Newsletter date: 11 April 2014
Contents:
* Damien Williams & Paul Wiles, CAAMA Radio: Lawyer and Social Justice group has good news for Muckaty Mob ... [Featuring Natalie Wasley & Lizzie O'Shea]
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump in NT
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Wiluna Martu peoples against uranium mining
* 3CR Community Radio Radioactive Show interviews Yvonne Margarula, Jacqui Katona & Jo Vallentine about the Jabiluka blockade
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Territory top of the mining ranks but bottom of barrel deal for First Peoples
* Sovereign Union: Arnhem Land traditional owners flag High Court action to prevent mining industry fracking
* Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Arnhem Land Traditional Owners bring message to Canberra
* Background to the Protect Arnhem Land Campaign, Northern Territory (NT)
* Coral Wynter, Green Left: How Aboriginal people created Australia -- book provides detailed account of Aboriginal land management
* Sovereign Union: Jack Green talks about the Sacred Sites Act
* Dubbo Daily Liberal: Local Aboriginal site attacked by vandals
* Gerry Georgatos, The Stringer: Brown verse Western Australia - Native Title not extinguished
* Lawrence Bull, The Wire: Remote communities to choose between native title and mortgage title
* Background to Mabo and Native Title
* Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove, Living Black Radio: Mining in the NSW Pilliga
* Ian Kirkwood, Newcastle Herald: 82 arrested at Maules Creek
* The Guardian: Maules Creek mine protesters arrested, including 92-year-old war veteran
* DAMIEN WILLIAMS & PAUL WILES, CAAMA RADIO: LAWYER AND SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP HAS GOOD NEWS FOR MUCKATY MOB ... [FEATURING NATALIE WASLEY & LIZZIE O'SHEA]
- Audio Interviews
CAAMA Radio: Lawyer and Social Justice group has good news for Muckaty Mob ...
[CAAMA: Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association]
http://caama.com.au/good-news-for-muckaty-mob
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Natalie-wasley-Liz-Oshea.mp3
8 Apr 14: "Lawyers acting on behalf of Muckaty Traditional Owners in the Northern Territory have welcomed the court determination for evidence to be heard in Tennant Creek - a move which will allow more people in the community to attend and give evidence. Damien Williams catches up with Natalie Wasley from Beyond Nuclear Initiative to talk about what has been happening at Muckaty and other places in the Northern Territory that have been flagged as possible radioactive waste dumping sites. Paul Wiles also talks to Lizzie O’Shea from Maurice Blackburn Social Justice Unit about the decision to hold hearings in Tennant Creek."
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP IN NT:
Last updated: 21 March 2014
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...
* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: WILUNA MARTA PEOPLES AGAINST URANIUM MINING
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: Wiluna Martu peoples against uranium mining
http://thestringer.com.au/wiluna-martu-peoples-against-uranium-mining/
29 Mar 14: "Elders have condemned a move by Toro Energy to expand their yet unrealised Wiluna mine plan into a much larger uranium precinct spanning 100km and which will destroy ecologically sensitive lake systems. Local Wiluna Elder Glen Cooke said everything must be done to prevent this mine which is intended as Western Australia’s first uranium mine - the first of many. "The lives of not only our people today are at stake but the future of our people into time immemorial. This uranium mining if it goes ahead will spell the end of us as custodians of the land. ... " said Mr Cooke." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist
* 3CR COMMUNITY RADIO RADIOACTIVE SHOW INTERVIEWS YVONNE MARGARULA, JACQUI KATONA & JO VALLENTINE ABOUT THE JABILUKA BLOCKADE
- Audio Interview
3CR Community Radio: Radioactive Show 22.03.2014
http://www.3cr.org.au/radioactive/podcast/radioactive-show-22032014
22 Mar 14: "The 23rd of March marks 16 years since the Jabiluka blockade began in 1998. Hundreds travelled to Kakadu National Park in the NT to oppose the construction of a uranium mine on the land of the Mirrar people. Hear from Mirrar Traditional Owner Yvonne Margarula, and Mirrar Aboriginal woman Jacqui Katona who both led the campaign, as well as an interview with peace activist Jo Vallentine who lived on the blockade."
* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: TERRITORY TOP OF THE MINING RANKS BUT BOTTOM OF BARREL DEAL FOR FIRST PEOPLES
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: Territory top of the mining ranks but bottom of barrel deal for First Peoples
http://thestringer.com.au/territory-top-of-the-mining-ranks-but-bottom-o...
