The long term displacement – for over four years – of residents from Cabbage Tree Island (CTI) following the devastating 2022 floods will be heard at the UN in New York from 20 April to 1 May, says The Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council (Jali LALC).
Jali LALC said in a media statement that they will send a delegation of eight representatives who will represent the Nyangbul Bundjalung community to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Jali LALC Chairperson Kylie Jacky said, “Our message is clear: our people must be supported to return home safely, and our rights to fully recover land, culture and self-determination must be upheld”
“This international advocacy effort is supported and being driven alongside strong local action, with the Nyangbul Elders “Council convening this Thursday (today) 11am at Ballina Surf Club to strategise the establishment and long-term sustainability of a culturally led Nyangbul Land and Sea Ranger Team.
“The initiative is focused on strengthening on-Country cultural environmental management, and pathways for community return and resilience.
“Raising Critical Issues on the Global Stage – At the UN forum, Jali LALC will highlight:
“• Serious concerns regarding government decision making and processes undertaken in relation to the return of displaced residents to CTI, including transparency, consultation, and support.
“• Proposed legislative reforms to the Crown Lands Management Act 1989 (NSW), currently before NSW Parliament, which significantly risks diminishing land rights for Local Aboriginal Land Councils across the state. Jali LALC maintains that these reforms raise significant local concerns and fundamental questions about the protection of Aboriginal land rights and the integrity of existing legislative frameworks.
“Proposals without consultation undermine the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act and potentially extinguish a core function of Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council which is to claim eligible crown land to benefit the whole Aboriginal community and broader community as land vested in Jali is more often conserved for its natural and environmental value,” said Jali LALC Chairperson Kylie Jacky.
Jali LALC say that, “In parallel with international advocacy, the Nyangbul Elders Council will be guiding the planning process to support a dedicated Land & Sea Ranger Team. This initiative will:
“• Support on-Country culturally led land management
“• Create employment and training pathways especially for local Nyangbul Budjalung Aboriginal people
“• Strengthen community-led responses to environmental challenges, including flood recovery
“• Reinforce cultural authority in decisions affecting Country”.
“Our Elders are guiding the next steps—ensuring that strategies are grounded in culture, knowledge, and community control,”Jali LALC Chairperson added.
“A Unified Call – Jali LALC’s participation at the UNPFII reflects a coordinated effort to ensure that local realities are heard on a global stage, while reinforcing governance and action at home”.
“From Ballina to New York, we are advocating for justice, for government to maintain the priority for the return for residents to their homeland of CTI, and for the support and recognition of our rights as Nyangbul Bundjalung people to do so.” Kylie Jacky – Jali LALC Chairperson
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