S.A. Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Chairman

One of the recommendations of the  Muirhead Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) was for the formation of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Watch Committees in each State and Territory of Australia.

Uncle Karno Walker was the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Watch Committee in S.A. from 1988 to 1990. This was one of Uncle Karno’s most important roles and helped shape his future legal work with getting Sovereign Nation recognition for the Ramindjeri nation in the Native Title Court, and his joint submission with Uncle Gunham Badi Jakamarra (Mark McMurtrie) to the United Nations in Geneva in 2012.

Perhaps the most important finding from the final report from the RCIADIC is the recommendation to concentrate on the need for Aboriginal Australians to create their own policies of self determination, as opposed to relying solely on legislative changes. To many First Nations people it is obvious that without a clear legal framework in the form that recognises the sovereign right to self determination these policies could not be easily implemented. This led to Uncle Karno working with Uncle Gunham to do just that, together they created the Original Sovereign Tribal Federation and made their joint submission in Geneva to the United Nations in 2012.

Transcript of Newspaper Article – Canberra Times – Monday 30th of January 1989

Aborigines warn of protest action

ADELAIDE: Families of Aborigines who have died in custody, have warned of protest action following the weekend death of a 23 year-old Aboriginal man in an Adelaide police cell after his arrest for drunkenness. Yesterday, a spokesperson for the families/Allan Campbell, said the death of Greg Ronald Karpany had triggered much anger that had been suppressed during the Muirhead Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

“This has got to be the last death,” Mr Campbell said. “This death occurred despite the commission’s recommendation that Aboriginal people not be locked up for drunkenness. “Are we expected to sit back and do nothing while the commission makes recommendations; but no-one acts on them? “The deaths aren’t ceasing during the commission, they’re increasing. Karpany was found hanged in his cell on Friday night, only 20 minutes after being charged at a police station in the southern suburb of Darlington.

Police said the unemployed Ingle Farm man was charged with drunken and disorderly behaviour about 8.30pm and was later admitted to the lockup. He was checked every five minutes, police said, but at 8.50pm the man was found hanging with his jeans tied around his neck and connected to the cell door. Karpany’s cousin and member of the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Watch Committee, Karno Walker, said Karpany had died with severe bruising. Mr Walker, who identified Karpany’s body yesterday, said the dead man had a black eye, a lump on his forehead, a mark on his cheek and bruises to the wrists and armpits.

“We’re making very sure whether Greg had those bruises before or after his arrest,” he said. Mr Walker claimed that while he was travelling to the morgue in a police car he heard a comment over the police radio that the hanging of another Aborigine was cause to celebrate. “I heard upsetting words on the police radio like, ‘We’re celebrating. Another Aboriginal has hung himself,” Mr Walker said.

Mr Campbell said families would gather for a conference in coming weeks to decide what action would be taken following Karpany’s death, the first Aboriginal death in custody in South Australia this year. A representation to the United Nations and foreign countries concerned with the rights of indigenous people was a major action to be considered.

The state Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Greg Crafter, said yesterday it would be almost impossible to ensure an end to all Aboriginal deaths in custody. However, State Cabinet would meet within a fortnight to consider sweeping changes to police and prison practices recommended by the Royal Commission.

Link to and screenshot of the original newspaper article
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120907513?searchTerm=Karno%20Walker%20Custody#