WGAR News: Amnesty International head slams decades of neglect in remote Aboriginal communities

Submitted by WGAR - Working ... on Thu, 13/10/2011 - 9:56am

Newsletter date: 13 October 2011

Contents:
* Amnesty International cheif Salil Shetty visits communities in Utopia, NT
* Calls for implementation of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
* Jon Altman: Homeland communities destroyed to save a bit of cash
* Amnesty International Australia Action: Tell the government: don’t abandon homelands
* Amnesty International Australia: Utopia Homelands featured on the 7pm Project
* What’s Working: Health-Utopia
* Rally against Income Management in Bankstown - 8 October 2011
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 23 events from 13 October 2011
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles

* AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CHIEF SALIL SHETTY VISITS COMMUNITIES IN UTOPIA, NT:

- Amnesty Statement

Amnesty International Australia: Amnesty head slams decades of neglect in remote Aboriginal communities
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/26938/
9 Oct 11: "As part of his visit to Australia, Salil Shetty travelled to the Utopia region in the Northern Territory yesterday to witness first-hand the effects that government policies have had on the lives of Aboriginal people.
"What I saw was just devastating," said Salil Shetty. "The fact that people are living with no running water, toilet, shower and electricity in one of the richest countries in the world is completely unacceptable." ...
Despite 20 years of research which provides evidence of the benefits of living on traditional homelands, around 500 homeland communities are being left to wither as the Government starves them of essential services."

- Audio Interviews

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Amnesty International Global Director Salil Shetty on CAAMA
10 Oct 11: "Salil Shetty is the Global Director of one of the peak human rights organisations in the world…Amnesty International. Mr Shetty…who has travelled to Australia to visit the Utopia region in the NT to draw attention to the human rights issues affecting Aboriginal people in the county and to see first-hand the effects Government policies have had on the lives of Aboriginal people. Mr Shetty says the Australian Government’s failure to provide basic services to remote communities significantly tarnishes Australia’s human rights record and must be addressed immediately. He speaks to Nerida Currey on Strong Voices whilst in Alice Springs."

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Amnesty International in Australia to spotlight human rights issues
http://caama.com.au/amnesty-international-in-australia-to-spotlight-huma...
10 Oct 11: "Salil Shetty, the Global Director of Amnesty International… one of the world’s peak human rights organisations… has travelled to Utopia in the NT to witness first-hand the effects that Government policies have had on the lives of Aboriginal people…and to shine a spotlight on the human rights issues of our country. Mr Shetty and representatives from Amnesty International were in Alice Springs over the weekend. Nerida Currey caught up with Sarah Marland, to hear Amnesty’s stance on a number of issues facing Aboriginal people in Australia."

- Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 11-10-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-11-10-2011
11 Oct 11: "* The head of a peak international human rights organisation has slammed the way the Australian Government has dealt with Aboriginal people saying Governments failure to provide services to remote Aboriginal communities significantly tarnishes the countrys human rights record.
* Urapuntja commuinty leader Rosalie Kunoth Monks says she is grateful that amnesty has travelled to Utopia to draw attention to the issues."

- Video

ABC: Amnesty slams 'shocking' Indigenous conditions
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-09/amnesty-slams-indigenous-condition...
10 Oct 11: "Amnesty International says the Federal Government needs to be internationally shamed into addressing poverty among Indigenous Australians. Secretary-general Salil Shetty on Saturday toured remote towns in the Northern Territory, including Utopian communities north-east of Alice Springs. He described the plight of locals as "devastating", saying people there are living in inhumane conditions that are almost third-world.

- News

ABC Indigenous: We will be watching, Amnesty chief tells Macklin
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-12/20111012-amnesty-international-mac...
12 Oct 11: "Amnesty International secretary-general Salil Shetty says he hopes Indigenous residents in remote communities will get more financial aid. Mr Shetty met with Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin today to talk about poor living conditions in Northern Territory communities. He toured the Utopia homelands in the Territory last week and says he was devastated by what he saw. Mr Shetty says residents in traditional homelands are not getting funds for essential services and that is pushing them off their lands to urban centres. He says Ms Macklin made commitments of help at the meeting."

