FoE 30 <strong>Years</strong> 60 ...................................................................................................................................................................................................
Anthony Amis In 1997 and 1998, <strong>Friends</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Earth</strong> Melbourne hosted two significant ga<strong>the</strong>rings with Indigenous People. The first, held in March 1997 was entitled “A Ga<strong>the</strong>ring in Solidarity with Indigenous People and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Earth</strong>”. The second, held in November 1998 was entitled “Global Survival and Indigenous Rights”. The idea behind <strong>the</strong> first Ga<strong>the</strong>ring came in June 1996 with <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indigenous Solidarity Group (ISG). This group had three advisors, Elizabeth King (Kerrup Jmara), Lionel Foggarty (Wakka Wakka) and Joan Wingfield (Kokotha). The goal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ISG was to provide a forum so that indigenous people could speak to non-indigenous people and educate <strong>the</strong>m about <strong>the</strong> real history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>. The two day March 1997 Ga<strong>the</strong>ring was held at <strong>the</strong> North Melbourne Town Hall and was attended by about 150 people and featured 16 Aboriginal people from <strong>Australia</strong> and 12 speakers representing issues overseas. A large contingent <strong>of</strong> Ngarrindjeri women attended <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>ring to discuss issues relating to <strong>the</strong> Hindmarsh Bridge debacle. The key resolution for <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>ring was “this meeting recognises Aboriginal sovereignty and accepts <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> indigenous people in upholding Customary Law in <strong>Australia</strong>.” Unfortunately for <strong>the</strong> ISG costs blew out by $7,000 on <strong>the</strong> first conference due to complications <strong>of</strong> travel arrangements <strong>of</strong> people from <strong>the</strong> United States. Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> ISG over <strong>the</strong> following months was spent fundraising to repay <strong>the</strong> money back to FoE. This was a serious hardship for those who remained with ISG. In February 1998, <strong>the</strong> ISG <strong>the</strong>n got a burst <strong>of</strong> energy with a number <strong>of</strong> new people wanting to get involved. The group again decided to arrange ano<strong>the</strong>r Ga<strong>the</strong>ring for November 1998. This time <strong>the</strong> organising group was significantly larger and more time was spent planning <strong>the</strong> event. A great deal <strong>of</strong> support for <strong>the</strong> second Ga<strong>the</strong>ring came from Larry Walsh, who suggested that <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>ring could be held at Maribyrnong on <strong>the</strong> Grounds <strong>of</strong> Pipe Makers Park. ................................................................................................................................................................................................... Over 500 people attended <strong>the</strong> Second Ga<strong>the</strong>ring over three days. The Ga<strong>the</strong>ring made a big impact with many doors being opened and featured more indigenous speakers from Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South <strong>Australia</strong>, Western <strong>Australia</strong> and international speakers from <strong>the</strong> United States, <strong>the</strong> Philippines, Costa Rica and Ecuador. Of special interest was <strong>the</strong> attendance <strong>of</strong> almost 20 Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta women from Cooper Pedy who were building momentum to stop <strong>the</strong> nuclear waste dump being proposed for <strong>the</strong>ir lands. The ISG was given only a day or so warning that <strong>the</strong> women were attending <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>ring. Remarkably as <strong>the</strong>ir train pulled into Spencer Street, local Wurundjeri dancers who were at <strong>the</strong> station for ano<strong>the</strong>r arrival, did a welcoming dance for <strong>the</strong> Aunties. Networking <strong>of</strong> indigenous and non-indigenous people at this ga<strong>the</strong>ring was very important. Many relationships were established at this ga<strong>the</strong>ring which in turn blossomed into important friendships. For many grassroots environmental campaigners this ga<strong>the</strong>ring was <strong>the</strong> first time many people had even met indigenous people, let alone heard such passionate and powerful speeches. Of special importance was <strong>the</strong> speech made by Wadjularbinna Nulyarimma, from <strong>the</strong> Gulf Country in Queensland, which had enormous emotional impact on all who heard it. Arabunna man Kevin Buzzacott, speaking at <strong>the</strong> conference gave a word from his language to <strong>the</strong> ISG - <strong>the</strong> word ‘Nuyumunda’, which means ‘Beginning <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> coming toge<strong>the</strong>r/being whole. A recurrent <strong>the</strong>me at <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>ring was <strong>the</strong> need to recognise traditional lore/law and Indigenous decision-making structures. This was highlighted by <strong>the</strong> resounding support for using <strong>the</strong> Treaty process in <strong>Australia</strong> and elsewhere to acknowledge pre-existing Aboriginal Sovereignty. A third ISG ga<strong>the</strong>ring was tentatively planned to go ahead - possibly in Brisbane in 2000, but unfortunately never eventuated. The stress <strong>of</strong> organising two Ga<strong>the</strong>rings had taken its toll on <strong>the</strong> volunteers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ISG and after a couple <strong>of</strong> months <strong>the</strong> ISG dissolved, although many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people involved in ISG have continued to be involved in solidarity work with indigenous people. ISG had hoped that <strong>the</strong> Ga<strong>the</strong>rings could be organised in a different area <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>, however noone has, as yet, taken up that <strong>of</strong>fer. FoE 30 <strong>Years</strong> 61
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Australia given Indigenous manageme
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