Six months after the death in police custody of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White, his family say they still have no answers from authorities.
Mr White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man with disability who was under state guardianship, died in May after two plain-clothed NT Police officers restrained him at a Coles supermarket in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
At the time, he was living in supported accommodation.
His death triggered nationwide protests and prompted his family, legal advocates, land councils and human rights organisations to call for an independent investigation — a request rejected by both NT Police and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
In September, NT Police confirmed they had received the final autopsy report and that the NT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would decide whether charges should be laid.
However, it has since been reported the DPP is still waiting for additional evidence from NT Police. A DPP spokesperson told the ABC last week: "At present, the DPP awaits the provision of further material from police to allow that assessment to be completed."
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On Thursday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said that six months after his jaja (grandson) died in police custody, "still we have no justice, still we are being told to wait".
"We have been told there is a criminal investigation and police have given a brief of evidence to the DPP, but the police involved in my Jaja's death are still on duty," he said. "How is this possible? They must be stood down immediately."
NT Police have not identified the officers or confirmed whether they face disciplinary action. National Indigenous Times understands one officer is NT Police prosecutor Steven Haig, who has continued working in Alice Springs. His involvement appeared to be confirmed last month when lawyer Luke Officer sought leave to represent Mr Haig at the inquest into Mr White's death.
National Indigenous Times has previously reported that Mr Haig has been accused of aggressive conduct toward Indigenous people. NT Police have declined to confirm whether any internal action has been taken.
In September, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole told reporters it was not NT Police policy to "comment on individual officers involved," but said the officers are currently in "non-operational, forward-facing positions in administrative roles".
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The family say they remain distressed by the ongoing delays, the lack of transparency from police investigators and the DPP, and the continued absence of independent oversight. They are particularly concerned that, despite the DPP receiving the brief of evidence, the officers involved remain on duty.
"We know that if an Aboriginal person had done this, they would be behind bars," Mr Hargraves said, calling for parumpurru (justice).
"It is sacred," he said. "Kardiya — white people — don't respect it, but we respect it, because parumpurru is the truth. We are still fighting a bunch of rlinjirrpa — aggressive bullies. We're not getting any truth from the colonial system."
George Newhouse, Principal Solicitor at the National Justice Project, said the family still has no clarity about what occurred.
"The silence surrounding this case reflects a broader pattern in how the justice system is failing First Nations people. These processes must be transparent and accountable," he said.
"An independent investigation is still urgently needed and the National Justice Project will continue to support Kumanjayi White's family in their call for truth and justice."
Following Mr White's funeral in September, NT Police's executive director of cultural reform, Leanne Liddle, visited Yuendumu, acknowledging the "immense grief" felt by the family and community.
She said that while the investigation had taken months, the delay was necessary.
"People have said that this process has taken too long," Ms Liddle said. "But we've had to wait this period of time to get the brief together and the information together before we move forward. And it's difficult for people to understand the depth of the briefs that need to be provided."
