LHAI is an incorporated body under the Northern Territory Associations Act. It is a strong Indigenous governance organisation and is the host organisation for the Yirralka Land and Sea Management Group.

The foundation of governance within LHAI is that representative Wäŋa-wataŋu (senior traditional owners) speak for their country and give permission for management activities on their land. It is the most critical aspect of LHAI activities to which they have demonstrated long-term commitment.

LHAI's establishment in 1985 demonstrated the aspiration of Yolngu to determine their own future and to run and control their own affairs according the laws of the Yolngu people. Their aim was to develop self-sufficient sustainable homelands for the benefit of themselves and future generations.

Importantly, the structure of LHAI was developed by Yolngu to ensure that non-Indigenous staff members working within the organisation worked in advisory roles to help, support, train and provide services, rather than being able to exercise power and control over direction of the Association. This was done to enable Yolngu leaders, through traditional decision-making structures, to take control and be responsible for the lives of their own people.

Within LHAI's area there are now 18 homelands, 15 airstrips, 92 houses with a population of approximately 800 residents. LHAI actively supports people on country by providing essential services by way of a resource centre which administers a range of services such as

• CDEP
• Health services
• Housing management
• Aged care
• Training
• Mechanical workshop and
• The evolving cultural and natural resource management (caring for country) program.

In addition to the resource centre functions LHAI also operates other businesses such as Balamumu Munggurru Pty Ltd (Laynha Aviation).

The Yirralka land and sea management program is an important development in the work of LHAI in response to traditional owners' desire to formally manage their land and sea country and to actively deal with threats to cultural and environmental values.