Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Scott Towney Aboriginal Artist
Monday, 13 February 2012
Apology by PM 4 Years on Means Nothing
4 Years after the "Apology" and the chorus of "Sorry" is now an excuse to say "Move On!" The Apology came with no changes, no policy, no repatriation or re-connection plan, no convictions, no funding & no planning for the future. Words mean nothing if there is no action to support it. MAJOR FAILURE! It is terrible to continue such a degrading policy. Since the Intervention, the suicide rates in females has doubled. That is since the so called protection of our females in the community. Something is not right and the continued oppression of people in all communities will cause further harm, not good.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Wiradjuri News & Views: Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the ALL Sta...
Wiradjuri News & Views: Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the ALL Sta...: Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the ALL Stars Footy game on the Gold Coast this weekend. Boots are being presented to the...
Wiradjuri News & Views: Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the ALL Sta...
Wiradjuri News & Views: Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the ALL Sta...: Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the ALL Stars Footy game on the Gold Coast this weekend. Boots are being presented to the...
Footy Boots painted by Darren Dunn for the
ALL Stars Footy game
on the Gold Coast this weekend.
Boots are being presented to the NRL INDIGENOUS players by artist,
Daren Dunn, Wiradjuri man
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Hypocrites
I love the way Australians try to justify the invasion of Australia as a natural thing, it is a progression of culture and migration; it is the developement of a nation etc etc. Yet they hate boat people coming here, a flag being changed, a republican movement gaining strength, make racist laws to protect the nationality of those in power etc etc. Australians defend such changes out of fear of such change. Yet they still support such hypocritical behaviour in relation to Indigenous people, taking land that was never theirs, taking minerals that was never theirs, selling resources that was never theirs and dis-empowring Indigenous people at every stage of the past 200 years to gain political power to exploit us once again. Hypocrites. Liars. Patronising. Just some of my descriptions when venting my opinion of non-Indigenous behaviour towards us.
Passive but Massive Discrimination
Recently in Griffith, as it happens in many communities in the Wiradjuri are and throughout Australia, several Aboriginal people were mourning the loss of family members in the local community and wanted to share some time at the local pub. It is a gathering of all the families that have travelled for days to get to the town, from all parts of the state and country by train, bus, car plane and foot, just to pay respects to the loss of another family member.
How were they welcomed in the community of Griffith?
The Aboriginal mourners were not welcomed at all, they were sober, dressed for a funeral in a respectable dress code but, were refused entry. Elders in the community. Travelling from Melbourne and Canberra, a long and arduous trip, wanting to spend time with other family. However, they were not allowed in because they did not have photo ID. One lady at the club, was allowed in earlier in the day, by herself to play the poker machines however, when she returned later on with the group, was refused entry.
Police have a policy in this town of informing the alcohol licensed venues that an Aboriginal funeral is taking place on that day.
So they did so, more of a warning that a large group of Aboriginal people will be arriving and maybe drinking in your premises later on in the day.
They do not do this for non-Aboriginal funerals.
Local Hoteliers boss says that is not true, that ID checks are done for all patrons entering licensed premises.
Local Aboriginal people still reject that, saying this only happens when large gatherings of Aboriginal community comet together in the one place. It seems to be true everywhere. There is an increased Police presence on such occasions, security is tighter and mourners subject to disrespectful searches and treatment. What does this do mentally to the individuals, Elders, youth, grieving, leaders, observers and long term oppressed? Is there a trigger for angry, frustrated, violent behaviour? Or is there passive acceptance of the ongoing treatment for your race that does not measure up for all others?
Aboriginal Australia copes with so many discriminatory actions that are formal on the national front, informal & social discrimination on the local front. For over 225 years, we have been subject to the most appalling treatments of social behaviour on all levels.
It needs to stop.
Being branded is not an easy thing to shrug off. After all, most people who go to court are guilty until they proved themselves innocent, not the normal innocent until proven guilty . How do you change the behaviour of society and improve conditions within a community and country?
Simple talking and not being in opposition is the first instance. The more Indigenous people who get in positions of power within the community and throughout society should be able to encourage the dialogue for change. They also should not 'sell out' their community, making concessions away from their community that they no longer speak on or relate to the Aboriginal community.
Change is eventual but we all must work at 'closing that gap' that is always talked about. Change the heads; change the thinking; change the small things that impact on the big. Let the change begin today.
How were they welcomed in the community of Griffith?
The Aboriginal mourners were not welcomed at all, they were sober, dressed for a funeral in a respectable dress code but, were refused entry. Elders in the community. Travelling from Melbourne and Canberra, a long and arduous trip, wanting to spend time with other family. However, they were not allowed in because they did not have photo ID. One lady at the club, was allowed in earlier in the day, by herself to play the poker machines however, when she returned later on with the group, was refused entry.
