WHAT’S STOPPING US NOW?

Sally Fitzpatrick

President, ANTaR NSW

Lecturer, Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit, UNSW

This map is just one representation of many other map sources that are available for Aboriginal Australia. Using published resources available between 1988–1994, this map

attempts to represent all the language or tribal or nation groups of the Indigenous people of Australia. It indicates only the general location of larger groupings of people which

may include smaller groups such as clans, dialects or individual languages in a group. Boundaries are not intended to be exact. This map is NOT SUITABLE FOR USE IN

NATIVE TITLE AND OTHER LAND CLAIMS. David R Horton, creator, © Aboriginal Studies Press, AIATSIS and Auslig/Sinclair, Knight, Merz, 1996. No reproduction

allowed without permission.

TALK MAP

Guiding principles in writing this talk: observing and

listening; reflection; action and evaluation; translation

This talk will cover:

• Introduction to the intervening decades 1992-2012

• What lead up to the formal decade 1991-2000

• Personal reflections on key events

• Constitutional recognition and treaty

• What have we learnt?

“…BUT YOU WON’T BE FREE

UNTIL WE ARE” Pearl Gibbs to Faith Bandler

THE DECADES

• 1991 – 2000

Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation

• 1993 “Indigenous people - a new partnership”

International Year of the World’s Indigenous People

• 1995 – 2004 & 2005-2014

First and Second International Decades of the World’s Indigenous People

• 1997 – 2008

Waiting for the National Apology

2004 INDIFFERENCE

• Little improvement in conditions has occurred in Aboriginal communities

• Race relations problems escalate under Coalition Government

• State and territory governments ambivalent about their responsibilities

• All Australian governments are failing Indigenous peoples

Senator Aden Ridgeway, urgency motion, 1/12/04

2008 2008

HOPE

Ramingining Artists The Aboriginal Memorial 1987-1988

Ramingining Artists The Aboriginal Memorial 1987-1988

Ramingining Artists The Aboriginal Memorial 1987-1988

Ramingining Artists The Aboriginal Memorial 1987-1988

The Aboriginal Memorial

National Gallery of Australia

(post refit) 2010

The Long March for Justice and Hope Invasion Day, La Perouse, NSW

© Juno Gemes, 1988

THE BARUNGA STATEMENT We, the Indigenous owners and occupiers of Australia, call on the Australian Government and people to recognise our rights:

• to self-determination and self-management, including the freedom to pursue our own economic, social, religious and

cultural development;

• to permanent control and enjoyment of our ancestral lands;

• to compensation for the loss of use of our lands, there having been no extinction of original title;

• to protection of and control of access to our sacred sites, sacred objects, artefacts, designs, knowledge and works of art;

• to the return of the remains of our ancestors for burial in accordance with our traditions;

• to respect for and promotion of our Aboriginal identity, including the cultural, linguistic, religious and historical

aspects, and including the right to be educated in our own languages and in our own culture and history;

• in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and

Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, rights to life, liberty, security of person, food, clothing, housing,

medical care, education and employment opportunities, necessary social services and other basic rights.

We call on the Commonwealth to pass laws providing:

• A national elected Aboriginal and Islander organisation to oversee Aboriginal and Islander affairs;

• A national system of land rights;

• A police and justice system which recognises our customary laws and frees us from discrimination and any activity

which may threaten our identity or security, interfere with our freedom of expression or association, or otherwise

prevent our full enjoyment and exercise of universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We call on the Australian Government to support Aborigines in the development of an international declaration of principles

for indigenous rights, leading to an international covenant.

And we call on the Commonwealth Parliament to negotiate with us a Treaty recognising our prior ownership, continued

occupation and sovereignty and affirming our human rights and freedom.

On 12 June 1988, Prime Minister Bob Hawke was presented with the Barunga Statement on behalf of the Indigenous owners and

occupiers of Australia. The statement is a composite of words and traditionally themed artwork, calling for the recognition of key

Indigenous rights and the negotiation of a Treaty.

FINDING THE TRUTH

BRINGING THEM HOME…

SHIFTING ATTITUDES

SEA OF HANDS

A PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT

• "History has shown that a genuine people's movement

can move more than governments. It can move

mountains."

Faith Bandler, New South Wales Reconciliation Convention, 1999

A MATTER OF JUSTICE AND

NATIONAL DECENCY

“… if we have the strength and the wisdom to speak more quietly, more tolerantly and more constructively to our fellow Australians who are yet to be convinced.

Reconciliation will, of itself, resolve or help resolve many of the problems of the spirit …

… but its most important practical effect will be to create an environment of trust and mutual respect and acceptance in which indigenous and non-indigenous Australians can work effectively together.”

Sir William Deane, Corroboree 2000

BRIDGE WALKS

SORRY…

HEALING

"The apology, along with the upcoming referendum, herald great

hope and are both part of a longer journey of healing for our

country.

What they share is that they both place the truth centre stage …

This truth is very powerful and is the key to inspiring the

Australian people with a vision of what Australia should be. It is a

vision of a healed nation and true belonging.

Nevertheless, there is unfinished business to do with the Stolen

Generations, including "the need for full and effective reparation for

the harm, loss and trauma suffered as a result of past forcible

removal policies.”

National Sorry Day Committee, The Australian, 13 February 2012

Warntaparri ... where the snake wriggles around

.... day after day ...

© Jessie Simon-Fitzpatrick, 2008

OUR DIVERSITY UNITES US

Corpus Australis David Mowaljarlai

OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

SO… WHAT HAVE WE LEARNT?

• Empowered individuals and communities can unite and influence

• Yet for community goodwill to prevail and be sustained requires

national vision and leadership … and resources

• Governments are reluctant to pursue their predecessor’s agenda; no

national reconciliation policy framework; unfulfilled RCIADIC and BTH

recommendations. Advocate smart around policy windows

• Symbols are important; celebrations generate new hope

• Change can be confronting. Education, e.g., through schools;

opportunities for familiarisation and building trust are needed

• A well articulated vision, goals and planning are essential (e.g. the

triennial planning by CAR.

• We need to constantly reflect and better how we work and look after

ourselves

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

• Elders and colleagues from ANTaR, Women’s

Reconciliation Network, NSWTF, AECG and ASA

• Djon Mundine OAM, Mick Glasheen, Dr Stephen

Jones and the artists of Ramingining

• Muru Marri, Prof Lisa Jackson Pulver AM, Assoc Prof

Jan Ritchie, Assoc Prof Melissa Haswell, Dr Ilse

Blignault, Lois Meyer, Jeffrey Cohen, Naomi Crago

and Sarah Gaskin

• Family and friends … with love

Contact: s.fitzpatrick@unsw.edu.au

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