National Indigenous Affairs

Anniversary of the Mabo Decision

Posted: June 3rd, 2014

Filed under: Eddie Mabo, Mabo decision, National Reconciliation Week, Reconciliation Australia

Today marks 22 years since the landmark decision  Mabo v. Queensland (No 2). That High Court decision overturned the doctrine of terra nullius, which was the legal fiction that Australia was unoccupied land when the British arrived, and had allowed Australian governments to ignore Aboriginal land rights for so long. The High Court found that native title exists, and that traditional owners have rights to the land, in accordance with traditional systems of law, except where those rights have been expressly extinguished (for example, through private ownership).

As a result of the High Court decision, the Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Paul Keating, introduced the Native Title Act 1993 to say how native title can be recognised.
The anniversary of the High Court decision, 3 June, is a public holiday in the Torres Strait every year, and also marks the end of National Reconciliation Week.

For more information visit Reconciliation Australia‘s resources page or  www.mabonativetitle.com 

National Reconciliation Week 2014

Posted: May 30th, 2014

Filed under: 1967 Referendum, Mabo decision, National Reconciliation Week, Reconciliation Australia

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.

To learn more, get involved, and access resources to share, visit http://www.reconciliation.org.au/nrw/ 

Call for feedback on the Close to Gap campaign

Posted: April 24th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Affairs, ANTaR, Close the Gap, Have your say, Reconciliation, Survey

The Close the Gap campaign has been running for seven years, now its time to have your say on how its going.

ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) are now seeking feedback on the Close the Gap campaign. They want to hear about the issues that concern you and the things you would like to hear more about as well any questions you might have about the campaign.

To find out more about ANTaR click here to visit their website.

To begin answering the survey click here.

Landmark High Court decision in favour of Traditional Owners

Posted: March 12th, 2014

Filed under: High Court of Australia, Mt. Goldsworthy, native title extinguishment, Ngarla, Pilbara, State of WA

The Ngarla People welcome today’s High Court decision, confirming that their native title rights were not extinguished by mining leases. The landmark ruling by the Court dismissed arguments by the Western Australian Government that 50 year-old mining leases, granted over areas 150km east of Port Hedland, permanently extinguished all native title rights in that land.

YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins said, “We congratulate the Ngarla people on this landmark High Court decision and their contribution to native title nationally.”

To listen to the ABC Rural interview with YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins regarding the landmark decision click  here.

To read the full media release click here.

Applications Now Open for 2014 National Indigenous Youth Parliament

Posted: February 10th, 2014

Filed under: Australian Electoral Commission, Canberra, Change, Democracy, Indigenous Electoral Participation Program, Networking, NIYP, Parliament, Voice, Youth

Applications are now open for the 2014 National Indigenous Youth Parliament

The National Indigenous Youth parliament brings together 50 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16-25 from across Australia to meet in Canberra, discuss ideas, learn from mentors and present a number of draft bills to the Government.

Six Western Australians, aged 16-25 will be chosen to participate. The program involves of a training day in April with the other WA delegates, and a week of debate and professional development in Canberra in May with the delegates from all of the States and Territories.

Participants will be chosen based on their community involvement, ideas, and interest in government and the parliamentary process.

The program is run by the Australian Electoral Commission’s Indigenous Electoral Participation Program This is a unique opportunity for young people to learn how the system works, present their ideas to the Government, and connect with other future Indigenous leaders.

The Australia’s First Peoples Congress seeks new members

Posted: February 3rd, 2014

Filed under: Federal Government, Funding cut, Indigenous Representation, Leadership, Representation, The Australia First Peoples Congress

Facing potential funding cuts, the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples is calling for more members in a show of community support.

The Congress was funded by the previous Federal Government on a 3 year agreement due to end in 2017. The current Coalition Government has indicated it is unlikely to commit to this funding agreement.

The National Congress acts as the national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples and is supported by a number of peak Indigenous organisations.

For more information or to become a member click here.

Australian of the Year Awards

Posted: January 14th, 2014

Filed under: Australian of the Year, Community leadership, Indigenous Leadership, Inspiring, Jessica Mauboy, Local Hero, Reconcilliation Australia, Young Australian of the Year

YMAC would like to congratulate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian of the Year finalists for 2013

• Tom Calma who is nominated for Australian of the Year (ACT) for his work in Social Justice Campaigning
• Jessica Mauboy  who is nominated for Young Australian of the Year (NT) for her work in the entertainment industry
• Shane Phillips who is nominated for the Local Hero Award  (NSW) for his community leadership.

The Australia of the Year Awards recognise those who have made a significant contribution to Australian society. Finalists have been announced with winners to be announced on 26 January.

For more information on Indigenous involvement in the Australian of the Year Awards visit Reconcilliation Australia.

Free screenings of Utopia by John Pilger

Posted: January 7th, 2014

Filed under: Documentary, Free Event, Indigenous Documentary, John Pilger, Murdoch University, Perth Events, Utopia

Murdoch University will be holding a free screening Utopia, a  new documentary by award winning journalist John Pilger. The film explores  the oldest continuous human culture and the untold story of Aboriginal people in Australian history.

Free Screening
Murdoch University
Kim Beazley Theatre
6pm, 23rd January

For more information and to rsvp click here.

Spread the Word about constitutional recognition

Posted: August 12th, 2013

Filed under: ANTaR, Constitutional recognition, Recognise, Spread the word

“Spread the Word” is a campaign run by ANTaR (Australia for Native Title and Reconciliation) to raise awareness about the constitutional recognition of Australia’s First Peoples.

ANTaR believes that constitutional recognition and Close the Gap are linked because we won’t be able to close the gaps in education and health unless we also close the gaps in respect and understanding. They believe that constitutional recognition can have a positive effect on the well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Click here to find out more about the Spread the Word campaign, or about constitutional recognition.

If you would like to join or start an activist group on constitutional recognition, you can send your request to campaigns@antar.org.au.