ATSI GRAPEVINE

Bangarra’s Dance Theatre's "OF EARTH & SKY"

2010-09-30T02:45:00.001-07:00

Written by Minelle Creed

Bangarra’s Dance Theatre's "OF EARTH & SKY" which began last week at the Melbourne Arts Centre concludes this week on Saturday night. Melbourne wraps up the final leg of Bangarra's national tour which began in Brisbane in July.

The program has 2 shows with a full ensemble performance. The first is from Daniel Riley McKinley, called Riley, and is his debut choreographic work. After listening to Daniel speak about his passion as a dancer and now choreographing his own works, it’s wonderful to see the talent in someone so young.

Daniel debuted his first production in Melbourne this week, as Bangarra’s new choreographer, and said the inspiration behind his first production called "Riley", was inspired by Aboriginal Photographer, the late Michael Riley, and his last works the "Cloud" series.

Daniel who is related to Michael Riley said when he first viewed the images of the "Cloud" series, he found them "really beautiful and ethereal, and the content behind the images were really strong for me, that I really felt a connection with each image.". He said looking back it was that '"lood connection' that drew him to those images". Click on the link below to hear my interview with Daniel.

Daniel Riley McKinley Interview (click below)

Frances Rings, who previously had been performing as a dancer with Bangarra’s Dance Theatre, says this current production, which is her 5th as a choreographer. Frances said she has been with Bangarra for 12 years, and last years 20th year anniversary, basically showcased her growing up as an artist, dancer and now choreographer.

Frances said there were many changes in her transition from performer to choreographer. “I spent 12 years with the company, as a performer, as a dancer, and got to travel the world, and got to experience many different stages, and many different festivals, and theatres, and performances and that was great”.

She said she was ready to start something new in her life and ready for new changes, and to have the opportunity to tell her own stories through contemporary Indigenous dance, which she says has the full support of Bangarra .

She said the most important thing about this production was the debut of Daniel Riley McKinley who at 24 years old, is starting his career now also as a choreographer, after spending time with Bangarra as a dancer. She also said it was wonderful to be able to create and show her children the importance of creating something that has traditional elements of Aboriginal culture and history and bringing to a forum where everyone can enjoy it.

Last year Bangarra celebrated their 20 year anniversary, which looked back on 20 years of Bangarra history and choreography. She said for her, “it’s a bit like, ‘This is your life’, kind of thing, because I spent my whole adulthood, in the company”.

Frances Rings Interview (click below)

Bangarra finishes of 2010 with a regional tour of MATHINNA which is Executive Director, Stephen Page's full length works which he choreographed in 2008.

SOURCES:

Written by Minelle Creed for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine, and 3KND

Photography by James Williams

Videos recorded with permission of Bangarra’s Dance Theatre

Rock against Racism

2010-07-11T01:35:00.000-07:00

By Minelle Creed

Whether people chose to believe it or not, we all have experienced or come across racism, either directly or indirectly. But the power of music can always change the way people interact. Last nights Rock Against Racism concert at the Trade Hall in Melbourne, proved that through music people can come together not only for a worthy cause but to show their support for something that in this day and age should be outdated.

Concert organiser Sharon Firebrace, Socialist Alliance Candidate for Senate & NAIDOC 2010 Convenor spoke passionately about how racism in this country is a big issue that needs to be addressed before the next State and Federal Elections. Ms Firebrace who spoke about the oppression of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, highlighted the previous and current government's lack of understanding of the rights of Australia's Aboriginal people and the government's continued exploitation.

Ms Firebrace said, "They've planted a thousand hands (Sea of Hands) on the steps of Parliament, they've had a massive campaign on Reconciliation, the former PM Kevin Rudd and the Labour Party made a massive Apology on one hand, and on the other hand, they forced the Northern Territory Intervention onto Aboriginal people, and has maintained it and threatened that it's going to go national. That's exploitation, and that's racism". Ms Firebrace said that was the reason she was inspired to host the Rock Against Racism concert.

Aboriginal musicians came together for the end of NAIDOC spectacular, that was worthy of missing the State and National NAIDOC Ball, which were also held in Melbourne. over the weekend. Around 300 people attended the concert, black andwhite supporters, and even an Afghani asylum seeker who was introduced to the crowd by controversial former ATSIC Chairman Geoff Clarke, who said "that everyone experiences racism, not just black people".

