WGAR News: Sovereignty never ceded: A key theme of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy's 40th anniversary

Newsletter date: 21 December 2011

Contents:
* Interview with Mathew Dhulumbuurk on the continuation of the NT intervention
* Interview with elder Philip Roe after the Supreme Court ruling re Kimberley
* Interview with Michael Woodley CEO of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation
* Michael Anderson: Who deleted the phrase 'her heirs and successors'?
* 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy Canberra - 26-29 Jan 2012
* Congress Peoples' Forum: Sovereignty and Self Determination - Canberra - 24-25 Jan 2012
* Have your say on the Extension of Key NT Intervention Measures for another Decade. Submissions due 1 Feb 2012
* GetUp! Campaign Suggestions Forum: Stop the Racist NT Intervention
* GetUp! Campaign Suggestions Forum: Stopping Proposed Gas Refinery
* Inga Ting: Aboriginal crime and punishment: incarceration rates rise under neoliberalism
* What's Working: Alternative to Intervention
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 11 events from 21 December 2011

* INTERVIEW WITH MATHEW DHULUMBUURK ON THE CONTINUATION OF THE NT INTERVENTION:

- Audio Interview

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Yolngu Say NO To Intervention…
http://caama.com.au/yolngu-say-no-to-intervention
15 Dec 11: "Aboriginal elders from the Top End community of Ramingingying have lashed out at the continuation of the Northern Territory intervention, claiming "Many of their people are feeling stigmatised by the blanket policy that brands them as alcoholics, irresponsible parents and child molesters". ... Yolngu spokesman Mathew Dhulumbuurk told CAAMA radio "The government is drowning them slowly and the intervention policies have brought hatred, making the government the "true enemy of their people"."

See:

WGAR News: "Ramingining Elders say no to the second Intervention!" (30 Nov 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/11/30/wgar-news-ramingining-elders-say-no-t...

newsTracker: We’re not all boozers, NT elders say (30 Nov 11)
http://tracker.org.au/2011/11/were-not-all-boozers-nt-elders-say/

* INTERVIEW WITH ELDER PHILIP ROE AFTER THE SUPREME COURT RULING RE KIMBERLEY:

- Audio interview

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal:
Elder Speaks On His Hopes For His Land At James Price Point
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/196299/t...
15 Dec 11: "The recent WA Supreme Court ruling on the invalidity of government compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land was a bittersweet one for elders. The ruling resulted from a technicality, as WA Government notices of intent didn't properly identify the land. ... The legal challenge to the compulsory acquisition of the land was made by Goolarabooloo elder Philip Roe and Jabbir Jabbir elder Neil Mc Kenzie. While recognizing the battle is far from over - Philip Roe told Garfield Samuels he'll do all in his power to stop further desecration of sacred and cultural sites."

- Related audio interviews

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal:
Another round with the Western Australian government
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/196297/t...
15 Dec 11: "Supreme Court ruling is not the end of the battle for James Price Point ... Elders are preparing for the next match - after last week's ruling by the WA Supreme Court, that the government's move to compulsarily acquire land for a gas hub in the Kimberley, is invalid. ... Andrew Chalk is a member of the legal team representing the Traditional Owners. He tells Garfield Samuels - the immediate issue is the status of the agreement between the Kimberley Land Council and the Government" By Michelle Lovegrove

ABC Radio National: Law Report: Broome gas processing hub
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport/broome-gas-proces...
13 Dec 11: "The latest in the ongoing dispute over a proposed $35 billion gas processing hub in Broome. Last week, the WA Supreme Court ruled that compulsory land acquisition notices issued by the WA government are invalid. Is the decision a fundamental game-changer or a temporary set-back? ...
Guests: Murray Wilcox, Former Federal Court Judge. ...
Presenter: Damien Carrick. Producer: Verica Jokic."

- Related News

ABC: An attempt to lure a Woodside project to Darwin
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-12/luring-project-feature/3727484?sec...
13 Dec 11: "Could the Northern Territory poach another multi-billion dollar gas project from Western Australia? If the Territory's Chief Minister has his way, it could. Late last week, Paul Henderson announced he had been in talks with the oil and gas company Woodside about basing its proposed $30 billion liquefied natural gas hub in Darwin. Woodside's plans for its hub have been based at James Price Point, north of Broome in the State Government LNG precinct but there has been a setback after a recent court decision."

