Saturday 26 October was a very busy day for ANTaR ACT with two stalls, at the NAIDOC Family Day at Boomanulla Oval and the Celebrate Gunghalin festival. Thanks to everyone who came by to chat – we enjoyed all the conversations and welcome to those who signed up at the stalls for our newsletter.
ACT Election: Beyond the talk – Indigenous-led solutions NOW!
As this newsletter is being written, we know who has been elected to the Legislative Assembly but not the details of the government itself. We are thrilled that all the parties represented in the new Legislative Assembly support our two major priorities, the handing over of Boomanulla Oval and the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to community control. This is no doubt because of our joint campaign with Active Democracy Bean.
We also know that many Legislative Assembly representatives have positive policies for First Nations, including on reducing incarceration and child removals, supporting more housing, and also starting truth telling. The two high profile First Nations Candidates, Paul House (First Nations Party) and Paula McGrady (Independents for Canberra) both did well, though were not elected – but we congratulate them on putting First Nation issues on the election agenda this year.
What matters now is that these priorities are implemented as quickly as possible. We will work to hold the new Assembly accountable for improving outcomes for First Nation people in the ACT.
All the information from our campaign, including the briefing notes on key issues, is on our website: Election 2024 – ANTaR ACT.
Active Democracy Bean Update
ADB thoroughly enjoyed working with ANTaR ACT on our ACT election campaign. We highly valued ANTaR’s collaborative way of working, and the invaluable expertise that the group provided to us. This included the wonderful Briefing Papers that gave our campaign a solid factual basis and helped us make the gains we did.
We look forward to our next phase of working with ANTaR, which is yet to be determined, but will definitely include holding our elected members to account for the policy commitments they made on our key campaign asks.
We will be planning our next year’s agenda soon. Anyone who lives in Bean and who wants to play a more active role with us is welcome!
You can contact Active Democracy Bean at: activedemocracybean@outlook.com.
Malarndirri McCarthy outlines her agenda for Indigenous Affairs
For an update on national issues, the Minister For Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, was recently interviewed by the ABC on her objectives and agenda to improve justice and outcomes for First Nations Australians: Malarndirri McCarthy outlines her agenda for Indigenous Affairs – ABC listen.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be an in-person meeting on the afternoon of Sunday 17 November, 2- 5pm at 13 Bancroft St Dickson. We will be developing a plan for our activities for the next year and beyond, following on from our ACT election campaign. If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please RSVP for our planning day to: info@antaract.org.au.
Events coming up
First Nations Stories – Canberra Short Film Festival
Monday 11 November, 7-9pm, Smiths Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Canberra
A series of narrative and documentary films by and about First Nations people both Australian and international. Films that present insights into the close connection to nature that characterise First Nations communities, films that while confronting the history of colonization also offer hope, inspiration and humour. Positive and insightful stories that are cinematic, entertaining and important. More information and bookings: First Nations Stories – Canberra Short Film Festival 2024.
Centring First Nation’s Care
Wednesday 13 November, 1pm – 2.30pm, RSSS Auditorium, ANU Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS) Building, 146 Ellery Crescent, Acton – and online
The seminar will report on recent research conducted with over 100 First Nations women across Australia to understand their experiences and interpretations of care. Presenters: Prof. June Oscar (AO), Dr. Janet Hunt, Dr. Elise Klein, Dr. Zoe Staines. For more information and registration: Centring First Nation’s Care Tickets, Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite.
Forest Lore, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 November, 7.30pm, Llewellyn Hall, Canberra School of Music, ANU
Along with works from Dvořák, Mozart and Haydn, the programme includes a new commission from Christopher Sainsbury, a composer of English, Irish, Dutch and Dharug descent. His piece Antique Flight Stilled Through Millennia explores themes of Indigenous heritage and the natural world. For more information and bookings: Llewellyn Four: Forest Lore.
