WGAR News: 'cA' paper: Cuts to welfare payments for school non-attendance - requested or imposed?

Newsletter date: 12 November 2011

Contents:
* 'cA': Cuts to Welfare Payments for School Non-Attendance
* Thanks from leaders to supporters of the Yolngu Nations Assembly
* Paddy Gibson and Barb Shaw: Alternative to the NT Intervention
* Emma Murphy: New NT education policy still sidelines Indigenous language
* Amnesty: Stronger futures in the NT must be a product of the people
* Greens Rachel Siewert: Smarter investments the key for the NT
* More on the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF)
* What’s Working: So No to Government Intervention
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 20 events from 12 November 2011

* 'cA': CUTS TO WELFARE PAYMENTS FOR SCHOOL NON-ATTENDANCE:

- Research Paper

Cuts to Welfare Payments for School Non-Attendance - Requested or Imposed?
October 2011
Prepared by: Michele Harris, Rosa McKenna
'concerned Australians' www.concernedaustralians.com.au
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/Welfare-Cuts-Requested-or-I...
"This paper raises a number of questions about the interpretation of consultations with Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory concerning the link between cuts to welfare payments
and school non-attendance. The Federal Government’s recent report, Stronger Futures Report on Consultations, is based on the belief that Aboriginal people support the proposal to remove welfare payments in cases where children do not attend school. ...
This paper suggests that there is considerable doubt that the views of Aboriginal people are as clear as suggested by the Government report, and presents analysis which suggests considerable disquiet about the proposal to cut welfare payments and other aspects of education that are being provided to Aboriginal communities.
The paper draws on transcripts of Government community consultations and public meetings that took place in the Northern Territory between June and August 2011 to see what was said about the problems of non-attendance.
Ten of the consultations held were recorded and transcribed and this sample is broadly representative of the types of communities with which the government consulted. ...
While there are many strong and valuable messages from Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory as to how to improve levels of school attendance, there seems to have been no evidence that one of those messages was about cutting welfare benefits or fines."

* THANKS FROM LEADERS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY:

- Letter

Cultural Worlds: First Yolngu Nations Assembly held in Galiwin’ku
http://blog.whywarriors.com.au/2011/first-yolngu-nations-assembly-held-i...
31 Oct 11: "Dear Supporters,
On behalf of Yolŋu Nations Assembly (YNA), I would like to extend our deep gratitude for your support of the first assembly from Friday 14th to Monday 17th October. ... The outcomes of the assembly will be made public in the coming months. The First Yolŋu Nations Assembly was a very uplifting time for all the leaders involved. It cannot be expressed how greatly this action has provided a source of hope for the Arnhem Land people. One can’t help feel that this is a changing of the tide for this region, an expression of self-determination in what has been a sad period of external take-over. ... Sincerely, Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, Djirrikay for Dhurili Clan Nation"

- Audio Interview

ABC Darwin - Drive with Vicki Kerrigan: Yolngu embassy proposed
http://blogs.abc.net.au/nt/2011/10/yolgnu-embassy-proposed.html
17 Oct 11: "For the very first time elders from Arnhem Land are meeting for the first Yolngu assembly. They want customary law recognised. They want to establish a Yolngu embassy with a vision to creating their own government. Reverend Djiniyini Gondarra says Arnhem land already operates as a sovereign state. Listen to Reverend Djiniyini Gondarra, a traditional owner from Elcho Island, talk about creating a Yolngu embassy and why it's important to his people."

* PADDY GIBSON AND BARB SHAW: ALTERNATIVE TO THE NT INTERVENTION:

- Audio Interviews

the third degree: Episode 2011 - 37: Alternative to the NT Intervention
Broadcast 6 October 2011 on 2ser radio 107.3 Sydney
http://thirddegreeshow.blogspot.com/2011/10/episode-2011-37-alternative-...
26 Oct 11
[Interviews with Paddy Gibson and Barbara Shaw.]

- Commentary about the interviews

Workers Bush Telegraph: Elders voice anger over NT intervention & Alternative to NT Interv 6 Oct with Barb
http://workersbushtelegraph.com.au/2011/11/06/elders-voice-anger-over-nt...
6 Nov 11: "two excellent interviews by that indefatigable duo, paddy gibson and ms. barbara shaw on what is wrong with the intervention that the howard - krudd - gillard governments are forcing onto the aborigines on welfare, most of them, in the prescribed areas. ... paddy informs us of the most interesting point of what aboriginal workers are being paid to build, or assist in building, aboriginal housing. they are being paid a pittance, a mere $6 dollars an hour ... ms. barbara continues to inform us of the ills that beset those living in the prescribed areas and the constant abuse and manipulation that follows from that. she at least lives in the prescribed areas ... " ray jackson, president, indigenous social justice association

- See Document:

Jumbunna: "Rebuilding from the Ground Up" Alternatives to the Northern Territory Intervention
http://www.jumbunna.uts.edu.au/researchareas/alternatives.html

Stop the Intervention: Alternatives to the Intervention
http://stoptheintervention.org/alternatives-to-the-intervention

* EMMA MURPHY: NEW NT EDUCATION POLICY STILL SIDELINES INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE:

- Analysis / Opinion

Green Left: New NT education policy still sidelines Indigenous language
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49339
5 Nov 11: "The Northern Territory government’s latest proposed approach to teaching Aboriginal students, like its previous policy, places a primacy on reading and writing in English. It allows for students’ first language to be used to help teachers explain new concepts, but critics fear it falls short of valuing Aboriginal languages. ... The draft Literacy Framework for Students with English as an Additional Language was released on August 31. It slightly amends the controversial “First Four Hours” policy, introduced in January 2009, which expired earlier this year. Many criticised the First Four Hours policy, ... " Emma Murphy, Darwin

* AMNESTY: STRONGER FUTURES IN THE NT MUST BE A PRODUCT OF THE PEOPLE:

- Statement

Amnesty International Australia: Stronger futures in the NT must be a product of the people
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/27043/
19 Oct 11: "Community consultations are a welcome first step towards tackling Aboriginal disadvantage in the Northern Territory, but any strategies to ensure stronger futures must be community-driven in order to be sustainable, said Amnesty International today.
Responding to the Government’s Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Report on Consultations released yesterday, Amnesty International is calling on the Government to now work in partnership with Aboriginal communities to find practical solutions that respect the rights of those affected.
"The Government must recognise that local issues need local solutions rather than the failed one-size-fits-all Intervention policies that were imposed upon communities four years ago," said Rodney Dillon, Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous Rights Campaigner."

* GREENS RACHEL SIEWERT: SMARTER INVESTMENTS THE KEY FOR THE NT:

- Media Release

Greens Rachel Siewert: Smarter investments the key for the NT
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/smarter-inv...
10 Nov 11: "The Australian Greens said today that a new evaluation of the Northern Emergency Response proved smarter investments should replace the flawed intervention measures currently underway.
Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues said the Government shouldn’t be using the report to justify the Intervention or any continuation of the top down, punitive, discriminatory measures seen in the NT.
"It is no surprise that people feel safer in communities that have seen an increase in police numbers and the provision of other services," said Senator Siewert.
"You don’t need to be Einstein to work out that by investing in services in communities, you improve outcomes for that community and address the issues around disadvantage.
"The point is that these results could have been delivered without the approach that is being taken under the NT Intervention.""

* MORE ON THE NATIONAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP FORUM (NHLF)

- News

National Indigenous Times: New era for health
http://www.nit.com.au/story.aspx?id=23215
9 Nov 11: "Finally ... a new era, a new strategy, a brave new world with the Federal Government announcing the establishment of a National Health Leadership Forum that will advise and help direct funding of health initiatives for Australia’s First Peoples. ... For the first time 11 of the country’s peak Indigenous health organisations will work with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council to advise Federal, State and Territory governments on the establishment and implementation of a health plan through to 2030. The health plan will be "community-driven" to maximise the benefits and effect of health spending. The plan has received widespread endorsement from health and community organisations."

National Indigenous Times: NACCHO recognises new national plan as a commitment to giving people a better life
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23199
9 Nov 11: "The importance of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services delivering front line care in their communities was reflected in the health initiatives announced by the Federal Government last week, Chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Mr Justin Mohamed said. NACCHO will Co-Chair the new National Health Leadership Forum of peak bodies in the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, along with Congress Co-Chair, Jody Broun."

National Indigenous Times: Congress teams with 11 groups to fix our health
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23202
9 Nov 11: "The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples has teamed with eleven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health groups to form the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF).
Congress is the backbone of this historic group which combines the expertise of existing organisations and will drive the active involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in health policy at a national level. Congress Co-Chair, Jody Broun, who leads the Forum together with Justin Mohamed, Chair of NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation), said the Forum was about partnership not just consultation."

