WGAR News: Tracker's Brian Johnston: Reality in APY Lands different from media agenda campaigns

Newsletter date: 9 October 2011

Contents:
* Tracker's Brian Johnston: Reality in APY Lands is different from the media agenda driven campaigns
* APY Council general manager calls for full community consultation about their needs
* Head of Amnesty says govt's "top-down externally driven" efforts widen the gap
* Media re Barbara Shaw's Sydney speaking tour - 3-9 Oct 2011
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 25 events from 9 October 2011
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles

* TRACKER'S BRIAN JOHNSTONE: REALITY IN APY LANDS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE MEDIA AGENDA DRIVEN CAMPAIGNS:

- Analysis / Opinion

Tracker: BACKTRACKER: Food for thought
http://tracker.org.au/2011/10/backtracker-food-for-thought/
4 Oct 11: "NATIONAL: This month, media "broke'" the story of "starvation" in the APY Lands. But the reality is different from the agenda driven campaigns, writes BRIAN JOHNSTONE*. ... The Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Mary Buckskin, said the sustained primary health care approach adopted by Nganampa had seen significant reductions in the number of children with nutrition related growth failure. "These initiatives at the community level should be supported by government in a sustainable way," she said. "Rather than responding to sensationalised media reports, government would be best served working with local organisations such as Nganampa Health Council to build on successful initiatives already in place."" Brian Johnstone, Walkley and Human Rights award winning journalist

- Related Articles

newsTracker: APY hunger claims wrong: health group
http://tracker.org.au/2011/09/apy-hunger-claims-wrong-health-group/
15 Sep 11: "SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Claims of widespread and severe malnutrition among children on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands are wrong, the area’s Nganampa Health Council says. Director John Singer said poverty remained a problem on the APY lands and that meant some parents had problems in consistently providing healthy food for their families. "But our health service data shows that despite this poverty, there has been marked improvement in the growth and nutrition of children on the lands," Mr Singer said in a statement on Wednesday. ... But Mr Singer said an emergency response to poverty was not needed. "What is needed are sustainable ways to reduce poverty," he said."

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc.:
Aboriginal Peak Body Supports APY Land Council on Child Malnutrition
http://www.ahcsa.org.au/news/2011-09/aboriginal-peak-body-supports-apy-l...
15 Sep 11: "The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc. (AHCSA) today supported statements made by John Singer, Director of Nganampa Health Council, in response to media comment about widespread malnutrition on the APY Lands. AHCSA Chief Executive Officer Mary Buckskin said, "It is important to recognise that gains have been made in reducing childhood malnutrition on the APY Lands. The sustained primary health care approach adopted by Nganampa Health Council, a health organisation owned and operated by the local Anangu people, has seen significant reductions in the number of children with nutrition-related growth failure.""

See:

agendaTracker: Stories by Brian Johnstone
http://tracker.org.au/author/brian/

Tracker: be involved. be informed. be inspired
http://tracker.org.au/

Welcome to AHCSA - South Australian peak body for Aboriginal health
http://www.ahcsa.org.au/

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation:
Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia leading the way (30 Sep 11)
http://www.naccho.org.au/Files/Documents/2011-9-30AHCSA10thMediaRelease.pdf

* APY COUNCIL GENERAL MANAGER CALLS FOR FULL COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ABOUT THEIR NEEDS:

- News

UNPO: Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization:
Aboriginals of Australia: Communities Demand Consultation on Income Management Scheme
http://www.unpo.org/article/13296
6 Oct 11: "Canberra’s attempts to institute an individual welfare management system for communities in Northwest Australia have been stalled due to lack of indigenous consultation. Community leaders argue that such a system will not properly function if indigenous needs are not heavily featured in its operation."

ABC: Locals wary of income management for APY
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-06/income-management-apy-lands/331726...
6 Oct 11: "An Aboriginal council in South Australia's far north-west says income management will only work if locals agree on any arrangements made. ... Chris Malcolm from the APY Council says any form of income management will fail unless communities are consulted about their needs. "Until that process is undertaken, things aren't going to make a difference or improve," he said. "So this is a call to governments, both governments, and anybody else that's listening to say that Anangu need a voice at the table to construct their own programs. "Experience has shown that policy made in isolation to the stakeholders or in absence of the stakeholders has failed.""

