Jack Ah Kit facts for kids

John Leonard Ah Kit (born July 22, 1950 – died July 12, 2020) was an important Australian politician. He was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for an area called Arnhem. He represented the Labor Party from 1995 to 2005. He was known for being the first Indigenous minister in the Northern Territory's history.

Jack Ah Kit's Early Life

John Ah Kit was born on July 22, 1950, in Alice Springs. He was the fifth child in a large Jawoyn family of 13 children. In 1954, his family moved to Darwin. He went to primary schools in Darwin and Parap, and later attended Darwin High School.

Becoming a Community Leader

In 1983, John Ah Kit was chosen to be part of the Full Council of the Northern Land Council (NLC). This council represents Aboriginal people in the Katherine region. The NLC helps Aboriginal people manage their land and protect their rights.

From 1984 to 1990, he was the Director of the Northern Land Council. He left this role in 1990 to try and become a politician for the Labor Party.

Protecting Sacred Land

John Ah Kit played a very important part in 1991. He helped the Jawoyn people, who are the traditional owners of the land, fight to stop mining at a place called Coronation Hill. This site was very special to the Jawoyn people because it was the resting place of Bula, a creator being in their stories. The mining would have dug up gold, palladium, and platinum. Thanks to efforts like his, the mining was stopped.

From 1991 to 1995, John Ah Kit was the Executive Director of the Jawoyn Association. This group works to support the Jawoyn community and manage their affairs.

Life in Parliament

In 1995, John Ah Kit was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. This happened in a special election called a by-election, after the previous member, Wes Lanhupuy, resigned.

When he was elected, John Ah Kit became the ninth Indigenous person to be a parliament member in Australia's history. This was a big moment for Indigenous representation.

Serving as a Minister

John Ah Kit became a minister in the government led by Clare Martin. This was a historic event because he was the first Indigenous minister in the Northern Territory. A minister is like a leader in charge of a specific area of government work.

While he was in parliament, he was responsible for several important areas:

• Minister for Community Development (helping communities grow)
• Minister for Housing (making sure people had homes)
• Minister for Local Government (working with local councils)
• Minister for Sport and Recreation (supporting sports and fun activities)
• Minister for Regional Development (helping areas outside the main cities)
• Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs (advising the main leader on Indigenous issues)

John Ah Kit retired from parliament in 2005 because of health reasons. His daughter, Ngaree Ah Kit, later followed in his footsteps and was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2016. John Ah Kit passed away on July 12, 2020, at the Royal Darwin Hospital. He was 69 years old.

Awards and Recognition

John Ah Kit received several important awards for his work and dedication:

• In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National NAIDOC Awards. NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• He was also awarded a Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa by the Council of Charles Darwin University. This is a special honorary degree given to people who have made great contributions to society.