JOHN PAT DAY MARKS 40 YEARS SINCE TRAGIC DEATH IN CUSTODY

Today is the 40th anniversary of the death of Yindjibarndi 16-year-old John Pat in police custody in Ieramagadu/Roebourne.

In 1983, Mr Pat sustained a number of serious blows to the head in a confrontation with police before being taken to the police station where he was later found deceased.

John Pat’s death sparked the 1987 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Since the Royal Commission was tabled in 1991, many of its recommendations have not been implemented, and there have been more than 500 Indigenous deaths in custody.

John Pat’s nephew, Yinhawangka and Yindjibarndi man Brandon John Cook, said the family had never received justice or compensation.

“When I listen to my grandmothers speaking about the experience and events, it still haunts me, even though I didn’t witness it myself, but just in the way they’ve communicated it and how that affected their lifestyle,” he said.

“It’s a very traumatic experience.”

Mr Cook said the Roebourne community was still healing from his uncle’s death.

“He was not just a strong leader in the immediate family, but in the community as well.

“At age 16, the way that my grandmothers would talk about him at that age and what he’d done for the community and what his potential was was amazing.

“Every time I heard the stories about him, I could see that. Their words mean so much to me.”

Listen to the full interview with Mr Cook: