Summary

Elcho Island lies off the coast of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is approximately 55 km long and 6 km across, and is bounded on its western side by the Arafura Sea and on the east by the Cadell Strait. A large number of Indigenous tribal groups inhabit the island with up to 22 dialects being used. The most commonly spoken languages are the Yolngu Matha languages; Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu. The clan groups who live in Galiwin'ku are known collectively as the Yolngu people. There are approximately 2200 people living in the main settlement of Galiwin'ku and in the many outstations, 70 of whom are non Aboriginal people. Galiwin'ku was originally established in 1942 as a refuge from the possible bombing of the Milingimbi Royal Australian Air Force Base during World War II and then as a Methodist mission in 1947. It remained under church direction until 1974 when self-government came. It is now the largest Aboriginal community in north-east Arnehem Land. The internationally acclaimed singer, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was born on Elcho Island.
Reference:
www.eastarnhem.nt.gov.au/galiwinku/

Related entries

Archival resources

National Centre for Indigenous Genomics

• Correspondence, 1969 - 1970, 02B-30; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Correspondence and Lists of Participants, 1968 - 1970, 02B-24; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Draft Manuscript, - 1971, 02D-26; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Genealogies, 1968, 02D-25; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Laboratory workbook, 1969, Lab-01-018; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Laboratory workbook, 1968, Lab-01-016; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Laboratory workbook, 1968, Lab-01-017; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Lists of Study Participants, 1968 - 1969, 02D-04; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Lists of Study Participants, 1969, 02D-30; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Lists of Study Participants, 1968, 02D-05; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Maps of family relationships, 06A-11; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Maps of family relationships, 06A-12; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Maps of family relationships, 1971 - 1976, 04B-28; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Serology and Survey Results, 1968 - 1969, 02D-29; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Serology Results, 04D-10; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Serology Results, 1968, 04D-17; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Serology Results, 1968, 02D-08; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Serology Results, 02D-09; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Serology Results, 1969, 04D-31; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Survey Results, 1969, 02D-02; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Survey Results, 1968, 02D-03; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Survey Results, 1961 - 1969, 02D-27; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details
• Survey Results, Reprint of Journal Article, Manuscript, Correspondence and Working Notes, 1971 - 1972, 06A-22; National Centre for Indigenous Genomics. Details