Timmy 'Djawa' Burarrwanga facts for kids
Timmy Murmurrga Burarrwanga, also known as Djawa Djuwait, is an Aboriginal Australian. He is a member of the Gumatj clan. Timmy is a leader in his community. He runs businesses and helps keep his culture strong. He is currently the chairman of the Yirrkala Dhanbul Aboriginal Corporation. This group works to develop the community. He also supports the One Laptop Per Child Australia program. This program helps give computers to children.
Contents
Promoting Aboriginal Tourism
Timmy Burarrwanga has worked hard to create real Aboriginal tourism experiences. He wants visitors to truly understand Aboriginal culture. This led him to start Lirrwi Tourism in 2010.
Bawaka: A Cultural Journey
Timmy and his family run a special tourism project called Bawaka. It is located on their family's traditional land. This land is in north-eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia. They welcome small groups of people from all over the world. They share their culture and history with these visitors. Timmy believes tourism can help Aboriginal people earn a living. It also helps them share their traditions. Many well-known Australians have visited Bawaka. They learn about Aboriginal culture there.
Garma Festival: Sharing Culture
Timmy Burarrwanga helps manage cultural events at the yearly Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures. This festival takes place at the Gulkula site in Arnhem Land. He once gave a speech about starting his own company. He talked about how important it is to hire and train Yolŋu people at home. This gives them respect and responsibility for their future. His ideas helped create the Yolngu Cultural Tourism Masterplan in 2012. This was the first plan of its kind in Australia.
Recognizing Indigenous Australians
In December 2010, the Australian Government invited Timmy Burarrwanga to join an "Expert Panel." This panel worked on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. The panel's job was to talk to people across Australia. They gathered ideas and opinions throughout 2011. Then, they reported their findings to the government.
