Post by Kimberley Land Council

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐨 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Late on Monday 25 May, we received the tragic news of a fatal accident on the Great Northern Highway involving members of the Ngururrpa Ranger team, who were travelling to the Kimberley Ranger Forum, an event co-hosted by the Kimberley Land Council and Walalakoo. Tragically, Ngururrpa Ranger Coordinator Kumanjayi Herring lost his life in the accident. Over more than three decades, Kumanjayi Herring worked across the Kimberley contributing significantly to ranger groups, cultural and community support work and held a long career teaching in remote schools. During this time, he worked with a number of Kimberley organisations, including Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation, the Nyikina Mangala Rangers, KALACC, the Yiriman Project and most recently with Parna Ngururrpa Aboriginal Corporation. Deeply respected across the region, Kumanjayi Herring made a lasting contribution to Kimberley communities, the wellbeing of young people and the care and management of Country. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Kumanjayi Herring’s family and loved ones, the Ngururrpa team, their families and the wider Kimberley Ranger Network during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for Kumanjayi Herring, his family, the Ngururrpa Rangers and the wider community, and in recognition of the deep impact this loss has had across the Kimberley Ranger Network, the decision was made to cancel last week’s Kimberley Ranger Forum. We would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the emergency service workers, hospital staff, police, first responders and support staff who have assisted those involved in the accident and supported the families and communities over the past week. We encourage anyone who may be struggling during this time to reach out for support. ❤️ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support: 13YARN (13 92 76) — 24/7 Griefline: 1300 845 745