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Late last year, senior elders from across the Northern Territory, including Yolngu elder Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra, came together to express their opposition to the Government’s plans to extend the Northern Territory Intervention under its proposed Stronger Futures legislation. They have now submitted their video message to the Senate Inquiry which is looking at the legislation. Below is their video message, as well as written statement.
Enough is Enough! from 'concerned Australians' on Vimeo.
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The Federal Government is proposing the “Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory” legislation, that will extend key parts of the Northern Territory Intervention for 10 more years. This comes despite its recent community consultations that had demonstrated overwhelming Aboriginal opposition to the Intervention’s continuation.
The Government has established a Senate Inquiry into this proposed legislation. The Inquiry is asking people to submit their views, for or against, which will help influence the Government’s action. Individuals, groups and organisations can submit to the Inquiry. Please see the link below for how to write your submission and where to send it. Short and sweet is fine! Deadline: 1 February 2012
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/strong_future_nt_11/info.htm
Find out more information about Stronger Futures
Today, Yolngu elders of Ramingining community in NE Arnhem Land are shocked and angered by last week’s announcement that the fundamentally destructive measures of the intervention will be extended for another 10 years. “We don’t want another decade of discrimination here in Ramingining. The government is extending and strengthening laws designed to assimilate Aboriginal people. We will not sit back and watch these attacks on our lives, our future, our culture and our law,” said Mathew Dhulumburrk, a 67 year old Gupapuyngu man.
Read their Statement HERE
The Labor Government, under Julia Gillard and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin, has introduced “Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory” legislation that extends the racist Northern Territory Intervention for a further ten years. This comes despite its recent community consultations that had demonstrated overwhelming Aboriginal opposition to the Intervention. The Government’s promise to work in partnership with Aboriginal people has once again rung hollow…
Read about it in Tracker
Related links:
Amnesty International criticizes new legislation
Cooperation not Intervention: Aboriginal organisations speak out
The Greens’ response
Statement by ANTaR
The Government’s media release on Stronger Futures legislation
Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has announced that the Federal Government will continue with key aspects of the NT Intervention and expand punitive welfare measures. Its decision comes despite its recent 3-month long consultations in communities across the Northern Territory, which had revealed widespread opposition to the Intervention’s policies.
Read more
As part of his visit to Australia, the Global Director of Amnesty International Salil Shetty travelled to the Utopia region in the Northern Territory to witness first-hand the effects that government policies have had on the lives of Aboriginal people. He particularly criticised the Government’s failure to support Aboriginal living on their traditional homelands.
We will be watching, Amnesty chief tells Macklin
Watch the ABC Report
Two open letters of protest by leading Australians have been presented to the Prime Minister and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin. One of the letters was written jointly by former Prime Minister Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser, former Aboriginal Affairs Minister Hon Ian Viner QC and Hon Alastair Nicholson QC. The other was signed by 24 prominent South Australians, including Hon. Robyn Layton QC, Lowitja O’Donoghue AC and senior religious figures.
Both letters sharply criticise the Government’s Northern Territory Intervention and new round of consultations.
Letter by Fraser, Viner and Nicholson
Letter by 24 prominent South Australians
SA Media Release
Last week, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced her government’s plans for the future of the Northern Territory Intervention, based on upcoming “consultation” with Aboriginal communities across the NT.
The Government’s Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Discussion Paper
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Consultation must mean true DIALOGUE AND NEGOTIATION. Below are some concerned responses in the media by Aboriginal leaders and public figures, including Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra, former prime minister Malcolm Fraser and Alastair Nicholson QC.
Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser in the Sydney Morning Herald
Mick Gooda, Djiniyini Gondarra and Alastair Nicholson in The Australian
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Click on the links below to read their full responses to Minister Jenny Macklin:
Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra
Joint letter by Alastair Nicholson QC and others
Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser
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21st June will be the 4 Year Anniversary of the Northern Territory Intervention. If you’re in Darwin, come join Aboriginal elders from the across the Territory to send a strong message to the Federal Government: Enough is enough!
To find out what’s happening in other major cities across Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs.
OUR GENERATION has been voted ‘Best Campaign Film’ during the awards ceremony of the London International Documentary Festival 2011. This follows its International Premiere at the Barbican Centre on 15th May.