Opening of Wurrumay Collective
Saturday 16 November, 6pm, Wurrumay Collective, 16 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Wurrumay Collective is a proud Aboriginal owned and family operated business specialising in luxury home fragrance, bath and body products. The founder, Tash Kaiser, is about to open a shop in Braddon with her products and also art and crafts from other local First Nations businesses. For more information, see: Wurrumay Collective – Aboriginal Art, Bath, Body, Hair & Home Products.
There is also a self-care workshop to make candles and body oil from 4-6pm, Sunday 17 November (cost involved): Self Care Workshop Tickets, Sun 17/11/2024 at 4:00 pm | Eventbrite.
Ripple Effect Band
Saturday 16 November, 7-11pm, Gang Gang, Frencham Pl, Downer
Ripple Effect Band originate from the community of Maningrida in West Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Whilst following in the tradition of saltwater rock from the top end, they are forging new ground and a new sound as the first women from their community to play instruments and make their own band. They sing in the languages of their people, Ndjébbana, Burarra, Na-kara and Kune and they have a story to tell about their land, their languages and their culture. For more information and bookings: Ripple Effect Band Mayawa South East Tour.
LOCAL Politics in the Pub
Monday 18 November, 5.30-7.30pm, Austrian Australian Club, Heard St, Mawson
The next LOCAL Politics in the Pub event will be a wrap-up of the ACT election with election analyst Malcolm Baalman.
The LOCAL Politics in the Pub series is an informal locally focused event on the third Monday of the month. People will gather from 5.30pm, with a speaker and Q&A from 6pm, and the option of dinner afterwards for those interested.
Wamburang Women’s Choir Concert
Monday 18 November, 6pm, Big Band Room, Peter Karmel Building, ANU
An evening of choral music presented by the ANU Community Music Centre Wamburang Women’s Choir. Led by Ngunnawal musician, Alinta Barlow, the choir explores contemporary music and Indigenous languages of Australia. For more information and registration (free but bookings required): Wamburang Women’s Choir Concert | School of Music.
NFSA Restores: The Coolbaroo Club
Saturday 30 November, 2.30pm, ARC Cinema, NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton
Produced in 1996, The Coolbaroo Club presents a lively portrait of the Aboriginal-run dance club which operated in Perth from 1946 to 1960. The story is told through the memories of those involved, stills, archival images and records, and by evocative dramatisation. Digitally restored by the NFSA through NFSA Restores. This is a special screening presented by Canberra International Film Festival, and includes a post-screening discussion with producer Penny Robins and co-producer, co-writer and researcher Steve Kinnane. More information and tickets: NFSA Restores: The Coolbaroo Club | CIFF 2024 | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
Official opening of the Yerrabi Yurwang Health Hub
Friday 6 December, 10.30am – 12.30pm, 9-11 Lawry Place, Macquarie
Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation is excited to announce the official opening of the Yerrabi Yurwang Health Hub. Please RSVP to: admin@yerrabi.org.au.
Tina Baum on Ever Present
Friday 6 December, 12noon, Gallery 1, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Galleries (Level 1), National Gallery of Australia
Join Tina Baum, Senior Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples, for an introduction to the exhibition, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia. For more information and bookings (free, bookings essential): Tina Baum on Ever Present – National Gallery of Australia.
AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market (IAM)
From Friday 6 December, online and in person
The AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market (IAM) is returning both online and in person this December.
IAM is the largest Indigenous art market in the Canberra region, and it has also become a popular online event, showcasing a diverse range of paintings, textiles, sculptures, jewellery and much more. This is your chance to ethically purchase authentic Australian Indigenous art, with 100% of sales going directly to Indigenous art centres, artists, and their communities.
Join us in person on the lawns outside Maraga (the AIATSIS building) at 51 Lawson Crescent, Acton, Canberra from 6-8 December, or shop online from 6-15 December.
For more details and latest updates, visit: Indigenous Art Market 2024 | AIATSIS corporate website.
ANTaR ACT acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.