'The queen of the desert': Arrernte elder Dr MK Turner remembered in state funeral

ABC News (Australia) published this video item, entitled “‘The queen of the desert’: Arrernte elder Dr MK Turner remembered in state funeral | ABC News” – below is their description.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in a sea of purple, blue and yellow in Alice Springs to celebrate the “jewel” of Alice Springs, MK Turner OAM, at a state funeral held in her honour.
The senior Arrernte elder, artist and author died last month, after a life spent empowering the next generation of Indigenous Territorians through education and language.
“She treated everything she did, especially in the field of teaching, as a sacred duty,” said Minister for Education Eva Lawler, who represented the chief minister at the service.
“Her unwavering dedication to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of her Aboriginal heritage has left a permanent mark on our world.
“Let us honour her by carrying forward the values she held dear. A reverence for nature, a commitment to cultural heritage, and an unwavering belief in the power of human connection,” Ms Lawler said.
Dr Turner was born near the Spotted Tiger bore in the Harts Range region of Central Australia and grew up in the Santa Teresa mission.
During her life, she remained dedicated to the passing down of ancestral knowledge to the next generation, through her passion for teaching; revered as one of the greatest linguists in the region.
In 1997, she was given the Order of Australia Medal for her work in the First Nations communities of Central Australia.
In recent years, she worked with local organisation Children’s Ground, which works to empower young children and address social, economic, and cultural challenges they face.
Mourners wore the Children’s Ground colours of purple, blue and yellow, as they celebrated her life.
Jennifer Kroker, who delivered the eulogy, spoke of Dr Turner as a champion for human rights.
“She was our queen, the queen of the desert,” Ms Kroker said.
“She spoke out against laws and legislation that unfairly targeted Aboriginal people.
“But she always found an inner strength and carried the pain, so they could stay strong.”
Granddaughter Janet Turner spoke of her grandmother as the “jewel” of their family.
“Nana was a jewel to our families,” Ms Turner said.
“She was the jewel of Alice Springs. There was no one like her.
“She touched so many lives.”
Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour, NT senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Alice Springs mayor Matt Patterson were all in attendance.
Other speakers included Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman, filmmaker Rachel Perkins and founding chair of Children’s Ground, William Tilmouth.
A service combining culture and Catholic-Christian tradition was held by Bishop for the NT, The Right Reverend Charles Gauci.
The Hermannsburg choir performed at the service.
Dr Turner’s body has been laid to rest at Sandy Bore outstation.
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