Police have a policy in this town of informing the alcohol licensed venues that an Aboriginal funeral is taking place on that day.
So they did so, more of a warning that a large group of Aboriginal people will be arriving and maybe drinking in your premises later on in the day.
They do not do this for non-Aboriginal funerals.
Local Hoteliers boss says that is not true, that ID checks are done for all patrons entering licensed premises.
Local Aboriginal people still reject that, saying this only happens when large gatherings of Aboriginal community comet together in the one place. It seems to be true everywhere. There is an increased Police presence on such occasions, security is tighter and mourners subject to disrespectful searches and treatment. What does this do mentally to the individuals, Elders, youth, grieving, leaders, observers and long term oppressed? Is there a trigger for angry, frustrated, violent behaviour? Or is there passive acceptance of the ongoing treatment for your race that does not measure up for all others?
Aboriginal Australia copes with so many discriminatory actions that are formal on the national front, informal & social discrimination on the local front. For over 225 years, we have been subject to the most appalling treatments of social behaviour on all levels.
It needs to stop.
Being branded is not an easy thing to shrug off. After all, most people who go to court are guilty until they proved themselves innocent, not the normal innocent until proven guilty . How do you change the behaviour of society and improve conditions within a community and country?
Simple talking and not being in opposition is the first instance. The more Indigenous people who get in positions of power within the community and throughout society should be able to encourage the dialogue for change. They also should not 'sell out' their community, making concessions away from their community that they no longer speak on or relate to the Aboriginal community.
Change is eventual but we all must work at 'closing that gap' that is always talked about. Change the heads; change the thinking; change the small things that impact on the big. Let the change begin today.
Monday, 30 January 2012
LOOKING BACK!!
There is one question looming from Australia Day that always makes me laugh. I just finished a blog on it. Why do Aboriginal people keep looking back?? Yet the day, Australia Day, is about 1788. It has been about looking back, ever since the landing. This is done to re-enforce an event. But an importance ceremony re-inforces why we look back each day at all gatherings; Our respect for our Elders, past present and future, is our fire and guidance for the future…remember that each time the question is raised!
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Proud Wiradjuri
I am lucky to belong to the greatest mob in the world, the Wiradjuri people of Australia. I thought long and hard about this last year when my life was in transition. I am the luckiest man in the world to have the oldest continuing culture running through me, teaching me, fathering me, growing me & speaking to me. I realized others in Australia do not have this privilege, they have mixed history, turmoil, European or overseas refugee status of some sort. We have not migrated to anywhere but remained here all our being as a people. Not many can say that. That is so special. And that means I am black, not in skin but in soul. Deep to have knowledge, patience and respect for it, while deep to be accepted by my Elders and peers to also recognise that I am black, my soul is to their liking and values. I talk each night with my First Nation friends throughout the US, they call themselves Aboriginal and look to our developments as I look to their developments in their too. I find it so similar at times, that their lives are affected by the non-Indigeous world in the same way that ours is. I mean Aboriginal people when I say us, not a little bit Aboriginal people, not partly Aboriginal people, but pure black soul Aboriginal people, the ones who have every single part of their being is made up of a proud bones, ash, dust, wind, stories, songs, galleries, water, grasslands, carvings, scars and blood from the Gamilaroi, Yort Yorta, Tharawal, Wiradjuri etc etc. That means they are affected by a system of oppression in the same manner that we are, except theirs has continued for almost 500 years. We will hopefully not be in an oppressed position much longer. But young souls need time to know, need time to listen, need time to respect. Not sure if any such values exist here. I do agree that we need to work together but Aboriginal people have come too far one side towards the European way and its about time Europeans came back someway to accept Aboriginal people as who we are, what we are and be proud to have us as neighbours, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands and friends. I hope all of our next generation will have that same love and desire to grow together, grow as one, be a greater nation than the one that is running at this divisive pace now...
MOVING FORWARD…OUR WAY
Aboriginal people have known how racist this country has been since 1788 where Australia truly has sat in denial since. Nothing illustrates this more than the events of the last couple of days, the blame, the name calling, the racist attacks on my friends catching trains and being spat on in the streets. You just think you are so superior but your weakness is your hypocrisy. Blaming us for looking back, saying we non-Aboriginal people today are not responsible for 200 years ago but if you wanted to stop what happened 200 years ago, wanted to reverse our pain, we ask one simple thing, to respect us and sign a Treaty. A contract between 2 people moving forward together. A respect paid to Aboriginal people that you are not fauna and flora which was the case in the Constitution, reversing the origins of this country 200 years ago, reversing the hate and disrespect by moving forward as 2 peoples coming together as one. But I can also hear your hypocrisy and greed as well swelling up. NO!! That would mean compensation, that would mean special treatment for Aboriginal people, that would mean…and it goes on and on. If any land owner for 40,000 or 60,000 years maintained the land so well, so natural, so beautiful, that Europeans and the rest of the world sailed here in their thousands to live here but he was not paid a cent in 230 years for the land, surely he is due. Surely the rules of occupation mean we are deserved a Treaty to start fresh, reverse the past and begin a new era with respect for each other with a firm economic base that was taken from us in the first place. While that respect is not paid, the pain will continue long past this generation.
