aboriginal resistance

Under blue skies and the towers of RMIT people gathered to remember two Tasmanian aborigines who were executed on this site in Melbourne on January 20, 1842. There is a growing campaign to acknowledge this forgotten history and to give recognition to Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner as freedom fighters resisting the invasion and European settlement of Australia.

Photoset: Commemoration of Freedom Fighters Youtube videos: Robbie Thorpe - Welcome to country; Joseph Toscano; Sharon Firebrace; Herman Wainggai; Adam Bandt

On Saturday 10th of July ‘Rock Against Racism’ was held at Trades hall, the night was held on the last day of NADOC week. The concert consisted of live music and comedians with proceeds going to the Aboriginal Genocide Centre. A highlight of the night was indigenous music legend Archie Roach accompanied by Dave Arden and his soulful set combined with the hip shaking up-beat songs of Dan Sultan and Scott Wilson. The night was full of talk of land rights, treaty the N.T intervention along with the need of Aboriginal recognition in the Australian constitution.

222 years ago the conquistadors of the First Fleet issued an eviction notice to the Aboriginal people. Since then not a day has gone by where the first inhabitants of this land have been free from attempts to obliterate their identity and culture.

an interesting example of a civil disobedience action taken as an anti-olympic protest (the building of the bridge), the destruction of a sacred burial ground (during construction of the bridge) and the interference of the salmon runs and destruction of ancient fishing grounds due to the insensitivity of the canadian govt. and the builders.

there is even recognition of the downside (is there an upside?) of globalisation to first nations and other aboriginal groups around the world.