Ayaiga
Ayaiga, also known as Ayaigar, Aya-I-Ga, Neighbour or Nipper (c.1882 - 21 June 1954) was a police tracker and stockman in the Northern Territory of Australia. He was the first Indigenous person to be a recipient of a medal for gallantry in Australia, for saving a policeman from drowning. Biography Ayaiga was of the Alawa language group in the Roper River region. He worked as a police tracker at Roper Bar Police Station and as a stockman at Nutwood Downs and Hodgson Downs stations. In 1911, Ayaiga saved the life of Mounted Police Constable William Johns during a river crossing. Ayaiga and three other men had been arrested for cattle stealing and was being transported in neck chains by Constable Johns. While attempting to cross the Wilton River, Johns' horse overturned kicking him in the head and knocking him unconscious. Despite the neck chain, Ayaiga quickly rescued Johns, dragging him to safety. Ayaiga then borrowed Johns' horse and rode to Hodgson Downs Station to request help. He was not convicted of cattle stealing. Then on 16 February 1912 he was awarded the Albert Medal for Lifesaving by King George V at Government House, making him the first Indigenous Australian awarded