First Nations Telegraph

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) celebrates 50 years of the contribution of Yolŋu and shares a small part of the history and the foundations that were set by the people who were here before us.

Gumurr’manydji Manapanmirr Djäma (making successful business together) is a Yolŋu community-led exhibition. Each photo has been carefully selected by community members and leaders and celebrates the contribution Yolŋu people have made in building better futures and stronger communities.

Gumurr’manydji Manapanmirr Djäma explores historical vignettes documented through photography and reflects upon the stories by Yolŋu people within these communities. The exhibition features the first public display of images by Yolŋu members and leaders from Milingimbi, Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Ramingining and Minjilang – communities where ALPA operates today.

Alastair King, ALPA CEO said “ALPA is one of few Aboriginal organisations to have survived 50 years since the transition from the mission days era through to today.
Since the beginning, ALPA focused on being financially independent and sustainable so that we could continue to build our services to support our communities, develop our commercial operations, and contribute to regional economic development.”

Marcus Schutenko, Director MAGNT said “We are very excited to be able to work in partnership with ALPA and the communities of Galiwin’ku Ramingining, Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak and Minjilang to deliver MAGNT’s first remote Indigenous community-curated exhibition which celebrates 50 years of ALPA’s journey of social progress. It was a fabulous team effort and the strong Indigenous voices come through from the moment you enter the exhibition.

It is a real privilege and highly rewarding to work with ALPA and the Curatorial team on this exhibition.”

This exhibition was made possible by the Restart Invest to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund - an Australian Government initiative.

Exhibition opens to the public on Sunday 12 June | FREE | Open Daily 10am – 4pm