Ken Wyatt's snubbing of Yolngu MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula a bad look

THE snubbing of indigenous Yolngu MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula by federal Indigenous Minister Ken Wyatt at GARMA is a poor look for the voice of First Australians

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt speaks during the Key Forum policy conference at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land

THE snubbing of indigenous Yolngu MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula by federal Indigenous Minister Ken Wyatt at GARMA, a gathering designed to stimulate debate about indigenous affairs, is a poor look for the voice of First Australians.

Read Yothu Yindi Foundation boss Denise Bowden’s full speech

When Ken Wyatt was named the indigenous Minister there high hopes for his role given he was the first indigenous person elected to the House of Representatives.

Mr Guyula attempted to arrange meetings with Mr Wyatt and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Both said they were too busy to meet during the festival.

Mr Guyula would have the best interests of his people at heart and would know better than most in Arnhem Land the struggles his people are facing.

Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu and members of the Gumatj clan preparing to perform bunggul at the opening ceremony of Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, NT. PHOTOGRAPHER: PETER EVE

The meeting could have been the start of a fruitful relationship between the pair and provide Mr Wyatt a direct line of contact into the heart of the Territory.

His knowledge of Arnhem Land and the history of his people should be viewed as invaluable information he could pass on to the federally elect representatives.

Instead Mr Guylua received an apology after the fact.

Mr Wyatt acknowledged the error and arrangements have been made for a meeting between the pair at a later date.

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There is no doubt Mr Wyatt has the best intentions of indigenous people at heart, but this was a missed opportunity to take a step in the right direction.

Hopefully the relationship can move forward and reach its potential.