00:02Hundreds of people have gathered here at Gukala, a sacred ceremonial site for the Yongle people in
00:08North East Arnhem Land for the annual Garma festival. Now thousands of people are expected
00:14to attend this four-day festival and it's really all about bringing people together from different
00:20cultures, from different corners of the country and hearing from people from all sides of politics
00:27which ties in nicely with this year's theme called bookmark which is a Yongle word that means
00:33everybody. Now today's focus is really about education. The official Garma festival ceremony
00:42doesn't begin until this afternoon but there are a few keynote speeches that everyone will be keeping
00:48an eye on. We'll be hearing from the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
00:52Islander children and young people Sue Ann Hunter who will really talk about the schooling system and
00:58some of the challenges for First Nations children but also some of the success stories. We'll also
01:03hear from the Shadow Minister for Education and Indigenous Australians Julian Lisa who will really
01:11lay out his agenda for the education portfolio and then we'll hear from the Chief Minister for the
01:18Northern Territory Leah Farnockiaro who has been criticised by Indigenous leaders for her changes to the
01:26child protection laws many saying that it weakens the Aboriginal child placement principle which is about
01:33keeping kids Aboriginal kids in the child protection system with Aboriginal communities. She's also been accused of
01:41ignoring the national closing the gap agreement which the results or data rather were released just days ago
01:51showing that the Northern Territory is the worst performing jurisdiction. Now it's not all about politics
01:57here at Garma festival it's also about showcasing the the world's oldest living culture and we see that through
02:06song and dance out on the Boongal grounds we see that through the gallery with the beautiful displays
02:14of art and we hear that in the language right across the Garma grounds here in North East Arnhem Land
02:20and to end the day we'll be there'll be a meet and greet with Australia's favourite Blue Heeler Bluey
02:28she'll be here to meet some of the kids and really spruik her episodes that have been translated in
02:35Yungul Mata. Now there's been some controversy about the Prime Minister not attending Garma festival this
02:41year and that follows a promise he made at last year's festival committing to attend this Garma festival
02:47every year during his term. Now some say his absence is an indication to his commitment to Indigenous
02:54affairs and with this comes at a time where the racism inquiry is traveling around the country hearing
03:02some really harrowing experiences of racism from directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
03:09people so First Nations people are really looking to the government for their leadership around this
03:14others here say that it's an opportunity to really bring the focus back to celebrating the strength
03:21the survival and the ongoing connection that Yungul people have to this country here in Arnhem Land
03:29but also for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people right across the country celebrating their
03:35culture and their languages. We spoke to the CEO of the Yothi Yindi Foundation Denise Bowden about her
03:45thoughts on the Prime Minister not attending this year let's take a quick listen to what she had to say.
03:49The Prime Minister's come to Garma before he was Prime Minister he's when he wasn't such a hot topic
03:57in the media we've been very fortunate to have him to Garma every year but yes we'd love the Prime
04:03Minister here again and of course we'll host him whenever he chooses to we might give him a break this
04:09year and obviously the girl power in representation senior representation from Penny Wong will also be appreciated.
04:18So as you can hear Minister Penny Wong will be attending the festival in the Prime Minister's absence
04:24so many will be waiting to hear what she has to say.
04:28Thank you so much for being here.
04:32So
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