Australian: Intervention 'needs APY input'
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/interven...
7 Oct 11: "ABORIGINAL leaders in remote South Australian indigenous communities have called on the federal and state Labor governments to consult on a way to quarantine welfare payments as pressure builds for a new federal intervention. ... APY council general manager Chris Malcolm yesterday said the appropriate model of income management could be established only after the federal and state governments undertook full consultation with local communities. "It can't be done in isolation -- you can't just take a Northern Territory or a Cape York (intervention) model and just impose it on the lands," he said. "The APY executive has been of one mind on this. If an intervention is going to work then it needs the input of the Anangu.""

National Indigenous Radio Service: Income management needs consultation
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6397...
7 Oct 11: "An Aboriginal council in South Australia's far north-west says income management will only work if locals agree on any arrangements made. ... Federal Opposition frontbencher Kevin Andrews has visited the area and says the APY Women's Council and other community leaders support a compulsory income management scheme and there is no excuse for delaying one. But Chris Malcolm from the APY Council says any form of income management will fail unless communities are consulted about their needs."

See:

waru.org: Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Council
http://waru.org/organisations/ap/

Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
http://www.anangu.com.au/

- Related News

ABC North and West SA: 'Significant need' for income management on the APY Lands
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/10/06/3333766.htm
6 Oct 11: "The debate around compulsory income management on the APY lands has reignited after three members of the Liberal Party visited towns in South Australia's North West this week. Three members of the Federal Opposition have visited the APY lands, including the Opposition Spokesperson for Families and Housing Kevin Andrews and Liberal MP Rowan Ramsey. They travelled there to investigate the idea of income management, similar to that introduced into the Northern Territory under the Intervention."

Australian: Coalition government would enact NT-style intervention in APY Lands
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/coalitio...
6 Oct 11: "A COALITION government would introduce a Northern Territory-style intervention in the APY Lands, a senior frontbencher said. Opposition families spokesman Kevin Andrews made his declaration after visiting remote Aboriginal communities in South Australia's north, as federal and state Labor continue to bicker over the need to quarantine welfare payments in the region."

National Indigenous Times: Macklin concedes APY intervention is on the cards but which version?
http://www.nit.com.au/news/story.aspx?id=22934
5 Oct 11: "The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin now appears certain to introduce an income management scheme in the APY Lands of South Australia – it’s just a matter of deciding what scheme it will be. ... Ms Macklin said the government would consider which of three different models of compulsory and voluntary income management schemes - those currently operating in Cape York, the Northern Territory and Western Australia - were best for South Australia."

9 News: APY calls for income management: Andrews
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8355885/apy-calls-for-income-managem...
5 Oct 11: "Compulsory income-management trials should be put in place on South Australia's Aboriginal lands, federal opposition human services spokesman Kevin Andrews says. Mr Andrews said he found there was demand for such a scheme during talks with community members on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in SA's far north. His visit to the lands on Tuesday came amid reports of widespread malnourishment and other health concerns among indigenous children in the area."

Australian: Coalition promises Northern Territory-style intervention for SA's Aboriginal communities
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/coalition-promises-nort...
5 Oct 11: "A COALITION government would move immediately to introduce a Northern Territory style intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in South Australia, a federal frontbencher has promised. Federal Opposition families spokesman Kevin Andrews, who returned to Adelaide late last night from a visit to the troubled Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, today said the feedback from indigenous leaders was they wanted immediate federal intervention to quarantine welfare payments so families could buy food."

Australian: Coalition MPs' tour pushes APY action
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/coalitio...
4 Oct 11: "COALITION MPs are visiting South Australia's remote Aboriginal communities as pressure intensifies on the Rann government over its alleged mishandling of indigenous affairs. Federal opposition families spokesman Kevin Andrews and local member Rowan Ramsay will today join indigenous health spokesman Andrew Laming, who has been in the troubled Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands since Sunday, for meetings with Aboriginal leaders pushing for federal intervention to tackle a food and service-provision crisis."

