WGAR News: SNAICC: Community meeting on the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child removals [2pm; 12 Feb]

Newsletter date: 8 February 2015

Contents:

* Event: 12 February 2015 Canberra: SNAICC invites feedback from GMAR and families affected by Stolen Generations
* Media Release: SNAICC: Community meeting on the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child removals
* SNAICC Community Announcement: 13 February 2015: Grandmothers Against Removals march to Parliament House
* News: Cassandra Tim, NIRS: Family rights advocates to head to Canberra for protest
* Analysis / Opinion: MedicalXpress: Shocking new figures show Indigenous child removal crisis is getting worse
* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Royal Commission, public hearings but children removed in record numbers
* Analysis / Opinion: Xavier Smerdon, Pro Bono: Indigenous Children in Care Up 65 Per Cent Since National Apology
* Homepage of the Grandmothers Against Removals website: http://stopstolengenerations.com.au/
* Facebook: Stop Stolen Generations: https://www.facebook.com/stopstolengenerations
* WGAR Background: Removal of Aboriginal children and the continuing Stolen Generation

WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

- Event

Stoptheintervention_announce: 12 Feb Canberra: SNAICC invites feedback from GMAR and families affected by Stolen Generations
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/stoptheintervention_announce/7N-...
6 Feb 15: "SNAICC wants to hear from Grandmothers Against Removals groups and families affected by the Stolen Generation next week! Please share far and wide. "The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care applauds and supports the tireless work of the Grandmothers Against Child Removal and invites its members to a special consultation on Aboriginal child removal on Thursday 12th February 2015. Members Dining Room 3, Old Parliament House, enter from rear, 18 Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Canberra, from 2.00 - 5.00pm. RSVP ... Please share this post"."

- Media Release

SNAICC - Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care: Community meeting on the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child removals
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-articles.cfm?loadref=168&id=1186
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-articles.cfm?loadref=168
4 Feb 15: "Nationally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (aged 0-17) make up just 4.6 per cent of the child population yet comprise almost 35 per cent of all children in out-of-home care. The disproportionate number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from their families is reaching crisis levels and continues to spiral upwards.
Since Prime Minister Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children placed in out-of-home care has increased by 65 per cent. ...
A community meeting in Canberra on the eve of the anniversary of the National Apology will bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, practitioners, service providers, researchers and members of the Grandmothers Against Child Removal Group to discuss and identify solutions to address this critical issue and stem the flow of Indigenous children being removed from their families. ... "

- Community Announcement

SNAICC: Grandmothers Against Removals march to Parliament House
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-articles.cfm?loadref=168&id=1187
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-articles.cfm?loadref=168
4 Feb 15: "Grandmothers Against Removals in NSW (GMAR) is participating in a mobilisation called by the National Aboriginal Strategic Alliance to Bring the Children Home (NASA). They will join people from across the country to protest against the continuing mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families. The protest will be held on 13 February 2015, the seventh anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations. The protest will commence at 12 noon, with anyone planning to join the demonstration asked to rally at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Canberra before marching to Parliament House."

- News

NIRS: Family rights advocates to head to Canberra for protest
http://www.nirs.org.au/NEWS/Family-rights-advocates-to-head-to-Canberra-...
6 Feb 15: "The National Sovereign Grannies Group is calling for support as the removal rates of our kids from family increase. The rates of Indigenous children in out-of-home care has risen 65 per cent since the National Apology in 2008, according to the latest Report on Government Services. Grandmothers Against Removals will be holding a rally at Parliament House in Canberra on February 13, marking seven years of Sorry Day. ... " Cassandra Tim, Cadet Journalist

- Analysis / Opinion

MedicalXpress: Shocking new figures show Indigenous child removal crisis is getting worse
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-02-figures-indigenous-child-crisis-wo...
4 Feb 15: " ... Padraic Gibson, Senior Researcher from the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology Sydney, has extensively documented the contemporary child removal crisis, including providing support to many Aboriginal families who have had their children removed. "This is the biggest increase in removals since the dramatic spike that accompanied the NT Intervention in 2007," Mr Gibson said. "Approximately 15,000 Aboriginal children are now in 'out of home care', these numbers are far higher than any time during the Stolen Generations of the 20th Century." ... "

- Analysis / Opinion

The Stringer: Royal Commission, public hearings but children removed in record numbers
http://thestringer.com.au/royal-commission-public-hearings-but-children-...
7 Feb 15: " ... Despite the Bring Them Home Report and the Stolen Generations Apology, more Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children are being removed from their families than ever before. As of July last year, more than 15,300 have been removed into ‘out-of-home care’. From a racialised lens this is the highest rate in the world. ... On February 13, the seventh anniversary of the Prime Ministerial Stolen Generations Apology, hundreds of protesters will turn up to Canberra to join the Freedom Movement and protest at Federal Parliament of the ongoing Stolen Generations. They hope the nation will heed their pleas." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist

- Analysis / Opinion

Pro Bono: Indigenous Children in Care Up 65 Per Cent Since National Apology
http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2015/02/indigenous-children-care...
3 Feb 15: " ... The national peak body for Indigenous children and families, the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) said the report painted a "chilling picture" that was unfortunately disproportionate - with Indigenous children making up only 4.4 per cent of Australia’s total child population. Chairperson of SNAICC, Sharron Williams, said the situation was a "disgrace". ... " Author: Xavier Smerdon

- Homepage

Grandmothers Against Removals website
http://stopstolengenerations.com.au/

- Facebook

Stop Stolen Generations
https://www.facebook.com/stopstolengenerations

- Background

WGAR Background: Removal of Aboriginal children and the continuing Stolen Generation
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-removal-of-aborigina...
(last updated: 1 February 2015)

- - -

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

About WGAR News:

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Subscription to 'WGAR News' is free.

'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on:

* The Freedom Summit's National Freedom Movement;
* the Australian Federal government intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities;
* Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA);
* the Aboriginal sovereignty movement and the Aboriginal tent embassies;
* Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Aboriginal Deaths in Custody;
* Aboriginal land rights and mining;
* Suicide and self-harm in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities;
* Removal of Aboriginal children and the continuing Stolen Generation;
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

Comments

WGAR News: Aboriginal Sovereign Manifesto of Demands - National Aboriginal Freedom Movement

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/02/10/wgar-news-aboriginal-sovereign-manif...

Contents:

* Manifesto: Aboriginal Sovereign Manifesto of Demands - National Aboriginal Freedom Movement Aboriginal Embassy, Canberra, Australia
* Audio: Adam Evans, NIRS: Protesters come face-to-face with politicians during 'sit-in' [Featuring Tauto Sansbury and Gerry Georgatos]
* Audio Interview: Living Black Radio: 090215 ACT Freedom Sit In [Featuring Tauto Sansbury]
* Analysis / Opinion: Amy McQuire, New Matilda: They Came For The Abbott Spill, And Missed The Only Real Story In Town
* Audio: Ninah Kopel, The Wire: Protesting worlds worst child removal rate [Featuring Sue-Ellen Tighe, Michael Anderson and Tauto Sansbury]
* Video: NITV News - 9 February 2015: "GMAR groups from across the country rallied with Freedom Movement campaigners on the grounds of Parliament house to deliver a set of demands ... "
* News & Photos: CAAMA Radio at First Nations Freedom Movement Canberra 2015
* News & Photos: 9 News: Protesters attempt to derail TODAY Show's Canberra broadcast to bring attention to indigenous deaths in custody
* Photos from the Sit-In: Sovereign Union & Stop Stolen Generations Facebook
* Current Event: Freedom Movement Sit-In at Parliament House, Canberra, from 9 February 2015
* WGAR Background to the National Freedom Movement

WGAR News: Communique from Grandmothers Against Removals National Committee and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy rally - 13 February 2015

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/02/13/wgar-news-communique-from-grandmothe...

Contents:

* Statement: 13 Feb 2015 - National Statement marking the Anniversary of the National Apology
Communique from Grandmothers Against Removals National Committee and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy rally on the anniversary of the National Apology - February 13 2015
* Audio: Gerry Georgatos, NIRS: Grannies group protest marks apology anniversary [Featuring Grandmother Priscilla Whiteman]
* Audio: Gerry Georgatos, NIRS: Child welfare rally to coincide with National Apology anniversary [Featuring Aunty Hazel Collins of GMAR]
* Audio: NIRS: Plea for policy change underscores seventh apology anniversary [Featuring SNAICC CEO Frank Hytten & Aunty Hazel Collins]
* Analysis / Opinion: Amy McQuire, New Matilda: 'It Must Never Happen Again': Seven Years On From The Apology, Guess What Is Happening
* Flyer: Join Our Fight Against Ongoing Stolen Generations: National Protest 13 February 2015 Outside Parliament House Canberra! Marking 7th anniversary of national apology

* Audio: Life Matters, ABC Radio National: The increase in Indigenous child removals [Featuring Debra Swan of GMAR, Jeremy Sammut, Sue-Anne Hunter & Deidre Mulkerin]
* Video: NITV News - 12 February 2015: "Fighting for their kids; The Grandmothers Against Removals tell their story in the nation's capital."
* Audio & Article: Darren Mara, SBS News: Stolen Generations forum marks Apology anniversary
* Media Alert: "Stolen Generations are worse than ever before", testify affected Aboriginal Families on Anniversary of National Apology
10am Thursday 12 February, 2015 - Room S23, Federal Parliament House - Hosted by Greens Senator Rachel Siewert

* News: Emma Sleath, ABC Alice Springs: 'Give back our children', Aboriginal grandmother says

* Homepage of the Grandmothers Against Removals website: http://stopstolengenerations.com.au/
* Facebook: Stop Stolen Generations: https://www.facebook.com/stopstolengenerations
* WGAR Background: Removal of Aboriginal children and the continuing Stolen Generation

* Audio: Justin Fenwick, The Wire: Aboriginal rights in the hands of a new generation [Featuring Gerry Georgatos, Tauto Sansbury, Michael Mansell & Debra Swan of GMAR]

WGAR News: Highest child removal rates in the world - worse than Stolen Generations: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/02/16/wgar-news-highest-child-removal-rate...

