Newsletter date: 13 July 2012
Contents:
* The Wire: The Lizard's Revenge begins as protesters head to Olympic Dam
* Peter Burdon: Peaceful dissent and a lizard's revenge
* Jim Green: [Olympic Dam] Project a rule unto itself
* Background to expansion of Olympic Dam mine challenge
* MUA Stands With Traditional Owners To Oppose Nuclear Dump
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump
* Greg Dickson: Ngurrju! Manymak! Pupuni! NT drops First Four Hours in English policy
* Background to the use of Aboriginal languages in NT schools
* Video: Yolngu tourism plan launched
* Michael Anderson: Undermining sovereignty unity to get at colonial compensation treasure?
* Background to the Aboriginal sovereignty movement
* NITV acknowledges 40 years of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
* SBS Living Black: Stories From Sandon Point [Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Bulli, near Wollongong, NSW]
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* Rachel Siewert: Greens continue definitive action to improve Native Title
* Background to Mabo and Native Title
* Other articles
* THE WIRE: THE LIZARD'S REVENGE BEGINS AS PROTESTERS HEAD TO OLYMPIC DAM
- Audio
The Wire: The Lizard's Revenge begins as protesters head to Olympic Dam
Produced by Catherine Zengerer
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=9350
11 Jul 12: "Sleeping underneath the ground, there is an old lizard known as Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore. The Federal Government approved the expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine in Roxby Downs in October 2011, to make it the biggest uranium mine in the world. Local Arabunna elder Kevin Buzzacott says Kalta the lizard is angry and wants revenge. He’s calling the people of the world to help the lizard shut down the mine. And people from around Australia are answering his call. They’re heading to Olympic Dam for a weekend of protest called the Lizard’s Revenge… but the police are making it hard for them.
Featured in story: Nectaria Calan - one of the key organisers of the Lizard's Revenge"
- Event
Event: 14 to 18 (or 20) July 2012: Olympic Dam, SA
The Lizard's Revenge:
Olympic Dam expansion music/art/festival/protest
"Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard,
Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.
BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government
has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium
mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.
Kalta is angry and wants revenge.
Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the
world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling
for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace
and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come."
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/the-lizards-revenge-olympic-dam-expansion-musica...
Background: http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/10/australia-approves-20-30bn-bhp-bi...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/224524544273924
Website: http://lizardsrevenge.net/
Road Trip for Change Tue 3 - Fri 20 July 2012: http://indymedia.org.au/road-trip-for-change-step-outback-and-learn-from...
Invitation from uncle Kevin Buzzacott: http://bhpbillitonwatch.net/2012/06/16/invitation-to-the-lizards-revenge/
- Related News
Indymedia Australia: The Lizard comes to Olympic Dam early!
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/13/the-lizard-comes-to-olympic-dam-early
13 Jul 12: "The Lizard's Revenge protest against the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine into the world's largest uranium mine began early yesterday (July 12th). After police announced that road would be blocked to the mine throughout the protest a surprise early contingent including the Lizard itself arrived at the "Gates of Hell". In the spirit of the event music, dancing and generally theatrical freakiness descended upon the gates to the mine. A banner was unveiled declaring "Torch Olympic Dam". Police against protestors to move on but the exclusion zone did not begin until midnight that night. The protest camp begins in earnest on July 14th."
ABC: Outback roads to close as mine protest flagged
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-11/roxby-downs-roads-close-as-mine-pr...
11 Jul 12: "Police are to close roads leading to the Olympic Dam mine in the outback because protesters say they will try to blockade the site. They are flagging plans for a five-day protest on the outskirts of Roxby Downs in South Australia from this weekend. Police said both roads leading to the mine would be closed to the public from midnight on Wednesday."