National Indigenous Times: Federal Government initiative receives overwhelming support
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23201
9 Nov 11: "The Close the Gap Campaign has welcomed the new national voice for the health interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Campaign Co-Chair and Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda said the announcement that the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF) would be the national representative voice to Governments on Indigenous health was a turning point for Indigenous peoples. He said the health plan announced by the Federal Government offered the best opportunity yet to address the health issues facing Indigenous Australians. The NHLF is part of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (Congress)."

National Indigenous Times: A road map for health
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23200
9 Nov 11: "A national Indigenous health road map is to be developed with the aim of increasing an Aboriginal life expectancy that is currently 11 years below that of other Australians. Peak Indigenous health organisations from across the nation, the National Congress of Australia’s First People and State and Territory governments will partner the Federal Government to devise the plan, Indigenous Health Minister Warren Snowdon said. In the plan, the "community-driven" 2030 Closing the Gap program is to be developed next year, implemented from 2013 and is expected to trigger future budget boosts to Indigenous health."

* WHAT'S WORKING: SO NO TO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION:

What’s Working: So No to Government Intervention
http://www.whatsworking.com.au/whats-working/so-no-to-government-interve...
"The Australian Government has announced that Income Management will be coming to Bankstown. A coalition of organisations came together in June 2011 to campaign against this policy. ... A full-page open letter appeared in the Bankstown local papers on 27 July 2011, addressed to federal ministers Jenny Macklin and Tanya Plibersek, and local federal MPs for Banks, Blaxland and Watson, voicing community concerns about the impact of such an intervention on people in Bankstown and everywhere else in Australia.
See website: http://www.sayno2gim.info/ "

See also:

Stop the Intervention: Income Management
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/income-management

Stop the Intervention: Dr John Falzon 6-10-11
Basic Rights not BasicsCard
Address to the Say No to Income Management Rally, Bankstown, 6th October 2011
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/speeches/dr-john-falzon-6-10-11
6 Oct 11: "Our problem in Australia is not the "idleness of the poor", as perniciously proposed by welfare-bashers of all political stripes. Putting the boot into disadvantaged Australians might be therapeutic for these welfare bashers but the reality is that it will not help a single person into employment. Neither will it provide the resources for someone to survive outside the labour market."

* OTHER NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

- News

Courier Mail: Community houses in remote Aboriginal communities cost $590k to build
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/community-houses-cost-590k-t...
11 Nov 11: "NEW houses in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory are costing almost $600,000 on average to build ... Australian Greens spokeswoman Rachel Siewert said it was not good enough that the amount of money required for associated infrastructure had been underestimated. "We are building houses knowing full well that we we still have over-crowding in these communities," she said."

Koori Mail: NTER communities feel safer, say Feds
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
10 Nov 11: "THE Federal Government says an independent evaluation of the Northern Emergency Response (NTER) has found Aboriginal people living in NT remote communities feel safer and receive better levels of government services than they did four years ago. But it says findings of little overall change in school attendance and enrolment, poor reading, writing and numeracy outcomes, and low employment show there are still big challenges ahead."

Koori Mail: Oppn condemns Govt on ‘leaky tents’
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
10 Nov 11: "THE Federal Opposition has disputed Government suggestions that a program to improve Aboriginal community housing in the Northern Territory is working well, saying that around 200 people in at least one community have had to live in tents for up to six months while waiting for accommodation. Opposition Indigenous Affairs spokesman Nigel Scullion says families at Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island are living in cramped tents during torrential downpours while they wait for housing rebuilds and refurbishments under the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP)."

Koori Mail: Govt upbeat on housing program
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
10 Nov 11: "THE Australian and Northern Territory Governments say a program aimed at providing new, rebuilt and refurbished houses in NT Aboriginal communities is on track. They say that an Australian National Audit Office report on the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing has found that, despite a related program enduring a slow start, a significant number of new and refurbished houses has been built in the NT, and construction and management costs showed the program was delivering value for money."

9 News: NT housing program under fire
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8372640/housing-program-under-fire
10 Nov 11: "New houses in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory are costing almost $600,000 on average to build as concerns resurface over value for money and whether the housing program will actually reduce overcrowding. The auditor-general's report tabled in the Senate on Thursday on the national partnership on remote indigenous housing program said the average planned cost of a new house was about $590,000."

