Del ser trascendental al ser que se trasciende:

Ethnographic research relies upon knowledge gained through interactions between the researcher, participants and the field. ‘The field’ is not strictly a geographic place but a socially constructed space which is formed through experiences shared between the researcher and the people, place and culture that are constitutive of the field (Gupta & Ferguson, 1997). Knowledge is constructed through the relationships formed within the field and the researcher’s deep immersion in these complex interactions that occur in this social, cultural, political and geographical space (Amit, 2000). This section considers how the field site influenced this study. The study was primarily undertaken in the geographical place that is commonly referred to as Gunbalanya, an Aboriginal community. This section describes the field site as a geographical place, groups of people and a socio-linguistic community.

3.3.1

Gunbalanya

Data collected for this research was primarily gathered while I was located in Gunbalanya, West Arnhem Land. Gunbalanya is a large remote town located approximately 300 kilometres east of Darwin and 60 kilometres north east of Jabiru. Cahill’s Crossing is located on the East Alligator River, which forms the border between Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land. This is the only point along the East Alligator River that is accessible with a land-based vehicle. Gunbalanya’s close proximity to Cahill’s Crossing and location along the Arnhem Land highway means that it is the gateway to numerous communities and outstations in the western and central Arnhem Land regions. It is possible to travel this relatively short stretch (30 kilometres) of highly corrugated dirt road in a two-wheel drive during the latter months of the dry season (approx. August to October) although vehicular access is dependent on the tidal fluctuations and weather conditions. The roads are prone to flooding during other periods (see Fig. 3.1).

Gunbalanya’s geographical location and tropical monsoonal climate have a significant impact on population mobility as well as accessibility of services during different times of the year. The Top End of the Northern Territory has two distinct tropical seasons: the ‘wet’ season

from November to April, and the ‘dry’ season from May to October. The monsoonal rains, beginning during the ‘build up’ season from September to December, cause seasonal flooding across the open grassy plains and in the East Alligator River. The ‘build-up’ season is characterised by increasing humidity and high temperatures. At the beginning of the wet season, in December each year, the East Alligator River becomes inaccessible via Cahill’s Crossing for vehicular transport for around six months. Peak population movements occur from July to October because, during these months, motor vehicle access is easiest. This can influence community safety issues most prominent during certain times of the year.43

43 _{As an example, participants identified that illicit alcohol and other substances being brought into the community} was a more prominent issue during the dry season, refer to sections 5.4.1 and 5.4.2.

Fig. 3.1. The wet season in West Arnhem Land, 2016

Description:Cahill’s Crossing (1.6m high) after an early wet season flood in September 2016 Source: Simone Georg

Description: Oenpelli road after an early wet season flood in September 2016 Source: Simone Georg

In the West Arnhem region44_{, the ABS (2017b) Census states that 4,773 Indigenous}

people live in the area, which includes Gunbalanya, Goulburn Island, Croker Island and remaining outstations in the region. According to the 2016 Census, of the 1,117 Gunbalanya residents, 88.6 per cent were Indigenous-identified. In Gunbalanya, Indigenous-identified persons45 live in 168 houses and 11 semi-detached residences. In these households, there are on average 4.9 persons per household (ABS, 2017b). Of the 986 residents who identified as Indigenous, approximately 35 per cent of males and females were aged 19 years or younger (ABS, 2017b). The proportion of males and females in the community was relatively equal. For ethical reasons, participants in this study were all 18 years or older. The potential participant pool of those Indigenous people who were born in Arnhem Land and living in Gunbalanya was roughly 650 individuals.

3.3.2

Service providers

The West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC), community organisations, privately owned businesses and the Northern Territory Government provide a range of locally-based safety-related services46 _{in Gunbalanya. This section provides an overview of the local safety}

services available in Gunbalanya.

