Northern Territory Indigenous

Prescribed burns are lit in Australia's Northern Territory to minimize the severity of fires later in the season

Prescribed burns are lit in Australia's Northern Territory to minimize the severity of fires later in the season Lisa Lock Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor In May and June of most years, NASA satellites typically begin to detect large numbers of wildland fires throughout the Top End and Arnhem Land regions of Australia's Northern Territory. On some days, especially in the afternoon, the blazes can resemble sizable wildfires in satellite imagery, spreading widely and producing...

In Brazil's Cerrado region, Indigenous fire practices reshape wildfire strategy

In Brazil's Cerrado region, Indigenous fire practices reshape wildfire strategy Andrew Zinin Lead Editor Fire began crackling like approaching rain on a recent morning in the Xerente Indigenous Territory in Tocantins in northern Brazil. But the Indigenous residents weren't afraid and didn't rush to put it out. The flames were intentional as part of a wildfire prevention effort planned by the Xerente in coordination with environmental officials before the peak dry months of August and September.

Child neglect being 'hushed up' in outback communities, says ex-minister

Former NT Minister claims child neglect is being 'hushed up' in Northern Territory Indigenous communities Wed 10 Jun 2026 at 5:21pm Growing up in Yuendumu in the 1960s, Bess Nungarrayi Price recalls a childhood surrounded by family, connected to the bush, far from the threats of alcohol and drugs. The former Northern Territory government minister believes that sense of safety is no longer present in the remote and urban Aboriginal communities of Central Australia.

Foster carers share 'heartbreaking' reality for NT kids in out-of-home care

Foster carers voice support for NT government's plan to change child safety laws, others oppose CLP proposal Sat 6 Jun 2026 at 12:18pm In short: The Northern Territory government's proposed child protection changes have largely been backed by the association representing foster carers. Over two days of public hearings, the Legislative Scrutiny Committee also heard from many organisations that opposed the NT government's bill. The committee will prepare a report for the NT parliament before...

The Top End town where 15 people died preventable deaths in six months

Residents in this Top End town say 15 preventable deaths in six months is 'not normal' Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 6:48am In short: Families in Borroloola are calling for an investigation into whether at least some of 15 recent deaths in the community from chronic health conditions and suicide could have been prevented. The rate of avoidable deaths among Indigenous Australians has risen in Australia over the past decade, and compared with non-Indigenous Australians, the gap has widened. The Northern...

NT WorkSafe charges health department over hospital aerosol can death

NT WorkSafe charges health department over death of mental health patient at RDH Mon 1 Jun 2026 at 3:54pm In short: WorkSafe has charged Northern Territory Health over the death of a mental health patient. The 22-year-old was an in-patient at Royal Darwin Hospital's Joan Ridley Unit when they accessed and inhaled an aerosol can while on "grounds leave", causing their death. The health department will face the Darwin Local Court tomorrow.

Diphtheria outbreak: residents of remote NT community say health clinic has no hand sanitiser

There’s a three-week wait on test results in Yuendumu, near Alice Springs, and locals say NT Health has dropped the ball on telling locals what to do if they test positiveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA remote Aboriginal community at the centre of the Northern Territory’s diphtheria outbreak is struggling to cope with rising case numbers, with locals saying there is no hand sanitiser at the health clinic and limited information about how to avoid the disease or...

'Bittersweet': These unique trees only flower once in their life — then die

Mass flowering of Gebang palms in Darwin described as 'once-in-a-lifetime' natural event Mon 1 Jun 2026 at 12:35pm In short: A group of Gebang palms, which have been growing in Darwin for decades, are flowering for the first and only time. The trees are monocarpic, meaning they only flower once, and will die soon after dropping their fruit. The City of Darwin will collect the seeds and plant a new generation of palms, though traditional owners are concerned wild populations are declining in...

NT police will not lay charges against officers over Kumanjayi White’s death while being restrained at Coles

Five mattresses on the floor as families wait months for repairs

Mould, overcrowding and housing delays affecting families in Wilcannia Wed 10 Jun 2026 at 6:56am In short: Remote communities are facing lengthy delays for urgent housing maintenance repairs. A First Nations mother says her rural area has limited housing options for growing families, leading to overcrowding.