Wadeye senior man and champion of bilingual education passes away after being put in ‘protective custody’ by Federal Police
‘A mentor to us all’: A Top End community is mourning the passing of a Senior man and community leader after he was taken into ‘protective custody’ by Federal Police, sparking a coronial investigation.
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A mentor, leader and Senior man of the Wadeye community is being mourned after he passed away while in Federal Police protective custody, sparking a second death in custody investigation.
Leaders from the Daly Region have shared their grief following the passing of a 68-year-old respected Senior man in Royal Darwin Hospital on Saturday, following nine days in the Intensive Care Unit.
On Sunday, NT and Australia Federal Police confirmed that the 68-year-old taken into ‘protective custody’ by Australian Federal Police at Darwin airport around 1pm, Friday May 30.
An AFP spokesman said he was apprehended under the powers of the NT Police Administration Act, which allows officer to detain someone if they believe they are intoxicated in a public place, and was either not have been able to look after himself, was a risk to himself or others or “may intimidate, alarm or cause substantial annoyance to people”.
The 68-year-old man was not taken to a sobering up shelter or a health clinic, but instead was taken by Federal Police to the Palmerston watch house.
NT Police said the custody sergeant and nurse said he needed to be taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital for further assessment.
Australian Federal Police said he “presented no medical concerns” until they reached the hospital where he “experienced a sudden and serious medical episode” and lost consciousness.
He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, but passed away nine days later on Saturday.
Thamarrurr Development Corporation confirmed that the 68-year-old was a “much loved and respected Senior man, who was a mentor to us all”.
“A great visionary and educator, a campaigner for a better life for his community and a respected leader, he will be greatly missed,” TDC said in a statement.
The Aboriginal controlled community organisation representing Wangga, Lirrga, Wulthirri and Tharnpa peoples said the 68-year-old played a key role in developing and guiding TDC over the years.
“He has truly left a lasting legacy. Our thoughts are with his family and the community at this time,” TDC said.
The Senior man was a champion for bilingual education, producing children’s books in Murrinh-patha and was a cultural adviser at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Wadeye.
In 2007 the Senior man was part of a racial discrimination action in the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission arguing for better funding for remote schools after finding that for every dollar spent on the average child attending school in the Territory, only 47c was spent on a child in Wadeye.
The case alleged that the funding arrangements for OLSH and several other ex-mission schools in the Territory guaranteed the schools were funded in “a different, and less favourable way” than mainstream schools.
While the Government did not accept the merit of the claim, then-Federal Education Minister Peter Garrett announced that in exchange for the community dropping its complaint, it would receive a $7.7 million funding package.
The Senior man was there to sign the agreement between the Australian government, stating the agreement gave his community hope.
On Sunday, Northern Land Council also acknowledged the legacy of the Senior man and former NLC full council member.
Chair Matthew Ryan said the 68-year-old was “ a quiet achiever who always spoke up strong for Wadeye and the whole Darwin Daly and Wagait region, his hard work and dedication will not be forgotten”.
“His work for his community and people will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on,” Mr Ryan said.
“My heart goes out to his loved ones and all mob across the Wadeye and Darwin Daly regions.”
Local member for Daly Dheran Young said he had been left with a “heavy heart” upon hearing the news of the Senior man’s passing.
“Your vision, leadership and advocacy inspired us all,” Mr Young said.
“Thank you for your guidance and leadership.
“My thoughts are with the family and the community at this sad time.”
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said it was a devastating loss that would be “be felt deeply across the Territory”.
“He was a respected and strong leader - valued for the guidance he provided to those he worked alongside and the outcomes he helped deliver for his community,” Ms Uibo said.
“It is with a heavy heart that I extend my condolences to the family, friends and community of the man who tragically lost his life over the weekend.”
This is the second death in police custody investigation for the Territory in just 12 days, following the death of 24-year-old Kumanjayi White on May 27.
“It is beyond tragic that there have been two deaths in custody here in the Territory in less than two weeks,” she said.
“I know many Territorians will be feeling a profound sense of grief and shock at these two lives tragically cut short.
“My thoughts today are also with our police, first responders and hospital staff who are always there for the community in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Chief Minister and NT Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the Northern Territory Police were “actively investigating” the matter on behalf of the Coroner.
“As we await further answers about the circumstances, we recognise the pain and grief being felt and our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
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