LIDF website
Featuring Rev. Dr. Gondarra’s fire-lighting tour of Europe, the International Premiere of Our Generation and the UN High Commissioner’s visit to the Northern Territory. The eyes of the world are on the actions of the Australian Government. Let there be darkness no more. Truth and justice shall prevail…
WATCH THE ABC REPORT
On Friday 20th May, a historic event occurred. More than 70 senior Aboriginal leaders from communities across the Northern Territory gathered in Darwin to meet with the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, Navi Pillay. No Government representatives or non-Aboriginal people were allowed into the 3-hour private meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory to express their concerns about human rights abuses under current Australian Government policies, in particular the Northern Territory Intervention. The High Commissioner is the highest authority on human rights at the UN, and has visited Australia to examine human rights violations by the Australian Government.
Watch ABC 7.30 Report featuring the visit
Read the article in The Age
In the heart of London, outside Australia House, Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra has called upon the citizens of the world to support Aboriginal rights in Australia. Drawn from a statement by eminent Australians, including former prime minister Hon. Malcolm Fraser, the Global Call to Action outlines the key demands by the Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory and human rights advocates from across Australia.
ADD YOUR NAME TO THE PETITION
Read the ABC News Story
Star of Our Generation Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, senior Dhurili Clan leader of the Yolngu peoples of Northeast Arnhem Land, has met privately with the highest authority on human rights at the United Nations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
On top of their agenda was the ongoing Northern Territory Intervention, which has been heavily criticized by the United Nations Committee on the Convention to Eliminate Racial Discrimination (CERD), the UN Human Rights Committee and the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights.
The High Commissioner co-ordinates human rights activities throughout the UN System and supervises the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The High Commissioner will be shortly visiting Australia to examine the current human rights record of the Australian Government, including the ongoing implementation of the Northern Territory Intervention.
Whilst in Geneva, Rev. Dr. Gondarra also met with: United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, James Anaya; Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit; Coordinator of Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples at Amnesty International, Andrew Erueti; and key staff of the Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights.
The World Premiere of Our Generation will take place on 15th May 2011 at the London’s Barbican, as part of the London International Documentary Festival.
The filmmakers will use this opportunity to travel to Europe with Yolngu elder and statesman Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, the star of the film, to raise awareness of the Aboriginal struggle for human rights in the Northern Territory. Whilst in London, they will meet with media, NGOs and MPs to rally international support. They will also visit the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.
We are still looking for funds to help us pay for this important trip. If you want to support us, please donate HERE.
Here is a great programme from the gathering of Aboriginal elders from across the Northern Territory in Melbourne, back in February of this year. Special guests included Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM (Elcho Island), Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM (Utopia), Harry Jakamara Nelson (Yuendumu), Dhanggal Guruwiwi (Yirrkala), George Gaymarani Pascoe (Milingimbi), Betty Pike (Nyoonga, SW Australia), Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM (Daly River), and Djapirri Munurrungitj (Yirrkala).
Listen to the programme
The UN Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay, will visit Australia towards the end of May, to take a close look at the situation in the Northern Territory. When the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights came out in 2009, Concerned Australians managed to collect more than 3000 signatures to show the public’s condemnation of the Intervention. This had a major impact on his report. Once again, we need your help! To show Australia’s support for the human rights of its Indigenous peoples.
Visit Concerned Australians to take action!
Sadly, one of the stars of Our Generation has passed away.
Judy is the passionate and courageous woman who takes us into her overcrowded home, sharing with the world her living conditions and her fighting spirit. She is the woman who defiantly tells the world that the Government cannot take away her shadow, her culture.
She was the first person to speak out on camera over 7 years ago when director Sinem Saban first met her on Elcho Island. She was the person who inspired the making of the film.
We have recently sat with her family at Elcho Island to discuss her continued presence in the film. They all wish for her image and voice to remain, and for her message to keep spreading.
Judy (her English name) will not be forgotten, nor will her cry for justice. Her struggle was not in vain, and we are honoured to be able to carry her spirit in the film.
If you have purchased a Community Screening version of Our Generation, and have concerns if it can still be shown, we assure you that all public screenings of the film can go ahead with her family’s approval.
As a symbol of our deep respect to Judy, her family and her people, we suggest that any public screenings in the next few weeks entail a moment’s silence dedicated to Judy and her message.
Dr. Jeff McMullen AM, associate producer and forefront ambassador of Our Generation, has responded to Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin in a detailed letter that sets the record straight on the Northern Territory Intervention and challenges the Minister to an improved approach to working with Aboriginal people. READ THE LETTER IN FULL.
Thank you to Circle of One Foundation, who are helping to raise funds for the film’s outreach. And thank you to Mama Kin and The Waifs! Raffle tickets cost $5, and can be bought by clicking HERE. The raffle will be drawn on 11th April 2011.
