Newsletter date: 28 May 2011
Contents:
* Canberra Rally, June 14 2011: Don’t dump on the NT - No radioactive waste dump at Muckaty
* Background to Muckaty nuclear waste dump
* Interview with Richard Downs on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
* Barbara Shaw at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
* Other Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention
* Event: Aboriginal Embassy symposium, Canberra, 20-22 June 2011
CANBERRA RALLY, JUNE 14 2011: DON'T DUMP ON THE NT - NO RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP AT MUCKATY
- Poster for Rally
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/muckaty-rally...
- Rally
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: June 14 Canberra rally
Don’t dump on the Territory: No national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/2011/05/22/june-14-canberra-rally/
"Community Rally
June 14, 2011
12 midday at Parliament House , Canberra
Speakers include:
Dianne Stokes and Mark Chungaloo, Muckaty Traditional Owners
Senator Scott Ludlam, Australian Greens
Peter Simpson, ETU Queensland Secretary
Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation
Dr Sue Wareham, Medical Association for Prevention of War
We demand:
* Repeal of all NT sites under assessment for a national nuclear dump
* An independent inquiry into radioactive waste management in Australia
* Responsible long term management – not short term dumping
Supported by:
Beyond Nuclear Initiative
Conservation Council of WA
Environment Centre of the Northern Territory
Friends of the Earth Australia
Japanese for Peace
Medical Association for Prevention of War
Public Health Association Australia
Western Australian Nuclear Free Alliance
Unions NT"
- Related Media Release
Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
From the Barkly to Brazil: Resistance to radioactive waste dump plan in the spotlight
http://ntne.ws/articles/article.php?section=waste
26 May 11: "It’s a long way from Tennant Creek to Rio de Janeiro, but the story of a controversial radioactive waste dump in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory will feature on the big screen in Brazil today.
Muckaty Voices - a ten minute film that documents the opposition of Traditional Owners to a proposed national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, north of Tennant Creek - is a finalist in the first International Uranium Film Festival.
The film, produced by the Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) and Enlightning Productions, will be screened before an international audience in Rio de Janeiro. It can be viewed via: http://www.beyondnuclearinitiative.com/video
"The story of the community campaign against this highly contested radioactive waste dump plan is increasingly being heard around Australia and across the world," said BNI coordinator Natalie Wasley."
- Related News
NT News: NLC dumping 'disgrace'
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/05/24/235091_ntnews.html
24 May 11: "THE Northern Land Council has refuted a lawyer's claim to have unearthed new evidence in the Muckaty Station ownership battle. The site - near Tennant Creek - is at the centre of a major dispute between Aboriginal families over who has the right to allow the establishment of a nuclear waste dump."
BACKGROUND TO MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
YouTube: Muckaty Voices-Australia's nuclear waste dump story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcuNpT84Ovo
""Muckaty Voices" is a short film capturing community resistance to an Australian government plan to dump radioactive waste at Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory."
Beyond Nuclear Initiative - Muckaty:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/muckaty/
Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.wordpress.com/
Proposed Radioactive Waste Dump at Muckaty, NT
Briefing Paper - February 2011
Jim Green B.Med.Sci.(Hons.), PhD
National nuclear campaigner - Friends of the Earth, Australia
Friends of the Earth: http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump/Dump%20briefing%20...
Nuclear Territory News: Waste Dump News:
http://ntne.ws/articles/article.php?section=waste
WGAR News: Nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory (2 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/02/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-in-the-n...
WGAR News: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (20 Mar 10)
http://groups.google.com.au/group/foblmail/browse_thread/thread/ddc393bb...
WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump (28 Mar 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/03/28/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-close-th...
WGAR News: Muckaty Radioactive Waste Dump (4 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/03/wgar-news-muckaty-radioactive-waste-d...
WGAR News: National day of action against Muckaty nuclear waste dump: 12th April!
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/10/wgar-news-national-day-of-action-agai...
WGAR News: Nuclear Waste Dump: Senate inquiry in Darwin; Nationwide protests (17 Apr 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/16/wgar-news-nuclear-waste-dump-senate-i...
WGAR News: Update: Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (23 Apr 10)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2010/04/22/wgar-news-raw-sewage-dumped-in-ampila...
WGAR News: Update on Muckaty Station Nuclear Waste Dump (2 May 10)
http://wgar.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/02052010-update-on-muckaty-station-...
WGAR News: "Muckaty Voices" film; Senate Report into nuclear waste dump plan (16 May 10)
https://indymedia.org.au/2010/05/16/wgar-news-muckaty-voices-film-senate...