National Indigenous Times: It’s cultural genocide
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23214
9 Nov 11: "Indigenous leaders from across the Northern Territory have once again met and condemned the Intervention labelling it a "sham consultation" and "failed policies". The six leaders Dr Djiniyini Gondarra (Elcho Island), Rosalie Kunoth-Monks (Urapuntja), Japarta Ryan (Kalkarindji), Harry Nelson (Yuendumu), Djapirri Mununggirritj (Yirrkala) and Barbara Shaw (Mt Nancy Town Camp) met in Melbourne last week to discuss the issues affecting their communities. The meeting was called to agree on strategies to combat what they have called the "cultural genocide" the Intervention was wreaking on the Northern Territory’s First Nations peoples."

National Indigenous Times: $1.35 million spend on signs for Intervention is a "waste beyond belief", says Greens
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23207
9 Nov 11: "The Federal Government spent a gob smacking $1.35 million to install signs informing Indigenous communities about alcohol and pornography bans introduced by the former Howard Government under the Northern Territory Intervention. The sum, described by the Greens as "a waste beyond belief", does not include maintenance of the 405 signs which were put up in prescribed towns since the Intervention began in 2007."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Questions about CDEP raised from study
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6549...
8 Nov 11: "New research has found a remote Aboriginal jobs program may be inadvertently encouraging the reliance on welfare that it is meant to address. The Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research studied 15 people on the Community Development Employment Projects in the APY Lands in South Australia's remote north. The program aims to give Indigenous people the skills to move on to other work, but Centrelink has paid participants for the past two years."

* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

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

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Northern Territory National Emergency Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention

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

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

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:

- Media Release

Greens urge Parliament to back Native Title reform bill
http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-urge-parliament-bac...
9 Nov 11: "The Australian Greens remain in 'no doubt' about the importance of native title reforms following a Senate Inquiry into the Native Title Amendment (Reform) Bill 2011.
"The existing native title system is not living up to its intended purpose and our bill seeks to rectify that," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues said today.
"The Bill addresses the serious and unnecessary barriers faced by traditional owners in making native title claims. It makes moderate reforms that have been well canvassed, both over the last few years and during this inquiry process.
"Evidence to the inquiry suggests that if the intentions of the bill were implemented, a greater degree of fairness would be introduced into the native title system."

- Analysis / Opinion

Indigenous Peoples: Australia: Latest United Nations Human Index Ranks Australians 2nd, Aborigines Last, Worldwide
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
8 Nov 11: "The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has compiled rankings of 187 countries according to their wealth, education levels and life expectancy. Australia is ranked second in terms of the human development index and social wealth however Australia's Aboriginal peoples continue with some of the world's worst life expectancies, and the disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians beggars questions of federal and state government policies which according to some United Nations committees and experts smack of overt neglect, discrimination and racism."

Australian courts ruling against Aborigines without jurisdiction
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/11/08/australian-courts-ruling-against-abor...
8 Nov 11: "By Michael Anderson
It appears that the courts of NSW are standing firm on their consistent practice to exercise jurisdiction over Aboriginal people despite the amended 1872/75 Pacific Islanders Act. While some judges understand the legal conundrum, the frustration is that some are no doubt asking themselves: what law does apply to Aboriginal people? This question arose in a number of criminal cases in 1827 in South Australia, Victoria in 1836 and NSW in 1842." Michael Anderson, the last survivor of the four young "Black Power" men who set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972

- Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 10-11-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-10-11-2011
10 Nov 11: "Protesters from the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation have staged a peaceful protest after they were denied access to speak at Fortescue Metals Group’s AGM to warn shareholders of the company’s plans to develop its Solomon project..a site of significant cultural heritage."

The Wire: Claims Fortescue Metals destroying sacred Aboriginal sites
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=8664
9 Nov 11: "Earlier this year Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group or FMG, was granted an exploration license in the Pilbara in Australia's mineral rich northwest. Native title is held by the Yindjibarndi people – and the exploration area contains a number of verified sacred sites. The license was granted to FMG on the basis that sacred sites are protected by local heritage legislation. Now the Yindjibarndi people are saying those sites are being destroyed. They held a peaceful vigil outside FMG’s AGM in Perth this morning, after a request by CEO of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal corporation, Michael Woodley, to address the meeting was rejected by Mr Forrest.
Featured in story: CEO of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal corporation, Michael Woodley"

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 08-11-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-08-11-2011
8 Nov 11: "A rally has been held in Brisbane to remember key incidents relating to Aborignal deaths in custody since 1993… and the key recommendations of the Royal commisission into Aborignal deaths in custody."