No matter who you are or where you come from, racism is an issue. Aboriginal Singer/Songwriter, Archie Roach who was heading the Rock Against Racism concert, talked about racism and about his respect for Rugby League player Timana Tahu, who recently put his hand up and refused to accept racism in sports, and subsequently caused a media sensation when he quit the NSW State Of Origin Team, in protest against racist comments from the then coach, Andrew Johns.

Roach said, "I saw him last night, at the (NAIDOC) Ball and he got a standing ovation, for his stand against racism. And its good, because, you know, injustice and racism and all those rotten things, will continue to persist, if good men remain silent".

The performances on the night symbolised the struggles between black and white Australia and also the passion of healing the racism in this country, through song and coming together. Other performers included, Dan Sultan & Scott Wilson, Liz Cavanagh, James Henry, Gathering Choir, Brian Morley, Jessie Lloyd, Deline Briscoe, Lee Morgan, and Bart Willoughby.

Indigenous Land Managers - Profiting from Climate Change

2010-05-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

By Minelle Creed

Indigenous land owners will soon be able to contribute to Climate Change by creating their own carbon footprint using renewable energy from natural waste on their traditional lands, in the global effort to reduce greenhouse gases.

The Australian Federal Government recently scrapped the Emissions Trading Scheme, delivered by the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong. But Australia still has a commitment to the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners can contribute by reducing emissions through the development of strategies and projects that create renewable energy.

CarbonHouse are committed to reducing Australia’s carbon footprint by working with Traditional Owners in developing smarter carbon management and in renewable energy and carbon sequestration projects. They will work with Indigenous communities to develop Carbon Strategies for reducing, offsetting and managing carbon and other green house emission.

The project will negotiate with Traditional Owners and take into account Cultural, Environmental and Economically viable initiatives on traditional lands by using biogas created from natural waste, instead of fossil fuels.

Indigenous land owners can develop these strategies with CarbonHouse, using renewable energy created from Wind, Hydro, Landfill, Solar and Bagasse. CarbonHouse Manager, Rod Glass says the benefits for Indigenous land owners could become profitable though renewable energy certificates. Rod Glass speaking at a conference in Cairns over the weekend:

If you’d like to be a part of this culturally appropriate, environmentally friendly, economically viable project you can call Mr Glass from CarbonHouse, and he will work with Traditional Owners to develop sustainable projects specific to your land and area. Click here to a list of future workshops for Aboriginal people in Queensland.

Below are video examples of Renewal Energy Projects:

Human Rights Crimes against Children in the Goldfields

2010-04-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

By Alice Haines

Goldfields is now under scrutiny with the influx of children becoming Incarcerated over recent months. Coolgardie Town, 38 Kilometers from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia have been reaching out to the wider communities in a cry for help.

On 31st March 2010 we had an urgent cry from community by the Father of a 12 year old boy whose son was incarcerated and apprehended from his Pastors house for breaching a curfew placed by courts. Curfews are now the topic for this town because even if there was not a court ordered curfew a town curfew has been placed for all youth under the age of 18. Even though the curfew is for all youths the implementation of this curfew is only practiced on all the Indigenous Youth.

There is some question of the legality of this curfew which is not a Western Australian Legislation nor seems to be a Local Government By Law. The town curfew in question is what led to a 15 year old Aboriginal female youth being harassed by police on her way home from the shops one evening. Witnesses say that when the youth tried to walk off when police came from behind and threw her to the ground by her neck. After she struggled whilst panicking the police pepper sprayed her and tasered her even though she was already pinned to the ground.

Click on the video below to see footage of the Queensland Police taser a 16yo girl on Southbank.

The young female youth was then kept in the Paddy Wagon for 4 ½ hours at the back of Coolgardie Police Station and then taken to Kalgoorlie lock up via rough corrugated backtrack roads as apposed to the main highway to Kalgoorlie. She then was stripped search at the Kalgoorlie lockups. The young youth who is diagnosed with acute asthma was refused medical help when she made a complaint of chest pains. This case goes to trial in Kalgoorlie on the 7th May.2010. The mother has charges of trespassing at the police station in Coolgardie when she came in on the night to inquire of her child’s whereabouts and well being. These charges go to court on the 10th of May 2010.

