now carry on,” she said.
“We do want to see 3000 people employed with dignity in the workplace.
“It’s an important step in terms of the economy but also in terms of improving people’s lives, job prospects and their ability to look after their family.”
Senator McCarthy also said she would like to see political leaders walk with her on Closing the Gap targets after the Productivity Commission’s Annual Data Compilation Report, released on Wednesday, showed only five out of 19 of the targets were on track.
“Those figures are deeply troubling,” she said.
“I know that in my role I can reach out to political leaders across the aisle and say that there is something we can do together in closing the gaps.”
Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Djawa Yunupingu says fire is the foundation of life for Yolngu people. (Mick Tsikas/AAP)
Garma, which is Australia’s largest Indigenous cultural festival, showcases Yolngu culture through traditional miny’tji (art), manikay (song), bunggul (dance) and storytelling.
Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu – Fire, Strength and Renewal is the theme for this year’s 24th annual festival.
Gurtha (fire) is an important concept for the Yolngu people, with Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Djawa Yunupingu saying it is the foundation of life.
“My totem is the tongue of the fire, Gurtha, and Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu is deeply connected to the ceremonies of the land,” he said.
“Following fire, the land and all that is in it renews and comes back to life – and with it the people.
“This is the Yolngu circle of life.”
AAP
