Larrakia

Larrakia are the Aboriginal traditional owners of Larrakia country which includes the area in and around Darwin, Northern Territory in Australia. The original language name of the group now known as Larrakia, is Gulumirrgin, see also Laragiya language. Their traditional country runs from Cox Peninsula in the west to Gunn Point in the north, Adelaide River in the east and south to the Charlotte River. The Larrakia, who often refer to themselves as "Saltwater People" had a vibrant traditional society based on a close relationship with the sea and trade with neighbouring groups such as the Tiwi, Wagait and Wulna. These groups shared ceremonies, songlines and intermarried.

When the first settlers arrived in the Darwin area, the Larrakia provided them with food. Despite conflict and marginalisation, from the beginning the Larrakia participated in the cultural life of the early settlement, and lived in and around the city, before they were moved out to camps further away from the city. Many popular sites around Darwin also hold specific meaning for Larrakia people, such as Stokes Hill, Mindil Beach, Rapid Creek, Casuarina Beach and Old Man Rock (Dareba Nungalinya). Today, Larrakia are a vibrant Aboriginal nation numbering around 2,000 people. Larrakia are broadly recognised for their strengths in performance, music and art. Many Larrakia have achieved mainstream success as doctors, lawyers, sportsmen and hold senior positions in government and other organisations. Larrakia feel particularly strongly about their role as traditional owners for the Territory’s capital, looking after visitors to their country. The Larrakia have established cultural protocols for visitors to the area. These are visible on Larrakia Nation’s website.

Today, it is considered that a Larrakia person should be able to demonstrate their claimed Larrakia heritage via bona fide genealogies with the eight recognised family groups, and are primarily identified by the Larrakia/Aboriginal community in which they live. Some Larrakia people are concerned that non-Larrakia have been included in various land claims. The Kenbi Land Claim proceedings defined Larrakia traditional owners as: 'a descendant of a known Larrakia ancestor and a member of one of the Larrakia families named and listed in the Kenbi Land Claim decision by the Land Commissioner, Justice Gray'. The Kenbi definition was formed through legal proceedings and this definition may not be seen as culturally appropriate by some Larrakia.

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Wikipedia