Both Mother and Daughter had no prior criminal record preceding this incident.

The Goldfields has the highest incarceration rate in the world from the Indigenous race. The rate is 6 times higher than the heat of Apartheid in South Africa when incarceration reached its highest statistics of South African history.

This is clearly a Human Rights Violation.

Thank you Alice Haines.

Fake Facebook page dishonours Jimmy Little

2010-02-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

By Minelle Creed

A group set up on Facebook called the Mr Jimmy Little Appreciation Society has been set up without the permission of 'Uncle' Jimmy and his family. Aboriginal singer Jimmy Little, who has his own page on Facebook called the Jimmy Little Foundation, says it is easy for people to be confused about the two pages, and has asked for the Mr Jimmy Little Appreciation Society to be closed. The request from his daughter, Franny Peters-Little, has been met with hostility and threats of legal action.

Peters-Little says she has contacted the creators of the Mr Jimmy Little Appreciation Society and Facebook with her family's request and has even provided a written statement signed by her father asking that the site respect his wishes and remove the page from Facebook, but the page still remains.

The Mr Jimmy Little Appreciation Society which was set up by husband and wife team Elvianna & Simon Dorante Day, who have created several pages on Facebook (click here to see a full list) which include Appreciation Societies, Fan Pages, etc. Click on the image belopw to see the written statement signed by Jimmy Little regarding his position on the Mr Jimmy Little Appreciation Society.

"The Jimmy Little Foundation was established to help improve kidney health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across regional and remote Australia. Dr James O Little AO is a legend of the Australian music scene and has been performing for over fifty years.

After two years on dialysis and a successful kidney transplant, he realised the importance of all Australians being able to access quality health care no matter where they live and wanted to make a concrete contribution to those communities most affected by kidney disease. Jimmy is living proof that there can be productive life after diagnosis of kidney disease which is decimating indigenous Australians at an alarming rate."

Jimmy Little Foundation Information source: Jimmy Little Foundation

Yabun 2010

2010-01-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

The Yabun Festival in Sydney was a fantastic day. The entertainment line up was fantastic, and seeing all the red, black and yellow colours on the majority of people was a delight to see.

For me the highlight was seeing so many kids and families coming together, seeing friends and family who hadn't seen each other for a long time embrace each other with so much warmth, it makes me realise how much love and support we have within our familys and our small communities.

MC's Sean Choolburra, Australia's leading Entertainer, and Aunty Lillian Crombie, actress both worked well together to keep the crowds entertained between acts.

We may have injustice and inequality in many different areas of life, but there is no denying that love we have for our own. Seeing all the face, most of them I didn't know, but a few familiar faces, was great for me.

The entertainment line up for the day included artists such as, BrothaBlack, Zennith, Last Kinnection, Bunna Lawrie (Coloured Stone), Sharnie Fenwick, and more.

Thanks to Gadigal Information for a wonderful day. Click here for other pics of the day

No running water major health issue for Indigenous Australians

2009-12-05T23:41:00.000-08:00

Written by Minelle Creed

A lack of running water is a major health issue for Aboriginal people in remote communities in Australia. According to Ray Martin, around 350 Aboriginal communities in Australia still don't have access to running water

Martin, a former television journalist and now chairman of the Austra lian Indigenous Education Foundation, says a lack of basic running water has contributed to and is still a leading cause of chronic health conditions for Aboriginal people living in remote communities.

A descendant of the Gamilaroi people from northern New South Wales, Martin says that most of the Aboriginal people living in these remote communities are living in third world conditions.

He traveled with the late Professor Fred Hollows, Ophthalmologist who treated Indigenous people around the world and in Australia with chronic eye conditions such as trachoma and blindness.

Professor Hollows began working with Aboriginal communities in the 1970's, and helped to establish the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern, as well as other Medical services around Australia. He also founded the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program, which was set up to eliminate trachoma, and other eye conditions in rural and remote communities in Australia.

Martin who traveled with Professor Hollows many years ago to some remote Indigenous communities, said these conditions still affect Aboriginal communities and ' is still about 5 times the rate of white Australians, but its unforgivable, unacceptable. Most problems in Aboriginal Australia is a matter of hygiene'. Having access to running water is not only a problem in third world countries, but it also exists in Australia's desert and remote areas.