* PETER BURDON: PEACEFUL DISSENT AND A LIZARD'S REVENGE
- Analysis / Opinion
ABC Environment: Peaceful dissent and a lizard's revenge
http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2012/07/10/3541989.htm
10 Jul 12: "THE ANTI-NUCLEAR MOVEMENT in Australia can be characterised by several key themes - colour, lentils, solidarity and a commitment to nonviolent acts of resistance. Another pervasive theme that characterises the past forty years of activism is power imbalance. On one side of the struggle you have poor and sometimes dislocated indigenous people, students and concerned community members (greenies). On the other side there are billion dollar companies, the Government, State police and the media." Peter Burdon, lecturer in law, University of Adelaide
* JIM GREEN: [OLYMPIC DAM] PROJECT A RULE UNTO ITSELF
- Analysis / Opinion
Adelaide Now: Jim Green: Project a rule unto itself
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/green-project-a-rule-unto-its...
9 Jul 12: "OLYMPIC Dam is like a state with no environment, water, Aboriginal and FoI laws, says Jim Green. ... HUNDREDS of Australians will converge on BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam uranium/copper mine - and a camp up the Oodnadatta Track - from Saturday for five days of protest, education and entertainment. The concerns leading people to participate are many and varied. The overarching concern might be expressed as a failure of governance - corporate and political. Olympic Dam is a state within a state. It operates under a unique set of laws enshrined in the amended Roxby Downs Indenture Act." Dr Jim Green, national nuclear campaigner, Friends of the Earth
* BACKGROUND TO EXPANSION OF OLYMPIC DAM MINE CHALLENGE:
Last updated: 5 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/13/background-to-expansion-of-olympic-da...
* MUA STANDS WITH TRADITIONAL OWNERS TO OPPOSE NUCLEAR DUMP:
- Media Release
MUA: MUA Stands With Traditional Owners To Oppose Nuclear Dump
http://www.mua.org.au/news/mua-stands-with-traditional-owners-to-oppose-...
11 Jul 12: "The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is proud to host an anti-nuclear rally against the proposed nuclear dump site at Muckaty this Thursday in Darwin.
The rally will be held at Stokes Hill Wharf and is expected to attract wide-ranging support, with a number of MUA officials from around Australia in attendance.
The rally will be held on the seven-year anniversary of Muckaty being selected as the site for a nuclear waste facility - which is still opposed by traditional owners, the NT community and community and environmental groups from around Australia.
"The MUA has been proud to support the traditional owners who are opposed to the construction of the proposed dump in their community," said MUA NT Organiser Thomas Mayor.
"The MUA is also very concerned that our members would have to handle this wastewhen it enters the Port of Darwin, bound for Muckaty when the emergency response capabilities in Darwin do not exist for such a dangerous cargo.
"The MUA will be attending the rally in force, and will continue to oppose the dump.""
- Related News
NT News: Maritime union protests Muckaty station
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2012/07/12/310441_ntnews.html
12 Jul 12: "Muckaty traditional owner Bunny Nabarulla and MUA NT branch manager Thomas Mayor are protesting the proposed nuclear dump. ... MORE than 100 members from the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) both in the NT and interstate will protest the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump at a rally this afternoon. Northern Territory MUA branch manager Thomas Mayor said workers from Darwin and down south will let their opinion known at Stokes Hill Wharf at 4pm. ... "
- Event
Event: Thu 12 July 2012: Darwin, NT
Supporting Muckaty
Nuclear Waste through our port, MUA says NO WAY!!!
"Our 2012 Quadrennial Conference declared our support
for the people of Muckaty. We also recognise the unique
threat that the nuclear waste will pose to the environment,
communities on the transport route & workers
transporting & handling radioactive waste."
Event details: http://www.mua.org.au/events/supporting-muckaty/
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
Last updated: 5 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...
* GREG DICKSON: NGURRJU! MANYMAK! PUPUNI! NT DROPS FIRST FOUR HOURS IN ENGLISH POLICY
- Analysis / Opinion
Fully (sic) - Crikey's language blog:
Ngurrju! Manymak! Pupuni! NT drops First Four Hours in English policy
by Greg Dickson
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/fullysic/2012/07/11/ngurrju-manymak-pupuni-nt...
