Residents from a remote Northern Territory Indigenous community say fishermen are not respecting requests to stay away from a highly-sensitive cultural ceremony, which is currently being held near a popular Top End river.
Traditional owners from the Ngukurr community, 320 kilometres south-east of Katherine, are about halfway through the eight to 12 week ceremony, at a site close to the Roper River.
Yugul Mangi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Bill Blackley says there’s been tension between some locals and anglers visiting the area in recent weeks.
“There are some people who are travelling at speed through the river, over to the side where the ceremony is on, causing some degree of distress,” he said.
“It upsets the Indigenous people, the elders, the people who own that ceremony.
“What it does is just insult them, and it hurts them deeply when these things happen.
“It’s not good for reconciliation, it’s not good for a community where white Australians and Indigenous Australians live side-by-side, and rely on each other for all kinds of things.”
Although non-Indigenous himself, Mr Blackley has been through the ceremony, and says it’s a hugely significant event for the local people.
“It’s probably one of the most important ceremonies for this community, and for this region,” he said.
“Let’s just say it’s an extremely deep and meaningful cultural event for this community’s young people, for the women, and for the elders.
“The ceremony is secret and sacred, and what goes on is not for public consumption.”
While he denies locals are trying to block visitors from accessing the river completely, Mr Blackley says they are seeking privacy during the remainder of the event.
He says visitors are being asked to avoid a stretch of river between the Ngukurr boat ramp and Mission Island for at least another four weeks.
“When they travel the river, [we’re asking] that they do so on the southern bank, that they travel slowly and just idle through there until they get out of it,” he said.
“They’re also asked to avert their eyes from the side of the river that the ceremony is on.
“In the interests of harmony, and a rich and wonderful Australia, we ask that they observe those simple things. It’s not much to ask.”
Fishermen say no disrespect intended
Information about the ceremony has been posted at nearby visitor sites, including the Munbillilla (Tomato Island) campground, about five kilometres downstream of Ngukurr.
Manager Mark Lewis says while there has not been an intentional lack of respect from his fishing customers, there may have been a few misunderstandings.
“I think if there was any trouble from this end, it may have been a couple of people who didn’t get the information,” he said.
“Therefore they sort of went into the area we’ve been asked not to.
“You must realise these are older people here, retirees, grey nomads, whatever you like to call them.
“They just got a little bit frightened when they were confronted by some men who perhaps thought we weren’t respecting the traditions of the Ngukurr people.
“But they just went there because at the time it was unknown to them. They didn’t do it again. It’s as simple as that.”
Mr Lewis says while the request for privacy is a reasonable one, the rights of the fishermen should also be considered.
“Their tradition has been here for a long time. We certainly don’t want to interfere with it, or cause any grief,” he said.
“On the other hand, the people here do have a right to the river.
“But there’s absolutely no tension here now whatsoever.”
ABC