Is Treaty a dirty word?
It should be abundantly clear to all that for the new Rudd government its business as usual when it comes to Aboriginal Peoples - that the new boss is indeed the same as the old. The calls for a Treaty, Bill of Rights and Constitutional change etc that was raised and argued for by Aboriginal delegates at the weekends 2020 summit in the beginning was heard loud and clear, but by summits end it was reduced and hushed down to an embarrassing choice of words by the closing report back. Behind the fine words and were listening and "closing the gap" rhetoric (whatever closing the gap means) we need to ask, where is the promotion of Aboriginal languages, our education systems our learning pathways, our systems of Law and justice, where is the support and funding for the just and equal acknowledgement and implementation of our cultural values, beliefs and practices – where is our right to self-determination?
I am not suggesting that western education is not needed or crucial for Aboriginal Peoples but that our ways must also be justly and rightly given equal value and worth. If equilibrium and parity are to be achieved then our Aboriginal culture must be the ridgepole around which all else revolves. Aboriginal people are promised equality before western law and in settler society, we are promised good education, employment, access to the “real economy” etc etc provided, Aboriginal Peoples forgo choice and in turn give up, give away and walk away from all we are
It is clear that Aboriginal Peoples throughout Aboriginal country must continue to organize and struggle as hard, if not harder then the recent racist Howard years. It seems to me that this current government are very media savvy, they now how to harness, stage and manage celebrity popularity to deflect the unfinished business of this country
The fine words and accommodating smiles of this Federal labor government and their cronies need to be thoroughly considered and scrutinized for behind them lay an agenda of assimilation. How People can sing from every branch of every tree with glee about having the maturity to become a Republic and crow about human rights but remain mute on a Treaty, which would without question reflect the maturity of the Australian nation and its commitment towards human rights more so then a Republic absolutely, astounds me?
If we hunger for just change, not just symbolic gamin spruk of so-called real economist, western educationist and closing gap popular trends etc, in this country, if we are serious about Aboriginal health and well-being, if we are serious about the oldest continuing culture in the world not only continuing but flourishing - then calls for a Treaty must be loud and organised and Aboriginal self-determination must be enshrined and the wealth stolen daily from Aboriginal country must be returned. Is this not an objective, is this not a benchmark? Karranjal John Hartley2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Treaty tops Indigenous 2020 agenda
Treaty tops indigenous 2020 agenda
April 19, 2008 - 6:21PM
An indigenous treaty has topped the priorities of Australia 2020 summit delegates examining Aboriginal issues.
About 100 of Australia's top indigenous leaders, thinkers and experts came together
as part of the summit to discuss their ideas to improve indigenous people's lives.
The creation of a treaty proved the most popular suggestion, followed by the re-establishment of a national representative body, and the setting up of an indigenous future fund and a watchdog to oversee government action on indigenous issues.
Delegate Janina Gawler, speaking for her group of delegates, said the treaty should build on the government's intentions to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
"To formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first
people of Australia, involving a legal agreement as to the status, rights and obligations of indigenous people and the Australian government," Ms Gawler said.
Some delegates urged the government to establish a long-term endowment fund, to be overseen by independent trustees, to provide funding certainty for indigenous programs.
Some delegates also pushed for a new indigenous cultural centre, and suggested it
should be based in Canberra's Old Parliament House.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sat in on the first session of the indigenous stream,
listening to ideas and asking questions of delegates.
Mr Rudd spoke one on one with Queensland Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson about
indigenous education, and with other delegates about the possibility of rolling out
more secondary level boarding schools for indigenous children.
He also spoke with delegates about the importance of maintaining and
strengthening indigenous culture and language.
Speaking for his group, youth delegate Tim Goodwin said tackling racism should be
a top priority for Australia.
"It hasn't gone away and a lot of indigenous people still need to talk about it and as a
nation we need to talk about it," he told delegates.
Mr Goodwin also stressed the need to change Australia's "psyche of assimilation".
"That in 2020 we no longer talk about `normalising' indigenous Australians," he said.
Prominent indigenous West Australian Shirley McPherson suggested certain seats
in parliament and spots in government should be put aside for indigenous people.