Australian: Indigenous leader condemns inaction on APY
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/indigenous-leader-condemns-i...
30 Sep 11: "INDIGENOUS leader Lowitja O'Donoghue yesterday expressed her frustration at inaction in remote South Australian Aboriginal communities, calling for an ombudsman to act as an "honest broker to kick the butts" of governments and ministers who were concerned only about re-election. ... Ms O'Donoghue dramatically re-entered the debate on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands a day after meeting Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin in Adelaide. She stated her case for voluntary income management rather than a blanket Northern Territory-style intervention."

Australian: Jenny Macklin in on welfare payments quarantine for APY Lands
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/jenny-mackli...
29 Sep 11: "THE Gillard government will step in to determine the best model of intervention to quarantine welfare payments and allow families to buy food in troubled remote Aboriginal communities in South Australia. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin emerged yesterday from crisis talks with the Rann Labor government in Adelaide and made clear her intention to act after four weeks of scrutiny over the state's alleged mishandling of food and service provision and funding inaction in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands."

Australian: Macklin in Aboriginal welfare crisis talks
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/macklin-in-a...
28 Sep 11: "FEDERAL Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin will hold crisis talks with the Rann Labor government in Adelaide today over its alleged mishandling of food and service provisions in remote South Australian Aboriginal communities. Federal intervention to quarantine welfare payments will top the agenda, as the state government comes under increasing pressure to respond to requests from Aboriginal leaders to implement an income management scheme in the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands."

Australian: Children on Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands reported in health crisis
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/children-on-anangu-pitj...
27 Sep 11: "NUTRITION problems in children living in South Australia's remote indigenous communities are among the worst in Australia, the nation's leading Aboriginal women's organisation has warned. The community of Ernaballa in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, about 30km south of the Northern Territory border, was of greatest concern, the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council said yesterday."

Australian: Aboriginal action analysis fails Rann
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/aborigin...
27 Sep 11: "THE Rann government has failed to carry out recommendations on improving safety and well-being in remote South Australian Aboriginal communities, an analysis of action since 2008 shows. As the government enters a fourth week of scrutiny over alleged mishandling of indigenous affairs in the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, the opposition yesterday provided an analysis compiled in consultation with welfare and Aboriginal groups of responses to 45 recommendations accepted more than three years ago from the Mullighan inquiry."

SMH: Macklin examines APY welfare changes
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/macklin-examines-apy-welfa...
26 Sep 11: "Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin says any move to introduce voluntary income management in remote South Australia is at least a few months away. There have been reports of malnutrition among indigenous children in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, a large Aboriginal local government area in SA's remote northwest. The Red Cross has sent emergency food aid to the APY community of Fregon after reports of families going without food fordays at a time."

- Video

ABC: Rann defends legacy on Aboriginal issues
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-26/mullighan-inquiry-recommendations-...
26 Sep 11: "The South Australian Government says it has acted on all but one of the recommendations of a report into child abuse in remote Aboriginal communities. Welfare agencies have claimed less than a quarter of the recommendations have been implemented. The late Ted Mullighan led inquiries into abuse of children in state care and on the APY Lands. He uncovered 141 cases of child abuse on the APY Lands and delivered his report in 2008. Neil Gillespie of the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement says only 10 of the 46 recommendations have been implemented."

* HEAD OF AMNESTY SAYS GOVT'S "TOP-DOWN EXTERNALLY DRIVEN" EFFORTS WIDEN THE GAP:

- News

SMH: Amnesty slams indigenous policy
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/amnesty-slams-indigenous-p...
7 Oct 11: "The head of Amnesty International has strongly criticised the federal government's efforts to improve living standards of Aboriginal Australians, saying it could learn from New Zealand's dealings with its Maori people. The human rights agency's secretary-general, Salil Shetty, said the government's "top-down externally driven" efforts to close the gap on Aboriginal socio-economic disadvantage were instead having the opposite effect. Mr Shetty, who is the middle of a tour of Australia after a visit to New Zealand, said Amnesty was appalled that current policies had effectively "forced evictions from their traditional homelands"."

- Related News

Brisbane Times: Aboriginal policies 'ethnic cleansing'
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/aboriginal-polic...
9 Oct 11: "Starving Aboriginal people off their traditional homelands is akin to "ethnic cleansing", the Amnesty International boss has been told during his Central Australia visit. Amnesty International chief Salil Shetty visited communities in Utopia on the weekend describing the plight of locals as "devastating." ... Community leader Rosalie Kunoth Monks told Mr Shetty how desperately her people wanted to stay on their land. "It's not that they're coming here with bulldozers or getting the army to move us it's that they're trying to starve us out of our home," she said."

