Living Black: May 12

Monday’s episode of Living Black is presented on location from the community of Wadeye, investigating body swapping in the Northern Territory

Along with the confronting story on missing bodies in remote Northern Territory communities and innovative ways the people of Wadeye are working to improve their livelihoods, host Karla Grant has frank and open one-on-one interviews with Chris Francis, CEO of the regional Aboriginal authority in Wadeye and Bess Price, a Northern Territory MLA, about key issues facing those in the Wadeye community.

Body Swap:
Remote communities do not have access to facilities to keep dead bodies.

In a case of disturbing and unimaginable proportions, Living Black investigates morgue mismanagement in the Northern Territory.

The story begins in Wadeye, located 300 kilometres south west of Darwin, one of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. Last year, Robin Nilco’s brother’s body was mistakenly swapped for another and buried, far from home.

It wasn’t until the Nilco family held the funeral for their loved one more than a week later they realised what had happened.

Despite recommendations by the Ombudsman in recent years for similar cases the Northern Territory government has failed to act.

This week the family shares their traumatic story with Hannah Hollis.

Wadeye Progress:
Despite living in one of the most disadvantaged communities in the country, the resilient people of Wadeye are capitalising on materials from their own backyard in hopes of starting a commercial venture using Kakadu Bush Plums that have the highest concentration of Vitamin C, in any fruit, anywhere in the world.

Across town, an adult education program is trying to bridge the generation gap.

Hannah Hollis has the full story.

Monday 12 May at 7:30pm on SBS ONE