Newsletter date: 26 January 2013
Contents:
* NIRS: Day of Mourning protest: The most significant moment in Aboriginal political history
* NIRS: Australia Day a "race-based" celebration
* Joseph Toscano, Anarchist World - 3CR Audio: Inappropriate 'Australia Day', Invasion Day
* Peter Gebhardt, The Age: A national day of shame
* NIRS: Treaty demands to be outlined at Melbourne protest
* WGAR News: Aboriginal Sovereignty Day, Invasion Day and Survival Day Events: Sat 26 January 2013
* Tracker: Win for tent embassy activists
* NIRS: Court lifts bail conditions for Brisbane Embassy three
* NIRS: Embassy member disappointed not to be allowed to light sacred fire
* Background to Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy, Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, Qld
* SNAICC News: The Lowitja Institute needs your support
* The Lowitja Institute: The MCG Congress Lowitja Statement
* SNAICC News: Campaign aims to reduce high number of our children in child protection system
* CAAMA: Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families have concerns about Royal Commission!
* Background: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander responses to Royal Commission into child sexual abuse
* Kirk McKenzie, New Matilda: The New Offence And Insult Regime
* Other articles
* NIRS: DAY OF MOURNING PROTEST: THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN ABORIGINAL POLITICAL HISTORY
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Day of Mourning protest: The most significant moment in Aboriginal political history
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7784-day-of-mourning-protest-the...
24 Jan 13: "An expert in Indigenous political advocacy says the 1938 Day of Mourning protest in Sydney is alongside the most significant moments in Aboriginal political history. The University of Newcastle's John Maynard will take part in the 75 year anniversary celebrations of the Aborigines Progress Association's protest at the Yabun Festival in Sydney tomorrow. It's known as the first national Indigenous protest in Australia's history. Professor Maynard says he hopes the event gains national recognition."
See:
- Event
Event: Sat 26 January 2013: Glebe, Sydney, NSW
26 January Australia Day / Survival Day
Yabun festival 2013, Sydney
"Celebrates the survival of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture."
"Yabun is the largest single day Indigenous
festival drawing an audience of between
10,000 and 15,000 and is one of the most
important Indigenous music events in the
country reflecting the huge wealth of
Indigenous creative talent."
"Alongside all the wonderful music,
you can soak up some culture and area
information from some of the community's
most influential leaders and informational
booths including:
* The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence,
* The Redfern Legal Centre,
* Wirringa Bay Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre
* Amnesty International"
"Yabun 2013 will be celebrating the
20th Anniversary of Gadigal Information Service,
10 years of Koori Radio's Young Black and
Deadly project and the 75th Anniversary of the
National Aborigines Progressive Association."
Event details: http://www.homeaway.com.au/info/holiday-ideas/events-festivals/new-south...
Event details: http://www.yelp.com.au/events/glebe-yabun-festival
Event details: http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/sydney/yabun-festival-2013-9127032
Event details: https://www.facebook.com/yabun.festival/info
Event details: http://www.sydney.com/events/yabun-2011?gclid=COz5lNrDp7QCFQFKpgodTXoARw
Event summary: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/events/index.html#january
Background: http://www.gadigal.org.au/Index.aspx
Background: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/lryb/resistance/activism.html
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national service provided from a hub station residing in Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media organisations that don't have the staffing or capital requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to their audience."
* NIRS: AUSTRALIA DAY A "RACE-BASED" CELEBRATION
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Australia Day a "race-based" celebration
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7782-australia-day-a-qrace-based...
24 Jan 13: "Leading Tasmanian Aboriginal lawyer Michael Mansell has slammed Australia Day as a 'race-based' celebration and will join protestors as they march through the streets of Hobart on January 26. The march begins at Hobart's Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, finishing with a series of speeches outside Parliament House. Invasion Day demonstrations are also planned in Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and several other locations in Australia."
