WITITJ HEALING

The central concept of the 1st May 2005 anniversary was a celebration of Tiwi growth, change and achievement founded upon the interdependence of all societies and their reliance upon the thoughtful participation and mutual respect of each other. The 300 year journey of both the Dutch and the Tiwi is the particular focus.
Commander van Delft`s instructions in 1705 were to capture some of these unknown people and return with them to Batavia; instructions he chose to ignore. Van Delft also, having wounded a Tiwi during their 1705 landing on Melville Island, returned his men to the beach to attend this wounded Tiwi man. These first contacts of reconciliation encouraged the Dutch explorers to remain some weeks with the Tiwi. Our first written accounts of diet, environment and characteristics are contained in the log books of these early Dutch explorers. The experience of these past 300 years suggests that the harmony of cultural difference provides the best social and economic rewards in collaborative and co-operative partnerships. Significantly these include investment and industry development on Bathurst Island by a huge Dutch multinational – Nutreco, (aquaculture) a major sponsor of our 1st May 2005 celebrations.

Changes of the past 300 years have drawn both the Dutch and the Tiwi together again in recognition that skills and assets, investment and production achieve significant community returns in respectful and participatory partnership. It is a strategy that Tiwi landowners have applied to forestry and other land-use and development activity.

Dutch <<<      www.tiwilandcouncil.net.au/WhatsBH/Sub_pages/dutch_visit.htm