YYF’s work can broadly be divided into three main areas.
Together with our partners, YYF is developing a world-class regional education hub on country in northeast Arnhem Land.
The Garma Institute is a Yolngu knowledge and education centre supporting a Yolngu-centred curriculum across the learning life-cycle, from transition to primary and secondary schooling, right through to tertiary and vocational education and training.
Learn more about this exciting work, and how you can get involved, by watching this short video:
Since 1999, YYF has staged the annual Garma Festival. Garma is a 4-day celebration of Yolngu art, culture, dance, ceremony and song, and an important meeting point for the clans and families of the region.
Over the years, the event has also become the premier platform for the discussion and debate of issues affecting Yolngu and other Indigenous Australians – a place where the freshwater and saltwater meet.
Garma is held at Gulkula, a Gumatj ceremonial site about 40kms from the town of Nhulunbuy on the Gove peninsula in northeast Arnhem Land. Join us at one of the world’s truly great cultural gatherings:
Since its inception, YYF has been a strong advocate on a range of issues impacting Yolngu and other First Nations people, from food pricing in remote communities to taxation, and makes regular submissions to parliamentary and other institutional enquiries.
The Foundation also plays an important role supporting regional governance, and local leadership and decision-making, through the Dilak Council, which brings together the senior cultural leaders of 13 clan groups from across the Miwatj region, and the Empowered Communities initiative.