23 Mar 14: "The Territory is gaining international attention as a resource rich opportunity. With only a total population of 250,000 most of the Territory is not ‘developed’ and where Land Rights can be circumvented, which is dead easy, mining companies have easy access. But one third of the Territory’s population are First Peoples, and they are not enjoying the benefits from the resources wealth that should be sovereign to them. Their males are incarcerated at horrific rates, 83 per cent of the Territory’s prison population is comprised of First Peoples. Juvenile detention is comprised 98 per cent by Aboriginal youth." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist
* SOVEREIGN UNION: ARNHEM LAND TRADITIONAL OWNERS FLAG HIGH COURT ACTION TO PREVENT MINING INDUSTRY FRACKING
- News
Sovereign Union: Arnhem Land traditional owners flag High Court action to prevent mining industry fracking
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/arnhem-land-traditional-owner...
19 Mar 14: "Andrew Thompson ABC News ...
Traditional owners from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory say they plan to initiate proceedings in the High Court of Australia to prevent fracking on their land and coast line. Maningrida traditional owners have met with Environment Minister Greg Hunt to lobby for legally binding protection agreements of all coastal waters off Arnhem Land. Eddie Mason says Mr Hunt expressed support for his people's wishes. Mr Mason says he plans to take court action promptly to ensure the area, about 500 kilometres east of Darwin, is protected."
* GREENS SENATOR RACHEL SIEWERT: ARNHEM LAND TRADITIONAL OWNERS BRING MESSAGE TO CANBERRA
- Media Release
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert: Arnhem Land Traditional Owners bring message to Canberra
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/arnhem-lan...
19 Mar 14: "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues
The Australian Greens have hosted Traditional Owners from Arnhem Land in Parliament House today, to discuss their opposition to oil & gas exploration and the need for sea rights.
"Arnhem Land Traditional Owners and members of the Marangrida community brought a message stick to Parliament House today, which depicts the unique culture and history that will be affected by oil and gas exploration and production" Senator Siewert said today.
"Arnhem Land is under threat from oil and gas exploration and production, both onshore and offshore, which will impact pristine and culturally significant country. The Traditional Owners are rightly concerned by the lack of consultation with them.
"Despite the deep cultural significance of Arnhem Land, a full heritage assessment has not yet been carried. A full assessment process, including proper consultation, must be a priority. ... ""
- Related Audio
NIRS: Conservationists want Government to heed Arnhem delegation
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/33055/Conservationists-want-Gov...
26 Mar 14: "Northern Territory environmentalists are urging the Federal Government to seriously consider the message of Arnhem Land traditional owners who want protection of their sea country."
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROTECT ARNHEM LAND CAMPAIGN, NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT)
Last updated: 15 February 2014
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/10/02/background-to-the-protect-arnhem-land...
* CORAL WYNTER, GREEN LEFT: HOW ABORIGINAL PEOPLE CREATED AUSTRALIA -- BOOK PROVIDES DETAILED ACCOUNT OF ABORIGINAL LAND MANAGEMENT
- Book Review
Green Left: How Aboriginal people created Australia -- book provides detailed account of Aboriginal land management
https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/56093
18 Mar 14: "The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aboriginal people made Australia
Bill Gammage
434pps, $40
Allen & Unwin, 2012"
"This is an extraordinary book that details how Australian Aboriginal people cared for the land, or as Bill Gammage calls it the "Biggest Estate on Earth". Gammage describes, with many examples, how Aboriginal people looked after the land. No corner was ignored, from deserts and rainforests to rocky outcrops, across the entire continent for at least 60,000 years until British colonisers began to destroy all this work after their arrival in 1788. Far from terra nullius, no part of Australia was empty or abandoned." By GLW author Coral Wynter
* SOVEREIGN UNION: JACK GREEN TALKS ABOUT THE SACRED SITES ACT
- Video
Sovereign Union: Jack Green talks about the Sacred Sites Act
SU: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/850
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkxCnCb24GE
26 Mar 14: "My name is Jack Green I'm a Mumbalia person sitting here talking about this Act that the Government wants to take it away, that Sacred Sites Act. They want to take it away from our people. That is very important for Aboriginal people, if you take it away put it somewhere else we won't be able to protect our land. And the way things are set up at the moment its really strong and we want to keep it that way. We don't want Government coming in and changing policies so we can lose our rights on our sites."