"There must by 2020 be a level playing field, and by that we mean there needs to be
representation in parliament and in government," Ms McPherson said.
(c) 2008 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/treaty-tops-indigenous-2020-agenda/20080419-2795.html
April 19, 2008 - 6:21PM
An indigenous treaty has topped the priorities of Australia 2020 summit delegates examining Aboriginal issues.
About 100 of Australia's top indigenous leaders, thinkers and experts came together
as part of the summit to discuss their ideas to improve indigenous people's lives.
The creation of a treaty proved the most popular suggestion, followed by the re-establishment of a national representative body, and the setting up of an indigenous future fund and a watchdog to oversee government action on indigenous issues.
Delegate Janina Gawler, speaking for her group of delegates, said the treaty should build on the government's intentions to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
"To formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first
people of Australia, involving a legal agreement as to the status, rights and obligations of indigenous people and the Australian government," Ms Gawler said.
Some delegates urged the government to establish a long-term endowment fund, to be overseen by independent trustees, to provide funding certainty for indigenous programs.
Some delegates also pushed for a new indigenous cultural centre, and suggested it
should be based in Canberra's Old Parliament House.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sat in on the first session of the indigenous stream,
listening to ideas and asking questions of delegates.
Mr Rudd spoke one on one with Queensland Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson about
indigenous education, and with other delegates about the possibility of rolling out
more secondary level boarding schools for indigenous children.
He also spoke with delegates about the importance of maintaining and
strengthening indigenous culture and language.
Speaking for his group, youth delegate Tim Goodwin said tackling racism should be
a top priority for Australia.
"It hasn't gone away and a lot of indigenous people still need to talk about it and as a
nation we need to talk about it," he told delegates.
Mr Goodwin also stressed the need to change Australia's "psyche of assimilation".
"That in 2020 we no longer talk about `normalising' indigenous Australians," he said.
Prominent indigenous West Australian Shirley McPherson suggested certain seats
in parliament and spots in government should be put aside for indigenous people.
"There must by 2020 be a level playing field, and by that we mean there needs to be
representation in parliament and in government," Ms McPherson said.
(c) 2008 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/treaty-tops-indigenous-2020-agenda/20080419-2795.html
Friday, April 18, 2008
Coolamon – carrying the culture
Monday 21 April to Sunday 25 May
Visit Brisbane Square Library during April and May to participate in celebrations with members of Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through Coolamon, elders and younger indigenous people will share their stories, treasures and insights with the wider Brisbane community.
The Coolamon program includes:
talks
performances
storytimes
displays
free movie screenings
Location: Brisbane Square Library and outside in Reddacliff Place (the open space at the top of Queen Street Mall, opposite the casino)
Visit Brisbane Square Library during April and May to participate in celebrations with members of Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through Coolamon, elders and younger indigenous people will share their stories, treasures and insights with the wider Brisbane community.
The Coolamon program includes:
talks
performances
storytimes
displays
free movie screenings
Location: Brisbane Square Library and outside in Reddacliff Place (the open space at the top of Queen Street Mall, opposite the casino)
The Dreaming Festival Tickets ON SALE NOW!!
Hey Everyone,
ON SALE NOW!!! THE DREAMING FESTIVAL TICKETS. Go to:
http://www.thedreamingfestival.com
Angelina Hurley
Queensland Folk Federation
Indigenous Co-ordinator – The Dreaming – Woodford Folk Festival
PMB 2 Woodford QLD
Australia 4514
T: +61 7 5496 1066
F +61 7 5496 3196
E: angelina@woodfordfolkfestival.com
W: http://www.thedreamingfestival.com
W: http//www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
ON SALE NOW!!! THE DREAMING FESTIVAL TICKETS. Go to:
http://www.thedreamingfestival.com
Angelina Hurley
Queensland Folk Federation
Indigenous Co-ordinator – The Dreaming – Woodford Folk Festival
PMB 2 Woodford QLD
Australia 4514
T: +61 7 5496 1066
F +61 7 5496 3196
E: angelina@woodfordfolkfestival.com
W: http://www.thedreamingfestival.com
W: http//www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)