Indigenous War veterans honoured: The war efforts of five Aboriginal brothers will be commemorated at Whim Creek in WA’s northwest this month. The Lockyer brothers, of the Karriera/Ngaluma tribes, will be remembered with a commemoration service and ceremony organised by family members and the Honouring Indigenous War Graves Incorporation. All five served during World War II, but only three returned home. The ceremony starts at 8am on Friday, 21 April at Cemetery Beach in Port Hedland with wreaths released in the outgoing tide. Three headstones will then be unveiled at Port Hedland, South Hedland and Mallina, with the unveiling fo five plaques at Whim Creek later in the day. For more information call Berni Lockyer on 9265 6666 or 0414 219 295.

Nabarlek performs at KULCHA: Indigenous band Nabarlek will be appearing at KULCHA in Fremantle this month. From the tiny community of Manmoyi in western Arnhemland, Nabarlek comprises of an extended family and has audiences dancing to 10,000-year-old songs. The band combines traditional instruments and storytelling with rock, reggae, country and gospel elements. Nabarlek plays at 8pm on Thursday, 20 April at KULCHA, 13 South Street, Fremantle. For more information visit http://www.kulcha.com.au.

Geraldton community invited to comment: The Geraldton Aboriginal community is invited to contribute to a project aimed at reducing the number of Aboriginal people imprisoned as the result of family and domestic violence. The community is working with the departments of the Attorney General and Corrective Services on this project, which is one of the State Government’s eight Reducing Aboriginal Imprisonment strategies being developed in projects around the State. An Aboriginal Reference Group, with chairperson Ralph Dalgety, is now working with local people to come up with recommendations for a Geraldton model to reduce Aboriginal imprisonment, to be used locally and as the basis for projects in other regional areas. The project is expected to conclude in June. The interests of the local Aboriginal community are represented on the reference group through members Amanda Biggs, Sandy Davies, Clarrie Cameron, Patrick Cameron, Priscilla Rodd, DIA officer Leza Radcliffe, Dianne Gray and Greg Cross. Project officer Nikki Councillor welcomes community feedback. Email nichole.councillor@justice.wa.com.au or phone 08 9264 6105.

DIA welcomes New Zealand political delegation: The DIA hosted an information session for a group of New Zealand Political Exchange delegates this week. The group included a Member of Parliament, various MPs’ staff and party officials from New Zealand's major political parties. DIA Acting Director General Amanda Cattermole welcomed the group, leading a lively discussion on Australian Indigenous affairs and the challenges for government in meeting the needs of the Indigenous community in remote areas.  Land Branch assistant director Trevor Carleton highlighted those challenges by revealing that at 27 million hectares, the Aboriginal Lands Trust estate was roughly the same area as the North and South Islands of New Zealand combined.

Indigenous artists feature at Art Gallery of WA: Western Desert Satellites opens at the Art Gallery of Western Australia this week and features a selection of paintings, prints, textiles and objects by celebrated Indigenous artists from the Western Desert region. The exhibition includes works from remote art centres at Balgo Hills, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton and from emerging art communities such as Irrunytju, Kiwirrkura and Blackstone. Associate curator for Indigenous Art Clotilde Bullen said the works were like satellites in that they were “glittering examples of the most beautiful and unique artworks from the Western Desert region, standing out, shining in the night sky.” Western Desert Satellites opens on 12 April and runs until 27 September at the Art Gallery of WA.

May Day Film nights feature Indigenous stories: UnionsWA and the Film and Television Institute present May Day Film Nights next month, featuring films Strikebound, Rabbit-proof Fence and How the West Was Lost over three nights. Strikebound recreates the mining dispute that gripped East Gippsland during the Depression and Rabbit-proof Fence tells the true story of three Aboriginal girls who were forcible removed from their homes in 1931, escaping from the mission to make the long journey home. How the West Was Lost features questions and answers from film-maker Paul Roberts on the 1946 strike by 800 Aboriginal station workers. Lousy Little Sixpence will also be screened, with old newsreels, archive footage, photographs and interviews with Elders. The films screen on 2, 4 and 6 May from 7pm. Tickets are available from UnionsWA or FTI on Adelaide Terrace, Fremantle.