At this point in time, Galiwinku is separated from the mainland.
Long time ago, there were two sisters, called Djankawu.
They were creators, ancestral beings, who carried a sacred dillybag filled with title deeds of the law.
They travelled east, from their realm known as Barralku, throughout East Arnhem Land, holding special ceremonies and naming places and animals along the way.
When the Djankawu sisters reached a place called Yawurr-Yawurr (mainland of Galiwinku), they placed their special walking stick in the water.
As a result, the water rose, separating what will become known as Galiwinku from the mainland.
Children also emerged from the water and were told by the Djankawu sisters that this was their land, their country, full of all their sacred things.
When the Djankawu sisters crossed to Galiwinku, they were hungry, so they hung their sacred dillybag up safely, while they went into the mangroves to collect some shellfish and crabs.
But while they were out a man took Djankawu’s sacred dillybag, claiming it as his own.
This is where the women lost their rights to hold law.
As a result, an ‘internal cabinet’ was created, where the males took the dillybag, full of sacred law, and claimed they are the law makers.
Even though the women’s status shows they’ve lost the right of holding the law, they still demonstrate they are the mother of the earth and their right and power still exists from time memorial.