WGAR News: Muckaty Northern Territory exhibition to open at Adelaide Fringe festival: BNI

Newsletter date: 14 February 2013

Contents:

* BNI: Nuclear waste in the spotlight, Muckaty in the frame: Northern Territory exhibition to open at Adelaide Fringe festival
* Event: Exhibition by Human Rights Activist, Jagath Dheerrasekara: Manuwangku - Under the Nuclear Cloud: 14 Feb - 22 Mar 13
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump

* SNAICC News: Know your rights - Resource on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

* Sovereign Union: The Apology is still an empty vessel

* NIRS: Kowanyama wants housing but not with 40-year leases

* SBS Radionews Audio: Remembering Indigenous defence service

* The Wire: Cultural ties improve vocational opportunities

* Other articles

* BNI: NUCLEAR WASTE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, MUCKATY IN THE FRAME: NORTHERN TERRITORY EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL

- Media Advisory

Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Nuclear waste in the spotlight, Muckaty in the frame: Northern Territory exhibition to open at Adelaide Fringe festival.
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/2013/02/12/nuclear-waste-in-the-spotl...
11 Feb 13: "A photo exhibition profiling the Northern Territory region targeted for a federal nuclear waste dump is launching at the internationally renowned Adelaide Fringe festival this Thursday February 14. ...
Manuwangku, Under the Nuclear Cloud is a series of photographs by Jagath Dheerasekara presenting the community and country around Muckaty, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the NT. For over five years this area has been the focus of federal government pressure as a site to dump radioactive waste. The federal plan is deeply unpopular and is being actively opposed.
Muckaty Traditional Owners Isobel Phillips and Doris Kelly will travel to attend the opening and speak about the community campaign opposing the waste dump.
Natalie Wasley from the Beyond Nuclear Initiative is coordinating the exhibition’s national tour and will also speak at the event. ... "

Muckaty traditional owners in communityu radio intervfiews: http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10023

About Beyond Nuclear Initiative
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/about/
"The Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) aims to highlight the adverse impact of the uranium and wider nuclear industry in Australia and promote a nuclear-free future. ... The project focuses on the interface between the nuclear industry and Indigenous people. BNI is a joint project of the Arid Lands Environment Centre, Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of the Earth Australia."

* EVENT: EXHIBITION BY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, JAGATH DHEERRASEKARA: MANUWANGKU - UNDER THE NUCLEAR CLOUD: 14 FEB - 22 MAR 13

- Event

Event: 14 February - 22 March 2013: Marleston, Adelaide, SA
Manuwangku - Under the Nuclear Cloud
Exhibition by Human Right Activist, Jagath Dheerrasekara
The Light Gallery: http://lightgallery.ccp.sa.edu.au/
Adelaide Fringe 2013: http://issuu.com/adelaidefringe
Opening: Thu 14 Feb 2013 6-8pm
Artist talk commenses 5pm before opening
"Muckaty, which traditional owners call Manuwangku,
is situated 120 km north of Tennant Creek,
Northern Territory and is slated for a federal radioactive
waste storage facility."
"Manuwangku, Under the Nuclear Cloud is a photographic
narrative of the spirit, the connection to land and
the collective voice of the community that came through
by photographer Jagath Dheerasekara (www.jd.photoshelter.com)
living there and experiencing their socio-cultural life."
"It is a testimony to the resilience of the community
and captures the determination of people bound
together through a common struggle to keep
their traditional land free from nuclear waste."
"This traveling exhibition is a collaborative project
with the Manuwangku (Muckaty) Traditional Owners,
the Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) and
the Amnesty International."
Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI): http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/
Amnesty International Australia: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights
Event details: http://lightgallery.ccp.sa.edu.au/?event-items=fringe-2013-manuwangku-un...
Event details: http://lightgallery.ccp.sa.edu.au/
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/sa/event/31014/
Event details on page 121: http://issuu.com/adelaidefringe/docs/2013_adelaide_fringe_guide
WGAR Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump in NT: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...

* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:

Last updated: 2 January 2013

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...

* SNAICC NEWS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - RESOURCE ON THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP)

- News

SNAICC News: Know your rights - Resource on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=988
13 Feb 13: "Know Your Rights is a publication created for young Indigenous peoples from around the world between the ages of 13 to 18 years. The document provides an overview of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Declaration) in a clear and accessible way. ... Know your rights is a useful resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, and those working with these young people, to assist them to learn about the Declaration and how to use it to improve access to and enjoyment of their human rights."

See:

SNAICC Background
http://www.snaicc.org.au/about/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=1
"SNAICC has a membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based child care agencies, Multi-functional Aboriginal Children's Services, creches, long day care child care services, pre schools, early childhood education services, early childhood support organisations, family support services, foster care agencies, link up and family reunification services, family group homes, community groups and voluntary associations, and services for young people at risk."

