Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles to give key addresses at Garma Festival 2023

The annual celebration of Aboriginal politics has challenged Australia to ‘continue to seek the perfection … know as djambatj’.

As Australia sits at a constitutional crossroads, the eyes of the nation are turning to a remote corner of the Territory for the annual celebration of Indigenous political thinking and debate.

The annual four-day Garma Festival brings together clan leaders from across Arnhem Land to share traditional Yolngu culture, ideas and policy discussions with visitors — including the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.

But for the first time in its 23 year history, the North-East Arnhem Land festival will be missing its founder following the passing of Indigenous rights activist and land rights pioneer, Yunupingu.

Ceremonial dance during the 2022 Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Photo: AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

Yothu Yindi Foundation chair Djawa Yunupingu said his late-brother embodied the spirit of this year’s Garma theme — Djambatj.

“In the Yolngu mind djambatj is this vision of perfection; where we get things right,” Mr Yunupingu said.

“In his dealings and in his thinking he sought the moment of excellence that is djambatj.

“He lived it and he pursued it until his final day.

“It is with the utmost seriousness that we answer his call to be leaders, and continue to seek the perfection that Yolngu people know as djambatj.”

Yunupingu with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Garma in 2022. Picture: Melanie Faith Dove

Last year, the festival became the launch pad of the Voice, and this year is expected to see the debates centre around the upcoming referendum.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles will be the first of the key note speakers, with presentations also expected from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, independent Mulka MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula, Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour, and other regional and national leaders from Friday August 4.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the Garma Festival at Gulkula on July 30, 2022 in East Arnhem, Australia. Picture: Tamati Smith/Getty Images

Ms Fyles said Garma was an unique event that shone a spotlight on Yolngu people in a celebration of Indigenous excellence — with traditional dances, open air galleries, live music and workshops mingling with talks from some of the most pre-eminent thinkers in Australia. “It’s an opportunity for leaders in Australia to stop, meet, listen and, most importantly, learn from the oldest living culture on earth,” Ms Fyles said.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles will be the first of the key note speakers at Garma. Picture: Peter Eve / Yothu Yindi Foundation.

“For those attending it is a privilege and special experience to be welcomed onto Yolngu country.”

Chief executive Denise Bowden said over two decades the Yothu Yindi Foundation had built Garma into an event of national significance.

Ms Bowden said the sold-out event continued to grow in popularity, with attendance increasing by 25 per cent since 2015, with the annual event employing 160 Yolngu people and supporting 46 Arnhem Land region businesses.

Originally published as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles to give key addresses at Garma Festival 2023