The death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby has plunged Mparntwe/Alice Springs into deep grief, but locals say the search for her showcased the town at its best. The Warlpiri girl was last seen alive by her mother at 11:30pm on Saturday, 25 April, at a house in Marshall Court at the Old Timers town camp. Her body was found five days later in long dry buffel grass, five kilometers from where floral tributes now line the entrance to the community.
Community Unites in Search and Grief
Hundreds of volunteers searched through kilometers of grassland, with local businesses donating time, food, and money. The hope of finding her alive bound the town together. When that hope was extinguished, communal grief was profound and threatened to tear the town apart.
Kaytetye man and film-maker Warwick Thornton said, "This town came together for this little child, black and white. There's a lot of racists here, but when a little child goes missing, everyone gets together." Kyle Pearson, owner of the Alice Springs Brewing Co, struggled to hold back tears. "Everyone has their differences, but when something like this happens, people band together pretty quick," he said.
Unrest Following Discovery
On Thursday evening, hours after Kumanjayi's body was found, a man wanted in connection with her disappearance walked into another town camp and was set upon by residents. By the time police arrived, 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis was unconscious. An angry crowd later swarmed the hospital where he was being treated, setting fire to a police car and damaging others. Lewis was flown to Darwin for safety and is expected to be charged.
Mayor Asta Hill said she was "utterly heartbroken" and concerned that the unrest would overshadow the generosity of spirit displayed during the search. "The loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby is absolutely devastating, but a really important part of that story is also the love and care that this entire community showed for her and her family," she said.
Calls for Calm and Reflection
Two of Kumanjayi's grandfathers, Warren Williams and Robin Granites, issued statements calling for calm. "It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving," Granites said. Williams thanked those who came together and criticized politicians using the tragedy as a "political football."
Arrernte and Luritja woman Catherine Liddle, CEO of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, called for reform in corrective services and social housing policies, particularly for women and children. "At some point, there has to be a very pointed look at how that happened," she said.
At the Old Timers town camp, locals laid flowers. Brad, whose family joined the search, said, "This has made a big impact on the community." Evan, a non-Indigenous man paying respects, added, "This is such a shock, and it's a big rock to the heart. I thought I'd come here and say hello and goodbye at the same time."
