'While their geographical, cultural and social diversity means that Australia's very remote regions certainly cannot be described in monolithic terms, the proportion of the population that is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in very remote regions is much higher than non-Indigenous;5 they are (as defined by the ASGS structure) extremely isolated from major towns, cities and services, and they therefore differ markedly from what might be termed 'mainstream' Australia in terms of culture, landscape, lifestyle and livelihoods. Around Tennant Creek and the Stuart Highway, where most of our study was centred, the land is largely flat, with a huge expanse of sky stretching over low scrub and spinifex grassland and dramatic rock formations such as Karlu Karlu and Kunjara - both significant cultural sites for the Warumungu traditional owners. Around 68.1 per cent of the population is comprised of First Nations Peoples, with sixteen different First Nations language groups represented. The remaining demographic profile is made up of non-Indigenous Australian born and 7.0 per cent overseas born from regions across Oceania, Europe, Asia, the Americas and sub-Saharan Africa, with 49.0 per cent of the population speaking a language other than English at home. The main industries, in terms of economic output and employment in the Barkly, are agriculture, forestry and fishing, healthcare and social assistance and public administration and safety. The Barkly is a highly creative region with seven art centres and a broad array of art forms and creative activities being practised by adults of all ages across its culturally diverse population. Alongside the Barkly's cultural strengths, there exists extreme socio-economic disadvantage, with indicators of homelessness, domestic violence, unemployment, poverty and ill-health at much higher than national averages.11 Our study found that the arts and creativity played a key role in cultural transmission among both First Nations and non-Indigenous participants, enhancing health and well-being, strengthening community esteem and identity in the face of negative stories and stereotypes about the region, and providing flexible livelihoods and avenues for social enterprise.' (Publication abstract)
