Makarrata is About Everyone

I greet in Yolgnu not speaking from or for Yolgnu country, but because as a member of the recovery community, I've been wanting to use NAIDOC as an excuse to reflect on the Yolgnu concept of makarrata. Like recovery it's a process with goals but at the same time it's a wisdom and a way of life. I found these words that goes into some of the depths of what makarrata has become.

“The Principles of makarrata have guided Yolngu people in North East Arnhem Land through difficult disputes for centuries and they are useful as a guide to the current challenge.

First, the disputing parties must be brought together. Then, each party , led by their elders must speak carefully and calmly about the dispute. They must put the facts on the table and air their grievances. If a person speaks wildly, or out of turn, he or she is sent away and shall not be included any further in the process. Those who come for vengeance or for no other purposes, will also be sent away, for they can only disrupt the process.

The leaders must always seek and full understanding of the dispute: what lies behind it; who is responsible; what each party wants, and all things that are normal to peacemaking efforts. When that understanding is arrived at, then a settlement can be agreed upon. This settlement is also a symbolic reckoning –an action that says to the world that from now on and forever the dispute is settled; that the dispute no longer exists, it is finished. And from the honesty of the process and the submission of both parties to finding the truth, then the dispute is ended. In past times a leader came forward and accepted a punishment and this leader once punished was then immediately taken into the heart of the aggrieved clan. The leader’s wounds were healed by the men and women of the aggrieved clan, and the leader was given gifts and shown respect –and this former foe, who had caused pain and suffering to people, would live with those that had been harmed and the peace was made – not just for them but for future generations.

In this way the parties were able to come together, to trade, to marry, to work together and make their lives together. The dispute was over and peace and harmony were achieved.’’

- Dr G, Yunupingu

I also wanted to share (re-share (thank you @Jay5) some sweet beats from rising star,

JK-47 (Minjungbal/Gudjinburra man of the Bundjalung community)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=toFdI95IIDY

And, I've been looking around for National advocacy portals (seeing how we are a national movement). In ways the portal is the whole country (and countries) as it won't be long till we start having real, real conversations about "The Voice". I also found a lot looking at ANTAR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) https://antar.org.au/

They've got lists of national campaigns and I also found the makarrata description, above, from ANTAR, Victoria https://antarvictoria.org.au/a-national-marrata