Nyigina

This article is for the Indigenous Australian group. For their language, see Nyigina language.

The Nyigina people (also spelt Nyikina, and listed as Njikena by Tindale) are an Australian Aboriginal group in Western Australia who traditionally spoke the Nyigina language. They come from the lower Fitzroy River (which they call mardoowarra).

Towns and Communities

The main town in their area is Derby, Western Australia. Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Community is also one of their towns.

Education

They (along with the unrelated Mangala people) have a school in the Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Community in West Kimberley called the Nyikina Mangala Community School. There is also the Looma Remote Community School which they share with the unrelated Walmajarri and Mangala people.

People

Paddy Roe was an Nyigina Elder who wrote about Nyigina culture and religion.

Native Title

They have made two native title claims, the Nyikina Mangala claim along with the unrelated Mangala people who live near the Nyigina area, and the Nyikina Warawa claim along with the closely related Warrwa people. The claims are still in process. The Shire of Derby, West Kimberley has made an Indigenous Land Use Agreement though, which covers the Nikina Mangala area, and establishes a protocol for handling Aboriginal cultural heritage issues in the area before works can be done.

Health

Nyigina people have had a higher incidence of heart disease due to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity,, and are predominantly lactose intolerant.