Kumanjayi Little Baby: Vigils held across Australia for girl allegedly murdered in Outback

A plea for Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death not to be politicisedpublished at 11:44 BST

11:44 BST

Katy Watson
Australia correspondent reporting from Alice Springs

Everyone I’ve spoken to here in Alice Springs has warned that the death of a Kumanjayi Little Baby shouldn’t be politicised – a plea her own mother made tonight.

“I ask that her short life not be used by politicians for reasons that do not honour and respect her,” a speech read on her behalf said.

How to address the gaping inequalities here in Australia, with Aboriginal communities facing the worst of the poverty, is a question that so many political leaders have long tried – and failed – to address. And in the days after Kumanjayi Little Baby went missing, blame was promptly laid, on authorities, social workers and even the family themselves.

But the family has said this is a time to mourn a very loved little girl – working out how to make sure this never happens again will come, but later.

Communities feel failed, but that’s nothing new – and few here really think anything will change.

Aboriginal leaders in Alice say the only solution is to listen to the communities and let them lead.