Yolngu and Indigenous Law & Justice Hub Collaborative Project

Project Summary

Building on the partnership between the University of Melbourne and the Yothu Yindi Foundation which was established in 2015, the proposed collaboration aims to identify ways in which the Melbourne Law School can contribute some of its expertise to benefit Yolgnu, working on key issues in East Arnhem Land such as criminal justice, treaty and intersections of Yolgnu and settler law. The proposed collaboration is focussed on community priorities and aspirations first. With this in mind, the ILJH will consult with the community through its leadership to ascertain what problems and opportunities need to be addressed. The aims of this work centre around connecting the skills and expertise of Melbourne Law School staff to respond to the problems and opportunities that will emerge through consultation.

To consult with partners and stakeholders on country and in Darwin, to ascertain community appetite for collaboration with the MLS Indigenous Law and Justice Hub, and initiate conversations about community priorities and aspirations. Possible engagement between Yolngu and the ILJH will focus on areas including but not limited to criminal justice, on-country learning on Yolngu law and its relationships to settler law, and providing support to Yolngu on their response to the NT Treaty Commissioner’s Treaty Discussion paper.

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