Anthony Albanese remains ‘committed to Makarrata’ as he attends first Garma Festival since Voice referendum with new Indigenous Australians Minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will tell Indigenous leaders at the Garma Festival of his commitment to Makarrata, one of the three pillars of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived at the ceremonial site in northeastern Arnhem Land on Friday afternoon, led by members of the Dhalwangu clan.

The Prime Minister joined recently sworn-in Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, at the Gulkula site.

As the Garma participants gathered at the bunggul (dance) grounds, members of the Gumatj clan presented Mr Albanese with a Ganiny, an instrument used to remove the bark from certain trees in the region.

“I look forward to spending another few wonderful days with you, celebrating language, culture and dance and hoping for a better future as we move forward together,” Mr Albanese said after receiving the gift.

The Prime Minister will tell the crowd in Arnhem Land on Saturday: ‘We remain committed to Makarrata, that powerful Yolŋu word given to the nation, for reunification after struggle.’

“And we will continue to work in good faith with leaders and communities to determine what the next steps should be at the national level.”

Senator McCarthy said the festival was an opportunity to discuss what the future of Australia’s First Nations might look like.

Mr Albanese will be at the festival on Saturday, the first to be held since the Voice referendum

“It really is a special place,” she said.

‘You feel the power of the land here in Gulkula.

“It’s an important opportunity for people to talk, to listen and to redefine where we want to go.”

Senator McCarthy was proud of her appointment as Minister for Indigenous Australians and said she will continue the work of her predecessor Linda Burney.

“I am extremely proud to represent the people of the Northern Territory at the Cabinet table,” she said.

‘As a First Nations woman from the Gulf region, it also feels like a special form of pride.’

Senator McCarthy said she would like political leaders to support her in achieving the Closing the Gap targets, after the Productivity Commission’s annual data report, published on Wednesday, showed only five of the 19 targets were on track.

“Those numbers are very disturbing,” she said.

“I know that in my role I can approach political leaders on the other side of the political spectrum and say that together we can do something to bridge the gap.”

Outgoing Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney (left) and newly appointed Malarndirri McCarthy (right)

Garma, Australia’s largest Indigenous cultural festival, showcases Yolngu culture through traditional miny’tji (art), manikay (song), bunggul (dance) and storytelling.

Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu – Fire, power and renewal is the theme for the 24th festival.

This year’s event is the first Garma Festival since the defeat of the referendum on an indigenous voice in parliament, with a strong focus on the way forward after the rejection in October.

Gurtha (fire) is an important concept to the Yolngu people. According to Djawa Yunupingu, chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation, it is the basis of life.

“My totem is the tongue of fire, Gurtha, and Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu is closely connected with the ceremonies of the land,” he said.

‘After fire, the land and everything in it are renewed and come back to life – and with it the people.

‘This is the Yolngu circle of life.’