AutonomiesAutonomies | 2008 Jessie Boylan – Photography & Audio “On 21 June 2007 [then] Prime Minister John Howard and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Mal Brough declared a ‘national emergency’ in relation to child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory. In an unprecedented set of actions, the Commonwealth has taken direct control of communities, overriding the authority of both the NT Government and local community organisations in the name of creating safe and healthy environments for children.” (Coercive Reconciliation, Stabilise, Normalise Exit Aboriginal Australia, Arena Publications, 2007) The Intervention has imposed a range of actions on remote communities and town camps in the NT – actions which forced the federal government to suspend the Racial Discrimination Act in order for them to proceed. The Intervention has included quarantining 50 per cent of the Social Security payments of all residents in affected communities, compulsory 5 year leases over townships, placing government selected business managers in each community with unprecedented powers to veto community decisions and seize assets, and abolition of the Community Development Employment Program – often the only employer in remote communities. At the same time, no charges of child abuse have yet been laid, and community residents are still living in sub-standard over-crowded housing with inadequate access to education and healthcare. Autonomies shows a small snippet of life for people who have been affected by the Federal Government’s Intervention. |  Bagot Community, Darwin |  Helen Fejo-Frith, Bagot, Darwin, NTListen to Helen: 10:02minsHelen is from Ngukurr near the Roper River. She lived for many years in Katherine and moved to Darwin 10 years ago after the 1998 flood. She has 8 children, 34 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She lives at Bagot Community in Darwin where she has been a Community Council member and president. |  Dulcie Munamara fishing at Scott Creek near Darwin, NTListen to Dulcie: 6:16minsDulcie's country in is Arnhem Land near Maningrida. Dulcie currently lives in the Darwin suburb of Malak with her grandson Nathan. (note for audio: Silas Roberts and Daisy Y are Aboriginal Hostels in Darwin, Fish Camp, Lee Point and Marrara Creek are bush camps in the Darwin area.) |  Marguerite and Dulcie Fishing at Scott Creek |  Dulcie Munamara Fishing, Scott Creek, NT |  Barb Shaw with daughter and nephew, Mt. Nancy, Alice Springs, NTListen to Barb Shaw: 10:53minsBarbara lives at Mt Nancy Town Camp in Alice Springs. She is a 4th generation town camper. She has family connections with Arrente, Warlpiri, Aranunga and K….(waiting for confirmation of spelling - she's got her phone off tonight) country. Barbara has been a leading spokesperson and advocate for her people. |  Barb Shaw and family, Mt Nancy Town Camp, Mbantua (Alice Springs), NT |  Dogs, Mt. Nancy Town Camp, NT |  Mt. Nancy Town Camp, NT |  Phillip Goodman with his son, Palmerston Indigenous Village, NTListen to Phillip Goodman: 9:49minsPhillip comes from Murunungu near Daly River. He is currently a community leader at Palmerston Indigenous Village (PIV) just south of Darwin where he has lived with his family for 15 years. Phillip has worked hard to improve services and infrastructure at PIV. |  New Houses, Palmerston Indigenous Village, Darwin, NT |  Community, Palmerston Indigenous Village, Darwin, NT |  Playground, Palmerston Indigenous Village, Darwin, NT |  Evan, Palmerston Indigenous Village, NT |  Tibby Madjilimba Quall, Rapid Ck, DarwinListen to Tibby Quall: 5:24minsTibbys Aboriginal name is Madjilimba, clan Dangalaba, country/people Kulumbiringin - Boonaloo (Larrakia). He lives in Darwin, which is on Larrakia land. Tibby has been fighting for nearly 30 years to establish his clan's land rights through the court system. |  Steve Gumerungi Hodder, Mbantua, Alice SpringsListen to Steve: 9:43minsSteve is a Lardil man from Mornington Island who has lived in Mbantua (Alice Springs) for about 21 years. He describes himself as a desert fish – a saltwater man who lives in the desert. Steve currently works full time for CAAMA radio as a journalist and presenter. He also creates a mean rhyme. |  Yuendumu Community, NTListen to Chris Poulsen: 9:21mins |  Playground, Elliot, NT |