Argument between governments puts lives at risk
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10347
An argument between state and federal governments over who should pay for a legal hotline could be putting lives at risk. The Custody Notification Service was recommended by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, but it is now at risk of being left unfunded due to a disagreement of whether it is a state or federal funding responsibility.
Disagreement between the O'Farrell and Gillard governments over who should pay for a legal hotline for Indigenous people arrested by police could be putting lives at risk. The Custody Notification Service allows all Indigenous people in custody access to a lawyer to provide legal aid and welfare support, and has been in place since 2000. But last year the federal government cut its funding, and the two tiers of government can't seem to come to any agreement about who should fork out for the scheme.
When do you think we'll have an indigenous PM?
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10343
The statistics are concerning: Two-thirds of Australians believe they will not see an Indigenous Prime Minister in their lifetime. However, a new campaign aiming for more Indigenous education launched by the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, believe the opposite and an Indigenous Prime Minister can step into the Federal Cabinet.
The AIEF believes Australia is behind on giving more education to Indigenous children to end inequity. With this gap closed, it might be possible to have an Indigenous Prime Minister.
Barngarla language to be revived
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10345
Australia has the world record of linguicide, according to experts on the topic. But different communities across South Australia join forces to reclaim the Barngarla language lost and to revive it through workshops offered by the University of Adelaide in Port Augusta.
More than 90 per cent of the Indigenous languages were forced to hibernate. Now, more challenges come ahead when integrating modern concepts to a hibernated language.
Documentary film explores revival of lost Kaurna language
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10350
The traditional language of Kaurna country in South Australia's Adelaide Plains is thought to have
disappeared about 100 years ago. But thanks to research by linguists, a revival is underway. Jack
Buckskin started learning Kaurna in 2006 and is now the only Aboriginal person to teach it in
Adelaide.
Jack's mission to keep the endangered language alive is the subject of a new documentary by
indigenous filmmaker Dylan McDonald. "Buckskin" is McDonald's first documentary, and it
premieres at the Sydney Film Festival on June 12.
Closing the gap on Cancer death rates
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10338#4
Over the last twenty years, cancer research has saved over 60,000 Australians from an early death. Yet Indigenous Australians are dying of cancer 60% more than their non-indigenous counterparts.
5000 more Indigenous students may get scholarships
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10332#5
With the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation revising their fundraising goals, a potential $100 million dollar boost to nation-wide Indigenous education programs could allow their current 2,000 scholarships to grow to 7,000. If they can source the funding, affiliated schools in QLD, NSW, VIC and WA can receive more students, and the foundation may extend their program into other states.
Aboriginal typecasting wears thin
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=10326#4
When was the last time you saw an indigenous actor playing a professional, a judge, or a pilot in an Australian drama? More often than not, Aboriginal actors are cast as troubled characters, grappling with addictions and dealing with abuse. Actors Shareena Clanton and Richard Frankland are speaking up about their desire to see more intelligent, nuanced Aboriginal characters. And just a warning, this segment contains strong language and themes. If you’ve got kids around you might want to turn down the sound for the next few minutes.