The Price of Unity in Alice Springs

The funeral service for Kumanjayi Little Baby was a poignant reminder of the deep scars that run through Australia’s Indigenous communities, particularly in Alice Springs. Her alleged murder by Jefferson Lewis sparked widespread outrage and sorrow across the nation. But as mourners gathered to pay their respects, it became clear that this tragedy is not just about one family or community – it’s a symptom of a broader disease.

The Warlpiri word Jintangka, meaning “together as one,” was woven throughout the service, a powerful reminder of what could have been. In reality, Australia still grapples with its own history and identity. The hundreds of people from all walks of life who attended Little Baby’s funeral are a testament to the community’s resilience in the face of unimaginable pain.

Elder Robin Granites noted that “Today is a very sad day,” echoing a sentiment shared by many: we can’t just come together for funerals; we need to do more. The conditions that led to Little Baby’s abduction and murder – poverty, lack of resources, and systemic neglect – are not new. Northern Territory politician Jacinta Nampijinpa Price highlighted these issues in her emotional address to parliament: “for many in my hometown, none of this came as a surprise.”

The service saw calls for unity, but what does that really mean? Is it just about attending funerals or donating to funeral celebrations? Or is it about addressing the systemic issues that have led to so much suffering? The answer lies not in empty gestures, but in tangible actions. We must confront the harsh realities of life in Alice Springs’ town camps and work towards meaningful change.

The community’s outpouring of love for Little Baby was evident in their choice of colour: pink. Her favorite hue adorned the ceremonial booklet handed out to attendees, a poignant reminder of her presence and legacy. However, we can’t let these gestures become mere tokens; they must translate into lasting commitments to our Indigenous communities.

Pastor Rejieli Paulo-Smith said, “Kumanjayi wasn’t simply a little girl who was known by the community; she was Mum’s baby too.” We’d do well to remember that every life lost is not just a statistic or a news headline – it’s a mother’s broken heart, a family torn apart. It’s time for us to take responsibility for our actions and our inaction.

The legacy of Kumanjayi Little Baby will be remembered as one of peace, innocence, and a spirit that touched many hearts. But we must go beyond mere platitudes and work towards creating a society where such tragedies are not inevitable. We owe it to her family, her community, and ourselves to do better.

As the service concluded, rain fell on the mourners, and a choir sang a Christian hymn in Warlpiri. The moment was powerful, but one that will soon be forgotten if we don’t act on its significance. We must continue to speak out against systemic injustices and support those who are fighting for change.

The memory of Kumanjayi Little Baby demands nothing less. Now is the time to channel our collective grief into meaningful action: advocate for policy change, support Indigenous-led initiatives, and hold those in power accountable for their actions. We can start by recognizing that unity is not just about attending funerals or wearing the right colour – it’s about standing together to demand a better future for all Australians.

The question now is what we will do with this collective grief. Will it fuel our desire for meaningful change, or will it be reduced to empty gestures and words? The choice is ours.