ANTaR ACT – October 2020 Bulletin
It was exciting times for ANTaR ACT in August, as we partnered with ANTaR National to bring the annual David Hunter Memorial lecture to fruition and we were delighted that in its 17th year the electronic format was able to be broadcast all around the country.
Of particular note in this bulletin is information about the upcoming ACT election on 17 October 2020. ANTaR ACT has consulted widely with key stakeholders, prepared and distributed a detailed paper : https://antaract.org.au/2020/09/20/antar-act-priority-areas-for-the-upcoming-act-election/ Please follow the link above to view the entire document.
ANTaR ACT:
The committee has continued to meet successfully on Zoom.
The next two general meetings will be Monday 12 October 2020 and Monday 9 November 2020 6pm- 7:30pm on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 814 0721 5377
Password: ANTaR
Web: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81407215377?pwd=S0ZZamF1R2pKOVlCZzdHbzZjNStqQT09
DHML 2020 – First Nations Treaties: A Matter of Justice including video link
The David Hunterm Memorial Lecture was very successfully run in partnership between ANTaR ACT and ANTaR National. National Director, Paul Wright, spoke about the National Treaties Summit and its seminar series.
Keynote speaker was Tony McAvoy, SC, a Wiri man from Queensland, near Mackay. Mr McAvoy was admitted as a solicitor in Queensland in 1988 and went onto focus in the areas of native title and land rights. He was admitted as a barrister in NSW in 2000 and won the inaugural National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award in 2010. Mr McAvoy was appointed a senior counsel in 2015 , making him the first ever First Nations person in Australia to be appointed to this position. One of Mr McAvoy’s greatest achievements was securing native title recognition for the Quandamooka people of North Stradbroke Island in 2011.
We invite you to visit or revisit the evening at the on-line recording:
Web: https://antaract.org.au/2020/09/07/dhml-2020-first-nations-treaties-a-matter-of-justice/
ANTaR ACT Priority areas for the upcoming ACT election
The ANTaR ACT Committee has developed these priorities in consultation with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. In recent months, we have also met with politicians to listen to their thoughts.
In the lead-up to the ACT election, consider different candidates’ commitments to action to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.
Web: https://antaract.org.au/2020/09/20/antar-act-priority-areas-for-the-upcoming-act-election/
Our Booris, Our Way – Final Report recommendations accepted by Government
In August 2020 the ACT Government accepted the recommendations of the Indigenous led Our Booris, Our Way Final Report, which found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the ACT’s child protection system were over-represented and experienced discrimination and cultural dislocation.
“Each of the actions listed under these recommendations contribute to a systemic reform of the child protection system in the ACT,” according to the report.
The ACT Government has agreed in full to 28 recommendations and sub-recommendations, and agreed in principle to a further seven.
Through the review, the Government has agreed to implement universal access to family group conferencing, enshrine the child placement principle in legislation and establish an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner. The child placement principle prioritises the placement of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child with members of their community.
More funding to culturally appropriate professional legal and advocacy services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and more opportunities to engage the child and their family in the decision-making process was also agreed to.
Final Report Web: https://www.strongfamilies.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1457813/Our-Booris-Report-FINAL-REPORT.pdf
Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility
In August the ACT became the first jurisdiction in Australia to support raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. The resolution, which brings the territory into line with UN standards, says it will be the responsibility of whichever parties form government after the ACT election in October to amend the legislation. Law reform advocates say it’s a tentative step towards keeping children out of prisons. Report in The Canberra Times.
Web: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6888597/tentative-first-step-act-now-supports-raising-the-age-of-criminal-responsibility/#:~:text=Picture%3A%20Karleen%20Minney-,The%20ACT%20government%20has%20voiced%20its%20support%20for%20raising%20the,keeping%20children%20out%20of%20prisons.
Winnunga News – Aboriginal Health in Aboriginal Hands -August 2020
ANTaR was pleased to receive the latest Winnunga News in August 2020. The newsletter is an excellent resource.
