Our Generation

Elders’ message to Australian Govt: “Enough is enough.”

Our Generation — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:13:06 +0000

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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READ: Elders Statement, 4 Nov 2011

Have your say on proposed 10 year Intervention

Our Generation — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:10:21 +0000

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

Ramingining elders say No! to more Intervention

Our Generation — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:26:14 +0000

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

Intervention to continue for 10 more years

Our Generation — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:49:18 +0000

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

Intervention will continue, says Macklin

Our Generation — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:10:21 +0000

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.

Head of Amnesty International slams Australian Government on homelands

Our Generation — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:53:07 +0000

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

Prominent Australians speak out

Our Generation — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:04:08 +0000

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

Aboriginal leaders respond to “next Intervention”

Our Generation — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 09:06:29 +0000

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

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

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

Stop the Intervention rally, 21 June, Darwin

Our Generation — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:23:46 +0000

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.

‘Best Campaign Film’ Award

Our Generation — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:57:44 +0000

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

Our Generation on ABC 7.30 Report

Our Generation — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:14:38 +0000

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

NT Aboriginal leaders meet with UN in Darwin

Our Generation — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:01:02 +0000

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

GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION is launched

Our Generation — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:50:35 +0000

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

Rev. Dr. Gondarra meets with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva

Our Generation — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:21:21 +0000

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.

World Premiere in London, 15th May

Our Generation — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:13:07 +0000

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.