Yuendumu rioters seek enemies' exile

AN indigenous family involved in the Yuendumu riots has drafted an extraordinary agreement that would permanently ban from their homes at least 30 residents.

Family members of a young man killed in the fight in Alice Springs do 'sorry business' near their home, including brother Sebastian Watson (far right), who was stabbed in the same fight. Picture: Amos Aikman

AN indigenous family involved in the Yuendumu riots has drafted an extraordinary agreement that would permanently ban from their homes at least 30 residents.

Less than two weeks ago, 101 indigenous residents fled from Yuendumu and ended up in Adelaide after a prominent Aboriginal family, the Watsons, rioted because they were not allowed to carry out payback punishment for the death of a brother.

The agreement, obtained by The Australian, names 22 individuals and one "entire family" who are described as "sworn enemies" of the Watsons.

It says these people "have been named by the Watson family being asked (sic) to leave the Yuendumu community . . . and not return for life . . . the decision has been made by Watson family members and has come about after two mediation meetings and consultations with community members".

The agreement is signed by the Watsons and three registered traditional landowners.

None of those who fled the community has signed the document. A representative of the exiles, community leader Harry Nelson, attended a mediation meeting at which the Watsons' demands were put. A local police officer and family violence mediator, Peter Davies, also attended. Mr Davies yesterday told The Australian that the Watsons and many of the exiles were "sworn enemies of each other".

"The Watsons couldn't get payback so the next best thing was to get them (the exiles) off the community," he said.

Mr Davies made clear that no one knew whether the exiles had agreed to leave permanently, and that they were under extreme duress.

During the riots, police gathered vulnerable residents, including men, into the local women's shelter.

"Once they stepped outside that secure area out there, no one could guarantee their safety," Mr Davies said.

Sebastian Watson, who was stabbed on the night of his brother's death and is the prime mover behind the controversial agreement, warned that if the exiles returned before payback had occurred, there would be more riots.

But if the exiles agreed to tribal punishment, "they can come back", he said.

"We Aboriginal people are spiritual people, and in our spiritual way we get upset," Mr Watson said. "Our laws teach us to carry out tribal punishment."

Mr Watson is facing charges in relation to the riots. Sixteen others affiliated with the Watsons have been charged over the riots.

Sitting with his grieving relatives and wearing white "sorry business" paint on his forehead, Mr Watson revealed that his family became upset and angry before the riots because several people whom they regarded as responsible for starting the Warlpiri camp fight were being protected in Yuendumu.

"We grieve so much and the police turn around and call us the instigators," he said.

Dennis James Nelson, 20, from Yuendumu, has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Mr Watson's brother.

Acting Senior Sergeant Shaun Gill, the officer in charge of the Northern Territory's southern region, confirmed that police were aware of the list of people the Watsons wanted to ban from the community.

Sergeant Gill said the police did not support that plan.

"Our advice was always to try and get them to stay in the community," he said.

Despite the Watsons' demands, Sergeant Gill said the police would not allow tribal punishments to occur.

"We don't support any form of traditional payback," he said.

The police were impartial in the dispute, he said.

"We don't want to appear as if we are in favour of any family," Sergeant Gill said.