The State Funeral in honour of Dr. Margaret Kemarre (MK) Turner OAM will take place at 10am on Thursday, 17 August, at Atherreyurre (Telegraph Station) in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
Born in 1938, Dr. Turner dedicated her life to the education and preservation of her culture and language for future generations.
An Arrernte woman and member of the Akarre people, Dr. Turner held multiple roles, including Elder, professor, artist, author, teacher, interpreter, board director, and advocate for human rights.
With fluency in four languages-Akarre, Alyawarr, Central/Eastern Arrernte, and English – and an understanding of many more, Dr. Turner played pivotal roles in influential First Nations institutions across the Territory. She was a woman of deep Catholic faith, working closely with the diocese throughout her life.
During the 1980s and 90s, she was a leading linguist at the Institute for Aboriginal Development, where she trained and worked as an interpreter and cross-cultural educator, playing a pioneering role in establishing Australia’s inaugural Aboriginal Interpreter Service.
A founding Elder, cultural authority, and board member of Children’s Ground, Dr. Turner was instrumental in reshaping First Nations education and re-establishing the right for future generations to learn through their cultural lens.
In 1997, Dr. Turner received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her dedicated service to Central Australia’s First Nations communities, particularly her contributions to language and culture preservation, as well as her role as an interpreter.
In 2022, the Bachelor Institute recognised her commitment to cultural maintenance and languages of Aboriginal peoples, especially in Central Australia, with an Honorary Doctorate.
The same year, she was honoured as Elder of the Year during the 2022 Mparntwe NAIDOC Celebrations.
Together with her husband, Dr. MK Turner raised nine children.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
“Dr. MK Turner was a distinguished advocate for First Nations education, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
“Dr. Turner’s visionary leadership was profound, she recognised the immense value and importance of cultural knowledge, languages, and traditions and worked tirelessly to preserve and promote them across all cultures and people throughout her life.
“She was, like all Elders, the critical keeper of the rich cultural heritage and future of the Northern Territory.
“This State Funeral will honour her legacy of leadership, language, culture and positive change, and on behalf of all Territorians I offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends.”
Northern Territory Government
