The APG acknowledges the four brave men who were sent by their people to establish the Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972. We pay respect to the brothers and sisters who used that potent message of the tent embassy to defend the rights of self-determination and sovereignty. It was one of the most significant acts of resistance in recent history and the APG honours warriors from all corners of the country for their endurance and legacy.
While Julia Gillard is preoccupied with meaningless Constitutional reform she is neglecting the Governments fiduciary duty to deal properly with Aboriginal peoples. Genocide is still perpetuated through interference of State bureaucracies in the life of every Aboriginal person. Self-determination is overlooked at the height of its necessity.
Constitutional debate is a distraction for the Gillard Government. The proposal from the so called “expert” panel is all about assimilation. Because of that, we will oppose it. The APG makes its position clear:
* No laws that directly affect Aboriginal people should be passed without prior informed consent.
* In a democracy, it is the right of Indigenous peoples to select their own representatives.
In the last 15 years the opportunities for Aboriginal people to have our say have been stage managed by Government and its lackeys. The agenda has been theirs and not ours.
The APG met in Launceston this week to reaffirm our commitment to the continual struggle for self determination. Our next steps will be to fostering real debate through state forums and new media. The APG reminds its supporters for the need to maintain dialogue amongst ourselves. This will determine the leaders from the lackeys.
While Australians celebrate a day that represents the history of booze, BBQ’s, bloodshed and theft, we continue our resistance. Despite the mindless nationalism of some Australians, we remember the invasion. This is invasion day. Calls to have a new day are well founded. Like in New Zealand, a true national day will be the day that the Government signs a treaty with Aboriginal people. This is the day we will celebrate together.
Michael Mansell Marji Thorpe Geoff Clark Jidah Clark
Secretary Women’s delegate Vice-President Youth delegate
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Comments
Good on you, the pollies all need a good wake up call
good on you all support you in your struggle for equality, the pollies all need a good wake up call to understand the plight of the aboriginal people.peace to you.
Tent Embassy Press Conference
Below is a press conference from the Tent Embassy on January 26th
Don't know where you get the idea you have support burning
In a poll of about 12,000 people in todays hearlds Sun 86% of people said the tent embassy should be taken down don't know where you get the idea you have support burning
Do not allow white society to blow out the rekindled flames
The flames of sovereignty have been rekindled. Do not allow the forces of white dominant scociety to blow the flames out. Defend your heritage by any means necessary. Anything less will not regain your dignity and your rights as the first people of your homelands.
Do we have to keep spelling it out yet still be ignored?
I don't know about the validity of a poll conducted in the Herald Sun - isn't that the paper Andrew Bolt writes for. Up amongst the powers that be there must be a brain that is questioning why the anger at the Embassy, why the need to continue it, why why why? Do we have to spell it out yet again and have them ignore the voices? Now the message has gone around the world that Aboriginal people here are not happy, despite the government lies in the UN and in mainstream Australian media. Now someone might listen. Repression never works. A station owner out Utopia way once made a comment (in response to a question about his treatment of his Aboriginal workers) that you kick a dog and it comes crawling back to you, trying to get your approval. Well in my view you can only kick a dog for so long and it either lies down and dies or it becomes savage. I'm not inferring anyone is a dog but the analogy is interesting and the fact that this is how Aboriginal people were looked upon in the recent past.
Just how legal is this colony?
I do wonder? With no treaty, never declared war, terra nullius has been debunked in our highest court, english common law never protected or counted Aboriginal people, just how legal is this colony? Seems invasion could technically the right word? Any aussies who claim Australia is legit willing to debate the issue because they all seem to have their mind in the gutter