National Indigenous Times: "It’s devastating"
http://www.nit.com.au/news/story.aspx?id=22998
12 Oct 11: "The head of Amnesty International has described the living conditions at the remote Northern Territory community of Utopia as "devastating". Amnesty International Secretary General, Salil Shetty visited Utopia as part of a 14 day national tour that ends this week with a face to face meeting with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin. Mr Shetty said he intended to raise the situation in Utopia and other remote communities in Australia and demand the Federal Government address the terrible living conditions being forced upon residents of those remote communities."

National Indigenous Times: Australia could learn from New Zealand on the way to treat First Peoples: Shetty
http://www.nit.com.au/news/story.aspx?id=22999
12 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 said Amnesty was appalled current policies had effectively "forced evictions from their traditional homelands"."

National Indigenous Times: Our actions are an embarrassment to the world: Shetty
http://www.nit.com.au/news/story.aspx?id=23000
12 Oct 11: "Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and Indigenous people was deeply disturbing and an international embarrassment. Amnesty Secretary-General, Salil Shetty told ABC’s Lateline television program western nations, including Australia, were rapidly losing credibility when it came to human rights. He said the Federal Government’s continuation of the Northern Territory Intervention was simply wrong. Mr Shetty said the Intervention breached the Racial Discrimination Act and it "talked down" to Indigenous people. ... "

newsTracker: Third world conditions shock Amnesty head
http://tracker.org.au/2011/10/third-world-conditions-shock-amnesty-head/
11 Oct 11: "NATIONAL: It’s been two years since the last head of Amnesty International visited our shores, shocked at third world conditions in a first world country. ... Salil Shetty -toured several Central Australian communities in the Utopia region over the weekend ... "Actually going there and meeting the local communities and looking at the living conditions, it was quite shocking," Mr Shetty told Tracker yesterday. "I think that’s one of the paradoxes, that in a rich country the years are ticking by but the situation is not improving."" Amy McQuire, editor of Tracker

National Indigenous Radio Service: Utopia visit reveals "devastating" conditions
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6408...
11 Oct 11: "Amnesty International says the Federal Government needs to be internationally shamed into addressing poverty among Indigenous Australians. Secretary-general Salil Shetty has toured remote towns in the Northern Territory, including Utopian communities north-east of Alice Springs. ... Mr Shetty says the Federal Government is contravening its human rights obligations. He says the community has been stripped of funds that provide basic services, including running water, electricity, and hygiene services."

newsTracker: Amnesty head visits Central Australia
http://tracker.org.au/2011/10/amnesty-head-visits-central-australia/
10 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". ... At Mosquito Bore he toured overcrowded dilapidated homes, some little more than a tin shed, without basics such as running electricity, toilets or working washing machines."

Age: Conditions in Utopia devastating, says Amnesty chief
http://m.theage.com.au/national/conditions-in-utopia-devastating-says-am...
10 Oct 11: "THE chief of Amnesty International has described as ''devastating'' the plight of Aborigines in central Australia after visiting communities in Utopia at the weekend. ... Community leader Rosalie Kunoth Monks told Mr Shetty how desperately her people wanted to stay on their land. ... Mrs Kunoth Monks said the community was ''ready, willing and able'' to live up to the promise of its name if only it was given a leg-up and allowed to play catch-up."

Herald Sun: Leader claims plight of Aborigines is devastating
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/ethnic-cleansing-claim-on-abo...
10 Oct 11: "STARVING Aboriginal people off their traditional homelands is akin to "ethnic cleansing", the Amnesty International boss has been told. Utopia leader Rosalie Kunoth Monks told Amnesty chief Salil Shetty: "They're trying to starve us out of our home. They won't support us becoming sustainable in our own right. "If ... it's not ethnic cleansing, please let me know what it is," she said."

Koori Mail: Campaign: Aboriginal policies 'ethnic cleansing'
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
10 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 made the ‘ethnic cleansing’ comment to Mr Shetty, saying her people desperately wanted to stay on their land."

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."

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."

