Yirrkala

Situated on the east coast of the Gove Peninsula, Yirrkala lies in the picturesque north-eastern part of Arnhem Land. Only 18 kilometres south of Nhulunbuy, it provides a unique experience of shifting between this vibrant community and the serene surrounding homelands for many residents.

Population

As per the data from the 2021 Census, Yirrkala along with its neighbouring areas is home to about 657 people. Among this culturally rich community, 524 individuals identify as Aboriginals and/or Torres Strait Islanders.

Language

Yirrkala is a hub of linguistic diversity, with Yolŋu Matha being the principal language. This community, named Yolŋu, comprises a system of interconnected clans residing in the key communities of Milingimbi, Yirrkala, Ramingining, Gapuwiyak, Galiwin’ku, as well as their nearby homelands. Each clan member speaks a dialect from a collection of closely linked languages.

Clan Groups

The Yirrkala community is comprised of 13 distinct clan groups. Yolŋu Matha society is organized into two major divisions, known as moieties: Yirritja and Dhuwa. Every individual inherits the membership of a particular group, and its moiety, from their father.

History

With a rich cultural tapestry stretching back more than 60,000 years, the Aboriginal people have a long-standing history in this region. The Methodist Church of Australasia established a mission at Yirrkala in 1935, over time attracting members of the 13 local clans that owned land in the surrounding areas. Yirrkala gained prominence in 1963 when both Yirritja and Dhuwa clans sent a bark petition to the Australian Government. This action was a powerful response against the announcement of their land being sold off for bauxite mining. Throughout the 1970s, several clans established their own outstation communities on their lands. By the 1980s, approximately 10 outstations had been formed, housing a population of around 200. Today, each clan has at least one homeland centre, with many individuals living both in Yirrkala and their ancestral homelands. In the mid-1970s, the church transferred control of the mission to the Yirrkala Dhanbul Community Association, comprising representatives from the key clans. In 2008, the Yirrkala Dhanbul Community Association became part of the East Arnhem Regional Council, which took over local government responsibilities.

Local Authority

Each community has its own local authority to facilitate communication and consultation between local government and the East Arnhem region. Click here to find out more about the Yirrkala Local Authority.

Explore the communities

  • If you are interested in learning more about the East Arnhem communities, we encourage you to explore the BushTel website. This website provides information about the remote communities of the Northern Territory, including their people and cultural historical influences. You can also access our interactive map of East Arnhem to view the exact locations of our nine communities and its corresponding services.

  • According to the laws of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory, obtaining a written permit is necessary for entry onto Aboriginal land. If you are considering a visit to the East Arnhem communities, you can apply for a permit here. (Note that this permit is necessary for the 6 mainland communities, excluding those situated on Groote Eylandt). 
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