Western Australia

Despatches from Leonora (January-February 2011)

In January 2011 Giovanni Torre travelled to Leonora to interview local residents, community leaders, Traditional Owners and asylum seekers detained at the Leonora Alternative Place of Detention. He conducted further interviews in February.

The names of unsuccessful or unresolved asylum seekers have been concealed to protect them and their families.

“Pashtun always say; Tajik go to Tajikistan, Uzbek go to Uzbekistan, Pashtun live in Afghanistan and Hazara go to graveyard.”

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WGAR News: Petition calling for a national moratorium on government’s income management

Newsletter date: 6 September 2011

Contents:
* Indigenous groups challenge 'Doctrine of Christian Discovery and Domination'
* Petition calling for a moratorium on Income Management
* Upcoming 'Save the Kimberley' events
* Environmentalists: Kimberley Heritage listing inadequate
* AMSANT: Year of the Aboriginal Health Worker
* Unions support Aboriginal opposition to nuclear waste dump
* Remembering Wave Hill Walk-Off
* Sydney activists celebrate Wave Hill Walk-Off
* "Walk With Us" presents views of NT Elders on Intervention

Justice for Rex Bellotti Jnr an inch closer - new witness and calls for an inquiry.

During the last couple of weeks Indymedia Australia and The National Indigenous Times in its most recent edition highlighted the plight of a West Australian Nyungar family whose young son, the eldest of their six children, was hit by a police four wheel drive. There is no question that the police vehicle hit him however the acceptance of responsibility has not occurred – and within this journey various acts and stressors upon the family, are clear acts of various racisms and discriminations and some of these with their origin-of-thinking from within the many inter-generational stereotypes and other premises.Much has unfolded within the fortnight since Indymedia Australia featured on its site and The National Indigenous Times featured on its cover, and as its four-page centerpiece article within The Big Read the plight of the Bellotti family and their seeking of some justice, some remedy and closure.
Related: More background on issue -- Support for Belloti Facebook page -- sign the online petition

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Direct action halts construction at the James Price Point “Save the Kimberley” blockade

A convoy of Woodside vehicles working on the James Point Price gas hub construction site have been held up for over two days starting on August 26th by the community the “Save the Kimberly’s” blockade in Broome, Western Australia. Four protestors have been arrested for standing on the road and also do a number of fairly spectacular lock on actions on heavy vehicles. The campaign against the $30 billion gas hub is gaining momentum both on the blockade site and nationally in an effort to protect the landrights of the traditional owners and the unspoilt beauty of the Kimberley.
Related: Campaign Website -- Facebook page -- John Butler opinion piece -- Youtube footage of action -- Earlier mass arrests action -- Melbourne Rally

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WGAR News: Book launch: "Walk With Us" - Aboriginal views on the NT Intervention

Newsletter date: 23 August 2011

Contents:
* Book launch: "Walk With Us" - Aboriginal views on the NT Intervention
* Research review: 'Does new evidence from NT women undermine supposed benefits of income management?'
* Interview with Equality Rights Alliance's Emma Davidson
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 22 events from 23 August 2011
* Muckaty Voices and Our Generation screening at 'Down Under Berlin - Australian Film Festival'
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

WGAR News: Equality Rights Alliance Report: Women's experience of Income Management in the NT

Newsletter date: 21 August 2011

Contents:
* Report: Women's experience of Income Management in the NT
* Homelands: Rosalie Kunoth-Monks's call to government
* Amnesty Online Petition: 'Don’t abandon Aboriginal homelands'
* Anti-Intervention campaigners back call for Homelands funding
* Online Petition: Save Ballerrt Mooroop College
* Federal Court dismisses Yindjibarndi appeal
* Submission: Children of the Intervention
* More on Kimberley gas plant
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Other articles

4 Western Australia Aboriginal rights events for your diary - from 15 August 2011

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

Event: 27 May to Sun 9 October 2011: Kalgoorlie, WA
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: Thu 18 August - Sun 30 October 2011: Wiluna to Perth, WA
Walk Away from Uranium Mining
"By coming to Wiluna you will be supporting Traditional Owners in their opposition to uranium mining."

WGAR News: Government 'Strategic Review of Indigenous Expenditure' made public

Newsletter date: 14 August 2011

Contents:
* Tracker Magazine is now online
* Government 'Strategic Review of Indigenous Expenditure' made public
* Jenny Macklin's address to the Sydney Institute
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Aboriginal imprisonment rates & deaths in custody
* Land Rights and Native Title
* Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 22 events from 14 August 2011
* Other articles

* TRACKER MAGAZINE IS NOW ONLINE:

- New website

WGAR News: Upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia - 29 events from 8 August 2011

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

Event: 27 May to Sun 9 October 2011: Kalgoorlie, WA
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: 3 July to Sun 25 September 2011: Sydney, NSW
Exhibition: FREEDOM RIDERS - Art and activism 1960s to now
Sydney University Art Gallery