NAAJA served a key role supporting the 14th National Indigenous Legal Conference and inaugural Indigenous Health Justice Conference held in Darwin 13-14 August 2019. The conference was hosted by Winkiku Rrumbangi NT Indigenous Lawyers Aboriginal Corporation (Winkiku Rrumbangi).
NAAJA’s Principal Legal Officer David Woodroffe is also the President of Winkiku Rrumbangi. NAAJA staff are also directors.
We received extensive feedback from attendees as to the quality and experience of the conferences. Many said it was the best conference they had attended, and were inspired by the strength, diversity and insights on display.
NAAJA’s contribution included:
- Joint emcees James Parfitt (Fejo) and Mililma May were exceptional in their roles. James and Mili are Community Legal Educators with NAAJA.
- David Woodroffe delivered the main plenary.
- NAAJA’s CEO Priscilla Atkins co-presented with Ariana Tutini of Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation on the Mawaya Health Justice program and as the first arrangement of its kind between two Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations in Australia. Cilla also served on a panel to explore the future of Aboriginal Community Control.
- NAAJA’s staff and interns worked tirelessly to prepare and coordinate the conference working collaboratively with other directors and support staff associated with Winkiku Rrumbangi.
- NAAJA’s Law and Justice Manager John Rawnsley presented on constitutional reform
- Lawyers Amy Frew and Jordina Rust presented on Health Justice Strategies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations: opportunities for innovation in East Arnhem land.
- NAAJA’s Kristy Bloomfield emceed a panel including Dr Pat Miller AO and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM to provide a Central Australian perspective.
- The initiative ‘Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country’ was launched and included people from NAAJA speaking from their roles at the launch.
- NAAJA’s James Parfitt (Fejo) co-presented with Ben Grimes and the Hon Trevor Riley QC on Working to Increase Indigenous access to Studies in Law: Charles Darwin University’s Indigenous Pre-Law Program and the Bilata Legal Pathways Program.
- NAAJA’s Kenisha Gumbula and Zhenia Kavunenko presented on the Galiwin’ku Law and Justice Project: Increasing Yolngu VBoices in the Western Criminal Justice System.
- Kenisha Gumbula was also recognised by James Parfitt (Fejo) at the Supreme Court session for her role delivering Community Legal Education entirely in Yolngu-Matha and as a law student at Charles Darwin University.
- NAAJA’ Micah Kickett co-presented with Stephanie Monck at the wrap-up and also delivered stand-up comedy at the Gala Ball and Dinner.
In a main plenary the Hon Jenny Blokland spoke about the contribution of women in law and referred extensively to Aboriginal women involved in Aboriginal Community Controlled legal services. This video presentation is available online at the Winkiku Rrumbangi website.