WGAR News: Outcomes of the New Way Aboriginal Summit (6 Feb 10)

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

WGAR website: http://wgar.info/

Contents:
Outcomes of the New Way Aboriginal Summit
National Book Launch: "This Is What We Said"
National Day of Action - 13 Feb 2010
NT Intervention Articles
Other Aboriginal Articles

OUTCOMES OF THE NEW WAY ABORIGINAL SUMMIT:

- Statements

Indymedia Australia: Aboriginal sovereignty to go to the Senate
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/02/02/aboriginal-sovereignty-to-go-to-the-s...
1 Feb 10: "The Aboriginal assertion of sovereignty is to be put to the Federal Parliament by the Greens Senator Rachel Siewert at the request of the New Way Summit convened here. ... The summit demanded the resignation Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and for her to be replaced by an Aboriginal person selected by Aboriginal Peoples. ... “Sovereignty will be the major issue of the second New Way Summit to be held in Sydney over the Easter weekend,” Michael Anderson said."
[includes photos at bottom of statement]

WGAR: New Way Summit delegates unanimously reject government sponsored Rep body
http://wgar.info/2010/02/01/new-way-summit-delegates-unanimously-reject-...
31 Jan 10: "The New Way Summit of 150 Aboriginal people has unanimously opposed the proposed Rudd government sponsored national Aboriginal representative body to be known as ‘The First Nations Congress’ being organised by the former Human Rights Commissioner, Tom Calma. The summit heard angry comment that it would be just a perpetuation of white government control of Aboriginal lives. The summit heard that this so-called representative body will have the power to deny Aboriginal people the right to determine their leaders. ... The conference participants established a taskforce to take this New Way radical movement forward on behalf of the grassroots communities."

Indymedia Australia: Aboriginal nations should start making treaties with each other
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2010/02/02/aboriginal-sovereignty-to-go-to-the-s...
30 Jan 10: "The hundreds of Aboriginal nations in Australia should start making treaties with each other in a process leading ultimately to full sovereignty, former barrister Paul Coe told a meeting here of Aboriginal Elders and young people."

- Video

To view the recorded proceedings of the New Way Summit, which was live streamed, go to:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wgar

- News

Koori Mail: 'New Way' summit ends, plans for another
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
2 Feb 10: "A THREE-DAY Indigenous summit in Canberra concluded yesterday with the election of a taskforce to examine the issue of international and domestic sovereignty and a demand for the resignation of Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin. Summit convenor Michael Anderson says the taskforce will also develop an Aboriginal Charter of Rights and establish protocols for inter-nation relations."

- Radio

CAAMA Radio News
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/thursday-4th-february-2010/
4 Feb 10: "Veteran Aboriginal leader says Aboriginal people need to keep fighting for Indigenous rights."

SBS World View 4 February
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/naca/world-view/episode/67367/World-View-...
4 Feb 10: "We look at a summit that brought together hundreds of Aboriginal Australians."

NATIONAL BOOK LAUNCH: "THIS IS WHAT WE SAID"

Stop the Intervention:
Book Launch: "This Is What We Said"
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/films-and-literature/book-this-is-w...

"Below you will find an invitation to the launch of a book "This Is What We Said'. The book puts on record some views about the NT Intervention that were expressed by Aboriginal people during the NTER consultations between June and August last year. We feel that it is very important that these views are heard.. It is our belief that Government failed to listen to what was said by Aboriginal people and this is now evident by the legislation that is currently before Parliament. ... " Michele Harris on behalf of 'concerned Australians'

"Melbourne 12.30PM - 9 February, at Melbourne University Bookshop. ...
Canberra 5pm for 5.30pm - 11 February, at ANU Co-op Bookshop, to be launched by Christine King.
Adelaide 1pm to 3pm - 13 February at North TceParliament House.
Alice Springs 10 am - 13 February, Todd Mall Church Lawns
Sydney starting 1 pm - 13 February at The Block, Redfern, For further info: http://stoptheintervention.org/
6pm for 6.30pm- 16 February at Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. For further info: http://www.gleebooks.com.au/default.asp?p=events/launches4_htm ...
Darwin there is a launch being planned for later in February - details are not yet to hand.
From mid-February in Darwin you will be able to be purchase books from the CDU Bookshop or from Absolutely Books in Cullen Bay."

[Canberra launch hosted by Working Group for Aboriginal Rights and Concerned Australians. The photography in the book is by Canberran documentary film maker Eleanor Gilbert, based on video footage of the FaHCSIA consultations.]

