Larrakia people

The Larrakia, who refer to themselves as "Saltwater People", have a vibrant traditional society based on a close relationship with the sea and trade with neighbouring groups such as the Tiwi, Wadjiginy and Djerimanga.

[1] The traditional land of the Larrakia, in Norman Tindale's estimation, covers approximately 1,500 square miles (3,900 km2), and took in the present day capital of Darwin, as well as Southport, Bynoe Harbour and the Howard River.

[a] One Larrakia myth, according to one brief white account,[b] spoke of a being, Mangarrara who lived in the heavens, at a place called Teeladla, and who created everything on earth save blackfellows.

On dying the blacks descend to Nanganburra's land, and he judges whether their lives warrant their ascension to the stars, to dwell with Mangarrara.

[4] Twenty years earlier a smallpox epidemic from the east is said to have decimated so many members of the tribe that they had to leave the bodies unburied.

In July 1911, on arriving to take up this position in Darwin, Herbert Basedow ordered a survey of Aboriginal conditions in and around the town.

[10] In December 2000, Justice Gray's report rejected the claims of three of the claimant groups, finding only that six people belonging to the Tommy Lyons family fell within the statutory test of 'traditional Aboriginal owners'.

[11][12][10] A setback occurred in April 2006, when a Federal Court of Australia decision denied the Larrakia's native title claim on the basis of "failure to prove continuous connection with the Darwin area".

It is active in the areas of homeless support, community services, arts and culture, research, and Indigenous rangers.

[17][18] The Gwalwa Daraniki Association owns title to the area of Larrakia land which contains the Town Camps of Kulaluk and Minmarama Park.