11 Jul 12: "It’s been three and a half rather long years, but the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (NT DET) appears to have finally dropped their much-criticised policy of Compulsory Teaching in English for the First Four Hours of Each School Day. Checking the department’s policies today, it seems to have been quietly removed. As one of the many who criticised and lobbied against this policy, this is gratifying news and I can only hope it’s a permanent move."
* BACKGROUND TO THE USE OF ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES IN NT SCHOOLS:
Last updated: 12 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/05/background-to-the-use-of-aboriginal-l...
* VIDEO: YOLNGU TOURISM PLAN LAUNCHED
- Video
YouTube: Yolngu tourism plan launched
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRAO11Ll6kw
9 Jul 12: "The Yolngu people of Elcho Island north-east of Darwin have released a 20-year tourism plan devised to promote prosperity and a wider understanding of their customs."
- Related Audio
ABC Radio National Breakfast: Arnhem tourism plan
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/arnhem-tourism-pl...
10 Jul 12: "Plans are underway to create a new economy across Arnhem Land, through an ambitious new tourism program which will take small groups to experience the natural wonders and ancient Aboriginal culture of the region. The region's indigenous people, the Yolgnu, say they want to manage cultural tourism and have joined forces with a panel of tourism experts to develop a master plan.
Guests:
* John Morse: Former Australian Tourism Commission boss, who is now helping to develop a new indigenous tourism model for Arnhem Land
* Djawa Burrarrwanga: Chairman of Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation"
- Related News
HM: Arnhem Land set for new era in Aboriginal Tourism
http://www.hotelmanagement.com.au/2012/07/11/arnhem-land-set-for-new-era...
11 Jul 12: "Launched by the Australian Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, and the Chairman of the Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation, Djawa Murrmurrnga (Timmy) Burarrwanga, the Masterplan aims to create sustainable employment and lasting economic benefits for Yolngu people throughout Arnhem Land. It has been developed by Burarrwanga, a Gumatj man from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land, who established Lirrwi Tourism and created a long-term vision based on Aboriginal leadership."
MICE BTN: Australian government funds Arnhem Masterplan
http://www.impactpub.com.au/micebtn/index.php/mice-news-mainmenu-49/1204...
10 Jul 12: "The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land plan to create indigenous-owned tourism businesses across Australia’s Top End, using federal government funding of A$825,000. The Yolngu Cultural Tourism Masterplan - claimed to be the first of its kind in Australia - aims to develop new tourism opportunities for businesses owned and operated byindigenous people, creating sustainable employment and lasting economic benefits for Yolngu people."
Koori Mail: Yolngu tourism masterplan
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
9 Jul 12: "THE aspirations of the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land to create sustainable employment and lasting economic benefits through Indigenous owned and operated tourism businesses have been bolstered by a major funding boost. The Yolngu Cultural Tourism Masterplan, launched today with the aim of creating up to 50 new high-quality, low-impact cultural tourism enterprises across the Top End, will receive a federal grant of $825,000."
9 News: Grants for two indigenous tourism projects
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8496468
9 Jul 12: "Australia's indigenous culture will be opened up to a broader audience thanks to federal government grants announced on the Gold Coast, a leading tourism body says. The grants were announced at Dreamworld on Monday by federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson. One will help develop the Yolngu Cultural Tourism Masterplan for Arnhem Land, the other will help fund the creation of an indigenous tourism experience at Dreamworld."
* MICHAEL ANDERSON: UNDERMINING SOVEREIGNTY UNITY TO GET AT COLONIAL COMPENSATION TREASURE?
- Media Release
Sovereign Union: Undermining sovereignty unity to get at colonial compensation treasure?
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/undermining-sovereignty-unity...
10 Jul 12: "In this NAIDOC Week it appears that we have reached a three way cross road in Aboriginal politics. Aboriginal people, it seems, are being asked to choose between different pathways forward.
Michael Anderson, says Aboriginal sovereignty movement is being undermined by a number of people who seem to be attempting to derail the process and the movement for personal gain and to protect the interests of the British Crown.