ABC: NT in talks to persuade Woodside to shift LNG hub
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-12/nt-talks-to-woodside-about-shiftin...
12 Dec 11: "The oil and gas company Woodside says it remains committed to processing gas from the Browse Basin in Western Australia despite attempts from the Northern Territory to poach the project. The territory's Chief Minister Paul Henderson said he had been in talks with Woodside about basing its LNG hub in Darwin. The proposed $30 billion gas project at James Price Point, north of Broome, suffered a setback last week with the Supreme Court declaring the WA State Government's land acquisition notices were invalid."

See:

WGAR News: ABC Video: Kimberley gas hub opponents claim legal victory (11 Dec 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/11/wgar-news-abc-video-kimberley-gas-hub...

* INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL WOODLEY CEO OF THE YINDJIBARNDI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION:

- Audio interview

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Michael Woodley
http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/
14 Dec 11: "Tiga Bayles is joined by Michael Woodley, chief executive officer of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, with an update on their dispute with FMG and the Solomon Hub project on their country."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/michael-woodley-5/

- Related Media Release

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation:
State back flips on FMG conditions
http://yindjibarndi.org.au/yindjibarndi/?p=2507
19 Dec 11: "SUMMARY: Last Tuesday, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Peter Collier, reneged on an earlier commitment to hold Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) accountable for identification and protection of Yindjibarndi heritage in the path of its Solomon Project mine. After FMG demanded that critical conditions of his consent be deleted, Minister Collier complied, clearing the way for wholesale destruction of rare and ancient Yindjibarndi heritage.
Yindjibarndi CEO, Michael Woodley, said "This is a Christmas from hell for us. It is a weak and morally wrong decision from Mr Collier. The Minister had a choice - to ensure Yindjibarndi people could properly record their sites before FMG wipes them off the face of the earth, and use this knowledge to make safe and fair decisions; ... "

- Related News

Australian: Clan fury as MP clears hurdle for friend Andrew Forrest
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/clan-fur...
21 Dec 11: "WEST Australian Indigenous Affairs Minister Peter Collier has substantially freed the company chaired by his friend Andrew Forrest from having to comply with the state's heritage law for its expanded mining operations in the Pilbara, says an Aboriginal group." Paul Cleary

See:

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation
http://yindjibarndi.org.au/yindjibarndi/

* MICHAEL ANDERSON: WHO DELETED THE PHRASE 'HER HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS'?

- Media Release

Who deleted the phrase 'her heirs and successors'?
Treaty Republic: http://treatyrepublic.net/content/who-deleted-phrase-her-heirs-and-succe...
Indymedia Australia: http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/15/who-deleted-the-phrase-%E2%80%98her-h...
Indigenous Peoples: http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
15 Dec 11: "Michael Anderson, in Japan en route from London to Sydney says today:
Having attended the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in Whitehall, I am shocked after locating the official record of the original Pacific Islanders Protection Act 1875, the one that was actually passed in the UK Parliament at that time.
The Pacific Islander Protection Act 1875 that has been bandied around on the internet and other places has been doctored by a person or persons unknown. It is clear that someone did not want the real Act circulating.
The Pacific Islander Protection Act 1875 that has been circulating in Australia is without a vitally important key phrase of the Order in Council."

See:

WGAR News: Herald Sun: Aboriginal leader takes fight to Europe (7 Dec 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/07/wgar-news-djiniyini-gondarra-message-...

Michael Anderson: Aboriginal sovereignty confirmation expected soon (11 Dec 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/11/wgar-news-abc-video-kimberley-gas-hub...

WGAR News: Euahlayi tribal leader Michael Anderson addresses Occupy crowd in London (15 Dec 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/15/wgar-news-euahlayi-tribal-leader-mich...