There is an extensive range of services related to community safety in remote Northern Territory communities, including but not limited to, child safety, youth justice and diversion, the courts system, suicide and self-harm prevention, and elder abuse and safety. To refine the scope of this thesis, I decided that data collection should prioritise the voices of Bininj community members rather than service providers. For this reason, a few service providers were included in the interviews and, with limited time available, I decided to focus on service providers that had ongoing relationships with Gunbalanya’s residents, rather than those which

44 _{For the statistical overview, the definition of West Arnhem Land is defined by the ABS Statistical Area Level} 2 which includes the three Aboriginal communities of Gunbalanya, Minjilang and Warruwi in addition to numerous outstations. The eastern border of West Arnhem Land is defined by the Liverpool River where the outstations of Marrkolidjban, Mandedjkadjang, Kumurrulu and Gummuringbang are included in West Arnhem Land. Any outstations east or south of this location is not included in West Arnhem Land. The western border of West Arnhem Land is defined by the East Alligator River.

45 _{This comprises of households where at least one person identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,} including people not born in Arnhem Land and living in Gunbalanya to work in local service provision.

46 _{In the thesis, I refer to ‘locally-based safety-related services’ or sometimes briefly ‘safety services’. Note that} all references to ‘safety services’ imply that these services are permanently located safety services available in Gunbalanya.

drive in or fly in on a regular or occasional basis. Only service providers with a permanent presence were invited to participate in interviews.47

3.3.2.1 West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC)

WARC delivers a range of services that enhance community safety, and are as follows: o TheNight Patrol is a primary prevention service that aims to intervene in antisocial or

crime-related incidents before they become a problem for the police. Funded by the federal government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), the service runs six days per week, Monday to Saturday, and employs seven Aboriginal workers and one non-Aboriginal worker (WARC, 2017b). Night Patrol do not officially have a policing or security function.

o The Women’s Safe House operates six days per week, Monday to Saturday, to provide a safe place for women and children who are at risk of or who have experienced family and domestic violence (FDV). It provides emergency accommodation and counselling for women and children. This is funded through the Northern Territory Department of Child and Family Services (WARC, 2017b).

o The Community Care Centre provides a meal delivery service for the elderly and disabled. The team provides a range of assistance including shopping trips, personal care, laundry and cultural outings. This service employs a non-Aboriginal coordinator and around four Aboriginal workers.

o The Youth Program provides an after-school program for children, sports and mental health education, and a holiday program to keep children engaged. This is funded through DPMC and the federal government Department of Social Services (WARC, 2017b).

3.3.2.2 Health Clinic

At the Health Clinic, doctors, nurses and emergency health services are available. They provide transport services and cost-free health care (Northern Territory Department of Health, 2017).

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Program (AOD Program) is co-located at the Health Clinic. The

47 _{To maintain anonymity and confidentiality to participants, I cannot specify if the police or other specific service} providers participated in the interviews.

AOD Programprovides counselling, education and client care for people affected by alcohol and other drugs in 40 health clinics across the Northern Territory. The service is funded by the Northern Territory Department of Health and one person is employed in Gunbalanya to run this program.

3.3.2.3 Top End Association for Mental (TEAM) Health

TEAM Health provides early support for children, young people and their families who may be at risk of or affected by mental health problems. Funded by the Department of Social Services, it works with families in a strengths-based wellbeing program (TEAM Health, 2017).

3.3.2.4 Northern Territory Police and Justice Services48

The Northern Territory Police provide a 24-hour police emergency service available via a central telephone line that is relayed through Darwin. I was informed there are five positions allocated at the permanent police station, but the police station was only filled to half capacity at the time I was conducting fieldwork. The police have a distinctly separate role from the Night Patrol (operated through WARC) and they do not run patrols together.

3.3.2.5 Gunbalanya Sports and Social Club (GSSC)

The GSSC is open four nights per week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4.30pm to 7.30pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, also selling hamburgers and steaks on the weekend. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. GSSC sells mid-strength and light beers, soft drinks, juices and water. It provides accommodation in self-contained units.

48 _{In addition, there are several services not locally-based (i.e. not permanently located in Gunbalanya) worth} mentioning. There is one Community Engagement Police Officer (CEPO) who visits Gunbalanya on a regular basis. The CEPO does not perform a ‘policing function’ but rather focuses on community liaison and education. A corrections officer from the Northern Territory Government also visits the community. The regularity of his visits is based on operational need. But they both appear to have a positive and ongoing relationship with Bininj people. Also, the Northern Circuit Court holds justice proceedings for several days every month or two in Gunbalanya.