See:
- Event
Event: Sat 26 January 2013: Hobart, Tas
Aboriginal protest rally on Australia day
"You are invited to attend an invasion day protest
rally hosted by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre."
"The rally will finish at Parliament House Lawns
where a commemoration will be held to honour the
lives, land and rights stolen during the white invasion."
Event details: http://www.amnesty.org.au/tas/event/30830/
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national service provided from a hub station residing in Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media organisations that don't have the staffing or capital requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to their audience."
* JOSEPH TOSCANO, ANARCHIST WORLD - 3CR AUDIO: INAPPROPRIATE 'AUSTRALIA DAY', INVASION DAY
- Audio
3CR Community Radio 855 AM - Podcasts
Anarchist World - 24 Jan 2013
[scroll down page] http://www.3cr.org.au/podcast
Listen to this program on-line: http://pod.3cr.org.au/pod/3CRCast-2013-01-23-78548.mp3
24 Jan 13: "Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboy Heener memorial, inappropriate 'Australia Day', Invasion Day, fly the Aboriginal flag on Invasion Day and much much more." By Joseph Toscano
See:
Who we are: 3CR Community Radio 855 AM
http://www.3cr.org.au/about_3CR
"The radio station was established in 1976 to provide a voice for those denied access to the mass media, particularly the working class, women, Indigenous people and the many community groups and community issues discriminated against in and by the mass media."
* PETER GEBHARDT, THE AGE: A NATIONAL DAY OF SHAME
- Analysis / Opinion
The Age: A national day of shame
Australia Day stands as a reminder of massacres. Why should Aborigines celebrate it?
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/a-national-day-of-s...
24 Jan 13: "What might an Aboriginal person say of Australia Day? Why should the Aborigines celebrate that day? It was the day that marked the theft of a land (terra nullius), the day that marked the theft and abduction of a people, of a culture, the day that initiated the pathways to the Stolen Children and, to our ultimate shame, the deaths in custody. It is a day that stands as a reminder of massacres. The wind-stench of bodies burned in bonfires hangs heavy upon the nation's conscience and in the clouds." By Peter Gebhardt, a poet, a retired County Court judge, a former principal
* NIRS: TREATY DEMANDS TO BE OUTLINED AT MELBOURNE PROTEST
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Treaty demands to be outlined at Melbourne protest
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7783-treaty-demands-to-be-outlin...
24 Jan 13: "Melbourne Aboriginal rights campaigner Robbie Thorpe says any treaty signed between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians must not be on the terms of the Australian Government. Mr. Thorpe will join protestors as they march through the streets of Melbourne on Saturday to mark Invasion Day. The demonstrators will deliver a proclamation outlining their issues and demands on the steps of Victoria's Parliament House. Mr. Thorpe says treaties in Canada and New Zealand are a benchmark, but aren't without flaws."
See:
- Events
Event: Sat 26 January 2013: Fitzroy, Melbourne, Vic
Invasion Day 26th January Melbourne Rally & March
* Rally on Wurundjeri Country
* Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to country
* Speakers and forums
* March down Gertrude St to Treasury Gardens
for the 'Share the Spirit Festival
"This is a call out to all people of this land to step
forward and right the wrongs together and build
some momentum against the out of control
machine that threatens our very existence as
the oldest living culture in the world, and
together has human beings.
So bring your flags and banners and come along
and hear speakers talk about the Stronger futures act,
basics card, Native Title, Constitutional reform,
deaths in custody, racism, KODE school closures in Victoria,
Victorian update on N,T, environment, mining, Capitalism
and our black political history and its relevance today."
Event details: http://allevents.in/events/invasion-day-26th-january-melbourne-rally-amp...
Event details: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/53131
Flyer: http://nationalunitygovernment.org/images/2013/gatherings/invasion-day-m...
