Nikunu Yunupingu and Richard Trudgen work through another of Nikunu’s questions in relation to the executive of the Northern Land Council. What is the executive’s role and authority? It seems that even though the executive is small in number and do not represent a lot of the owners that it has powers equal to the full Council. It seems they can decide whether to approve or deny things. Some people say this power must have been given to the executive by the full NLC Council as it doesn’t seem to exist in the Aboriginal Land Rights Act itself.

Many Yolngu believe that it’s a foregone conclusion when decisions are brought before the full NLC council and also the executive. They believe they have no rights to stop any of the decisions put forward by NLC staffers. Richard and Nikunu discuss this.

There are 4 stories in this podcast. Please see time stamps below-

• Role of the NLC council and Executive – 00:00
• Traditional Owners surprised when things happen on their land – 10:50.822
• Money for leases – What is it for and who should receive it – 20:18.523
• Old Lady cries for family destroyed by Royalties and poor consultation – 29:28.006