Martin is currently touring Australia after the release of his Autobiography, Ray: Stories of my Life.

Interview with Mark Graham, November 2009

RAY MARTIN - Education for Aboriginal Kids is the Key

2009-12-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

Written by Minelle Creed

His name is synonymous with the friendly, smiling face we saw on TV. The face of Australian current affairs was sometimes serious, other times funny, but mostly likable due to his wonderful personable attributes.

Ray Martin, a graduate of Sydney University with a BA and History distinction, began his career as a cadet journalist with the ABC in 1965. He is also a high-profile personality in Australian media and television, a former television journalist, foreign correspondent, midday variety show host, and humble Aboriginal gentleman who is a descendant of the Gamilaroi people from New South Wales.

Martin is best know for his time on 60 Minutes, along with George Negus and Ian Leslie, and the variety show Midday with Ray, which were among the highest-rating programs on Australian television.

In October 2009 he released his autobiography titled Ray: Stories Of My Life - The Autobiography which talks about his life from his humble beginnings. Mark Graham, Aboriginal man from Larrakia Nation in the Northern Territory spoke with Martin about his Autobiography.

During Graham's interview, Martin revealed his passion for Indigenous Advancement, and spoke mainly about the disadvantages still in Indigenous education, and how he feels it's important for Indigenous parents to ensure their children are well educated.

Martin named Professor Fred Hollows, Mick Dodson, his brother Patrick Dodson, Galarrwuy Yunipingu, Lowitja O'Donoghue and Noel Pearson, as some of the most influential people he has met over the years.

Is Australia Racist?

2009-10-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

I posted a discussion 'Is Australia Racist' the other day on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine Discussion Board in Facebook. Around about 20 people commented, and I must say I was quite surprised with what people had to say.

The discussion was in response to a poll on the internet and the recent backlash in America and other countries after the performance of the Jackson Jive (click here to watch the video) on Channel 9's Hey Hey Its Saturday's Red Faces segment.

The skit was performed by the same group 20 years ago, but this time round the response was not great. I myself thought it was done in poor taste, and was thoughtless, and did not see any humour in the skit at all. During the performance, a card was also shown that had 'Where's Kamahl', who had previously been a regular guest on the show before it ended in 1999. Click on the image below to see Kamahl's response

After reading the responses on the ATSI Grapevine, I was totally blown away by some of the responses.

Gary Wood said 'I honestly believe that people are just miseducated and ignorant. Yes, there are racists but alot of it is misguided cultural assumptions.'

Jub Clerc; 'i think the problem is is that Australians don't even know that they are racist. they live in this beautiful abundant country and are soooo spoilt by the wealth, prosperity and easiness of it that they have well and truly lost their heads up their bottoms.'

Helen Laub said 'I hear racist comments on a daily basis. Because I'm white, people don't think I will be offended. But I am. I know they wouldn't say these things if someone who wasn't white could hear them.'

Sabrina Seaman responded by saying this 'I think that people need to remember that what ever race you may be we are ALL human and deserve Respect. Australia would be a better country if we helped each other step up in the world not step on others.'

David Widders believed, 'education and awareness is the key to changeing attitudes and views. I run a days Cultural Awareness training where I want to change the attitudes and views of Aboriginal people.'

Jim Duffield spoke about the meaning of race and gave a very definitive explanation of the word. Duffield, also wrote that he was born in a Nazi concentration camp and was on one of 13 people in the world to survive, quoted confucius, writing 'The longest march begins with the first step.'

Others went on to say they believed Australia was racist but more ignorant of the cultural aspects of black people in this country, and hoped that educating people about culture could be a way to make people understand Indigenous people better.

The most comments were very enlightening and very positive about racism, saying they had experienced it but that if we all can work together we can find a solution.

Beverley Moore speaks about her 'Stolen Child'

2009-09-01T06:17:00.001-07:00

By Minelle Creed
September 1 2009

Beverely Moore, a Wamba Wamba woman from Swan Hill in Victoria,is still waiting for the son who was 'stolen' from her when he was 4 days old to return home from America.

In 1963, 14 year old Beverley was an unmarried single mother, and due to government policy of the day, her first born son, Russell Thomas Moore, was taken from her and adopted by a non-Indigenous Christian couple, who took him to America and left him there.