Event: Sat 26 January 2013: Melbourne CBD, Vic
Festival: Share the Spirit Indigenous music festival
Part of Melbourne’s official Survival Day celebrations
75th Anniversary of the Day of Mourning
"This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the
Day of Mourning, a protest organised by the
Aboriginal Progressive Association against the
injustices surrounding the treatment of Aboriginal
People in Australia held on January 26, 1938.
The festival boasts an eclectic mix of established
and emerging local Indigenous artists who will
perform side-by-side to celebrate what Indigenous
people achieved 75 years ago, increase awareness
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, whilst
contributing to the process of political change,
reconciliation and national excellence."
Event details: http://www.sharethespiritfestival.com/SHARE_THE_SPIRIT_FESTIVAL/Share_th...
Event details: http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=53446
Event summary: http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/52993
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national service provided from a hub station residing in Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media organisations that don't have the staffing or capital requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to their audience."
* WGAR NEWS: ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGNTY DAY, INVASION DAY AND SURVIVAL DAY EVENTS: SAT 26 JANUARY 2013
Last updated: 22 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/16/wgar-news-aboriginal-sovereignty-day-...
* TRACKER: WIN FOR TENT EMBASSY ACTIVISTS
- News
newsTracker: Win for tent embassy activists
http://tracker.org.au/2013/01/win-for-tent-embassy-activists/
24 Jan 13: "QUEENSLAND: ... Wayne Wharton, Bogaine Skuthorpe-Spearim and Hamish Chitts were arrested in inner-city Musgrave Park shortly after midnight on December 12. ... The three men were charged with contravening a police direction and granted bail but banned from entering the park. They appealed the bail condition, arguing it was an assault on their religious freedom. Brisbane Magistrate John Costello ruled on Tuesday the restriction was "unduly harsh" and allowed them to return to the site on the condition they did not light a fire or erect a tent."
See:
About Tracker
http://tracker.org.au/about-us/
"Tracker magazine is a publication of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Australia’s largest Aboriginal organisation."
* NIRS: COURT LIFTS BAIL CONDITIONS FOR BRISBANE EMBASSY THREE
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Court lifts bail conditions for Brisbane Embassy three
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7781-court-lifts-bail-conditions...
24 Jan 13: "The three people arrested at Musgrave Park's Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy in early December last year have had their bail conditions lifted. A Magistrate ruled this morning Boe Spearim, Hamish Chitts and Wayne 'Coco' Wharton will now be able to return to the park. They'll now be able to attend Brisbane's Invasion Day events this Saturday at the site. But the Magistrate said the three men won't be able to relight the sacred fire or erect tents at the site."
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national service provided from a hub station residing in Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media organisations that don't have the staffing or capital requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to their audience."
* NIRS: EMBASSY MEMBER DISAPPOINTED NOT TO BE ALLOWED TO LIGHT SACRED FIRE
- News
National Indigenous Radio Service: Embassy member disappointed not to be allowed to light sacred fire
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7785-embassy-member-disappointed...
24 Jan 13: "The three people arrested at Musgrave Park's Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy in early December last year say they're pleased to have had their bail conditions lifted. A Magistrate ruled today Boe Spearim, Hamish Chitts and Wayne 'Coco' Wharton will now be able to return to the park in time for Brisbane's Invasion Day events this Saturday. But the Magistrate said the three men are banned from relighting the sacred fire or erecting tents at the site. ... defendant Boe Spearim is angered by the fact he'll be unable to partake in relighting the fire on Invasion Day."
- Related News
Brisbane Times: Aboriginal activists say a 'sacred fire' in a Brisbane park will be re-lit
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/aboriginal-activists-say-a-sa...
24 Jan 13: "Three aboriginal activists arrested during the disbanding of the Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy in Musgrave Park say a "sacred fire" will be re-lit, as they continue their fight to have their claim over the historical site recognised. Wayne "Coco" Wharton, Bo Spearim and Hamish Chitts were charged with contravening a police direction not to re-enter Musgrave Park, following their attempt to re-establish a tent embassy on the West End site on December 12. ... " Amy Remeikis
See:
About the National Indigenous Radio Service
http://www.nirs.org.au/about-us
"The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national service provided from a hub station residing in Brisbane. It networks material for Indigenous media organisations that don't have the staffing or capital requirements to provide a 24-hour high quality broadcast to their audience."