- Related News

National Indigenous Radio Service: Amnesty criticises outstation policy
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6412...
12 Oct 11: "An Amnesty International boss says the Australian Government's record on the treatment Indigenous people is "unacceptable". The organization visited the remote Northern Territory community of Utopia recently, and critised the lack of basic services provided to the area. Amnesty UK Chief of Staff Steve Crawshaw visited the community, and says Governments have not listened to community members. Mr Crawshaw says Indigenous people are being denied having both the right to services and the right to stay on traditional homelands, and are forced to make a choice between the two. ... "

See:

Amnesty International Australia: Homelands
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/homelands/
"Aboriginal families are strongest when they can stay connected to their homelands - but right now the government is stripping funds for essential services from traditional Aboriginal homelands."

* CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES:

- Audio Interviews

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Loud voice calling for FULL implementation of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
http://caama.com.au/loud-voice-calling-for-full-implementation-of-united...
11 Oct 11: "Following the high importance of the Global Director of Amnesty International Salil Shetty’s visit to Australia…. and the calls he made about the failure of the Australian Government in implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigneous Peoples…we look back to those others who have been calling for the full implementation of the document’s reccomendations."
[Includes interviews with Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda, Barb Shaw of the Intervention Rollback Action Group and Amnesty’s Global Director Salil Shetty.]

* JON ALTMAN: HOMELAND COMMUNITIES DESTROYED TO SAVE A BIT OF CASH:

- Analysis / Opinion

The Conversation: Homeland communities destroyed to save a bit of cash
http://theconversation.edu.au/homeland-communities-destroyed-to-save-a-b...
7 Oct 11: "Government efforts to "close the gap" between indigenous and white Australians ignore the needs of nearly 1000 homeland communities on the Indigenous estate. Australian citizens living at the most remote and smallest localities, established with government support in the 1970s and 1980s, are being neglected by Canberra today in favour of bigger hub towns. The Closing the Gap mantra targets 29 larger and more visible communities only because they are larger and more visible. Economic rationalisation is convinced that size, whether townships or shires, will deliver cost savings from economies of scale. ... " Jon Altman, Research Professor in Anthropology at Australian National University

- Related Audio

The Wire: Experts say Aboriginal homelands worth investing in as Australia accused of neglecting them
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=8535
10 Oct 11: "It’s a place called Utopia, but living conditions in the central Australian desert community have been labeled shocking and inhumane by Amnesty International’s secretary-general. The Northern Territory Government has been accused of neglecting the homelands by just focusing money and resources on a small number of "growth towns". About a third of the Territory’s Aboriginal population lives on the homelands. One expert's told The Wire that providing for the homelands shouldn't be seen as an imposition, but rather a worthwhile investment that's in the national interest.
Featured in story: Professor Jon Altman, Australian National University’s Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research"

- Related News

National Indigenous Radio Service: Value of Indigenous economies ignored: Altman
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6415...
12 Oct 11: "Professor Jon Altman from the Australian National University's Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research says providing for outstations and homelands shouldn't be seen as an imposition, but rather a worthwhile investment.
Jon Altman: We need to recognise that they mightn't be engaged in mainstream economies, but they are engaged in forms of diverse economy. ... I think that we mustn't see these communities as unproductive just because they don't meet an orthodox view of productivity. Voice ends."

* AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA ACTION: TELL THE GOVERNMENT: DON'T ABANDON HOMELANDS:

- Online Action

Amnesty International Australia: Tell the government: don’t abandon homelands
http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/26569/
"Traditional homelands are home to nearly one-third of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. Research shows that with proper services people can be healthier, live longer and contribute valuable work on homelands, all with their identity and connection to the land intact. Yet the government's policy of stripping funding from essential services will effectively force people into hub towns and cities.
The government needs to hear from you and the thousands of Australians who don’t want to see another mistake on Aboriginal policy. ... "
[Click on the above link to send an email to to Jenny Macklin and Warren Snowden via the Amnesty International Australia web-site.]

See:

* AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA: UTOPIA HOMELANDS FEATURED ON THE 7PM PROJECT:

Amnesty International Australia: Homelands featured on the 7pm Project
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/26896/
29 Sep 11: "Last Monday, Channel Ten's 7pm Project featured a special report on the traditional Aboriginal homelands of Utopia - taking the voices and stories from this remote community into living rooms across Australia. ...
How did it happen? When the producers learned of this campaign - and the actions of thousands of Amnesty International supporters - they approached us about doing a story. Now hundreds of thousands of Australians are about to hear about the injustice on homelands, and learn about how they can help to stop it."