* SOVEREIGN UNION: THE APOLOGY IS STILL AN EMPTY VESSEL

- Letter

The Apology is still an empty vessel: Sovereign Union
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/apology-still-empty-vessel-so...
12 Feb 13: "Letter to Members of both Houses of Parliament - copy
Re: Australian Government continuing assimilation policy for Aboriginal Nations and Peoples ...
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the National Apology delivered by former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, we believe it is timely to analyse its implications. We acknowledge the significance of the Apology and its cathartic impact, however, hidden within the Apology is a very clever manipulation of English words that excuses the actions of the Commonwealth government being complicit and a silent player in authorising and legitimising the actions of Australian state governments. The Commonwealth Government’s 1937 sponsored Aboriginal Welfare conference clearly defines the Commonwealth government’s role in these acts of genocide.
The 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide includes in its definition of: ...
Sincerely, Michael Anderson, Convenor, Sovereign Union of First Nations and Peoples in Australia"

See:

About 'Sovereign Union'
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/3
"This is the official website of the Sovereign Union of First Nations and Peoples in Australia. ... As First Nations Peoples it is now imperative that we unite and rebuild as sovereign independent nations, in order to assert our sovereign title and rights throughout Australia. This will be a major political and legal fight, but it is our future for not just us, but for our children and our grandchildren."

- Related Audio

SBS Radionews Podcasts: The Stolen Generations apology, five years on
By Murray Silby
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/253744/The-Sto...
12 Feb 13: "Five years on from Kevin Rudd's historic apology to the Stolen Generations on February 13, 2008, emotions still run strongly through the Indigenous people it was directed towards. And in some cases, relief or joy at the time of the apology have more recently been replaced by frustration or anger at the lack of progress in relation to compensation for victims of the policy. Murray Silby reports."

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/am-13-02-update.mp3
13 Feb 13: "* Renewed calls for compensation from the Northern Territory Stolen Generations on the 5th anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudds National Apology to Aboriginal and Islander Australians."

ABC AM: MPs to address racist language in the Australian Constitution
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3689075.htm
13 Feb 13: "It's five years today since Kevin Rudd as prime minister made the landmark apology to Indigenous Australians for the grief, mistreatment and suffering endured since European settlers landed two centuries ago. There's still more to be done, including reworking the outdated and racist wording of the Constitution. In Canberra today MPs will take the next step towards that reform. Peter Lloyd reports."

- Related News

newsTracker: Lower house passes recognition bill on Sorry Day
http://tracker.org.au/2013/02/hopes-recognition-bill-will-pass-on-sorry-...
13 Feb 13: "NATIONAL: Aboriginal leader Mick Gooda hopes an Act of Recognition will pass parliament on the fifth anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations. Debate on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012 will resume in the lower house on Wednesday. In September, the federal government shelved plans to hold a referendum on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people because of a lack of public awareness on the issue. Instead, it has introduced to parliament an Act of Recognition as a stepping stone towards constitutional change."

National Indigenous Radio Service: 5th Anniversary of National Apology
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7835-5th-anniversary-of-national...
13 Feb 13: "Reconciliation Australia's Co-Chair Tom Calma says the National Apology should be celebrated each year as a reminder we still have a long way to go for equality. Mr. Calma says the process of social justice and reconciliation began with the Apology. "We need to take the opportunity to educate the general population about our life circumstances so they better understand our history. "We are in our predicament, for many of us, not because we chose to, but because government policies have put us into that situation. ... ""

National Indigenous Radio Service: Canberra concert will mark apology fifth anniversary
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7836-canberra-concert-will-mark-...
13 Feb 13: "The head of Stolen Generation support group, the Healing Foundation, says five year celebrations since the apology provide an opportunity to reinforce the benefits of healing and reconciliation to the public. ... Mr. Donavan says he's in Canberra to mark the milestone and he's today reflecting on the impact on his family. "I think every single one of us in Australia has a role to play in recognising the symbolism of what those words actually meant five years ago when Kevin Rudd did make the apology. "We can all take practical measures to bring great changes in everyone's lives.""

* NIRS: KOWANYAMA WANTS HOUSING BUT NOT WITH 40-YEAR LEASES

- News

National Indigenous Radio Service: Kowanyama wants housing but not with 40-year leases
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7832-kowanyama-wants-housing-but...
12 Feb 13: "NIRS/98.9fm: The Deputy CEO of the Kowanyama Shire Council in far north Queensland says the community will see the beginning of a new housing project when the wet season is over. ... But Mr. Sands [Robbie Sands] has lashed out at the government for attempting to make the community sign 40-year leases as a condition for the project's funding. "Back in 2008, when the Labor Government rolled this program out, the community and the council, through the vision of the community, resisted signing over all of our houses ... "We were going back to the old superintendent and manager days. ... ""

See:

About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"For over three decades, NIRS has provided a radio programming and media marketing service for over 140 Indigenous community radio stations. We continue to deliver 24 hours of programming each day throughout all major metropolitan, regional and, perhaps most importantly, remote communities."