* BACKGROUND TO BRISBANE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGN EMBASSY, MUSGROVE PARK, SOUTH BRISBANE, QLD:
Last updated: 24 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/02/brisbane-aboriginal-sovereign-embassy...
* SNAICC NEWS: THE LOWITJA INSTITUTE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
- News
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care:
SNAICC News: The Lowitja Institute needs your support
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=964
24 Jan 13: "The future of the Lowitja Institute is under a cloud as it seeks to secure funding from the Australian Government beyond June 2014. The Lowitja Institute (National Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research) is an innovative research body that brings together Aboriginal organisations, academic institutions and government agencies to facilitate collaborative, evidence-based research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. ... The Lowitja Institute currently has CRC funding through till June 2014. As yet, it has not been able to gain a commitment from the Australian Government to fund it beyond this time."
See:
SNAICC Background
http://www.snaicc.org.au/about/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=1
"The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families."
* THE LOWITJA INSTITUTE: THE MCG CONGRESS LOWITJA STATEMENT
- Statement
The Lowitja Institute: The MCG Congress Lowitja Statement
http://www.lowitja.org.au/mcg-congress-lowitja-statement
15 Nov 12: "The Lowitja Institute is Australia’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research institute. It began as the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health based in Darwin in 1997. It then became the CRC for Aboriginal Health and has been able to secure three rounds of funding from the Commonwealth CRC program as a public good CRC. This source of funding will cease from 30 June 2014 but the need for a national research institute in Aboriginal health funded by the Australian government remains. There is currently no commitment for ongoing funding from the Australian government and the Lowitja Institute has been endeavouring to secure private sponsorship to make up this shortfall. While private sponsorship is a valid source of supplementary income it should not be used to replace the obligation of the Australian government to ensure there continues to be a viable, national research institute in Aboriginal health – The Lowitja Institute. ... "
"192 supporters so far… Please add your support above"
See:
About Us
http://www.lowitja.org.au/about-us
"The Lowitja Institute, Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research, is an innovative research body that brings together Aboriginal organisations, academic institutions and government agencies to facilitate collaborative, evidence-based research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health."
* SNAICC NEWS: CAMPAIGN AIMS TO REDUCE HIGH NUMBER OF OUR CHILDREN IN CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM
- News
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care:
SNAICC News: Campaign aims to reduce high number of our children in child protection system
http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=960
24 Jan 13: "A national campaign is being planned to address the dramatic over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the child protection system.
A team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, led by SNAICC, has met with representatives from many major national and state-based peak organisations from across the sector. ... There was overwhelming agreement at both meetings that a campaign was urgently needed to break the cycle of persistent and systematic removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people from their families, communities and culture."
See:
SNAICC Background
http://www.snaicc.org.au/about/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=1
"The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families."
* CAAMA: CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN STOLEN GENERATIONS AND FAMILIES HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ROYAL COMMISSION!
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families have concerns about Royal Commission!
http://caama.com.au/central-australian-stolen-generations-and-families-h...
24 Jan 13: "Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families are concerned that the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will become just another report that sits on a shelf and goes nowhere. Last week Members of the Northern Territory Stolen Generations in the Top end welcomed the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse - but with concerns that those who may wish to give evidence could be re traumatized! Jackie Baxter Manager of the Central Australian Stolen Generations and Families says that the Stolen Generations and removal of children is a massive money making venture for any government ... "
See:
About CAAMA
http://caama.com.au/
"The Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) began operations in 1980 and was the first Aboriginal group to be allocated a broadcasting license. The Aboriginal people of Central Australia own CAAMA through an association regulated under the Incorporations Act, and its objectives focus on the social, cultural and economic advancement of Aboriginal peoples."