* WHAT'S WORKING: HEALTH-UTOPIA:

What’s Working - Aboriginal women have answers themselves
Health-Utopia - From article by Pamela Wilson
http://www.whatsworking.com.au/whats-working/health-indicators-at-utopia/
"Amid the grim statistics on Indigenous health, residents of the remote community of Utopia have found that retaining a connection to country is their answer to better health. Utopia is about 250 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs, and its residents live off the land in a way similar to their ancestors, hunting bush tucker and retaining cultural traditions. Research published in the Medical Journal of Australia has found the mortality rate for Utopia’s residents is 40 to 50 per cent lower than the Northern Territory average for Aboriginal adults. ... The consensus is that Utopia’s Alyawarr and Anmatyerr people are healthier because of the empowerment that comes from decentralisation and connection to country ... "

* RALLY AGAINST INCOME MANAGEMENT IN BANKSTOWN - 8 OCTOBER 2011:

Barb Shaw Sydney speaking tour - October 3rd-9th ...
Saturday, October 8th - Rally against Income Management in Bankstown:
http://stoptheintervention.org/#Barb

- Analysis / Opinion

New Matilda: Why In Bankstown? Why Anywhere?
http://newmatilda.com/2011/10/10/why-bankstown-why-anywhere
10 Oct 11: "Community groups in Sydney's Bankstown are baffled as to why their area has been chosen to trial welfare quarantining - and concerned about the outcomes for vulnerable groups, reports Adam Brereton. "Not in Bankstown, Not Anywhere", a coalition of Indigenous and community groups, rallied in Bankstown’s Paul Keating park on Saturday in opposition to the Gillard Government’s plan to roll out income management in five "disadvantaged" locations across Australia. But given the ongoing criticism of the scheme, a question would be a more appropriate slogan: "Why in Bankstown, why anywhere?"" Adam Brereton

See:

newmatilda.com : adam brereton
http://newmatilda.com/tag/adam-brereton

- News

National Indigenous Times: No to BasicsCard
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=22994
12 Oct 11: "The people of Bankstown have spoken, and they have said "Not in Bankstown, not anywhere" to the proposed introduction of a Northern Territory-style BasicsCard for their city. Almost 80 people gathered in Paul Keating Park in the centre of Bankstown to voice their opposition to the BasicsCard and listen to the first hand experiences of Barbara Shaw who lives in Mt Nancy Town Camp, Alice Springs, and is a four-year veteran of the discriminatory program. Ms Shaw has seen problems for the whole community in the system’s implementation. ... "

SMH: Income intervention 'a mistake'
http://www.smh.com.au/national/income-intervention-a-mistake-20111008-1l...
9 Oct 11: "THE federal government was making ''a big mistake'' introducing compulsory income management for struggling families in a Sydney suburb, according to protesters. More than 100 people rallied in Bankstown yesterday against the plan, already in place in the Northern Territory, which will quarantine Centrelink payments for those in the suburb deemed ''vulnerable to financial crisis.'' Indigenous rights campaigners - including the NSW Greens senator Lee Rhiannon - said they were disgusted with the idea."

- Related News

National Indigenous Radio Service: More criticism for shires policy
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6416...
12 Oct 11: "The 'Super Shires' policy in the Northern Territory is continuing to attract criticism. ... Paddy Gibson, from the Sydney-based Stop the Intervention Collective, told a forum in Sydney last week, that Aboriginal people have no say within the Shires.
Paddy Gibson: You know, all these white toyotas are driving around with white people sitting behind the wheel and none of the locals are actually in the local government cars, none of the locals have any of the keys to community facilities that they built, like the community centre, the recreation hall or anthing. They actually can't access these things. ... Voice ends."

Koori Mail: Campaign: Basic rights, not BasicsCard
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
11 Oct 11: "A CAMPAIGN is ramping up against Federal Government plans to roll out compulsory income management and the controversial BasicsCard in the south-western Sydney suburb of Bankstown and four other trial sites next year. The Arab Council Australia and the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council are backing the push, under which Alice Springs activist Barbara Shaw has called for a moratorium against income management and the NT Intervention. Arab Council Australia CEO Randa Kattan says income management represents profound disempowerment, discrimination and hardship."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Intervention bureaucrats accused of patronisation
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6407...
11 Oct 11: "Anti-Northern Territory Intervention campaigner Barbara Shaw says Aboriginal communities are living in subhuman conditions that the rest of Australia would never tolerate. Ms Shaw was speaking at an anti-Intervention forum in Sydney late last week, and participants at the forum called for their communities to be rebuilt from the grassroots upwards following the Federal Government's measures. She says communities face the devastation wrought by the intervention program, and Aboriginal people dealing with Intervention bureaucrats are tired of being treated like idiots."