NZ Herald: You could learn from NZ, Amnesty tells Australian Govt
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10757363
8 Oct 11: "Shetty [head of Amnesty International] was to spend today at the homeland communities of Utopia, 260km northeast of Alice Springs. Far from what the name suggests, most Utopia communities are more like Third World slums. An Amnesty report, released in August, profiled Utopia and claimed Aborigines were being driven off their homelands and herded into "hub towns" where the federal and Northern Territory governments were splashing out cash for resources and services."

* MEDIA RE BARBARA SHAW'S SYDNEY SPEAKING TOUR - 3-9 OCT 2011:

Stop the Intervention:
Barb Shaw Sydney speaking tour October 3rd-9th:
http://stoptheintervention.org/#Barb

- Audio

The Wire: Calls by Indigenous communities to rebuild NT following the intervention
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=8534
7 Oct 11: "Northern Territory Town Camp Leader Barbara Shaw, speaks to a forum in Sydney, calling for their communities to be rebuilt from the grassroots upwards, following the government's intervention measures. She says their communities are living in subhuman conditions, the rest of Australia would never tolerate. Barbara Shaw tells a story of what they see as the devastation wrought by the intervention program. She's joined by Paddy Gibson Spokesperson for the Stop the Intervention Collective in Sydney, who's visited these communities. ...
Featured in story:
* Barbara Shaw - NT Town Camp Leader
* Paddy Gibson - Spokesperson for the Stop the Intervention Collective in Sydney"

- Analysis / Opinion

New Matilda: Income Management - In Western Sydney
http://newmatilda.com/2011/10/07/income-management-western-sydney
7 Oct 11: "Community leaders in Bankstown are furious about plans to introduce welfare quarantining. They say it will stigmatise ethnic and migrant groups, reports Adam Brereton ... Barbara Shaw, an Indigenous activist visiting Bankstown as part of the campaign, told New Matilda the experience in Bankstown had its similarities [to the NT]. "There’s not a lot of engagement, especially when it comes to government policy. People hear the announcement and that’s it," she said. She has been visiting local Centrelink facilities in Bankstown, and says people aren’t aware the changes are coming, and that welfare recipients aren’t aware they’ll be put on the system." Adam Brereton

- Video

SBS World News Australia: 'Basics' card causes anger in Sydney
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1594325/%27Basics%27-card-causes-ange...
6 Oct 11: "Income management was introduced into Northern Territory communities under the Intervention, but it's now being trialled outside the N.T. ... It's designed to help families manage their finances, but Barbara Shaw - who's lived under the system for four years in the Territory, says it's made life harder. "I hate income management it's a waste a time, a waste of money and I think the government ahould have found me a real job", the activist told SBS."

- News

Koori Mail: Shaw to speak at Sydney rally
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/
6 Oct 11: "NORTHERN TERRITORY Aboriginal leader Barbara Shaw is in Sydney on a speaking tour to build support for the campaign against income management and the Intervention. Today (Thursday) she will visit Bankstown in south-west Sydney to speak at a public meeting at 11.30am, launching a national campaign calling for a moratorium on government’s income management."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Income management slammed
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6389...
6 Oct 11: "Anti-Northern Territory intervention spokesperson Barbara Shaw says social issues and welfare have not improved since the introduction of the income management scheme and it should not be extended to any more communities in Australia. Ms Shaw, from Alice Springs, is in Sydney this week pushing for the Federal Government to put a moratorium on income management."

ABC: Camp leader slams income management scheme
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-05/20111005-welfare-quarantine-campai...
5 Oct 11: "Alice Springs town camp leader Barbara Shaw is in Sydney this week pushing for the Federal Government to put a moratorium on income management. ... Ms Shaw says there is no proof that life has improved under the system and people should have the right to choose whether their income is managed or not. "Us mob in the Northern Territory, it was imposed on us," she said. "There was no consultation, really, except one day you walk in to Centrelink and half your money is missing, basically." ... "People do not want income management in their areas," she said."

