Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory (APO NT) stand with the family and Yuendumu community following the outcome of the murder trial for the fatal shooting by a police officer of Warlpiri teenager Kumanjayi Walker.
The outcome in this tragic ordeal brings heartbreak and pain for the family, a grief that is shared by all Aboriginal people. The family and Yuendumu community have shown respect for the court process, demonstrating again how our people remain strong and resilient in the face of racism, police brutality and trauma.
Aboriginal people must be supported to feel safe in their homes and their communities. We at APO NT recognise that this is not the end of the story. Police need to work respectfully, in partnership with Aboriginal community leaders and organisations, to prevent harms and keep people safe and protected. Hopefully this will be the last time that we see these kind of traumatizing policing tactics played out anywhere across this country.
Warlpiri and the Yuendumu community must now lead the healing journey, and we support their calls for accountability and justice. To rebuild trust, police must bring an end to guns and the use of excessive force in our communities. There needs to be an independent Board of Inquiry to restore community confidence in police and to examine police culture allowing racism to still exist. The Inquiry must also examine a return to community policing and protocols that demonstrate respect for our people.
APO NT’s sincere condolences are extended to the family of Kumanjayi Walker and the Warlpiri Nation.
We stand with Yuendumu. It’s time for real justice and respect for our people!