The Acting Northern Territory Coroner has acknowledged the "grief and shock" felt by community members after the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, in the first hearing ahead of a coronial inquest into his death.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains an image of a person who has died, used with the permission of their family.
The inquest has been scheduled to begin in September in Alice Springs, the closest courthouse to Mr Walker's home community of Yuendumu.
Mr Walker died in 2019 after he was shot three times by NT Police Constable Zachary Rolfe, during an attempt to arrest him.
Constable Rolfe was found not guilty of murder and two lesser alternative charges earlier this month following a five week trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court.
Acting Coroner Elisabeth Armitage expressed her "sincere condolences" to Mr Walker's family on Tuesday in a preliminary directions hearing at the Darwin Local Court.
"This inquest cannot undo the past. We will, however, provide you with the opportunity to express your distress, your fears and concerns, and your hopes for the future. We will endeavour to not simply hear you but to understand you."
The length of the inquest is unclear however it is expected to run for several weeks.
Family members have previously requested at least part of the hearing take place in Yuendumu.
Seven 'interested parties' to appear at inquest
Counsel Assisting the Coroner, Peggy Dwyer, told the court a brief of evidence is expected to be provided to the parties by next week.
"This inquest aims to examine the circumstances of Kumanjayi's death and to provide, where possible, meaningful recommendations that will prevent another death, in similar circumstances," she said.
"I acknowledge that Kumanjayi's death has profoundly impacted the family and will continue to do so.
"It also impacted on the police officers present when he died, the police officer put on trial as a result of his death and the NT Police force generally."
Seven "interested parties" have been given permission to appear during the inquest, allowing them to cross-examine witnesses and make submissions to the coroner.
Queensland Barrister Paula Morreau will represent Mr Walker's adoptive mother Leanne Oldfield Brown and the Brown family.
"Separate representation as between the two groups is requested and said… to be necessary to properly represent their joint and separate interests," said Ms Dwyer.
Constable Rolfe will be represented by the same legal team he had throughout the criminal trial, David Edwardson QC and Luke Officer.
Andrew Boe, who was involved in the 2004 Palm Island death in custody case of Cameron 'Mulrunji' Doomadgee, will represent several other parties involved.
NT Police, including the Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), Parumpurru Committee of Yuendumu Community and the NT Department of Health will each also be represented through the inquest.
"In a fair and balanced way, we will seek to better understand what happened on 9 November 2019, and why it happened, with the goals of determining the truth and making recommendations which may assist in preventing future deaths in similar circumstances," Ms Armitage said.
A further preliminary hearing will be held on May 20, with the coronial inquest itself scheduled to begin in Central Australia on September 5.