New Way Sovereignty Summit,
Canberra 22-25 April 2011 (Easter Weekend)
http://indymedia.org.au/new-way-sovereignty-summit-canberra-22-25-april-...
[Michael Anderson was Summit Convenor. Click on above Summit link to read several of Michael's previous media releases.]

* 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY CANBERRA - 26-29 JAN 2012

- Upcoming event

Event: Thu 26 to Sun 29 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 (incl. Agenda, Poster, Audio and Video):
http://treatyrepublic.net/content/invitation-aboriginal-tent-embassy-jan...
http://treatyrepublic.net/node/906
Event details: http://www.aboriginaltentembassy.net/
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/aboriginal-tent-embassy-40th-anniversary-canberra
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/40th-anniversary-of-the-tent-embassy-canberra
Event summary: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49413
Aboriginal Embassy Elder Tribute song: http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/2079567
"We will not leave till justice, at long last, is done":
http://www.indymedia.org.au/2011/12/11/aboriginal-tent-embassy-%E2%80%93...
Interview with Dr Janet Hunt: http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/dr-janet-hunt-and-jacqui-phil...

* CONGRESS PEOPLES' FORUM: SOVEREIGNTY AND SELF DETERMINATION - CANBERRA - 24-25 JAN 2012

- Upcoming event

Event: 24 to 25 January 2012: ANU, Canberra, ACT
Congress Peoples' Forum:
Sovereignty and Self Determination: The Political Contract
Celebrating 40th anniversary Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Hosted by National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
Event details: [scroll down page] http://nationalcongress.com.au/welcome/

* HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE EXTENSION OF KEY NT INTERVENTION MEASURES FOR ANOTHER DECADE. SUBMISSIONS DUE 1 FEB 2012:

Stop the Intervention:
Have your say on the Extension of Key NT Intervention Measures for another Decade
Submissions are due by 1 February 2012.
[scroll down page] http://www.stoptheintervention.org/
"Information for making a submission:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/inf...

"Please follow the links from this page to find information about the bills:
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011 and two related bills
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/ind...

"For the document with links to further info about the
New Policies, Aboriginal Elders voices and for Taking Action:
please click here: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Consultations/N...
[This link includes voices of Dr Rev Djiniyini Gondarra, Yananymul Mununggurr, Ramingining Elders, NT Elders and Community Representatives, and the Central Land Council.]

Event: 1 February 2012: Australia wide
Submissions about Stronger Futures now due 1 Feb 2012
Parliament of Australia - Senate:
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011
and two related bills:
Information about the Inquiry
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/inf...
"Submissions should be received by 1 February 2012. ...
The Committee is seeking written submissions from
interested individuals and organisations"

* GETUP! CAMPAIGN SUGGESTIONS FORUM: STOP THE RACIST NT INTERVENTION:

- Action

GetUp! Campaign Suggestions Forum: Stop the racist Northern Territory Intervention. No more income management or land theft.
http://suggest.getup.org.au/forums/60819-getup-campaign-suggestions/sugg...
"Aboriginal people in the NT are subject to this racist federal legislation which contravenes the UN Declaraton of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It forces people onto income management which controls people's money, allows the government to control Aboriginal land without people's consent, impose non-Aboriginal "government business managers" on communities, and refuses to acknowledge customary law in the judicial system. There needs to be an increased push to force the government to repeal this racist law." by Hilary

* GETUP! CAMPAIGN SUGGESTIONS FORUM: STOPPING PROPOSED GAS REFINERY:

- Action

GetUp! Campaign Suggestions Forum: Stopping Proposed Gas Refinery at James Price Point in the Kimberley
http://suggest.getup.org.au/forums/60819-getup-campaign-suggestions/sugg...
"Woodside Petroleum and the WA Premier want to turn the Kimberley into another industrialised oil and gas region by building gas refineries on the coast at James Price Point, 40km north of Broome. Premier Barnett wants the Kimberley to be the next Pilbara. The federal Environment Minister is now responsible for making the final environmental assessment of this proposal. Traditional owners of the land have been under the threat of compulsory acquisition, and have been pressured into relinquishing their rights to this beautiful unspoilt land." by Sonia

See:

WGAR News: ABC Video: Kimberley gas hub opponents claim legal victory (11 Dec 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/12/11/wgar-news-abc-video-kimberley-gas-hub...