Friday, 27 January 2012
TENT EMBASSY
Well we have seen it all before, or have we?
The Tent Embassy in Canberra is 40 years old this year but has lost none of its meaning to Indigenous people all over Australia.
A concern for many Indigenous people who saw the radical days of the late 60's and early 70's , was that the passion for Indigenous people to fight for our rights on the streets, has passed! That the comforts and material gain in the last 40 years have 'softened' the Aboriginal cause. However, the events of Tent Embassy 2012 have seen the passion re-ignited.
However, the circumstances of the events of the past week started in a mild manner, with an estimate 2000 people gathering to commemorate the incredible historic change that the original Tent Embassy founders initiated some 40 years ago.
Families from all over Australia gathered to remember the people who instigated the events of 1972, making speeches, giving thanks for the profound change it made in Indigenous affairs and bringing the voiceless plight of Indigenous people to the eyes of other Australians. Music was played, songs sung, tributes of respect to past and present Elders and leaders read out while the lament for the future of our Indigenous kids spoke volumes to the crowd dressed in red, black and yellow colours of the flag.
That was how the day was supposed to end. Until the PM and Tony Abbott arrived next door.
So who organises the security of the Prime Minister? Who should be questioned, as they were silly enough on the Australia Day ceremonial circle of events, to attend a function that is next door to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy!
How many dollars are invested into security each year for Australian politicians but they were somehow non-existent to form a simple pathway for the PM down a flight of stairs? Sorry, steps! And on the way down, knock only one Aboriginal protestor, Elder Michael Anderson, who was the sole Aboriginal person on the steps of the Restaurant where the protest was made? All the remaining protestors were loudly yelling and banging on the windows of the restaurant. All the protestors wanted was to be heard by the PM and Abbott who made stupid remarks once again earlier in the day.
There will be many sides to the events of 26th January 2012, however, it takes a day or two for the Australian media to once again have the 'guts' to head back to the Tent Embassy and interview people & hopefully get the truth. Those who remain gathered there for the protests will maintain the headlines for a little while as Australian sort the truth out from the panicked police and security.
All arguments about this event aside, the once thing remains evident and that is the passion for Aboriginal peoples' protests in Australia has been ignited once again.
The Tent Embassy in Canberra is 40 years old this year but has lost none of its meaning to Indigenous people all over Australia.
A concern for many Indigenous people who saw the radical days of the late 60's and early 70's , was that the passion for Indigenous people to fight for our rights on the streets, has passed! That the comforts and material gain in the last 40 years have 'softened' the Aboriginal cause. However, the events of Tent Embassy 2012 have seen the passion re-ignited.
However, the circumstances of the events of the past week started in a mild manner, with an estimate 2000 people gathering to commemorate the incredible historic change that the original Tent Embassy founders initiated some 40 years ago.
Families from all over Australia gathered to remember the people who instigated the events of 1972, making speeches, giving thanks for the profound change it made in Indigenous affairs and bringing the voiceless plight of Indigenous people to the eyes of other Australians. Music was played, songs sung, tributes of respect to past and present Elders and leaders read out while the lament for the future of our Indigenous kids spoke volumes to the crowd dressed in red, black and yellow colours of the flag.
That was how the day was supposed to end. Until the PM and Tony Abbott arrived next door.
So who organises the security of the Prime Minister? Who should be questioned, as they were silly enough on the Australia Day ceremonial circle of events, to attend a function that is next door to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy!
How many dollars are invested into security each year for Australian politicians but they were somehow non-existent to form a simple pathway for the PM down a flight of stairs? Sorry, steps! And on the way down, knock only one Aboriginal protestor, Elder Michael Anderson, who was the sole Aboriginal person on the steps of the Restaurant where the protest was made? All the remaining protestors were loudly yelling and banging on the windows of the restaurant. All the protestors wanted was to be heard by the PM and Abbott who made stupid remarks once again earlier in the day.
There will be many sides to the events of 26th January 2012, however, it takes a day or two for the Australian media to once again have the 'guts' to head back to the Tent Embassy and interview people & hopefully get the truth. Those who remain gathered there for the protests will maintain the headlines for a little while as Australian sort the truth out from the panicked police and security.
All arguments about this event aside, the once thing remains evident and that is the passion for Aboriginal peoples' protests in Australia has been ignited once again.
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