Tiwi Island teens fear new laws will sever cultural ties
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Seventeen-year-old cousins Shanina Kantilla and Tahni Thompson of the Tiwi Islands, north of Australia, expressed concern that recent changes to Northern Territory child protection laws will disconnect children from their culture and families.
The girls grew up immersed in Tiwi traditions, learning language, customs, and skills like basket weaving from elders, and value their strong connection to the islands and their heritage.
They recall how past government policies, particularly those enacted during the era of the Stolen Generations, disrupted cultural transmission for previous generations. The Northern Territory government recently altered its child protection laws following the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby. These changes remove the requirement for the government to attempt placement of Aboriginal children with their community or another First Nations carer if family placement isn’t possible.
National Indigenous Children’s Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter fears this will lead to increased removal of children from their communities, echoing the harmful practices of the past. She believes culture is integral to a child’s safety and identity. Ms. Hunter also noted that other recent policy shifts, lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 and tightening youth bail, are causing anxiety among young people.
Shanina and Tahni worry that these policies, alongside the changes to child protection, will result in more children being removed from their families and losing connection to Tiwi culture, potentially creating “lost generations.” They advocate for family support, early intervention, and culturally appropriate solutions over punishment.
