Tangentyere Council

25/05/2026

Today is National Sorry Day. Tangentyere acknowledges the pain and ongoing impacts caused by the policies and practices that led to the Stolen Generations, and extends respect to survivors, their families, and communities.

We also honour the strength, resilience and continuing cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose languages, families and connections to Country remain strong today.

Observed each year on 26 May, National Sorry Day marks the anniversary of the release of the Bringing Them Home Report. It is a time to reflect on the history of the Stolen Generations — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultures between the mid 1800s and the 1980s under government policies — and to recognise the profound and ongoing impacts these removals have had across generations.

National Sorry Day also provides an opportunity for all Australians to listen, learn and support truth-telling and healing.

For those wanting to learn more about the history and experiences of the Stolen Generations, including survivor stories and educational resources, please visit:

https://humanrights.gov.au/bringing-them-home/
https://healingfoundation.org.au/stolen-generations/

21/05/2026

Keep yourself and your family safe from diphtheria.

Tangentyere Council is working with Congress to hold outreach clinics in Town Camps to provide vaccinations to help keep everyone safe.

If you live in a Town Camp, check in at your Community Centre to see when Congress will be visiting.

If you or family get sick, go to the clinic as soon as you can!

Help us ditch diphtheria! Don’t forget to:

1. CHECK

See if you’re due for your booster!
Ask Congress or your clinic when you are due for your next vaccination.

If you are not sure if you are up to date, we can check for you.

2. VAX

Vaccination helps protect you and your family.

The diphtheria vaccine has been used safely for many years.

Children get diphtheria vaccines as part of their childhood immunisations.

Adults may need a booster vaccine. During the current outbreak, some people may need a booster after 5 years. The clinic can check if you need another vaccine.

Pregnant women can also get the vaccine.

3. ACT

If you or family have symptoms:

go to the clinic quickly
cover skin sores
wash hands often
cover coughs and sneezes

Need help?

Talk to Congress or your local clinic.

Congress can:

check your vaccination record
give vaccinations
help if you have symptoms
answer questions about diphtheria

20/05/2026

Today, Tangentyere Council staff attended a gathering hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Marion Scrymgour MP to acknowledge and thank those involved in the search efforts for Kumanjayi Little Baby.

Alongside other Alice Springs organisations and services, we reflected on the strength, care and compassion shown during an incredibly difficult time for our community.

We acknowledge every volunteer, frontline worker and community member who gave their time, support and energy to the search efforts, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby.

Thank you to the Alice Springs community for continuing to stand together and show up for one another in times of hardship.

18/05/2026

STATEMENT - SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Please see below response from CEO Walter Shaw in regards to the recent media reporting of Tangentyere's programs and services.

12/05/2026

👀 Something NEW is coming... 👀

25.5.26

Tangentyere Council

01/05/2026

STATEMENT FROM YAPA ELDER ROBIN GRANITES

Robin Granites, senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder and spokesperson for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, has appealed for calm across the Central Australian community.

“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering.

“Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that.

“What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.

“This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family.”

Mr Granites has asked people in bush communities to carefully consider their need to travel to Mparntwe/Alice Springs at this time.

“If you need to come to join sorry business, that’s fine. But just come for that, then return home please.

“Now is not the time to be heroes on social media or make trouble.
“We must be mindful Mparntwe is traditional country for Central Arrernte, and East and Western Arrernte as well. We must respect that and their ways.

“We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way.”

Please note that SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is helping to support the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby at this time.

STATEMENT FROM YAPA ELDER ROBIN GRANITES

Robin Granites, senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder and spokesperson for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, has appealed for calm across the Central Australian community.

“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering.

“Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that.

“What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.

“This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family.”

Mr Granites has asked people in bush communities to carefully consider their need to travel to Mparntwe/Alice Springs at this time.

“If you need to come to join sorry business, that’s fine. But just come for that, then return home please.

“Now is not the time to be heroes on social media or make trouble.

“We must be mindful Mparntwe is traditional country for Central Arrernte, and East and Western Arrernte as well. We must respect that and their ways.