Contents:

* Analysis / Opinion: Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Highest child removal rates in the world - worse than Stolen Generations
* Video Doco: Eleanor Gilbert, Vimeo: Grandmothers present 'end genocide' demand to Senator Rachel Siewert
* Audio: The Stringer Audio/Radio News: Paddy speaking about Grandmother Audrey Martin's grandchildren
* Audio: The Stringer Audio/Radio News: Paddy speaking about the high removal rates
* News: Kylie Galbraith, The Northern Daily Leader: Grandmothers' anti-removal campaign reaches Canberra
* Media Roundup: Diet Simon, Linksunten Indymedia: Grandmothers protest worst ever stealing of Australian Aboriginal children
* Photos: Workers Bush Telegraph: Grandparents against Removals [Protest at Parliament House, Canberra]
* Video: NITV News - 13 February 2015: Fighting for their kids - Grandmothers Against Removals tell their stories
* Video: NITV News - 13 February 2015: Grandmothers Against Removals: Hands off our children
* Audio: ABC AM: More Aboriginal children being removed from their homes than ever before [Featuring Vanessa Colbung and Olivia Nigro of GMAR]
* Audio: 130215 Living Black News Bulletin: Grandmothers Against Removals protest at Parliament House
* Audio: Gerry Georgatos, NIRS: Protest against 'cruel' removal of Aboriginal kids [Featuring Aunty Hazel Collins of GMAR]
* Audio: Gerry Georgatos, NIRS: Greens: High removal rates to continue unless funding boosted
* News: Latika Bourke, SMH: Kevin Rudd warns of the emergence of a new stolen generation

* Homepage of the Grandmothers Against Removals website: http://stopstolengenerations.com.au/
* Facebook: Stop Stolen Generations: https://www.facebook.com/stopstolengenerations

* WGAR Background: Removal of Aboriginal children and the continuing Stolen Generation

- Upcoming Event

6th SNAICC National Conference - 15-17 September 2015, Perth
For Our Children - Community Voices: Sharing Knowledge & Practice

Hosted by The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
http://www.snaicc.org.au/conference/
" ... This will be the first SNAICC National conference held at Perth's Convention Centre, located on the northern bank of the Swan River in the land of the traditional owners the Noongar people. ...
The conference has become the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family issues conference in the southern hemisphere. It will feature local and international keynote speakers and over 70 concurrent sessions, yarning circles and workshops to choose from.
Delegates and speakers will gather from around the country and some from overseas to discuss our challenges and share our knowledge and experiences in raising happy, healthy and confident children in our communities.
As well as providing a powerful and inspiring learning experience for all attendees it will also provide opportunities to meet and experience some the richness and culture of our Aboriginal communities in the west. ... "

[WGAR Ed. note: Early Bird registration to the conference will open from 4 May 2015. To register and for all the latest updates visit the conference website at www.snaicc.org.au/conference ]

WGAR News: National Children's Commissioner cites racism as factor in child removal: SNAICC

https://indymedia.org.au/2015/04/21/wgar-news-national-childrens-commiss...

Contents:

* News Analysis: SNAICC: National Children's Commissioner cites racism as factor in child removal [Featuring Megan Mitchell]
* Analysis / Opinion: Saffron Howden, SMH: Racism 'a factor' in child removal [Featuring Paddy Gibson]

* Upcoming Event: 6th SNAICC National Conference - 15-17 September 2015, Perth: For Our Children - Community Voices: Sharing Knowledge & Practice

* Video: Olivia Nigro, YouTube: Stop Forced Closure of Aboriginal Communities - Vanessa Culbong (GMAR WA)
* Photos: Grandmothers Against Removals: GMAR Rally February 13 2015: http://stopstolengenerations.com.au/
* Facebook: Stop Stolen Generations: https://www.facebook.com/stopstolengenerations

* Extended Background Videos: SNAICC, YouTube: SNAICC Forum - "Stop the Creation of Another Stolen Generation!"
[Chair: Kerry Arabena; Panel: Muriel Bamblett, Aunty Lorraine Peeters, Eva Jo Edwards, Megan Mitchell & Helen Szoke]

* WGAR Background: Removal of Aboriginal children and the continuing Stolen Generation