WGAR News: Federal Court legal challenge over nuclear waste dump (13 Jun 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-June/00...
WGAR News: PM Gillard: No change on Muckaty nuclear waste dump (12 Jul 10)
http://lists.perthimc.asn.au/pipermail/blackgreensolidarity/2010-July/00...
WGAR News: Legislation passes enabling a nuclear waste dump to be built at Muckaty, NT (1 Mar 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/01/wgar-news-legislation-passes-enabling...
WGAR News: Federal Court challenge over nuclear dump resumes in August (16 Mar 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/16/wgar-news-federal-court-challenge-ove...
WGAR News: Interview with Kylie Sambo, Mark Lane and Dr. Jim Green about Muckaty nuclear waste dump (21 Mar 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/21/wgar-news-protest-blockade-by-lake-ty...
WGAR News: Nuclear waste legislation must wait until objections heard in Federal Court (23 Mar 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/23/wgar-news-international-day-for-the-e...
WGAR News: Aboriginal groups protest against nuclear waste dump (26 Mar 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/03/26/wgar-news-police-used-to-break-blocka...
WGAR News: Crisis in Japan and Muckaty Nuclear Waste Dump (2 Apr 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/04/02/wgar-news-online-petition-about-abori...
WGAR News: Muckaty Traditional Owners speak out (14 Apr 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/04/14/wgar-news-deaths-in-custody-and-abori...
WGAR News: Help Stop the Muckaty Radioactive Waste Dump - May 7-8 (24 Apr 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/04/24/wgar-news-two-urgent-petitions-on-the...
WGAR News: "Keep the poison out of Muckaty" - community rally on May 7, 2011 (30 Apr 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/04/30/wgar-news-keep-the-poison-out-of-muck...
WGAR News: NT nuclear waste dump plans contested (10 May 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/10/wgar-news-nt-nuclear-waste-dump-plans...
WGAR News: More on Muckaty nuclear waste dump (14 May 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/14/wgar-news-aboriginal-elder-raises-int...
WGAR News: Interview with Muckaty Traditional Owner, Dianne Stokes / Doctor: Public misled over nuclear medicine needs (17 May 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/17/wgar-news-global-call-to-action-for-a...
WGAR News: Gov't hopes Senate will debate nuclear waste dump in June (18 May 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/18/wgar-news-amnesty-international-repor...
WGAR News: Video: No to a dump in the NT - Darwin rally 11 May 2011
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/21/wgar-news-un-human-rights-high-commis...
INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD DOWNS ON THE UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Richard Downs on CAAMA Radio
http://caama.com.au/richard-downs-on-caama-radio
23 May 11: "Richard Downs is part of the delegation attending the United Nations permanent forum on Indigenous issues. He is an Alyawarra man from Ampilatwatja living on his country ... The UN permanent forum on indigenous issues allows Aboriginal people around the globe to voice concerns about the progress of Indigenous people. Here he speaks to Paul Wiles about the forum."
See:
WGAR News: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York, 16 to 27 May 2011
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/21/wgar-news-un-human-rights-high-commis...
See Background:
Intervention walk-off's Blog: http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/
Six Videos by Eleanor Gilbert of Enlightning Productions: Opening Protest House Ampilatwatja Walk-off NT:
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/video/
WGAR News: Protest House at the Alyawarr people's walk-off camp (16 Feb 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/02/16/wgar-news-protest-house-at-the-alyawa...
WGAR News: Speeches from National call out by John Pilger & Richard Downs (3 May 10)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/05/04/wgar-news-speeches-from-national-call...
Frequency: Richard Downs & Harry Nelson Speaking at Melbourne University Ampilatwatja Walkoff & NT Intervention (14-16 Oct 10)
http://www.frequency.com/video/richard-downs-harry-nelson-speaking-at/47...
BARBARA SHAW AT THE UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES:
- Media Releases
Media Newswire: With Indigenous Children Facing "Lifetime of Exclusion', UN Children's Fund Developing Framework Strategy to Address Challenges, Permanent Forum Told
http://media-newswire.com/release_1150517.html
24 May 11: "BARBARA SHAW, of the Australian Foundation for Aboriginal Islander Research Action, noted that the Northern Territories Emergency Response had been based on United Nations policies, but had caused problems and created “punitive measures” for the indigenous peoples living there. Among those, for example, were bilingual education policies, which kept indigenous children from speaking their own languages for much of the school day. How was UNICEF working to address the problems facing those and other indigenous communities? She urged that UNICEF work with grandparents to preserve the culture and languages of indigenous groups, and that UNICEF representatives "come out and talk to the grass-roots people of Australia" to understand their real situation on the ground."