- Upcoming Alice Springs Public Forum chaired by Barbara Shaw

Event: Thu 13 October 2011: Alice Springs, NT
A public forum hosted by the Intervention Rollback Action Group
No Income Management
Women demand a moratorium on Income Management
Chaired by:
* Barbara Shaw; Mt Nancy town camp resident and
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues delegate
Speakers include:
* Randa Kattan, Executive Director, Arab Council of Australia
* Elaine Peckan, Central Australian Strong Women's Alliance
Flyer (incl. event details): http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/community-for...
Event details: http://www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au/index/eventdetail/id/1126/date/2011-10-13
IRAG website: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 25 EVENTS FROM 9 OCTOBER 2011:

Click on the links for details of the events ...

Event: 27 May to Sun 9 October 2011: Kalgoorlie, WA
Exhibition: From Little Things Big Things Grow
- Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970
Event description: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
Event location: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/tra...

Event: Thu 18 August - Sun 30 October 2011: Wiluna to Perth, WA
Walk Away from Uranium Mining
"By coming to Wiluna you will be supporting Traditional
Owners in their opposition to uranium mining."
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/walk-away-from-uranium-mining
Event details: http://www.nuclearfreefuture.com/
Walk Schedule: http://footprints.footprintsforpeace.net/nffcampaign/upload/files/Wiluna...
About the walk: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48231
Interview with walk organiser Marcus Atkinson: http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/185959/t...
French NGO participation in walk: http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155503
Photos of the walk:
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155400
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155399
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155398
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155397
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155419
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155456
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155459
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155539
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155538
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155537
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155536
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155535
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155534
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155533
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=155532

Event: Ongoing Protest: James Price Point, Kimberley, WA
Kimberley gas plant protest
Save the Kimberley info: http://www.savethekimberley.com/
Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture: http://ccr.uws.edu.au/2011/06/22/kimberley-gas-plant-threatens-aborigina...
Aboriginal elder Elsta Foy at the protest camp: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3296152.htm
Protest updates: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/blog/
Environs Kimberley: http://www.environskimberley.org.au/
Kimberley info: http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/
Kimberley Country and Culture: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/whats-the-fuss/country-culture/
WGAR News: Kimberley gas plant protest and blockade (28 Jun 11): http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/28/wgar-news-kimberley-gas-plant-protest...
WGAR News: 25 protesters arrested at JPP blockade (9 Jul 11): http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/09/wgar-news-25-protesters-arrested-at-j...

Upcoming Event: Central Adelaide, SA
Adelaide Kimberley Support Rally postponed
"a bigger better event is already being planned,
date and details soon!"
Event details: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/13/upcoming-events/

Event: Mon 10 October 2011: ANU, Canberra
WONGEE OUR BARDIP - telling our story our way
A Tribute to Aboriginal Youth Suicide and Stolen Generations
Presented by DUMBARTUNG Aboriginal Corporation, WA
Presentation followed by a forum to workshop ideas for the future
"The stories reflect the historical accounts of genocide
and the continued ingrained trauma associated with
dispossession and displacement. It is an account of past
attrocities of the killing fields, to contemporary issues
such as the impact of the industries of mining on culture
and the environment."
Event details: http://wgar.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/wongee-or-bardip/
Event summary: http://www.indymedia.org.au/wongee-our-bardip-telling-our-story-our-way-...

Event: Mon 10 & Tue 11 October 2011: Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Qld
Brisbane Regional Forum 2011
"The Indigenous Human Rights Network Australia (IHRNA)
invites members and those interested in becoming members to
attend Regional Forums across Australia in 2011. Membership
is free and open to individuals who are actively working in
and/or are interested in Indigenous human rights."
Event details: [scroll down page] http://ihrnaustralia.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
Event details: http://api.ning.com/files/HUrjfeZtLuO*4zp-47mowJdDdWwYlFabaJWAEUVCYOtzGE...

