Mr Gatjil Djerrkura OAM

"New relationships should not simply be about economic and social outcomes and equity in the delivery of infrastructure and services. Do not get me wrong these are fundamental however it is essential that all parties recognise Indigenous Peoples possess distinct rights arising from our status as first peoples, our relationships with our territories and waters, and our own systems of law and governance. The principle of self determination is central to this."

Key strands of history and relationships are drawn together to underline the importance of understanding that support for self determination is critical to reconciliation and the future of Australia. These themes include:

Colonisation, Terra Nullius, Mabo and continuing to seek redress
Lessons and parallels from other Indigenous Peoples - Maori, USA and Canada
United Nations directions
Finland, Norway and Sweden
Draft Declaration for Reconciliation

BIO

Currently Mr Djerrkura is Chairman of the Bachelor College Council, NT and Director of the Board of the Indigenous Land Corporation. He is also currently Director of the Board of the land Enterprise Australia and a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. As senior elder of the Wangurri Aboriginal clan, Mr Djerkura is responsible for a number of traditional and ceremonial activities on behalf of his clan and the East Arnhemland/Yirrkala Aboriginal community. Mr Gatjil Djerrkura was also the Chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and was appointed to this position on 6 December 1996. He has held previous positions as General Manager of Yirrkala Business Enterprises in Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory; he is the former Chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commercial Development Corporation; and a former Director of the Henry Walker Group. In 1984 he was awarded the Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the Aboriginal community.