Who are the Larrakia people?
The Larrakia are the Aboriginal people of the Darwin region in the Northern Territory, known as the Saltwater People because of their close connection to the sea, coast and harbour.
Larrakia country includes Darwin, Palmerston and the surrounding coast, islands and rivers. Larrakia people have lived there for thousands of years, fishing, hunting and gathering in the rich coastal environment.
When the British established Palmerston, now Darwin, in 1869, the Larrakia faced displacement.
Land rights
In 1972, Larrakia people presented a petition to Princess Margaret calling for land rights. The Kenbi land claim, one of Australia's longest, was finally settled in 2016.
The Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation runs ranger, cultural and community programs, including sea patrols and support services for Aboriginal visitors to Darwin from remote communities.
Larrakia culture is celebrated in Darwin's festivals, and Larrakia elders welcome visitors at major events. Many Darwin parks and sites now carry Larrakia names, and the community has worked with the city on cultural trails and public art along the harbour and foreshore.
Did You Know?
Darwin's Gwalwa Daraniki movement in the 1970s was a Larrakia protest for land rights.