Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 27 events from 17 March 2012

Last updated 18 March 2012:

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

Event: 11 February 2012 to 26 May 2012: South Bank, Brisbane, 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 28 February to Sun 25 March 2012: Adelaide, SA
Exhibition: Deadly: in-between heaven and hell
Tandanya NACI and Adelaide Festival
"A major exhibition of newly commissioned works
by eight leading Australian Aboriginal artists and
collectives. ... For many Indigenous peoples,
'heaven on Earth' is the divine world shaped by
ancestral creators, where connection to country
and culture are in harmony with the experience
of self and community. At the other extreme, the
legacies of incursion and assimilation are a
'living hell'. The in-between is uneasy, lined
with hope and echoing with resilience."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/sa/event/27911/

Event: Intermittent 1 March - 3 May 2012: Various Locations
House of Representatives Committees
Inquiry into language learning in Indigenous communities
Public hearings:
Canberra, ACT: 1 March 2012
Canberra, ACT: 15 March 2012
Canberra, ACT: 22 March 2012
Adelaide, SA: 2 April 2012
Utopia Homelands, NT: 3 April 2012
Alice Springs, NT: 4 April 2012
Broome, WA: 30 April 2012
Halls Creek, WA: 1 May 2012
Darwin, NT: 2 May 2012
Nhulunbuy, NT: 3 May 2012
Event details: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Represe...

Event: Sun 18 March 2012 10pm: ABC Local Radio
Interview and Discussion on the Northern Territory
* Anglican Bishop of the NT Greg Thompson
* Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM
* Graeme Mundine
* Jeff McMullen
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/16/interviews-and-discussion-on-the-nort...

Event: 21 March 2012: various locations internationally
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Event details: http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/
Let's Fight Racism!: http://www.un.org/en/letsfightracism/

Event: Wed 21 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Protest second intervention and deaths in custody on
UN day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Speakers include:
* Nicole Watson
* Ray Jackson
* Patricia Morton-Thomas
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/#21March
Event details: http://www.indymedia.org.au/rally-for-aboriginal-rights-and-self-determi...
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Past%20Events/N...

Event: Wed 21 March 2012: Broadmeadows, Vic
Our Generation - Free Film Screening
"If you have an interest in Amnesty International
and Indigenous issues, come along to our
free film screening and find out more about
what we are doing to defend the rights of
Indigenous Peoples."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/vic/event/28046/
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Thu 22 March 2012: various locations across Australia
National Close the Gap Day
"National Close the Gap Day (NCTGD) is a way
for all Australians to join together and remind our
political leaders of their commitments to close
the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
Our focus for 2012 is on the need for genuine,
meaningful partnership with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health peoples at all
stages of health planning and delivery."
Event details: http://www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/national-close-the-gap-day/
Attend a Close the Gap event
(various dates and locations throughout March 2012): http://webfw.oxfam.org.au/act/events/close-the-gap-day/attend
NIRS news: http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/6996-smaller-communities-want-ac...

Event: Thu 22 March 2012: Collingwood, Vic
Homelands and Advocacy Training Session
"The Homelands campaign aims to
protect the right of Aboriginal peoples
to stay on their Homelands."
This training will cover:
- The Homelands report and key issues
- Homelands campaign strategy and messaging
- Guide to effective advocacy
- Overview of methods for how to meet with, write to or call your MP
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/vic/event/28099/

Event: 22 March 2012: Waratah, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by the Ethnic Communities Council
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Sat 24 March 2012: Fullarton, SA
Amnesty International Fullarton Markets Group
"The government is currently deciding
whether they will fund essential services
on Aboriginal homelands in the next
Federal Budget.
Nearly one-third of Indigenous people in the
Northern Territory live on homelands.
Research shows that with proper services,
people can be happier, healthier and live
longer and on homelands."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/sa/event/27913/

Event: Sun 25 March 2012: Nyoongar Tent Embassy, WA
The Day of the Didge:
Nyoongar Tent Embassy Fundraiser
"We will be staging the biggest ensemble of
didge players and music the world will ever see. ...
We hope the the Tent Embassies around Australia
- Canberra, Portland and soon to be Brisbane will
also come on board and host an event at their sites
on the same day to also fundraise for their
embassies and spread the message of
sovereignty."
Event details: http://www.indymedia.org.au/the-day-of-the-didge-nyoongar-tent-embassy-f...

