On 31 July, the ACT Government released the long-awaited Jumbunna Institute’s final report of its Independent Review into the Over-Representation of First Nations People in the ACT Criminal Justice System.
ANTaR ACT committee member – and ANTAR National board member – Janet Hunt wrote a blog on the report and its recommendations: Exposing flaws in the ACT’s progressive image: https://antar.org.au/blog/exposing-flaws-in-the-acts-progressive-image/. Janet states:
The ACT has an image as a progressive jurisdiction. It’s had a Labor or Labor/Greens Government for 27 years and most Canberra people assume all is well with First Nations’ policy and programs in the Territory. But the Jumbunna Institute Review into the Over-representation of First Nations People in the Criminal Justice System report, released in late July, is a piece of truth-telling about the neglect and poor accountability of the ACT Government in relation to so many of the drivers of the high rates of First Nations incarceration, and their failure to provide structural and systemic arrangements to enable First Nations self-determination.
Also see this report on the ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-31/act-indigenous-justice-system-over-representation-review/105593062.
On other issues, on behalf of ANTaR ACT, Janet was among the 38 signatories on an open letter calling for the ACT Legislative Assembly to support Thomas Emerson MLA’s Closing the Gap Bill. This bill would would make the ACT the first state or territory to require, by law, all government officials to implement the principles of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap in their work.
https://www.thomasemerson.com/250804mr
Save the date – 2025 David Hunter Memorial Lecture
It’s on again! This year our theme is Truth Telling.
When: Thursday 23 October, 6.30pm
Where: Durie Room, St Mark’s National Theological College, 15 Blakall St, Barton – refreshments from 6pm.
The lecture will also be streamed online, details to come.
Speaking on the theme of Truth Telling are:
- Blake Cansdale, ANTAR’s National Director, and
- Prof Chris Cunneen and Dr James Beaufils from the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney.
More details will follow soon. Event page: DHML 2025: Truth Telling.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be at 6pm on Monday 8 September (in person at the Friends Meeting House, corner of Bent and Condamine Streets, Turner). If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please RSVP to: info@antaract.org.au.
Would you like to join the ACT Reconciliation Council?
The ACT Reconciliation Council was established to provide advice to the ACT Government on advancing reconciliation within the ACT community. Council members work with the community, promoting deep and meaningful conversations for reconciliation and encouraging the community to celebrate and learn more about the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The ACT Reconciliation Council is looking for new members – could this be you? Details of how to apply can be found here; applications are due by 19 September. More details of what the Council does are on the Council’s website.
Events coming up
On Country tour: Black Mountain
Saturday 6 September, 10am-12noon, Black Mountain
Through his company Thunderstone, Ngunawal Traditional Custodian Tyronne Bell runs workshops so Canberrans can learn about Ngunawal language and country. The list of upcoming public workshops and tours is available at: https://www.thunderstone.net.au/book-online.
Following the tracks and service trails of Black Mountain, Tyronne will interpret the mountain’s changing landscape since ancient times. Highlights: Aboriginal interpretation of the landscape, bush foods, artefacts/stone tools and their traditional uses, panoramic views of Canberra.
For more information and bookings: www.thunderstone.net.au/service-page/black-mt-tour-6-sep-10am-12pm.
Stiff Gins
Friday 12 September, 6.30pm, Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Civic
Stiff Gins, featuring Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta woman Kaleena Briggs and Yuwaalaraay woman Nardi Simpson, form a powerful musical duo. Their fourth studio album “Crossroads” marks the 25-year career point for Australia’s longest-performing all-female First Nations band. It also reaffirms the band’s status as Matriarchal pioneers in the Australian Blak music scene.
For more information and bookings: www.smithsalternative.com/events/stiff-gins-91821?d=12%2F09%2F2025+6%3A30%3A00+PM.
Yuma Yarn Workshop
Sunday 14 September, 2-4pm, DiversityACT, Kambah
Learn step by step, basic coil weaving techniques while enjoying wonderful live music. This yarning workshop is open to anyone – no experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. Wiradjiri artist Rechelle Turner will introduce you to the joyful meditative practice of slow-stitched coiled weaving. Using raffia, she will help you to master making a center and growing and shaping your own coiled piece. As you weave, Murawari musician Belle Whyte will perform, sharing her cultural stories along with Rechelle.
For more information and bookings (required, cost $10): https://tuggeranongarts.com/rechelle-turner-amp-belinda-white-yuma-yarn-2025/.
ACT Community Sector NAIDOC Event – 11th Anniversary
Wednesday 1 October, 10am-2pm, 8 Bradley Street, Woden Town Square, Phillip
Join us for the 11th Anniversary of the ACT Community Sector NAIDOC Event! Since its inception in 2015, this celebration has become a cherished tradition, growing year by year in size, spirit, and significance. We hold this event later in the year to take advantage of Canberra’s milder weather, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
What to expect
- Welcome to country & smoking ceremony: Open the event with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony.
- Live performances: Enjoy entertainment from talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
- Children’s activities: Participate in free Indigenous art workshops and other fun school holiday activities.
- Market stalls: Discover unique arts and crafts from local Aboriginal businesses. Come and visit us at the ANTaR ACT stall!
- Yarning circle: Engage with inspiring stories from prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
- Complimentary food & drinks: Savor free refreshments throughout the day.
For more information: https://actcoss.org.au/news-and-events/events-and-training/event/?reset=1&id=192
TALK: The Six Seasons with Tyronne Bell – Floriade at Lanyon 2025
Saturday 4 October, 10-11.30am, Lanyon Homestead
Ngunawal people know what season it is by reading the landscape, not looking at a calendar. The flowering of plants, the hibernation of reptiles and the building of nests signal the changing seasons. These times might move year to year. Come and learn more about understanding the six Ngunawal seasons in this fascinating talk by Tyronne Bell.
For more information and bookings (essential, cost involved): https://events.humanitix.com/talk-the-six-seasons-with-tyronne-bell-floriade-at-lanyon-2025.
Exhibitions
Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa
To 29 March 2026, Level 1, Gallery 15, National Gallery of Australia
Kulata Tjuta is an ongoing cultural maintenance project that shares the skills of carving and making the punu kulata (wooden spear) across generations. Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa is the largest and most significant installation of the culturally important and visually spectacular Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears) Project. Like others in the series, it is rooted in age-old traditions, knowledge and skills that are designed around keeping Country and culture strong. The artistic outcomes take the form of large-scale, multi-disciplinary installations which incorporate film, sound, live performance and other artistic collaborations.
For more information, see: https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/kulata-tjuta-tirkilpa/.
ANTaR ACT acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.