* BACKGROUND: ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER RESPONSES TO ROYAL COMMISSION INTO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Last updated: 20 January 2013
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/20/background-aboriginal-torres-strait-i...
* KIRK MCKENZIE, NEW MATILDA: THE NEW OFFENCE AND INSULT REGIME
- Analysis / Opinion
New Matilda: The New Offence And Insult Regime
http://newmatilda.com/2013/01/23/antidiscrimination-balancing-act
23 Jan 13: "The Government's new anti-discrimination legislation is a welcome consolidation of the old laws. Kirk McKenzie looks at what's behind Gillard's changes to what constitutes an insult. ... Last November, federal Attorney General Nicola Roxon released an "exposure draft" of the bill intended to consolidate the existing anti-discrimination regime: the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012. ... Perhaps the most formidable critic of the new bill is James Spigelman, the former NSW Chief Justice who is now the Chairman of the ABC." By Kirk McKenzie
See:
newmatilda.com - About Us
http://newmatilda.com/about/
"The Mission
We believe that robust media is fundamental to a healthy democracy - and there's never been a more important time for independent media in Australia. With shrinking media diversity, and huge changes underway in delivery, there are fewer and fewer outlets publishing independent-minded journalism like ours."
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
http://caama.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/am-24-update.mp3
24 Jan 13: "Growing condemnation of the decision by Prime Minister Julia Gillard to nominate Nova Peris as Labor’s number one Senate candidate in the Northern Territory with claims that the Aboriginal Olympic athlete will be used as a "show pony" by the government at an international level."
SBS Radionews Podcasts: Call for greater focus on prevention in youth justice
By Ryan Emery
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/251022/Call-fo...
24 Jan 13: "The head of the West Australian Aboriginal Legal Service says the state's youth justice system isn't working and it's time to put more focus on prevention. Dennis Eggington made his comments following a riot at the state's Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre on Sunday. The detainees have been moved to an adult prison while their centre is repaired. Mr Egginton says the crucial time for prevention is from birth up to the age of three. Ryan Emery asked Mr Eggington if there was still a chance for rehabilitation when a young person was detained."
SBS Radionews Podcasts: Inquiry looks at Indigenous referendum proposal
By Biwa Kwan
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/251054/Inquiry...
24 Jan 13: "A Federal Parliamentary inquiry has begun to look at ways of ensuring Constitutional recognition is achieved for Indigenous people. A referendum on the issue is now being proposed for 2015. The new date was set after the federal government shelved an earlier aim to hold the referendum this year. Advocates say the inquiry is important step in raising awareness of the issue, but that there's still a long way to win enough community support. Biwa Kwan reports."
- News
ANTaR: Jacqui Phillips appeared before the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples today
http://antar.org.au/news/jacqui-phillips-appeared-joint-select-committee...
22 Jan 13: "The Joint Select Committee met with key stakeholders in Sydney today. Jacqui Phillips reiterated ANTaR's strong support for Constitutional reform to recognise Australia's First Peoples and to remove racially discriminatory aspects from Australia's founding document."
Read Jacqui's opening statement here: http://antar.org.au/reports/opening-statement-joint-select-committee-con...
- - -
About WGAR News:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
Subscription to 'WGAR News' is free.
'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on:
* the Australian Federal government intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities;
* the Aboriginal sovereignty movement and tent embassies;
* other Aboriginal rights issues; and
* upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia.
'WGAR News' publishes information and opinions from a wide range of sources. These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR.
The e-newsletters include media releases, opinion pieces, news items and events. Subscribers can expect to receive about 6 e-newsletters each week.
To subscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR News" in the message header.
To unsubscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "unsubscribe WGAR News" in the message header.
- - -
You can also subscribe to our second list 'Contact WGAR' which provides a point of contact and includes occasional activities and events.
To subscribe, email contactwgar@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR Contact" in the message header.
- - -
WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.wordpress.com/