Web: https://www.winnunga.org.au/publications/newsletter/
New National Agreement on Closing the Gap
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet announce the release of the The National Agreement at the end of July 2020.
“The National Agreement has been developed in genuine partnership between Australian Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations.
The National Agreement acknowledges recognises that the only way to close the gap is when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people own, commit to and drive the outcomes sought, alongside all governments.
The objective of the National Agreement is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the entrenched inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.”
As well as the link to the official site, there is available much material on line discussing the pros and cons of the new plan.
Web: https://www.pmc.gov.au/news-centre/indigenous-affairs/new-national-agreement-closing-gap
The ANTaR Blog
It continues to be updated and is a useful up-to-date resource of discussions, events and items of interest.
Web: https://antar.org.au/blog
Diary Dates:
ACT Elections – 17 October 2020 Web: https://www.elections.act.gov.au/
NAIDOC Week 8-15 November 2020 – whilst the National NAIDOC Awards have been cancelled, we do expect to see some organisations marking the week in a variety of ways.
ANU Scholarships – National Indigenous Merit Scholarship
Generally due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the ANU has adapted their admissions process for undergraduate study at ANU in 2021.They will now make offers based on Year 11 results on 10 August 2020, and these will be honoured for study in 2021 as long as students have completed Year 12.
There continue to be a number of scholarships available for new indigenous students. The objectives of the NIMS are to acknowledge the academic excellence of Indigenous students in secondary school studies and provide assistance with costs related to tertiary studies.
Web: https://www.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/national-indigenous-merit-scholarship
Bardi Jawi celebrates return of cultural heritage material
The Bardi Jawi Nation at Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), Western Australia, officially celebrated the return of 31 items from the Illinois State Museum, United States of America.
The objects were returned in 2019 under the highly successfully Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) project led by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). However due to the impact of the global pandemic, the on Country celebrations to mark the significant occasion were delayed.
The celebration at Ardyaloon demonstrates how returned artefacts are being brought back to life and re-incorporated into the rich cultural practices of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Web: https://aiatsis.gov.au/news-and-events/news/bardi-jawi-celebrates-return-cultural-heritage-material
AIATSIS
AIATSIS building name Maraga celebrates Ngunnawal language
After nearly two decades, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) has officially named its building Maraga, a Ngunnawal word for a strong and robust shield.
AIATSIS CEO Craig Ritchie says the naming is both symbolic and significant, recognising and acknowledging the Ngunnawal land upon which AIATSIS sits and signalling the importance of embracing Indigenous languages.
Web: https://aiatsis.gov.au/news-and-events/news/aiatsis-building-name-maraga-celebrates-ngunnawal-language
ABS – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has recently released the National Aborigianl and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, which includes information about long-term health conditions, disability, lifestyle factors, physical harm and use of health services.
Web: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-survey/latest-release
Events: Covid-19 has had an impact on various events:
Common Problems – Shared Solutions Symposium
This has been postponed until further notice.
National Native Title Conference 2020 has been cancelled
The decision to cancel was not taken lightly and was reached in partnership with the Minjungbal Bundjalung traditional owners to ensure health and well-being of all delegates, the local community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
Web: https://aiatsis.gov.au/news-and-events/events/national-native-title-conference-2020
Cultural Awareness on Country Tour with Richie Allan Richie Allan, Ngunnawal Lore Keeper, will provide a Cultural Awareness on Country Tour to give participants some hands-on experience while providing valuable local understanding and appreciation of the Ngunnawal land on which we all live and work on. 16 October 2020, postponed from May 2020.
Web: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/postponed-from-1-may-cultural-awareness-on-country-tour-with-richie-allan-16-oct-2020-tickets-82549787637
Exhibitions & Film
Black Screen – daily program at National Film and Sound Archive
daily 11am and 1:30pm for 60 minutes until 31 December 2020, bookings required.
