Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gapuwiyak Northern Territory
Gapuwiyak Location in Northern Territory
Population	871
Postcode(s)	0880
LGA(s)	East Arnhem Region
Territory electorate(s)	Arnhem
Federal Division(s)	Lingiari

Gapuwiyak, also known as Lake Evella, is a special Aboriginal Australian community. It is located in the north-eastern part of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia. The community is about 25 kilometers south of Buckingham Bay. In 2016, a census showed that 871 people lived in Gapuwiyak.

Discovering Gapuwiyak

Gapuwiyak is right next to a lake called Lake Evella. This lake was first seen from an airplane in 1935. A man named Harold Shepherdson named it after his wife, Ella, and Eva, who was the wife of a fellow missionary. The name Gapuwiyak comes from the local language. It means "brackish water," where Gapu means water and Wiyak means salty.

How the Community Connects

Getting to Gapuwiyak is interesting! A special boat called a barge brings supplies from Darwin once a week. This barge travels up the Buckingham River to reach the community.

Life in Gapuwiyak

The people living in Gapuwiyak come from many different Aboriginal families, often called clans. They even have their own community newspaper! It's called Gapuwiyak Dhäwu.

Important Traditions

In April 2017, a special four-day festival took place at Gapuwiyak School. It was held to celebrate the Rom ceremony. About 500 people attended this important event.

The Yolngu Rom includes the laws, values, beliefs, songs, language, and culture of the people. Young people learn about their heritage by taking part in this event. People of all ages attend the ceremony. The community planned to hold this event every school term.

Community Health

In 2018, the health clinic in Gapuwiyak changed how it was managed. It is now run by a local Aboriginal organization called Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation. This means the community has more control over its health services.