Alyawerr Eastern Arrente Elder Dr Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2019 with the Batchelor Institute in recognition of her life-long contribution to the welfare, and advancement of Aboriginal people across Australia.
Photo;Batchelor Institute of Education. Dr Rosalie Kunoth-Monks with other Graduands and the Tinkerbee Dancers. Alice Springs 12 September 2019.
Dr Kunoth-Monks won't be forgotten for her powerful response to Assimilation advocate Mr Coleman on the ABC’s Q & A June 2014, a moment in time that shook the hearts and minds of many.
During her life she has won many awards including an Order of Australia Medal, the Dr Yunipingu National Indigenous Human Rights Award. The NT Person of the Year and NAIDOC person of the year in 2015. It was that year that I spoke to her for radio on her work at the National Treaty Summit held in Alice Springs.
Photo: Dr Roslie Kunoth-Monks. 2015 NAIDOC Person of the Year.
In this interview for Balit Dhumba-Strong Talk, Dr Kunoth-Monks says that we shouldn’t have to beg for a Treaty and she wants Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to feel strong about themselves and live life in a cultural way. She shares her thoughts about Treaty and her connection to her land, her people, spirit and language.