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION - 13 FEB 2010

- Background

Indymedia Australia:
WGAR News: National Day of Action - Saturday, 13 February 2010
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/02/02/wgar-news-national-day-of-action-satu...
2 Feb 10: "There are several articles on the STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney) homepage about the National Day of Action against the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention and for Aboriginal rights. Included is a statement by representatives from "prescribed communities" in the NT calling for protests on Saturday February 13, 2010. Scroll down the page to read them: http://stoptheintervention.org/

There are also details about National Actions in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney on the STICS homepage. Scroll down the page to read about them: http://stoptheintervention.org/ "

- National Day of Action in Perth

Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources:
National Day Of Action In Australia
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
31 Jan 10: "This is a rally organised to coincide with actions across Australia on the anniversary of the National "apology". The rally notes that the Death of Mr Ward is still without compensation for the family, and that criminal charges for all those responsible have not been laid. The GSL/GS4 has not lost their contract to transport prisoners and were rewarded with a continuing contract. There is serious overcrowding in WA prisons. ...
12noon Wesley Church (cnr William & Hay Sts, Perth)"

NT INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

- Background on the Northern Territory Intervention

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Northern Territory National Emergency Response
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group):
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney):
http://stoptheintervention.org/

Intervention walk-off's Blog:
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights):
http://wgar.info/

- Radio

SBS World View 4 February
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/naca/world-view/episode/67367/World-View-...
4 Feb 10: "A South Australian Aboriginal community calls for welfare quarantining."

CAAMA Radio AM News
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/caama-radio-am-news-3022010/
3 Feb 10: "* The greens Party concerned The federal Governments new welfare quarantining legislation has gone under the public radar.
* Amnesty international says propsed new laws to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act in the Northern Territory will not reverse any of the actions implemented under the NT intervention."

CAAMA Radio News
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/caama-radio-news-2-february-2010/
2 Feb 10: "Ampilawatja to finally see a house built in the community."

- News

Koori Mail: Invitation for opening of 'protest house'
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
2 Feb 10: "ABORIGINAL people who walked off the Northern Territory community of Ampilatwatja last year to protest the NT intervention plan to open a 'protest house' at a nearby bore on 14 February. Trade unions are helping to build the house within just six weeks, to illustrate unnecessary government delays in addressing overcrowding and providing other services in the community."

ABC: Welfare reforms 'flying under the radar'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/02/2807702.htm?section=justin
2 Feb 10: "The Greens party says they are concerned the Federal Government's new welfare quarantining legislation has gone under the public radar. The plan expands a system introduced during the intervention in Northern Territory Indigenous communities."

Koori Mail: TO town campers tread new path
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
2 Feb 10: "CAPITAL work on housing and infrastructure at the Alice Springs town camp of Ilpeye Ilpeye is believed to be underway, after resident traditional owners last week agreed to the Federal Government acquiring freehold title to the land under the NT intervention in exchange for 'just terms' compensation. The deal sits outside earlier agreement by 17 other town camps to grant the Government 40-year sub-leases over their land."

ABC: House project to highlight housing plight
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/01/2806717.htm?site=indigenou...
1 Feb 10: "A central Australian Aboriginal community will build a house this week to protest against a lack of government support for housing. Residents of Ampilatwatja, north-east of Alice Springs, have been living in a camp since walking off their community in July in a protest about poor housing standards."

ABC: Town campers get chance to own property
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/01/2806645.htm?section=justin
1 Feb 10: "Residents and native title holders say they are happy with the Federal Government's compulsorily acquisition of an Alice Springs town camp this morning. Ownership of the Ilpeye Ilpeye town camp passed from a community lease to the Federal Government."

OTHER ABORIGINAL ARTICLES:

- Media Release

Greens compensation Inquiry Supported by Senate
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/greens-comp...
4 Feb 10: "The Australian Greens today moved to establish a Senate Inquiry to improve the system of compensating Australians harmed by past government policies. "There is currently a great level of inconsistency and inequality when it comes to providing compensation and reparations in Australia," Greens community services spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert said today. "The Greens are concerned about the large variations across the nation, and want to ensure appropriate, consistent and just recompense for those harmed by past policies, such as members of the Stolen Generation and Forgotten Australian and former child migrants. ... "

- News

National Indigenous Times:
Indigenous elder's family in poverty while awaiting payment: lawyer
http://www.nit.com.au/story.aspx?id=19285
5 Feb 10: "The family of a man who died of heatstroke suffered in a prison van are living in poverty while they await a payment from the state government, the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) says."

National Indigenous Times:
Greens, opposition slam Rudd for delayed report card
http://www.nit.com.au/story.aspx?id=19277
3 Feb 10: "The federal Opposition and the Australian Greens have both slammed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for delaying his promised report card on Indigenous affairs for a second year in a row, stating that it is a telling indicator of the government's commitment to Indigenous people. In 2008, Mr Rudd made the commitment to deliver his government's progress on closing the gap on the first day of Parliament each year."

Koori Mail: Report card delay a bad sign, say Greens
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
2 Feb 10: "THE Australian Greens say the postponement of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's annual Indigenous 'report card' to the Federal Parliament from today's first parliamentary sitting day for 2010 is a sign that the Government is not up to the job of Closing the Gap. Mr Rudd deferred the statement until 11 February because it was closer to the second anniversary of the 13 February National Apology."

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)