“We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way.”

Please note that SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is helping to support the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby at this time.

30/04/2026

STATEMENT – KUMANJAYI LITTLE BABY

CEO Walter Shaw:

“We have had the news none of us wanted to hear. Everyone’s hearts are broken.

Tangentyere will continue to support the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby. The family is now in Sorry Business, and we ask everyone on their behalf to respect the cultural protocols while they grieve their loss.

Alice Springs came together for Kumanjayi Little Baby this week. My hope is that our community continues to show this resilience and support for each other in what will be tough weeks ahead.

To all the staff of Tangentyere and the Town Campers who have taken part in the search and supported activities, thank you. To all those staff from Aboriginal organisations, local businesses and those individuals who have donated goods and services and helped in the search, thank you.

Our focus now must be on taking the time to grieve and care for each other, and to assist in the efforts to find the person who allegedly committed this terrible crime.

I urge anyone with any information about Jefferson Lewis to contact the police. You can call 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. If you need assistance to make a report, you can also contact Tangentyere for help.

This is a distressing and heavy time for many. Tangentyere will be closed for business tomorrow to show respect for the grieving family and for our staff. If you need support, please reach out to services for help. And hold our precious children a little tighter.”

For support, you can reach out to the following services:

Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
Kids Help Line on 1800 551 800
Su***de Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut Australia at au.reachout.com
13YARN Crisis Support on 13 92 76

29/04/2026

CULTURAL WARNING: This post contains the name of a deceased person.

Thank you to the Alice Springs community for pitching in to help find Sharon. We hope to bring her home safely.

29/04/2026

CULTURAL WARNING: This post contains the name of a deceased person.

MEDIA RELEASE
COMMUNITY EFFORTS FOCUS ON FINDING MISSING CHILD

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation thanks all services, organisations and volunteers involved in the ongoing search for a missing child in Alice Springs.

Tangentyere, as the representative body and primary service provider for the 16 Town Camps in Alice Springs, has been on the ground since Sunday, coordinating volunteer efforts and supporting the family of five-year-old Sharon Granites, who was reported missing from a residence at Ilyperenye (Old Timers) Town Camp in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Tangentyere CEO Walter Shaw says the strength of the Town Camp and wider Alice Springs community was evident in the ongoing search efforts.

“There has been an overwhelming local response to Tangentyere’s call for assistance, with local Aboriginal organisations, businesses and individuals showing up, donating goods and services and dedicating staff and resources to the search,” Mr Shaw said.

“It's difficult search conditions with tough terrain, but volunteers, as well as Police and Emergency Services personnel, are turning up again and again to help out.”

“As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 300 volunteers have registered as part of the search teams.”

“I’m immensely proud of the efforts of Tangentyere staff, who are on the ground from daylight to dark, coordinating volunteers, making sure everyone is fed and hydrated and supporting the work of Police and Emergency Services.”

“Societies are judged by the support they give to their most vulnerable, and who is more vulnerable than a child? In this case, Alice Springs can be proud of the efforts to find little Sharon.”

“I have spoken to the family who are very appreciative of the support they are receiving and what is being done by Police, Emergency Services and the community to find Sharon.”

“We are all focused on returning this child safely to the arms of her family.”

April 29, 2026

12/02/2026

Due to the ongoing flooding situation in the Mparntwe/Alice Springs region, the following Tangentyere services will be temporarily closed this evening to ensure client, community and staff safety:

- 3 Brown Street Youth Service
- Child & Youth Outreach Service
- Night and Youth Patrols

Thank you for your understanding.

Please stay safe in these conditions, and remember:

⚠️ Do not try to cross flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it!

ℹ️ Stay informed by following SecureNT on Facebook or listen to ABC Local Radio

🌧️ Monitor conditions via www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings

🛟 For emergency service in floods, storms or cyclones call 132 500

‼️In a life threatening situation call 000

🚙Take extra care on the roads, visit https://roadreport.nt.gov.au for latest road conditions