Koori Mail: Income management opposition grows
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
10 Oct 11: "NORTHERN Territory Aboriginal leader Barbara Shaw will travel to several remote NT communities this week with Arab Council Australia executive director Randa Kattan and Western Sydney Community Forum member Semra Guler. The trip is part of a national campaign against compulsory income management, and follows a speaking tour in Sydney which included a launch in Bankstown of a national campaign opposing income management."

- Upcoming Public Forum in Alice Springs

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/

See:

WGAR News: Online petition: Call for a moratorium on government Income management (24 Sep 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/09/24/wgar-news-online-petition-call-for-a-...

WGAR News: Public forum launching a national campaign calling for a moratorium on income management (6 Oct 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/10/06/wgar-news-public-forum-launching-a-na...

* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 23 EVENTS FROM 13 OCTOBER 2011:

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

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...

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: Sat 15 October 2011: Near South Fremantle, WA
Breakfast forum on Restorative Justice in practice
Hosted by the Institute for Restorative Justice & Penal Reform
Supported by Sycamore Tree Project & SafeCare
"An opportunity to hear about these transformative and
healing programs whilst feasting on a quality breakfast."
RSVP by Monday 10th October
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/48967

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/
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 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: Fri 21 October 2011: Melbourne City, Vic
Public meeting:
You say you want a revolution: Not Sorry Enough
Speakers: Robbie Thorpe; Karla Grant; Linday Bruney;
Kim Hill; Tania Major.
"From the battles for basic civil rights four decades ago,
to the overturning of terra nullius and the stolen
generations apology, Australian Indigenous activists have
achieved much over successive generations.
Yet it would seem many aspirations have been left behind
along the way, and there is so much left to achieve. ... "
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49045

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...

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: 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: Sat 5 November 2011: Adelaide, SA
132nd Justice and Peace Candlelight Walk
ANTaR SA
"Join us on the Candle Light Walk to call for a Treaty and
Bill of Rights, and to support the Ngarrindjeri and all
other Aboriginal people and the Stolen Generations, their
families and communities left behind, in their call for
Peace and Justice."
Event details: http://antarsa.auspics.org.au/category/news/2011/10/candlelight-walk-2/

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: Fri 20 January 2012: RMIT entrance, Melbourne, Vic
Indigenous freedom-fighters commemoration:
Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner
"To commemorate the execution of the indigenous
freedom fighters Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner"
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49054

Event: Thu 26 January 2012: Parkes, Canberra, ACT
40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy Canberra
Sovereignty Never Ceded: a key theme of the 40th Anniversary
"Indigenous elders invite all Aboriginal people, supporters
and other members of the general public, to come together
at the 'Aboriginal Tent Embassy' site, on Thursday 26th
January 2012, to celebrate "SOVEREIGNTY DAY" and be part of
the Sacred Fire Ceremonial Gathering that will marks 40
years since the first protest on the site."
Event details: http://www.aboriginaltentembassy.net/
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/40th-anniversary-of-the-tent-embassy-canberra

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

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

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

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

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

'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

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:

- Reportback

Green Left: Climate change social change conference attracts hundreds
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48997
8 Oct 11: "A workshop on the struggle against nuclear dumping on Aboriginal land heard from three activists, Dianne Stokes and Kylie Sambo, traditional owners from the Muckaty community in the Northern Territory, and Nat Wasley, from the No Waste Alliance. They discussed the campaign against a proposed nuclear dump site in Muckaty. Stokes spoke about her people’s deep connection to the land and her community’s opposition to the nuclear dump plan. Wasley said the nuclear waste dump plan was roundly criticised by the then-opposition Labor party when it was first mooted by the former Howard government. Today the Gillard Labor government is pushing the plan, despite opposition by local indigenous groups and the Northern Territory government, among others."

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

Geography:

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Canberra