Russell was 6 years old when his adopted family took him to America to live. When he was 12 years old when he asked about his heritage, but his adopted family refused to tell him anything. It was during this time that Russell became involved in drugs and alcohol. He spent most of his teen years living on the streets and was in and out of foster homes.

Beverley's son Russell Moore, who was renamed James Hudson Savage by his adopted family, has been in America serving a life sentence for a crime he committed in 1988. In December this year he will have completed more than 20 years of a 25 year non-parole sentence. It was during Russell's trial in 1989, that he met his birth mother, Beverley Moore for the first time, and it was also revealed that he was a child of Australia's Stolen Generation.

Russell was originally sentenced to the Electric Chair and had spent time on Death Row in Florida before the decision was appealed in 1991, a circuit judge then sentenced him to life without parole, meaning he would serve 25 years before he could apply for parole.

International media coverage of his trial showed a young Aboriginal man who was reunited with the mother who he had been 'stolen' from when he was 4 days old. I spoke to Beverley in 2005 about Russell, when they met and her push to bring her eldest son home. Beverley has endured so much heartache since Russell was stolen from her in 1963, she also dealt with her father's death in custody, and the death of her husband, Russell's father, whom she married after Russell was taken from her.

To listen to an interview I did with Russell's mother Beverley at Radio Rum Jungle in the Northern Territory in 2005 click here .

In 1997, The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission released its Bringing them Home Report, the Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. The report covers International removal and one of the recommendations allows for Indigenous people removed overseas to be reunited with family should they chose.

Russell has embraced his Aboriginal heritage and has a tattoo of a Kangaroo on his body, and he has also indicated he would like to return home to Australia. His mother also wants her son to come home. She has been fighting this fight since 1989.

The International Prisoner Transfer Treaty has been signed between the Australian and United States government's in 2007. But almost nothing has been done to bring Russell back home.

BRINGING RUSSELL BACK HOME

2009-08-29T01:04:00.000-07:00

August 29 2009

Russell Thomas Moore aka James Hudson Savage, is an Aboriginal man serving a life sentence in an American Prison for a crime he was convicted of in 1988. He has already served more than 20 years of a 25 year non parole sentence.

Image of Russell from US Department of Corrections

Russell is a child of the Stolen Generation. He was stolen from his mother Beverley Moore, a Wamba Wamba woman from Swan Hill in Victoria, when he was 4 days old and subsequently adopted by a white christian family who took him to the US.

Russell never knew about his heritage and when he asked his adoptive parents they refused to tell him anything. Russell began to drink and use drugs and was in and out of correctional institutions during most of his adulthood. His adoptive parents then returned to Australia without him and he ended up living on the streets and became addicted to alcohol and other substances.

When he was first convicted he was sentenced to the Electric Chair, but this decision was eventually overturned by a circuit judge after an appeal. Russell had spent time on Death Row in Florida awaiting this decision. His sentence was changed to Life without Parole, meaning he would serve 25 years of his sentence before he could apply for Parole.

It was during this court process that it was revealed that he was a child of Australia's Stolen Generation, and the push for him to be returned home began. Russell met his birth mother during his trial in the US, and has had limited contact with his mother since, except through costly telephone calls. His mother is now afraid she will never see her son again.

Aboriginal singer Archie Roach who sang 'Took The Children Away' wrote a song about Russell being stolen from his mother called Munjana.

You can also listen to an interview I did in December last year on Koori Radio. Please show your support for Russell by joining this Cause and help us find a way to "BRING RUSSELL BACK HOME".

written by

Minelle Creed

New Boots for Palm Island Kids

2009-08-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

August 2009

Indigenous kids on Palm Island are riding around with brand new RM Williams boots courtesy of kind Australians who donated riding gear after a call went out through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine.

School Teacher James Ward from the Bwgcolman Community School says he saw how naturally gifted the kids were at horse riding, wanted to do something for a few kids who had helped him. He sent a message out on the ATSI Grapevine, asking if anyone could donate riding gear to the kids who have been riding these (brumbies) wild horses bareback and without riding boots.

Mr Ward says he was overwhelmed by the support of the Australian community, both from Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. He had asked for riding gear for around 9 or 10 kids who had helped him with a project, but he said they actually received enough riding gear for at least 40 children.