Event: Mon 26 March 2012: Burwood
ANTaR Inner West's free screening of an Indigenous film
Film: "Here I Am"
Burwood Westfield Greater Union Cinema
" ... the story of a young Aboriginal woman's
struggle to stay off drugs and reconnect with
her young daughter and her Mother now that
she's out of jail."
Event details: http://www.sydneykin.org.au/pipermail/womenforwik/2012-February/000687.html

Event: Wed 28 March 2012: Parramatta Park, Qld
Black Deaths in Custody Watch Group meeting
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49933

Event: 28 March 2012: March to Parliament House
From Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation
Stolen Wages Rally
At Parliament House the speakers will address issues such as:
* Stolen Wages - Recent ex gratia announcement
* Land Deal - SWALSC & Government
* Human Rights - Aboriginal issues and concerns
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/03/12/from-dumbartung-aboriginal-corporatio...

Event: Thu 29 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Discussion with Damien Curtis, Jeff McMullen,
Alec Doomadgee, Rosealee Pearson and John Pilger
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/50368
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Fri 30 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
Tent Embassy & Identity
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Film: Ningla A-Na
Discussion with Gary Foley and Larissa Behrendt
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/50368

Event: Sat 31 March 2012: Sydney, NSW
What's the Fuss in the Kimberley?
Part of Message Sticks Festival 2012
Film: Old Country New Country
Q&A with George Negus Stephen Pigram,
Mitch Torres and Albert Wiggan
Event details: http://ideas.sydneyoperahouse.com/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Message_sticks/highlights.aspx

Event: 3 April 2012: Wollongong, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Hosted by University of Wollongong Enviro Collective
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Fri 6 April 2012: University of Melbourne, Vic
Gary Foley will be speaking on his amazing life and times
"The legendary Aboriginal activist has been at the
centre of major political activity for over 40 years.
In the 1970’s he joined the growing circle of Aboriginal
resistance in Australia, and formed the Aboriginal
Legal Service in Sydney. ... "
Part of Marxism 2012 Conference, Easter weekend
Presented by Socialist Alternative & ISO of NZ
Supported by Community Radio 3CR 855 AM
Event details: http://www.marxismconference.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=artic...
Marxism 2012 details: http://www.marxismconference.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=front...

Event: Sat 7 April 2012: Darwin, NT
Rock Against Racism
Organised by DASSAN and Darwin Aboriginal Rights Collective
Event summary: http://dassan.weebly.com/rock-against-racism.html

Event: Wed 18 April 2012: Parramatta, Sydney, NSW
Free Public Screening of Our Generation
Introduction and Q&A by Jeff McMullen AM
Hosted by Reconciliation for Western Sydney
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/#OurGen
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Poster: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/Facts-Info-Our-...
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Sun 6 May 2012: Sydney, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
Followed by Q&A with Dr Jeff McMullen
and Dr Thalia Anthony
Part of Sydney Greek Festival 2012
Event details: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/screenings
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: 12 May 2012: Melbourne City, Vic
2012 Autumn Action:
Stop Aboriginal Death in Custody
Remember all who have died in custody
Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association
Event details: http://www.isja-msg.com/coming_events.htm

Event: Sat 14 to Fri 20 July 2012: Olympic Dam, SA
The Lizard's Revenge:
Olympic Dam expansion music/art/festival/protest
"Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard,
Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.
BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government
has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium
mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.
Kalta is angry and wants revenge.
Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the
world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling
for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace
and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come."
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/the-lizards-revenge-olympic-dam-expansion-musica...
Background: http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/10/australia-approves-20-30bn-bhp-bi...

Event: 11 August 2012: Melbourne City, Vic
2012 Winter Action:
Stop Aboriginal Death in Custody
Remember all who have died in custody
Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association
Event details: http://www.isja-msg.com/coming_events.htm

Event: 10 November 2012: Melbourne City, Vic
2012 Spring Action:
Stop Aboriginal Death in Custody
Remember all who have died in custody
Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association
Event details: http://www.isja-msg.com/coming_events.htm

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