* SBS RADIONEWS AUDIO: REMEMBERING INDIGENOUS DEFENCE SERVICE

- Audio

SBS Radionews Podcasts: Remembering Indigenous defence service
By Karen Ashford
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/253792/Remembe...
12 Feb 13: "Moves are being finalised for a national memorial in Adelaide to recognise Indigenous Australians who served in the armed forces. Records show Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders served in the armed forces from the Boer War onwards. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial Committee says after six years of fundraising, it's exceeded its target of $750,000 for a bronze sculpture by noted artist Robert Hannaford. Chair of the committee, Marj Trapp, told Karen Ashford it's hoped the memorial may help explain what's behind some long-standing mysteries."

* THE WIRE: CULTURAL TIES IMPROVE VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

- Audio Interview

The Wire: Cultural ties improve vocational opportunities
Produced by Melissa Lahoud
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10009
12 Feb 13: "Research suggests that young Aboriginal and Islander people who are culturally aware enjoy better vocational opportunities. A strong cultural identity can double the employment chances of Aboriginal and Islander students. A recent report reveals a solid link between cultural identity and engagement in training and education. An involvement in traditional events and economic activities are some factors encouraging positive qualities in students, which benefits their vocational opportunities in major ways.
Featured in story: Michael Dockery - director of the Centre for Labour Market Research at Curtin University"

See:

About The Wire
http://www.thewire.org.au/about.aspx
"The Wire is available via the Community Radio Network satellite and the CAAMA Radio satellite to more than 200 stations in city, regional, rural and remote communities, including many remote Indigenous communities and including places with no other broadcast media."

* OTHER ARTICLES:

- Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
South Australian Government ignoring Kaurna’s plea about burial ground !
http://caama.com.au/south-australian-government-ignoring-kaurnas-plea-ab...
12 Feb 13: "Traditional owners of the Adelaide plains region say that they are unable to take out an injunction to halt a major road project because the federally funded Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement spends most of its money defending criminal cases - leaving little for civil cases which are considered a low priority. Remains were found late last year on the $407 million Southern Expressway Duplication Project suggesting an ancient Aboriginal burial ground ...but Kaurna Elder Lynette Crocker says it is unlikely funds will be available to mount a court injunction."

SBS Living Black: Trust and Prejudice
By Marc Tong
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/253302/t...
8 Feb 13: "The latest Reconciliation Australia relationship Barometer study reveals disappointing results between First Nations and non-Indigenous people. Attitudes of trust and prejudice between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous people have not improved in five years except for those in organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans. The third study since 2008 by Reconciliation Australia has found that up to 87 per cent of each group do not trust each other, while up to 72 per cent agreed they were prejudiced against each other."

- News

newsTracker: Lower house passes recognition bill on Sorry Day
http://tracker.org.au/2013/02/hopes-recognition-bill-will-pass-on-sorry-...
13 Feb 13: "NATIONAL: Aboriginal leader Mick Gooda hopes an Act of Recognition will pass parliament on the fifth anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations. Debate on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012 will resume in the lower house on Wednesday. In September, the federal government shelved plans to hold a referendum on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people because of a lack of public awareness on the issue. Instead, it has introduced to parliament an Act of Recognition as a stepping stone towards constitutional change."

Congress: Congress calls for hard yards on substantive Constitutional reform
http://nationalcongress.com.au/congress-call-for-hard-yards-on-constitut...
"Congress welcomes the passage of the Act of Recognition in the Federal Parliament but says the hard yards in achieving substantive Constitutional reform are now just beginning. "Today is the first test of multi-partisanship leadership, now all parties must continue to work together to achieve a referendum involving substantive reform not just symbolic recognition," said Congress Co-Chair Jody Broun. "Congress calls for Constitutional reform that protects rights and prohibits discrimination. "We now expect clear commitments from all sides of politics to a referendum time-frame and the concrete steps required to make it happen," she said."

newsTracker: Federal Court to take on native title role
http://tracker.org.au/2013/02/federal-court-to-take-on-native-title-role/
13 Feb 13: "NATIONAL: The Federal Court is a step closer to being in charge of mediation of native title claims after legislation passed the lower house. Previously, mediation was done in the Native Title Tribunal but the Federal Court has played more of a role since 2009. The government says fully transferring the mediation and some other administrative functions to the court would let the tribunal focus on its core area of strength. The legislation which passed the lower house on Tuesday consolidates the tribunal and the court as a single statutory agency to combine their administration."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Concern about adverse affects of economic development
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7831-concern-about-adverse-affec...
12 Feb 13: "An expert in environmental and resource management says plans to develop northern Australia run the risk of widening the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. A team of researchers looking into mining and development opportunities in the Top End say all proposed schemes could disadvantage Indigenous people. Griffith University's Sue Jackson says some Indigenous groups have expressed their concerned they're being overlooked in the planning of developments."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Drugs expert hopes cost-saving argument appeals to government
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7830-drugs-expert-hopes-cost-sav...
12 Feb 13: "NIRS/98.9fm: Aboriginal alcohol and drugs expert Ted Wilkes says many young Indigenous people who commit crimes are under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. Associate Professor Wilkes is chair of the National Indigenous Alcohol and Drugs Committee. He advocates for a report released last week saying governments could save millions by putting non-violent offenders on rehab programs rather than in jails. He's told 98.9fm it's pointless for governments keep building prisons for people who could be placed on diversionary programs."

- - -

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
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