The "Aeroplane Dance"

The "Aeroplane Dance" from Borroloola depicts an event of the Second World War when an American bomber crashed in country to the east and the crew was found by local people.

Land Council wants investigation into sacred site lock-out

Posted Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:22pm AEST
Updated Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:01pm AEST

Traditional owners say police refused them entry to a sacred site. (Guy McLean)

The Northern Land Council says the mining company Xstrata may have broken the law by denying a group of Aboriginal people access to a sacred site at McArthur River.

Around 100 people from four different language groups wanted to visit the site today, but were prevented by police and mine security.

Traditional owners say the site will soon be destroyed by an expansion of the mine, and they wanted to hold a last ceremony there.

The chief executive of the NLC, Kim Hill, says the denial of access is a massive violation of the traditional owners' rights and the Territory Government must act.

"We'll be talking with traditional owners in regards to what legal actions we may be able to take," he said.

"But in regards to what's happened and events that have happened today, if persons obstructed the rights of Aboriginal people under a Northern Territory legislation to access sacred sites in accordance to the Sacred Sites Act, they may be found guilty of an offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/18/2279069.htm