30 May Olga Havnen interview & 31 May 7pm AEST Australia’s (in)justice system & Intervention online forum
Sabine Kacha
Please share widely!!
Dear
All,
Monday
30 May at 10.15am AEST Lola Forester will be
interviewing one of our forum speakers, Olga Havnen on Koori
Radio.
Please see below our invitation for three important upcoming events:
1. Tuesday, 31 May, 7pm AEST – online forum
please join this free online forum about Australia’s (in)justice system and the Intervention with a brilliant line-up of speakers:
Speakers:
Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Senior Warlpiri Elder from Yuendumu
Olga Havnen, Western Arrernte woman from central Australia, former CEO Danila Dilba Health Service
Yingiya Mark Guyula MLA - A Liya Dhalinymirr leader of the Djambarrpuyngu people
Maggie Munn, Gunggari activist, Amnesty's Indigenous Rights Campaigner, AIA
Barbara Rachael Shaw, Kaytetye-Arrernte and Warlpiri-Warramungu woman, Mount Nancy Town Camp, Mparntwe
Paddy Gibson, Senior Researcher, Jumbunna Inst for Indigenous Education & Research, UTS
Moderator:
Ms Rikki Dank/Lhudi Noralima - Traditional Owner from Gudanji and Wakaya Nations, Nimragikyi
For more info, please see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/australias-injustice-system-and-the-intervention-tickets-338552769447
Friday, 10 June 22, 6pm AEST – Forum (online and in person)
Forum at University of Technology Sydney CB01.04.006 and online
“Ceasefire - no police guns in our communities”, Warlpiri leader speaks out after Rolfe acquittal
https://www.facebook.com/events/559704865568928?ref=newsfeed
Saturday,
18 June
2022, 1pm AEST – Protest at
Sydney Town Hall
No police guns - end racist NT
Intervention powers - Justice for Walker and all deaths in
custody
https://www.facebook.com/events/587849159348705
*Please read the Yuendumu Community Statement of Demands May 2022 at
https://karrinjarlamuwajarri.org/
** Yuendumu is calling for a ceasefire. No more guns in Remote Indigenous Communities. listen in (cut and paste to listen) https://www.facebook.com/pawmedia.com.au/videos/509617044128769
In an article of 26 May, Paddy Gibson writes “Leaders from Yuendumu will lead a protest in Alice Springs on Saturday 18 June to mark 15 years of the Intervention, and demand “Justice for Walker” and all deaths in custody. They have called for people across Australia to join them and organise local protests, saying: “We are calling for an end to all discriminatory powers and laws that were introduced with the NT Intervention and a restoration of our community control. Funding for punitive agencies empowered by the Intervention needs to be re-directed into our expert community services so that our solutions can be designed and implemented from the grassroots up”.
As we now have a change in government that has pledged its support for the Statement from the Heart, please see further below some essential points for consideration.
We would greatly appreciate your sharing our forum invitation with your networks and/or on social media.
Looking forward to seeing you at our online forum on 31 May at 7pm AEST.
Best regards,
Sabine
Statement from the Heart
As we now have a change in government that has pledged its support for the Statement from the Heart, we should ensure that before it’s going to a Referendum, that also those First Nations people critical of the statement who do not receive much air time or much attention in the mainstream get a platform and a voice, as well. When considering whether to push forward with the Statement those critical voices also need to be taken into account. We need to ensure that we’re not rushing into something that may later on turn out to be to the detriment of First Nations Peoples. It should not be just a tick of a box by the dominant culture intending to do something good. Some First Nations people do not support the notion that First Nations sovereignty 'co-exists with the Crown', which they view as an invading/occupying group.
In an article of 26 May by the Canberra Times, “Aboriginal Tent Embassy representatives say they reject the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and incoming Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney to consult with them further. Speaking days after Mr Albanese promised to commit to the statement, Gomeroi woman and embassy caretaker Gwenda Stanley and Ularoy man Clayton Simpson said the statement threatens First Nations peoples' sovereignty, and lacks a representative body with might.”
In a recent article “Structural Reform – dissent is not a mandate for disrespect” Aunty Lynda-June Coe writes: “Senator Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai-Gunditjmara woman has spoken openly about her alternative views to the Uluru Statement. Following a review of the Greens’ initial support, the Greens have revised their position which places Treaty as the priority under their Indigenous policy portfolio. While the Greens continue to support truth-telling and a voice, the priority for Treaty is the only change to their support and pursuit of structural reform.”
In a facebook post of 28 May 22, Robbie Thorpe states: “Stop dictating colonial "arsestralia" no consensus for constitutional assimilation, not up to colonial states to decide anyway, we have 300 nations with the right of sovereignty and self determination on this continent, all the first nations of what is known as "Victoria" unanimously said no to the dictation and are demanding treaty justice first, internationally scrutinized of course. Truce, truth, treaty, representation in that order. Treaty - republic be warned some of our demands are non negotiable, like sovereignty, crime against humanity, environmental and cultural destruction, holocaust denial. Not up to colonizers to decide on these issues, criminals don't make laws, they get dealt with by it, get it right, the oxygen and time is running out. Do the right thing”
In an article from last year “March for justice this Invasion Day” Marianne Mackay writes: “If the country wants to move forward, we need a Sovereign Treaty agreement and land rights. We need a truth-telling process to admit the wrongs of the past. We need to promote the voices of genuine grassroots people including Aboriginal activists who are critical of the tokenism of Statement From the Heart. Those supporting the statement are not culturally mandated to speak for our people.”
You can watch a short video clip by her here
Another facebook post “Just a reminder to anyone following what the major parties are saying about their Indigenous affairs policies and plans in the run up to the 2022 Federal Election…the main ‘demand’ of the Uluru Statement, a Constitutionally entrenched ‘voice to parliament’ is a sham formulated by conservative constitutional lawyers in order to appeal to conservative politicians, and it’s also the brainchild of Noel Pearson. The ‘voice to parliament’ is nothing but a glorified advisory body. The devil is in the detail. No veto power. Can be created and pulled apart at the whim of government. The powers, responsibilities, composition, and membership of this body would be determined by the parliament. It’s only constitutionally guaranteed power? To provide comment…And need I mention that mining companies have chucked quite a bit of $$$ at supporting the campaign for a ‘voice’. Talk about alarm bells!!! How about National Uniform Land Rights and Designated Seats in the Federal Senate instead? #DontBelieveTheHype”
Some further links
https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/feature/sovereignty-treaty-recognition-voices-community
Speeches including the Statement from the Heart by Lidia Thorpe, Aunty Lynda-June and Tom Mayor
https://reconciliation4westernsydney.org/building-bridges/virtual-building-bridges-2020/
Compilation of resources from Women’s Reconciliation Network
https://wrnredfern.org.au/?page_id=2151