Event: Mon 10 October 2011: Wollonong, NSW
Uni of Wollongong ‘Our Generation’ Screening
Hosted by Amnesty International action group
at University of Wollongong
"Actions supporting for Homelands Campaign
will be completed at the event, specifically
asking the Government to not abandon the
Utopia Homelands."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/nsw/event/26796/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Wed 12 October 2011: Hobart, Tas
Public Homelands Training Session
Amnesty International Australia, Tasmania,
invites all interested members of the public
to attend a free Homelands Training Session.
This training session will be based on the
content of the Homelands Report, which
was released by AIA in September."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/tas/event/26782/

Event: Wed 12 October 2011: St Lucia, Brisbane, Qld
Our Generation Film Screening
"The University of Queensland group will be
hosting this screening as a part of Amnesty
International's Homelands campaign"
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/qld/event/26673/
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Wed 12 October 2011: Sippy Downs, Qld
Our Generation Film Screening
"The University of the Sunshine Coast will
be hosting this screening as a part of
Amnesty International's Homelands
campaign"
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/qld/event/26672/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Thu 13 October 2011: Alice Springs, NT
A public forum hosted by the Intervention Rollback Action Group
No Income Management
Women demand a moratorium on Income Management
Chaired by:
* Barbara Shaw; Mt Nancy town camp resident and
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues delegate
Speakers include:
* Randa Kattan, Executive Director, Arab Council of Australia
* Elaine Peckan, Central Australian Strong Women's Alliance
Flyer (incl. event details): http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/community-for...
Event details: http://www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au/index/eventdetail/id/1126/date/2011-10-13
IRAG website: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

Event: Thu 13 October 2011: Batemans Bay, NSW
Homelands campaign information session
"ACT/Southern NSW Community Campaigner
Bede Carmody is coming to Bateman's Bay to
run an information session on the new
Homelands campaign. This provides an
opportunity to learn more about Amnesty's new
campaign as well as a chance of meeting
members of the Bateman's Bay Action Group."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/actsnsw/event/25160/

Event: Sun 16 October 2011: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Rally: Down with racist police attacks!
Drop all charges against those arrested at Tisha's 21st
"Stop persecuting the Aboriginal Hickey family!"
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/rally-down-with-racist-police-attacks-drop-all-c...
Background: http://indymedia.org.au/2011/01/13/campaign-builds-to-defend-persecuted-...

Event: Mon 17 October 2011: Avoca Beach, Central Coast, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by Amnesty International's Central Coast Action Group
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/nsw/event/26574/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Wed 19 October 2011: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Qld
Homelands Campaign training session and first action group meeting
Held by Amnesty International Qld/Northern NSW
"We invite all interested volunteers and
supporters to attend a training session."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/qld/event/26674/

Event: Thu 20 October 2011: Kensington, Sydney, NSW
UNSW 'Our Generation' Film screening
Hosted by Amnesty International Australia UNSW
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/nsw/event/26911/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Sun 23 October 2011: Bendigo, Vic
A Benefit for the Kimberley
Event details: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/13/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171353649603731
Flyer: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/276751_171...

Event: Thu 27 October 2011: Blue Mountains, NSW
'Our Generation' Film screening
Introduction and Q&A with Jeff McMullen
Hosted by Blue Mountains People for Reconciliation
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Upcoming Event: ??? November 2011: Darwin, NT
Darwin book launch: "Walk With Us"
- Aboriginal views on the NT Intervention
Darwin – Time and venue yet to be announced
Event details: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/WWU_booklaunches.html
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/films-and-literature/book-walk-with-us
Brought to you by 'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
Book info and order form: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/WWU_Order_Form.pdf
Further book info: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/concerned-Austr...
Book review: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/concerned-Austr...
Videos from the Sydney book launch: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/films-and-literature/book-walk-with...
Article about the Sydney book launch: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/concerned-Austr...

Event: Wed 2 to Sat 5 Nov 2011: South Bank, Brisbane, Qld
Theatre: Jane Harrison's Stolen
Directed by Leah Purcell
Presented by: The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts
(ACPA) and QPAC in association with Bungabura Productions
"a brilliant amalgam of the experiences of representatives
of the Stolen Generation. Immerse yourself in a yarn about
the importance of family, understanding and issues that
have impacted strongly on Aboriginal families."
Event details: http://www.qpac.com.au/event/Stolen_11.aspx?showTab=Overview

Event: Fri 4 November 2011 to February 2012: Townsville, Qld
Exhibition: From Little Things Big Things Grow
- Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970
Event description: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
Event location: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/tra...