- News

Koori Mail: Committee cans native title bill
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
10 Nov 11: "A PARLIAMENTARY committee has dismissed a private members bill introduced by the Australian Greens in an attempt to make the native title system fairer. The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee accepted that there was dissatisfaction amongst some stakeholders, including Indigenous claimants, but said it was not convinced the Greens' bill would actually expedite effective native title outcomes."

National Indigenous Times: Police target protestors at Perth’s Occupy camp with move on orders
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23193
9 Nov 11: "The Occupy Movement in Perth continues in full swing with campers having taken hold of part of Perth’s Forrest Place. Aboriginal activists are at the forefront of the occupation. "This is a lead up occupation for when we descend upon the Federal Parliament in Canberra in January to continue on the 40 years of Tent Embassy," a Yamatji rights campaigner said. The Occupy campaign also follows on from the CHOGM protest in Perth on October 28 when more than 2,000 protestors descended on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to speak against human rights abuses, including Aboriginal disparity, injustices, racism and wars."

National Indigenous Times: Greens join fight to revise curriculum
http://www.nit.com.au/News/story.aspx?id=23191
9 Nov 11: "The Australian Greens have introduced a Senate motion calling for the national history curriculum to be revised to include more content on Indigenous Australians and the Stolen Generation. Senator Rachel Siewert put forward the motion after Indigenous groups and private school teachers expressed concern the new curriculum does not cover these areas adequately.
The National Sorry Day Committee has argued former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2008 apology to the Stolen Generations was not properly covered in the coursework and other references to Indigenous people were not well written."

* UPCOMING ABORIGINAL RIGHTS EVENTS AROUND AUSTRALIA - 20 EVENTS FROM 12 NOVEMBER 2011:

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

Event: Ongoing Protest: James Price Point, Kimberley, WA
Kimberley gas plant protest
Save the Kimberley info: http://www.savethekimberley.com/
Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture: http://ccr.uws.edu.au/2011/06/22/kimberley-gas-plant-threatens-aborigina...
Aboriginal elder Elsta Foy at the protest camp: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3296152.htm
Protest updates: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/blog/
Environs Kimberley: http://www.environskimberley.org.au/
Kimberley info: http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/
Kimberley Country and Culture: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/whats-the-fuss/country-culture/
WGAR News: Kimberley gas plant protest and blockade (28 Jun 11): http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/28/wgar-news-kimberley-gas-plant-protest...
WGAR News: 25 protesters arrested at JPP blockade (9 Jul 11): http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/09/wgar-news-25-protesters-arrested-at-j...

Upcoming Event: Central Adelaide, SA
Adelaide Kimberley Support Rally postponed
"a bigger better event is already being planned,
date and details soon!"
Event details: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/13/upcoming-events/

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: Sun 13 November 2011: Lawson, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening in the Blue Mountains
Hosted by AI Springwood/Blaxland Action Group
"The screening is held in support of Amnesty International
Australia’s Homelands report released in August. There will
be a brief introduction on the campaign and related
material will be available on the night."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/nsw/event/27054/
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49323
Film info: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
See bottom of this page for Our Generation film reviews

Event: Mon 14th November 2011: Mona Vale, Sydney, NSW
Misinformation and the Media
Guest Speaker: Chris Graham, Aboriginal affairs journalist
"The Lies that Feed the Northern Territory Intervention
continues the work of Aboriginal affairs journalist Chris
Graham, in exposing the media's role in the Northern
Territory intervention, by far the largest human rights
abuse in Australia in living memory."
Aboriginal Support Group
- Manly Warringah Pittwater Information night
Flyer (incl. event details): http://www.asgmwp.net/ChrisGrahamASGTalkNov%2011.pdf
Event summary: http://www.asgmwp.net/index.htm

Event: Tue 15 November 2011: Alice Springs, NT
Amnesty International Homelands Campaign Meeting
Event details: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

Event: Wed 16 November 2011: Carlton Sth, Melbourne, Vic
Public meeting: Traditional owners speak out against BHP
Q & A panel of traditonal owners,
who will be entering the BHP Billiton AGM on November 17,
including Peter Watts (Arabunna),
Donna Jackson (Larrakia Nation),
Richard Evans (Koara Gwa-da tribal leader) &
Felipe Ustate from Manatial Columbia
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49399

