AISNT National Reconciliation Week: Mäpuru Yirralka College 

Reconciliation at Mäpuru Yirralka College is embraced by two-ways recognition and respect. Mutual respect being the underlying and guiding principle leading the early moves in 1974 to establish the Mäpuru school. Below is a snapshot of how we, at Mäpuru live reconciliation together.

1.      Continuous Residency on Ancestral Estates

Since the beginning, we Yolŋu have never left our ancestral estates around Buckingham Bay in NorthEast Arnhem Land and beyond. Mäpuru community members are determined, despite great hardships, to remain on our ancestral estates, to retain authority and agency, to make the best decisions for our children’s lives, their education and futures.

We the peoples of Mäpuru past and present are determined to achieve a school and hold fast to our Elders’ Vision of ‘self-determined lives of dignity on ancestral estates’.

‘Only when we are living on our ancestral land do we have the authority to make decisions about our children, our lands and our futures. The school is ours, the Elders and land custodians, we are the right people to make the decisions.’  Jonathon Djapinybuy 2016

2.      Eldership and Cultural Safety

All Mäpuru community members are highly supportive of our school, Yolŋu and Balanda. Together we work with one mind and in good faith. Our Elders guide us, they hold the authority and wisdom, and together with community members are active in all aspects of the school’s operation. This includes curriculum and educational program development, direction and teaching, student well-being, and school maintenance.

The concept of Cultural Safety underpins all that is done to achieve our Vision, ‘self-determined lives of dignity on ancestral estates’ at Mäpuru Yirralka College. Cultural safety seeks for there to be ‘no assault on a person’s identity’. Cultural safety aims to create an environment that is ‘safe for people’ in terms of ‘who we are, and what we need’.

Cultural safety is met when self-determination, social justice and reconciliation move beyond rhetoric and become reality.

This leads Yirralka Education to follow the way of an active passion for self-determination, social justice and dignity restoration.