Event: Tue 8 November 2011: Hurstville, Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by Amnesty International Sutherland Shire Action Group
"Our group is hoping to engage more with AI members and
residents of the St George area and we hope that this will
be a launch event for the creation of a St George Action Group"
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/nsw/event/26576/
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Sat 19 November 2011: Annandale, Sydney, NSW
Save the Kimberley: Cans for Country, Songs for change!
"A super sick show with super sick bands, to help raise
funds and awareness to aid in the fight against the WA
Government and Woodsides attempted destruction of the
Kimberley Coast"
Event details: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/13/upcoming-events/

Event: Sun 20 November 2011: Mullumbimby, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
With live music and Q&A with the filmmakers
More details to come
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: February 2012 to May 2012: Queensland Museum
Exhibition: From Little Things Big Things Grow
- Fighting for Indigenous Rights 1920-1970
Event description: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/
Event location: http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/from_little_things_big_things_grow/tra...

- 'Our Generation' Film Reviews

Elimatta:
Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater:
Our Generation - Showing in London - page 8
http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaWinter2011.pdf
Winter 2011: "The Intervention is yet another example of the appalling treatment the Aboriginal People of Australia have been subjected to in such a short period of time compared to thousands of years of survival. Sinem Saban and Rev. Dr Gondarra supported by the Yolngu people and cinematographer, Damien Curtis, have created a sensitive and realistic view of the plight of those who wish to live a more traditional life in their homelands and of those who appear to be dispossessed." Christine Waterer

Elimatta:
Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater:
ASG Information Night: Our Generation - page 6
http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaSummer2010.pdf
Summer 2010: "Local resident and journalist, Jeff McMullen introduced "Our Generation", the film by Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis which we were there to see. The film explored in depth the Federal Government Intervention into Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory. Jeff had told us that the film’s producers were not having any success in having the film shown on government or commercial media outlets and they were having to screen it in local community halls to show the community at large just what was involved in the Intervention. It is basically a war on Aboriginal culture. The dispossession of the Aboriginal people is simply continuing in a new guise." Carol Gerrard

See:

Our Generation: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/

Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater: http://www.asgmwp.net/index.htm

* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Creative Spirits: Northern Territory Emergence Response (NTER) - "The Intervention": http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/northern-terr...

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Northern Territory National Emergency Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/

CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention

'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

Tracker - NT Intervention: http://tracker.org.au/tag/nt-intervention/

The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Northern Territory Intervention: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/category/issues/indigenous-rights...

Crikey - NT Intervention: http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/

MAIC (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective): http://maicollective.blogspot.com/

The Conversation - After the Intervention: http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/after-the-intervention

Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention

ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention

Jobs with Justice: http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/

New Matilda - northern territory intervention: http://newmatilda.com/tag/northern-territory-intervention

Amnesty International Australia: Looking back at the Northern Territory Intervention: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/24460/

Students For Indigenous Rights - UQ: The Northern Territory Intervention: http://uqsir.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/stir-uq-intervention-intro-fact...

Defending Indigenous Rights: http://defendingindigenousrights.wordpress.com/

Intervention walk-off's Blog: http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/

Australian Human Rights Commission: Northern Territory ‘Emergency Response' intervention: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/intervention/index.html

FAIRA; Human Rights Law Resource Centre; NACLC: Australia's compliance with CERD - Fact Sheet 2: Northern Territory Intervention: http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/Fact-Sheet-2-NT-Intervention.pdf

Green Left: Northern Territory intervention: myths and facts: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/39732

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights): http://wgar.wordpress.com/

* OTHER ARTICLES:

- News

National Indigenous Radio Service: Calls for Mr Ward memorial
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6399...
7 Oct 11: "The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee is pushing for the fines imposed over the death of Goldfields Aboriginal elder Mr Ward to be used to create a memorial in his name. Prison transport guard Nina Stokoe was fined $11,000 yesterday for her part in the death of Mr Ward, who died of heat stroke after he was driven in 2008 from Laverton to Kalgoorlie in a prison van."

- - -

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'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on the Australian Federal government intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities along with other Aboriginal rights issues.

'WGAR News' publishes information and opinions from a wide range of sources. These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR.

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.wordpress.com/