Event: Thu 17 November 2011: Melbourne City, Vic
Occupy Melbourne Protest:
Indigenous Working Group "Evict Robert Doyle"
"Occupy Melbourne's Indigenous Working Group serves an
eviction to Melbourne City Council and Lord Mayor Robert
Doyle. In response to the violent attack on the democratic
right to protest, including the brutal attack on several
Indigenous activists, we invite the 99% to join us in this
action to defend our human rights and cultural dignity."
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/occupy-melbourne-protest-indigenous-working-grou...
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49400

Event: Cinema Release Date: Thu 17 November 2011: 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."
Event details, incl. film review and interview with the director: http://www.hopscotchfilms.com.au/films/coming-soon/thetallman-film/

Event: Fri 18 November 2011: Nightcliff, Darwin, NT
Darwin book launch: "Walk With Us"
- Aboriginal views on the NT Intervention
"Aboriginal Elders Call Out to Australian People to Walk
with them in their Quest for Justice. A sequel to the
highly regarded 'This Is What We Said' (February 2010)
'Walk with Us' (August 2011) provides a very important
update of the current thinking about the Intervention. ... "
Organised by Darwin Aboriginal Rights Coalition
Event details: http://darwinaboriginalrights.wordpress.com/events/
Event details: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/WWU_booklaunches.html
Event details: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/films-and-literature/book-walk-with-us
Brought to you by 'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
Book info and order form: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/media/WWU_Order_Form.pdf
Further book info: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/concerned-Austr...
Book review: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/concerned-Austr...
Videos from the Sydney book launch: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/films-and-literature/book-walk-with...
Article about the Sydney book launch: http://stoptheintervention.org/uploads/files_to_download/concerned-Austr...

Event: Sat 19 November 2011: Annandale, Sydney, NSW
Save the Kimberley: Cans for Country, Songs for change!
"A super sick show with super sick bands, to help raise
funds and awareness to aid in the fight against the WA
Government and Woodsides attempted destruction of the
Kimberley Coast"
Event details: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/13/upcoming-events/

Event: Sun 20 November 2011: Mullumbimby, NSW
Our Generation Film Screening
With live music by Xavier Rudd and
Q&A with the filmmakers and
special guest Yolngu elder Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra
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: Wed 23 November 2011: Fortitude Valley, Qld
Homelands campaign training session
Amnesty International Qld/Northern NSW
"This training session will cover:
* The Homelands report;
* Key issues and messaging;
* Campaign strategy;
* How to campaign on Homelands; and
* A Train the Trainer session.
The training is designed for activists who want to play an
active role in the campaign"
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/qld/event/26520/

Event: Fri 25 November 2011: Camperdown, Sydney, NSW
Launch of the 2011 Social Justice and Native Title Reports
Australian Human Rights Commission
The launch will include:
* Keynote Address by Mr Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
* Panel speaking on ‘Lateral violence’
Event details: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/about/media/alerts/2011/alert_20111104.html

Event: Mon 28 - Wed 30 November 2011: Townsville, Qld
First Nations Pathways Conference
"The Conference provides the opportunity to discuss
important national and international issues relating to
First Nations Peoples, including Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities and individuals."
Conference Themes:
1 United Nations/Human Rights and Bill of Rights
2 Constitutional Recognition and consultation
3 Native Title/Land Rights
4 Closing the Gap
5 Trans generational trauma and affect
6 Criminology and Justice Issues
7 Youth and Women's rights
8 Social justice
9 Education, Health, Employment and Environmental
Event details: http://pathwaysconference2011.org/
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/qld/event/27201/

Event: Sat 10 December 2011: Alice Springs, NT
International Human Rights Day
Human Rights are for Everyone, Everwhere, Every Day
Gathering, information and Concert
Event details: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

Event: 10 December 2011: Adelaide, SA
Kimberley Cultural Festival
"Kimberley Cultural Festival is a community event to raise
awareness of the cultural and environmental significance of
the Kimberley region, which is under threat from proposed
gas and industrial development."
Event details: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/13/upcoming-events/
Event details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270070339699908

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: Thu 26 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: http://www.aboriginaltentembassy.net/
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/40th-anniversary-of-the-tent-embassy-canberra
Event summary: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/49413

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...

- '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)
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