Ward says the Bwgcolman school principle will meet with parents and school teachers to decide how the rest of the gear will be distributed, and will consider the riding gear as an incentive for kids who do well in school.

Official Launch of the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program in Cairns

2009-08-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

The Indigenous community in Far North Queensland and staff at Wu Chopperen Medical Service, celebrated National Aboriginal and Islanders Children's Day, with the official launch of the Australian Nurse-Family Partnership Program in Cairns today.

Opened by local member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour and Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the day started off with the release of bio degradable balloons, by Mr Turnour, Ms Roxon and Wu Chopperen staff.

Staff at Wu Chopperen and Local Member Jim Turnour, and Health Minister Nicola Roxon release balloons.

Wu Chopperen was selected along with two other Indigenous Organisations, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, to deliver the ANFPP program as part of the Rudd Government's Close the Gap campaign.

Ms Roxon said 'nearly $2million worth of funding over the next 2 years will go towards supporting home visits'. The program will also be rolled out over another ten sites across Australia.'

Ms Roxon says that the government 'believes that if they support the mothers during the early years of a child's life, we can ensure they grow up as happy healthy children, and to close the life expectancy gap and improve infant mortality rate.'

Leanne Knowles, acting CEO of Wu Chopperen who met with the Therese Rein, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's wife and delegates from the Pacific Island Forum yesterday, said the ANFPP 'will support the building of capacity of families, so that our kids can live longer and have better health outcomes'.

Leanne Knowles meeting with Therese Rein at Wu Chopperen yesterday

PM'S wife visits Aboriginal Medial Centre in Cairns

2009-08-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

By Minelle Creed
August 6, 2009

The Australian Prime Minister's wife, Therese Rein, and delegates from the Pacific Island Forum, today visited Wu Chopperen Aboriginal Medical Centre in Cairns.

The visit was to talk to Wu Chopperen staff about the AustralianNurse-Family Partnership Program (ANFPP) which aims to improve the long term health, social and economic future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, by assisting first time pregnant mothers and their families.

Talking about the ANFP Program, Mrs Rein said, ' the survival rate for Indigneous women particularly in remote communities is much less, and the partnership is an attempt to raise the survival rate of women, particularly Indigenous women giving birth in remote communities.

Mrs Rein also compared the situation in Australia with the Pacific Islanders, saying ' people who live on tiny little islands with no transport, what kindof care is best, do you take them out of the communities to give birth, or do you send a birthing attendant in. These are tricky questions for all our countries'.

Mrs Rein's visit to the Medical Centre coincided with the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns for which the Prime Minister is the new Forum Chair.

Protesters condemn Labor’s ‘failing policy’

2009-08-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

Emma Murphy, Sydney

2 August 2009

“Help us, do something for us — but the way we want them to be done. Talk to us”, Alice Springs town camp resident Audrey McCormack pleaded of ALP conference delegates.

She was speaking outside the Sydney convention centre, at a public lobby coinciding with the first day of the conference, on July 30.

Organised by Stop the Intervention Collective, Sydney, the lobby demanded an end to federal government blackmail of Aboriginal communities, whereby they are forced to sign their land onto five-year leases to the government in exchange for housing and services. The communities that have signed onto leases haven’t got any new houses anyway.

click here to read the rest of the story:
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How much more can our Aboriginal people be discriminated against? How long before the government really gets what Aboriginal people want. How many times do we have to say enough is enough?

No matter how many Interventions, no matter how many Apologies, no matter how much money the governments spend, in over 200 years Aboriginal people are still struggling.

Housing, Education, Health, Economic Development, all these issues are still not being deal with. Your Close the Gap resolution of 'Reconciliation with Aboriginal people's is not working Mr Rudd.

Click here to join Facebook's Stop the NT Intervention Group

Macklin's Aboriginal housing blackmail — land rights need, not takeovers!

2009-08-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

Peter Robson
2 August 2009

“We've had the gun at our head.” This is what William Tilmouth, Tangentyere Council CEO, said in response to Aboriginal affairs minister Jenny Macklin's triumphant July 29 announcement that the council had agreed to lease Alice Springs town camps to the federal government for 40 years in exchange for $135 million in housing upgrades.