Enjoy a selection of films from the NFSA’s Black Screen collection. Created by renowned Indigenous filmmakers, these films are made available for loan to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities for screenings free of charge.
Black Screen connects culture, stories and language with community through screen.
Web: https://www.nfsa.gov.au/events/daily-program-black-screen
Belonging: Stories of Australian Art at National Gallery of Australia
Until 7 November 2020 Bookings are required.
This major collection presentation recasts the story of nineteenth-century Australian art. Informed by the many voices of Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures and communities, the display reconsiders Australia’s history of colonisation. It draws together historical and contemporary work created by more than 170 artists from across Australia.
The exhibition reveals different stories and connections between art, people and Country in its presentation of visual art and culture in Australia before 1900. The display highlights the endurance and resilience of Indigenous cultures and custodianship, as well as the impact and ongoing effects of colonisation. By highlighting how contemporary artists are engaged with the story of colonisation.
Web: https://nga.gov.au/
Kamberra – many nations one country at Belco Arts
until 25 October 2020:
This exhibition explores the diverse perspectives of First Nations Australian mob living in Canberra on Ngunnawal Country. It explores local Traditional Owners and their connections, as well as diverse communities who’ve lived here for years, decades and in some cases, generations. It explores the idea of how these many groups relate to Ngunnawal country, from all walks of life, through the lens of yarning, artwork, dance, poetry, music and so on.
Web: https://www.belcoarts.com.au/kamberra
Dhawura Ngunnawal Dreaming at Belco Arts
Until 25 October 2020
This is Loretta Halloran’s first solo exhibition, celebrating her love of working with clay and connection to her Ngunnawal culture. Her work represents the Ngunnawal river systems, infused by memories of her childhood, in particular her father. These works are all from private collections.
Web: https://www.belcoarts.com.au/ngunnawal
Endeavour Voyage – the Untold Stories of Cook and the First Australians at National Museum of Australia Until 26 April 2021 – bookings required.
The story of HMB Endeavour’s 1770 voyage lies at the core of the Australian nation. Explore views from the ship and shore on the 250th anniversary of the journey.
James Cook is celebrated as a peerless seaman and remarkable captain. His meticulous maps of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, and the botanical work of Joseph banks and others abourd the ship, reshaped understandings of the world.
But the land Cook charted – strange and ‘new’ to European eyes – was an ancient continent, home to First Peoples whose history stretches back more than 65,000 years. Until now, their voices have been missing from the ‘Endeavour’ story.
As well as the exhibition NMA provides on-line resources and videos on this theme.
Web: https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/endeavour-voyage
The Beach – documentary 6 episodes – SBS OnDemand
Filmmaker Warwick Thornton’s international success has come at a person cost. He has reached a crossroad in his life and something has to change. He has chosen to try giving up life in the fast lane for a while, to go it alone, on an isolated beach in one of the most beautiful yet brutal environments in the world, to see if he can transform and heal his life.
There is also a fascinating insight into the back ground of the work on The Point.
Web: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/search/The%20Beach and https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/1738543683611/the-point-warwick-thornton-and-the-beach-the-point-warwick-thornton-and-the-beach
NITV
SBS On Demand has a full suite of NITV programs available whenever you have time to look at them. Some recent additions are “She Who Must Be Loved” The life story of Alfreda Glynn, a 78-year-old Aboriginal woman and co-founder of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association and Imparja TV.
Web: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/1561018435870/she-who-must-be-loved
and
“Vote Yes For Aborigines” looking at the 1967 referendum which led to finally acknowledging Aboriginal people as citizens within their own country.
Web: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/1139394627725/vote-yes-for-aborigines-vote-yes-for-aborigines,
the series “On Country Kitchen” Web: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/on-country-kitchen
and many more beaut programs.
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If you know of an event or issue that you would like to see covered in this bulletin, please email us at info@antaract.org.au.
Many thanks to Kerstin for researching, collating and finalizing the October 2020 Bulletin for ANTaR ACT.