To permit ourselves to be divided is to lose. To be put into a position where we have to make choices in respect to ways forward for our people is a definite danger sign. To fail to unite will be a disaster for future generations and the invader state will be the only winners." Michael Anderson, Coordinator 'Sovereign Union'
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT:
Last updated: 4 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* NITV ACKNOWLEDGES 40 YEARS OF THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY:
- Videos
NITV acknowledges 40 years of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
http://www.nitv.org.au/fx-program.cfm?pid=EA404D72-F484-A547-CBF065AB459...
"The theme for NAIDOC Week (1-8 July) 2012 is Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on. They dared to challenge - this year’s theme celebrates the champions who lived to renew the spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972. Forty years ago, the embassy became a powerful symbol of unity. Its founders instilled pride, advanced equality and educated the country on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To move forward, we must acknowledge our forbearers, learn from their experiences and ask ourselves… What has their sacrifices meant for me and my family today?"
- Related Tent Embassy News
The Transcontinental: NAIDOC sends message
http://www.transcontinental.com.au/news/local/news/general/naidoc-sends-...
11 Jul 12: "NAIDOC Week was noticeably more political this year as the event celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The march on Friday featured placards with statements such as "black rights" and "Julia Gillard lost her shoe, we lost our land". Local Adnyamathanha man Vince Coulthard participated in the march. He said the Aboriginal Tent Embassy was the reason behind many positive things in place for Aboriginal people today."
SeniorAU: NAIDOC Week salutes importance of the Tent Embassy
http://www.seniorau.com.au/index.php/more-seniorau-news/2612-naidoc-week...
7 Jul 12: "The journey ahead is sometimes along uncertain roads which will at their end achieve equality between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous Australians. Speaking ahead of the start of NAIDOC Week which has the theme, Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on, Commissioner Gooda said it was an opportune time to refocus energies and pursue the dream of a fair and equal Australia. "The Tent Embassy has maintained a presence in Canberra over the past 40 years and remains a powerful symbol for advocacy in Indigenous affairs," Commissioner Gooda said."
newsTracker: Embassy protesters want heritage listing
http://tracker.org.au/2012/07/embassy-protesters-want-heritage-listing/
6 Jul 12: "QUEENSLAND: Members of the indigenous tent embassy in Brisbane have used NAIDOC Week events to call for Musgrave Park to be heritage listed. Spokeswoman Karen Coghill says the park, which is in the south of the city, is the only cultural and traditional gathering spot Aboriginal people have in Brisbane. "We want the whole of Musgrave acknowledged," she told AAP on Friday."
Daily Mercury: Tent embassy tribute
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2012/07/03/for-mackay-resident-and-...
3 Jul 12: "FOR Mackay resident and proud Wiradjuri man Ernie Pontecorvo, this year's NAIDOC celebrations hold a special significance. "I just want to march in honour of my father and for what he stood up for back in 1972 (when) four men got up in the middle of night and decided to go to Canberra and start the tent embassy," Mr Pontecorvo said. Tent embassy co-founder Bertie Williams was Mr Pontecorvo's father."
* SBS LIVING BLACK: STORIES FROM SANDON POINT [ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY, BULLI, NEAR WOLLONGONG, NSW]
- Audio Interviews
SBS Living Black: Stories From Sandon Point: Its Own Place In History
By Michelle Lovegrove
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/223568/t...
11 Jul 12: "One of the Illawarra's most respected elders has implored the local council to fully support the Kuradji Aboriginal Embassy, in its new Plan Of Management. As we continue our Stories from Sandon Point, Sharralyn Robinson, CEO of the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council, says it's vital that Council step up and support the most culturally significant place in the region. Kuradji Embassy is the burial place of the celebrated Kuradji Man - unearthed in 1998, and whose remains are many thousands of years old. Sharralyn Robinson says the Embassy has transformed the local Aboriginal and non-indigenous community, since its setup in 2000."
SBS Living Black: Stories From Sandon Point: Understanding The System
By Michelle Lovegrove
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/223552/t...