Aboriginal people established the town camps to cater for people traveling to Alice Springs from out bush. In the 1970s, they managed to secure title over the town camps, and have been represented by Tangentyere Council ever since.

Click here to read more of this report.
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How typical of the government to try to take over land that Aboriginal mob are living on in the Town Camps in and around Alice Springs. The Minister had previously extended time to allow for housing upgrades. But now to renege on that promise?

In May this year the Tangentyere Council called on the Australian government to continue lease negotions, but it seems the government had other plans.

Listen to an interview with William Tilmouth with Caama Radio

Wild Rivers Legislation

2009-08-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

Cape York Institute Director, Noel Pearson today spoke about the influence of lobbyists on the Queensland Government regarding the Wild Rivers Legislation.

Speaking with the ABC's Indiders program, Pearson believed the lobbyists had too much power and said 'no matter how many submission we make, the democratic process on submissions are not listened to."

Pearson claims the key issue is "whether paid lobbyists ought to be slinking around corridors, opening doors like pimps at a Fortitute Valley brothel." Pearson believes Premier Bligh was out of touch with what the community wanted and needed.

And the recent speech at Griffith University by former Fitzgerald Commissioner, Tony Fitzgerald regarding the last 20 years since the Fitzgerald Inquiry also pointed to corruption in the Queensland Government.

Its not the first time Wild Rivers has come under attack by Aboriginal representatives from Cape York. Pearson has been talking about dealing with the Queensland government for many years.

YouTube video

How the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine was created!

2009-08-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

The Aboriginal and Torres Straig Islander Grapevine was created in recognition of Australia's leading Aboriginal actor, Mr David Gulpilil. Mr Gulpilil is Australia's most recognised Aboriginal personality with many films to his name. Some of his most famous films include "Storm Boy", "Rabbit Proof Fence" and most recently "Ten Canoes".

The ATSI Grapevine is intended to help you stay in touch with family and friends, network with community members, and other Aboriginal and Islander people, find out whats happening in other States and Territory's. You can also update your list of contacts, and find out whats happening near you. Join up and find family and old friends, or let everyone know what is happening in your home town. Learn new language words, ask about Aboriginal and Islander heritage, or simply join and be a part of Australia's newest network for Indigenous people.

HOW THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT GRAPEVINE WAS CREATED.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine (ATSIG) was created because thats what it took to get a message to Gulpilil, who has no mobile phone because there are no mobile phone towers in Arnhem Land. Gulpilil is a member of the remote community of Ramingining. The call went out on Aboriginal Radio on the East Coast of Australia on National Radio that the Directors were looking for David Gulpilil. One thing about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) community is that news travels fast. Someone heard this message and a few phone calls later and finally one of David's relatives heard the message and went to find David.

His journey is one that no man would willingly take, but being a relative and knowing his "Country" the message was on its way to Gulpilil. A few hours car ride into Arnhem Land, then on foot walking to a crocodile infested river, and swimming across the creek and then a few more miles on foot before he reached Gulpilil's Camp which is in the middle of nowhere.

Gulpilil knew someone was coming and then he received the message that he needed to call about a job. So Gulpilil trekked the many miles on foot, then swam across the crocodile infested river, then walking on foot again for a number of miles to the 4WD and then driving back to Ramingining to make his phone call. The next day Gulpilil was on a plane and had arrived on the East Coast and was ready for his interview. The Directors couldn't believe how fast the Aboriginal Grapevine was, commenting that it was faster than the Internet.

And so the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine was created, as a dedication to the master, not only of Aboriginal Films but also of Arnhem Land and his country. For one man to be so dedicated to his art inspires me and a lot of other people that I know also. Please join us in celebrating the wonder of Australia's Oldest Living Race, and our journey's all over Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grapevine

2009-08-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my ATSI Grapevine blog. I just wanted to start a blog spot where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could blog about news and community events specific to our community.

This blog will contain and reinforce the positive things we have in our communities, as well as deal with National, State, Local and community based issues that are important to us.

I encourage everyone to comment on the various blogs that we post and also encourage fair and honest discussion. I have good faith that people will not attack personally or professionally anyone who comes to the ATSI Grapevine and writes a blog.

Again welcome to the ATSI Grapevine blog.
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