* DUBBO DAILY LIBERAL: LOCAL ABORIGINAL SITE ATTACKED BY VANDALS
- News
Dubbo Daily Liberal: Local Aboriginal site attacked by vandals
http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/2166118/local-aboriginal-site-attac...
23 Mar 14: "A LOCAL Aboriginal site has been desecrated, the scarred tree at its centre burned, its shelter torn down. Aboriginal Elder Coral Peckham said the attack was the latest in a long history of vandalism against Aboriginal sites in the region. "This is Tubba-Gah country and we have an obligation to protect it on behalf of our ancestors," Ms Peckham, a descendant of the Tubba-Gah and Wiradjuri peoples, said. "When it’s not protected, the traditional people feel unwell.""
* GERRY GEORGATOS, THE STRINGER: BROWN VERSE WESTERN AUSTRALIA - NATIVE TITLE NOT EXTINGUISHED
- Analysis / Opinion
The Stringer: Brown verse Western Australia - Native Title not extinguished
http://thestringer.com.au/brown-verse-western-australia-native-title-not...
31 Mar 14: "High profile and well known Noongars – Elders, community leaders and academics – are questioning the validity and the intentions of the Western Australian Government’s $1.3 billion Native Title offer after the High Court of Australia unanimously held that the grant of a mineral lease in the 1960s does not extinguish Native Title rights and interests. This is in conflict with previous statements by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) who argued in negotiating the proposal that many land titles were extinguished, particularly before the mid-1970s." By Gerry Georgatos, a life-long human rights and social justice campaigner, a multi-award winning investigative journalist
* LAWRENCE BULL, THE WIRE: REMOTE COMMUNITIES TO CHOSE BETWEEN NATIVE TITLE AND MORTGAGE TITLE
- Audio
The Wire: Remote communities to choose between native title and mortgage title
Produced by Lawrence Bull
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=11312
10 Mar 14: "The Federal Government is saying that remote Indigenous communities that give up native title will be given preference in the construction of new public housing. But peak Indigenous groups, including the elected National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, say removing native title is not the way to promote home ownership."
* BACKGROUND TO MABO AND NATIVE TITLE:
Last updated: 8 March 2014
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/02/background-to-mabo-and-native-title
* MICHELLE ALEKSANDROVICS LOVEGROVE, LIVING BLACK RADIO: MINING IN THE NSW PILLIGA
- Audio
Living Black Radio: Mining in the NSW Pilliga
By Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/324114/t...
18 Mar 14: "A visit to northwest New South Wales earned a "move on" notice for Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi ... Protests continue in far north west New South Wales - where two large scale mining operations continue their activities on Gomeroi country. The two areas concerned are in the Pilliga state forest and at Maule's Creek in the Leard State Forest. And according to Greens MLC Doctor Mehreen Faruqi, the operations are already threatening the enivronment, water, endangered species, sacred sites and Australia's most precious resource - the Great Artesian Basin."
By Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove
* IAN KIRKWOOD, NEWCASTLE HERALD: 82 ARRESTED AT MAULES CREEK
- News
Newcastle Herald: 82 arrested at Maules Creek
Newcastle Herald: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2186866/82-arrested-at-maules-creek/?c...
Sovereign Union: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/859
31 Mar 14: "ACTIVISTS say more than 80 people have been arrested at the Maules Creek mine near Narrabri in an ‘‘unprecedented’’ protest against the project. Most were charged with trespass and have been bailed to appear in Narrabri Local Court on April 29. Leard Forest Alliance representative Helen War said the arrest tally was rising throughout the day and had reached 82 by early Monday evening. The protest made the headlines on Monday when a former government lawyer was arrested after chaining herself to machinery at the mine." By Ian Kirkwood
* THE GUARDIAN: MAULES CREEK MINE PROTESTERS ARRESTED, INCLUDING 92-YEAR-OLD WAR VETERAN
- News
The Guardian: Maules Creek mine protesters arrested, including 92-year-old war veteran
The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/31/maules-creek-mine-protester...
Sovereign Union: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/node/857
31 Mar 14: "A 92-year-old war veteran has been arrested during a protest at a mine development site in NSW's northwest. Bill Ryan, who served in Kokoda during the second world war, is one of about 30 people arrested at Whitehaven Coal's Maules Creek operation on Monday. Protesters oppose clearing part of the Leard State Forest for the new $767m mine near Boggabri. More than 150 people were peacefully protesting, said Greenpeace spokeswoman Julie Macken, who was also arrested, and speaking from the back of a police van. Police were in the process of arresting everyone on the site, she said." Australian Associated Press
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