11 Jul 12: "Elder says be confident in standing up for your rights. ... Uncle Roy "Dootch" Kennedy accepted the role as Caretaker of Kuradji in the year 2000, after consultations with elders, appropriate ceremonies, and linking with the Tent Embassy in Canberra. Uncle Dootch has great visions for the Embassy and takes his role as caretaker very seriously and with gusto. The Embassy has been to court 260 times, over massive development of the area by Stockland, which continues until today - despite the findings of a NSW Commission of Inquiry - which ruled the development inappropriate on many levels. Uncle Dootch says the court battles continue, and he's urging all Aboriginal people not to be fearful of standing up for their rights, in a courtroom."
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:
Last updated: 4 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* RACHEL SIEWERT: GREENS CONTINUE DEFINITIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE NATIVE TITLE
- Media Release
Rachel Siewert: Greens continue definitive action to improve Native Title
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-con...
12 Jul 12: "Greens would welcome an opportunity to meet with Warren Mundine, Chief Executive of Generation One, to discuss potential reforms to Native Title which would deliver important economic benefits to Traditional Owners.
"The Greens have been very proactive about improving the native title system, including measures to reverse the onus of proof required for claims and ensuring traditional owners are able to benefit financially from their lands," Senator Siewert said today.
"We’re committed to improving the native title system and have legislation before the Senate to achieve this.
"Part of our current legislation to amend the Native Title Act seeks to provide meaningful rights and a basis for economic and community development to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"These reforms have been developed through the based of expert opinion, extensive community consultation and have been through a Senate Inquiry. ... " [said Senator Siewert] "
* BACKGROUND TO MABO AND NATIVE TITLE:
Last updated: 5 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/02/background-to-mabo-and-native-title
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/am-11-07.mp3
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
11 Jul 12: "The Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Indigenous Policy says the formation of the 1st Nations political party will be more of a problem for Labor than the Country Liberals at the upcoming Territory elctions."
- Analysis / Opinion
National Indigenous Times: Toomelah: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1390-toomelah-out-of-sight-out-of-mind.html
12 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times Editor Stephen Hagan. As the minute hand started its final ascent towards midnight to signal the end of a wonderful and might I add eventful NAIDOC Ball in Hobart, I made my way to the exit door with my family only to be checked momentarily by several senior NITV staff. I was kind of hoping I wouldn't bump into anyone in the Ballroom foyer as I wanted... "
ABC The Drum Opinion: It's time the constitution recognised Indigenous Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4118352.html
9 Jul 12: "Today, July 9, is recognised as Constitution Day, the anniversary of our constitution being given Royal Assent from Queen Victoria. The constitution gives authority and meaning to our parliaments, our courts and our laws, so it's only right to think about how it sits in today's Australia. While it was a great unifier for those British colonies and cemented Australia as a new nation, a significant omission ensured that Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with their thousands of years of history and culture, were actively excluded." Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues
- News
National Indigenous Times: Elders meet Governor General on saving languages
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1411-elders-meet-governor-general-on-saving-l...
12 Jul 12: "By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff Bagnall. Indigenous languages have been disappearing since colonisation but for more than 30 years a serious move has been made to try to save or resurrect languages in danger of being lost forever. Thirty one years after forming an organisation dedicated to the preservation and revitalisation of... "
National Indigenous Radio Service: Elder: Language programs need to move forward
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7368-elder-warns-language-progra...
11 Jul 12: "A south-west Queensland elder is calling for the advancement of language revitalisation programs in her community. Ethel Munn of the Gunggarri people at Mitchell and surrounds says programs to maintain their language have been around for a number of years in schools and community organisations. But she says she doesn’t want the language to die out, so it’s time they progressed towards a less simple format."
Koori Mail: MP told of Stolen Wages
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
11 Jul 12: "A DEPUTATION of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders have met with State Member for Townsville John Hathaway to discuss the ongoing battle to have outstanding Stolen Wages paid. The 29 June meeting was organised by Townsville branch president of the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Les Moffitt who said the new LNP MP, who was elected at the 28 April election, needed to be briefed. Stolen Wages is a campaign conducted by the QCU to seek the full payment of the promised reparations of $55.4 million for wages withheld from Indigenous workers for decades of the last century."
- - -
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