Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation

The Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation (LHAC) is an Aboriginal owned and managed community organisation. Incorporated in 1985, Laynha supports some 30 homeland communities across North-East Arnhem Land in Northern Territory Australia.
Laynha is a member based association of Yolngu (Aboriginal people of N.E. Arnhem Land). The Laynhapuy Homelands are on Aboriginal land held as inalienable freehold title by the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Lands Trust under the Commonwealth Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976.
In the early 1970's, senior Yolngu leaders and their extended families began moving away from the mission communities and the expanding mining town of Nhulunbuy, to return to their traditional clan lands around Arnhem Land.
This homelands movement was a Yolngu initiative, instigated before any government support for such movements was supported. Yolngu cleared land for airstrips and built their own houses with assistance of Balanda (Non-Indigenous people), using timber from their land.
The clan elders aspired to determine their own future, conduct their affairs according to Yolngu law and live and raise their children on their traditional land. Their vision was to develop sustainable , self sufficient homelands for themselves, their families and future generations. That vision is still strong and relevant today.