The Northern Land Council's current leadership team has vowed to strengthen its support for Traditional Owner land rights after being re-elected for three years.
Chair Matthew Ryan, a Barabarra, Wurrpann and Gurindiji man based in Maningrida, will continue to lead NLC after the full council meeting in Jabiru, where representatives from the organisation's seven regions gathered this week.
Lorraine Jones, who has Ngaliwurru/Nungali heritage and lives in Timber Creek, was elected deputy chair, with her appointment only the second time a woman has held the position at NLC, further strengthening Traditional Owner representation at the executive level.
She first joined the full council in 2019 and the executive council three years later, in a period marked by heightened attention on land rights, cultural heritage protection and government engagement over major policy affecting Aboriginal landowners.
Speaking from Jabiru, Mr Ryan thanked Council members for their confidence in him.
"I'm grateful to have been re-elected as the chair, it's a great vote of confidence from the council members and I look forward to working with all NLC constituents over the next three years," he said.
He emphasised the priorities for the new term included a stronger regional presence, increased support for Traditional Owners and a firm stance on cultural heritage protection.
"We want to see all our offices across the region well-resourced so we can have a greater presence across the seven regions," he said.
"We want to achieve more for our traditional owners and our constituents, and we want to work more closely with stakeholders.
"'We have to be very strong in our stance on advocacy and supporting our traditional owners across all regions ... and work with both the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth governments."
He said changes to the NT Sacred Sites Act earlier this year "concerned us greatly in terms of working with the NT Government".
Mr Ryan's comments come as the NLC prepared to mark 50 years of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act - legislation that underpins Traditional Owners' authority over land and decision-making across the Top End.
"As we get ready to celebrate fifty years of the Land Rights Act, I am reminded of how much we have achieved, and how much work there is still to do in fighting for the rights of Aboriginal people in our region," he said.
The re-election of Ryan and the elevation of Jones set the tone for a term expected to be defined by advocacy, cultural heritage protection and continued pressure on governments to uphold the rights of Traditional Owners across the NLC's vast region.