Media Newswire: As with So Many Other Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples Suffer Disproportionate Violations of Right to Safe Water, Sanitation, Permanent Forum Told
http://media-newswire.com/release_1150631.html
24 May 11: "BARBARA SHAW, of the Global Indigenous Women's Caucus, stressed that, to indigenous peoples, water was sacred. By virtue of spirituality and their reciprocal relationship with it, indigenous women played a key role in sustaining life and its biological and cultural diversity, as well as the diversity of their communities. Emphasizing the impact of water on the well-being of indigenous communities, she urgently asked the Forum to take a leading role in promoting and protecting indigenous peoples' rights to water. A human rights framework must be used in protecting waterways, she stressed."
See:
WGAR News: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York, 16 to 27 May 2011
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/21/wgar-news-un-human-rights-high-commis...
See Background:
IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
WGAR News: Darwin gathering for Aboriginal people living in prescribed areas under the NT Intervention, June 19-21, 2011
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/04/29/darwin-gathering-for-aboriginal-peopl...
WGAR News: Interview with Barbara Shaw, of the Intervention Rollback Action Group, on the NT Intervention (7 May 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/07/wgar-news-interviews-with-barb-shaw-a...
WGAR News: Speech by Aboriginal activist Barbara Shaw on the NT Intervention (10 May 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/05/10/wgar-news-nt-nuclear-waste-dump-plans...
OTHER NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:
- Working Paper
CAEPR - Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research:
Alice Springs' Unrepresentative Council: Cause for Intervention?
http://caepr.anu.edu.au/Publications/WP/2011WP76.php
"Working Paper 76 / 2011
William Sanders
The paper explains how the vote counting system used in Northern Territory local government leads to very poor electoral outcomes which concentrate representation rather than spread it. It discusses how, in the case of Alice Springs, this has produced a narrowly based council with no representation from town camps. It argues that this vote counting system should be changed and notes that it is currently under review by the Northern Territory Government, partly because of this critique. However it also notes that some, including Alice Springs Town Council, are defending the existing system and that change is by no means assured, hence the question of the subtitle."
- Audio
Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane
Let's Talk - Indigenous presented talkback:
http://989fm.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
26 May 11: "Chris Graham: Tiga Bayles caught up with Chris Graham, Editor of of the freshly released new Tracker Magazine. They spoke about the Bringing The Home report, the alarming rate of our First Nations people in the National prison system and the breach of international law when it comes to the Intervention and asylum seekers in Australia."
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasting/audio/98fm-podcast-2011-05-26-86135.mp3
- Media Release
Rachel Siewert: Greens look for more action on Sorry Day
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-look...
26 May 11: "The Australian Greens have today reaffirmed their commitment to better outcomes for the Stolen Generations, using Sorry Day to focus on taking further steps towards a better Australia. ...
"The Australian Greens remain committed to measures such as opposing the NT Intervention, and proposing important Native Title amendments and the Stolen Generations Repatriation Bill as a way to take further, meaningful steps away from the practices of the past," Senator Siewert concluded."
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Store licensing brings better food to communities
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5815...
25 May 11: "An independent report from the The Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre has found that 'Stores Licensing' is successful in delivering healthier food to remote Northern Territory communities."
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
CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention
Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention
The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Northern Territory Intervention: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/category/issues/indigenous-rights...
IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/
ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention
STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/
Crikey - NT Intervention: http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/
Jobs with Justice: http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/
MAIC (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective): http://maicollective.blogspot.com/
'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
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/
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.info/
EVENT: ABORIGINAL EMBASSY SYMPOSIUM, CANBERRA, 20-22 JUNE 2011:
- Event
Australian Centre for Indigenous History, ANU:
Aboriginal Embassy symposium
http://acih.anu.edu.au/events/aboriginal-embassy-symposium
"Monday, 20th June 2011 - 8:30am - Wednesday, 22nd June 2011 - 8:30am
Hosted by the Australian Centre for Indigenous History and supported by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
In association with:
* The National Film and Sound Archive
* The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
Since it was first erected in front of Old Parliament House on 26 January 1972 and re-erected on its twentieth anniversary in 1992, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy has been a source of inspiration and controversy for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. As it approaches its fortieth anniversary, this symposium will examine the historical, social and political significance of the Tent Embassy."
[Includes discussion with 1972 Tent Embassy activists Michael Anderson, Paul Coe, Pat Eatock & Sam Watson]
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