In remote northeast Arnhem Land before more than 3,000 attendees at the Garma Festival, NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy delivered an apology to First Nations Australians.
"I apologise in advance for any discomfort my words may cause, but truth-telling is critical for the Northern Territory police to own its own part in its challenging history. Many Aboriginal have experienced this challenging history over many, many decades. So today as the police commissioner for the Northern Territory, I unequivocally say, I'm deeply sorry to all Aboriginal territorials. For the past harms and the injustices caused by members of the Northern Territory Police."
He says the apology is part of a process of healing aimed at improving the relationship between police and Indigenous Australians.
The latest data on the Closing the Gap targets, show the number of First Nations people in prison in Australia continues to rise, despite a 2031 target to decrease Indigenous incarceration by 15 per cent.
Indigenous incarceration rates in the Northern Territory are among the highest in the country.
The number of First Nations Australians in NT prisons is more than 17 times the rate for non-Indigenous Australians.
Mr Murphy says it is a big issue that must be addressed.
"Northern Territory Police need to be accountable for the past treatment of Aboriginal people. Intergenerational impacts of colonisation including poverty, ongoing disadvantage and racism are reflected in the over-representation of Aboriginal people that are incarcerated. This reality underscores the urgent need for us to intensify our efforts to close the gap and address these deep rooted causes of dispossession and dis-empowerment."
He listed the ongoing impacts from the actions of police, including: intergenerational trauma caused by the practice of child removals during the Stolen Generations era, as well as police enforcement of the NT Intervention introduced by the Howard government in 2007.
Speaking after his speech to NITV, Mr Murphy vowed to change the culture in the NT Police force.
"That is my role as Commissioner. The buck stops with me. I am accountable with what the police offer and what service we do. And we've got a lot of work to do. I acknowledge that. I am not the solution alone. Being the Commissioner of Police is extremely powerful. I need to share that power. Within our police force, all of our officers - one person can make a difference; and that can start with me. And I need to share that power across the community. And change thinking because I cannot accept the status quo."
NT Police has announced it will develop an anti-racism strategy to be led by Arrernte lawyer and former police officer Leanne Liddle.
Speaking to NITV, she says she will be looking at a number of issues.
"And we know it's going to take time to rebuild that trust. And get a level of confidence where they know it is not just words. It will be looking at what training the officers get to work with Aboriginal people. It will be looking at how do we assess bias, prejudices and racism in applications for people who want to apply for the police force."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used his speech at the Garma Festival to outline his government's Indigenous policy direction after the defeat of the Voice referendum in October.
He says he is determined to improve the Closing the Gap outcomes, and a way of addressing that will be through new economic opportunities, including the transition to renewable energy.
In an interview with NITV, he says he wants to see concrete outcomes, including for those in remote Indigenous communities.
"So we've had a $4 billion commitment to remote housing here in the Territory. if you don't have a secure roof over your head. You're not going to get successful education outcomes and there will be health impacts as well. so we're working right across the framework. With economic empowerment being the key to that long-term sustainability. But also how do we improve education outcomes. How do we close the gap when it comes to health outcomes?"
Professor Peter Yu is a Yawuru man from Broome in Western Australia who has spent decades advocating for the social, cultural and economic advancement of Aboriginal communities.
He welcomed the Prime Minister's emphasis on economic opportunity, saying the decision to develop a dedicated framework on the issue is a critical shift in policy direction.
"Because we've never had a formal policy framework around the fiscal relationships and about economic empowerment with Aboriginal people in this country ever. This is the first time, so I think in that sense, it's a size big shift. What are the key levers that need to be pulled now so that we can actually start to do that? Because the environment has changed so dramatically and to align ourselves with the direction of the national economy is the right thing to do."
Attendees at the Garma Festival say the Voice referendum importantly showed a strong Yes vote, particularly in First Nation communities, and the focus of delegates is on renewal and what comes next.
Denise Bowden is the chief executive of the Yothu Yindi Foundation.
She says the result of October's referendum was soul-crushing, but it is now time to regroup and think about future directions.
"Let's strengthen ourselves to the task ahead. And remember that after the fire comes the rain, then new growth from where springs the hopes and dreams of the future. Let's find the strength of renewal and new beginnings for the country and for its people."
Yolngu woman Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs is an ambassador for the Garma Youth Forum, which she has been attending for the past 11 years.
At the age of 22, she says she wants to see a brighter future for herself and other Indigenous youth.
She told NITV that the theme of fire, strength and renewal is very important.
"Just action for our mobs. We're people and we deserve the basics. A lot of people don't have that. And it is important just to have liveable environments. To be listened to - and to be given the opportunity run our communities the way that we need to."