* INGA TING: ABORIGINAL CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: INCARCERATION RATES RISE UNDER NEOLIBERALISM

- Analysis / Opinion

Crikey: Aboriginal crime and punishment: incarceration rates rise under neoliberalism
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/12/15/aboriginal-prison-rate-continues-to-...
15 Dec 11: "The number of indigenous adults held in the nation’s jails has increased for the 11th year in a row, despite the nation’s prisoner population falling for the first time in a decade. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, the indigenous prisoner population increased by 1% in the year to June 2011 while the total prisoner population dropped by 2%. ... Despite repeated promises to reduce indigenous over-representation in prisons - the latest federal commitment made last month - the solution actually offered by government is just more of the problem itself, Singh [Charandev Singh] says." Inga Ting, freelance journalist and Australian Centre for Independent Journalism associate

Crikey: Aboriginal crime and punishment: spending on jails but not outcomes
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/12/16/aboriginal-crime-and-punishment-spen...
16 Dec 11: "The rise of a punitive "law and order" culture in Australia has had a profoundly racial dimension, manifested in soaring rates of indigenous incarceration. The number of indigenous adults held in the nation’s jails has increased for the 11th year in a row - as Crikey revealed in part one yesterday - while over the past decade ... " Inga Ting, freelance journalist and Australian Centre for Independent Journalism associate

See:

Deaths in Custody: A Crikey Investigation
http://www.crikey.com.au/deaths-in-custody/
"Twenty years after the Royal Commission report into Aboriginal deaths in custody was released, fatalities in prison custody are rising and inmates are still dying as a result of the same lethal practices the Commission sought to eliminate. As part of a forensic Crikey investigation, freelance journalist and Australian Centre for Independent Journalism associate Inga Ting examines the startling data, the damning case studies and the very human stories behind a vexed political and social issue."

ANTaR: Reducing Imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
http://www.antar.org.au/index.php?q=issues_and_campaigns/reducing_indige...
29 Jul 11: "ANTaR used this occasion to launch a National Call to Action for federal, state and territory governments to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system. This Call to Action is also supported by a wide range of Aboriginal and community legal services and human rights organisations."

* WHAT'S WORKING: ALTERNATIVE TO INTERVENTION

What's Working: Alternative to Intervention
http://www.whatsworking.com.au/what-now/alternative-to-intervention/
"Rebuilding from the Ground Up – An Alternative to the Northern Territory Intervention.
Download document from IRAG. This document puts forward a list of demands that have come consistently from Aboriginal communities since the announcement of the NT Intervention in 2007. It has been widely endorsed by Aboriginal community leaders, along with the Intervention Rollback Action Group (Alice Springs), Stop the Intervention Collective (Sydney) and 'concerned Australians' (Melbourne). Research supported by Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at UTS."

Here are some links to further info on the Alternative to Intervention

Alternatives doc with extra references: http://stoptheintervention.org/alternatives-to-the-intervention/rebuildi...

Alternatives doc with overviews, videos and references: http://www.jumbunna.uts.edu.au/researchareas/alternatives.html

Endorsees of the Alternatives doc: http://stoptheintervention.org/alternatives-to-the-intervention

Endorsees of the Alternatives doc: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/alternative-to-the-interven...

* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

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

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

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

Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition: http://darwinaboriginalrights.wordpress.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

- Audio interviews

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Vince Mundraby
http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/
15 Dec 11: "Former Yarrabah mayor, now chair of the Djunbunji Land and Sea Program, Vince Mundraby talks to Tiga Bayles about land matters including the recent signing of an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) over Mandingalbay Yidinji country near Cairns."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/vince-mundraby-3/

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal:
Twins Demand Stolen Wages Payment
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/196289/t...
15 Dec 11: "More questions about Queensland's handling of stolen wages. ... Torres Strait island twin brothers are appealing to the Queensland government to pay out stolen wages withheld from them and thousands of other indigenous people. ... One of the 76-year-old twins received a reparation payment but the other didn't, despite both working on the same boat as divers, from the age of 13. Queensland correspondent Stefan Armbruster speaks with Paul and Arthur Ah Wang after they met with state Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander affairs minister Curtis Pitt." By Michelle Lovegrove

* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 11 EVENTS FROM 21 DECEMBER 2011:

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

Event: 21 December 2011: Paddington, Sydney, NSW
Documentary Film - The Tall Man
"... a vivid portrait of an Australian island enraged
by the death of an Aboriginal man while in custody
of the local, predominantly white-run police force."
Chauvel Cinema, Paddington
Cinema Release Date: Thu 17 November 2011
Event details, incl. film review and interview with the director: http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/films/coming-soon/thetallman-film/
Event details: http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/thetallman/

Event: 22 to 24 December 2011: Brisbane, Qld
Documentary Film - The Tall Man
"... a vivid portrait of an Australian island enraged
by the death of an Aboriginal man while in custody
of the local, predominantly white-run police force."
Palace Barracks Cinema, Brisbane
Cinema Release Date: Thu 17 November 2011
Event details, incl. film review and interview with the director: http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/films/coming-soon/thetallman-film/
Event details: http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/thetallman/

Event: 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 17 to 28 January 2012: Chippendale, NSW
Photographic exhibition:
Manuwangku Under the Nuclear Cloud
"Manuwangku: Under a Nuclear Cloud, gives the affected
Aboriginal communities a collective voice against the
proposed radioactive waste dump. The exhibition aims
to dispel the myth that remote areas are uninhabited
and thus suitable to be dumping grounds.
Jagath Dheerasekara is a talented and respected
photographer as well as an Amnesty International
Human Rights Defender."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/nsw/event/27463/

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: 24 to 25 January 2012: ANU, Canberra, ACT
Congress Peoples' Forum:
Sovereignty and Self Determination: The Political Contract
Celebrating 40th anniversary Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Hosted by National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
Event details: [scroll down page] http://nationalcongress.com.au/welcome/

Event: Thu 26 to Sun 29 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 (incl. Agenda, Poster, Audio and Video):
http://treatyrepublic.net/content/invitation-aboriginal-tent-embassy-jan...
http://treatyrepublic.net/node/906
Event details: http://www.aboriginaltentembassy.net/
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/aboriginal-tent-embassy-40th-anniversary-canberra
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/40th-anniversary-of-the-tent-embassy-canberra
Event summary: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49413
Aboriginal Embassy Elder Tribute song: http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/2079567
"We will not leave till justice, at long last, is done":
http://www.indymedia.org.au/2011/12/11/aboriginal-tent-embassy-%E2%80%93...
Interview with Dr Janet Hunt: http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/dr-janet-hunt-and-jacqui-phil...

Event: 1 February 2012: Australia wide
Submissions about Stronger Futures now due 1 Feb 2012
Parliament of Australia - Senate:
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011
and two related bills:
Information about the Inquiry
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/inf...
"Submissions should be received by 1 February 2012. ...
The Committee is seeking written submissions from
interested individuals and organisations"

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...

Event: Sat 11 February 2012: Melbourne, Vic
Our Generation Film Screening
as part of the inaugural Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival
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: 17 Feb 2012: International
Submissions on role of languages and culture due 17 Feb 2012
United Nations Human Rights:
Study on languages and cultures
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/Pages/StudyLanguages.aspx
"Call for submissions from indigenous peoples and their
organisations
The Expert Mechanism is calling for submissions on the role
of languages and culture in the protection and promotion of
the rights and identity of indigenous peoples, its current
mandated study in accordance with Human Rights Council
resolution 18/8 ...
Submissions will need to be submitted by 17 February 2012"

- '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

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Subscription to 'WGAR News' is free.

'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.

The e-newsletters include media releases, opinion pieces, news items and events. Subscribers can expect to receive about 2 e-newsletters each week.

To subscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR News" in the message header.

To unsubscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "unsubscribe WGAR News" in the message header.

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You can also subscribe to our second list 'Contact WGAR' which focuses on activities and events and provides a point of contact.

To subscribe, email contactwgar@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR Contact" in the message header.

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