-----Original Message----- From: Webcentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >The Olympics, Reconciliation and a Bill of Rights for all Australians >An Address >by >Ms Jenny Pryor >ATSIC Commissioner for North Queensland >to >Year 12 Christian Education Seminar >The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James, Townsville, Qld > > Friday 6 October 2000 > >Please join with me in paying our respect to the traditional owners, whose >country we are meeting on today. > >I also want to acknowledge and pay respect to our elders, both Indigenous >and non- Indigenous in our communities around this region. > >And to Father Robert Ferguson, and the Cathedral School for inviting me to >speak to you and your students. > >I must say it is a bit daunting as well as an honour to be standing here >alongside Professor Noel Loos, who has a deserved reputation as an historian >and scholar. > >Like all of you I was very keen to hear what he had to say. > >Not only about Reconciliation, but also to ask him for his views on the >recent controversy between historians Keith Windschuttle and Henry Reynolds. > >But I want to begin by making a number of introductory comments. > >First, on just how important it is that students do have the opportunity >to consider, research and discuss any of the major issues facing this >country, that confront us all as individuals, as people, as citizens of the >world. > >Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also strong believers in >our children, in our youth, and in the powers of education, knowledge and >information to both liberate and lift up people. > >As we do in the knowledge, wisdom, traditions and experience that our elders >carry with them, and the key role that our elders have in guiding our young >people, and not so young people, too, like me. > >You will probably understand what I mean by this when I say that Professor >Loos, is an elder, and in his way also a keeper and a transmitter of >knowledge, traditions and wisdom. > >Secondly, I want to warmly welcome and endorse your invitation to have >Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people speak to you about issues which >concern us. > >And to emphasise just how important it is - in discussing Aboriginal and >Torres Strait Islander issues, in discussing us, that you do that with us. > >For too long, and this factor still persists, we still contend with many >people talking for us, about us, interpreting us, deciding about us, >deciding for us. > >And this is often exemplified, by government agencies, albeit with "good" >intentions doing this or that "for" us. > >Without asking, without our consent, often without our knowledge. Without >including us. > >I think this, in part, may explain the latest "faux pas" by the Federal >government. > >Where it is now the Federal Minister for Reconciliation, Mr Ruddock, who has >got himself into a bind with some of his comments reported in the French >newspaper, Le Monde. > >My point here is, that the 'difficulty' might have been avoided if it were >an indigenous person who was answering questions about our circumstances. > >I think this episode says a lot. > >It says a lot about a government, when this happens with a minister who is >regarded by some as being quite moderate and progressive on some aspects of >Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. > >When it happens to the Minister for Reconciliation. > >But despite the minister's defence to the effect that it was just a small >part of a lengthy interview, I think this sort of statement is quite >revealing. > >I don't want to say any more than that, other than the coverage that this >issue has already generated is a pointer to what that might mean. > >The Olympics and Reconciliation: > >But I do want to talk more about Reconciliation, about the importance of >"inclusiveness" and the significance of the Olympics for reconciliation in >this country. > >I want to say. I am able say - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people >are greatly encouraged by what we are seeing happening in this country this >year. > >We are all witnesses to what is now a tidal wave of support by the people >of Australia for the spirit of reconciliation. > >It gives us, it gives me personally - great comfort, and hope, to know we >are not alone in our struggle. > >And I think all of us can take strength from the ever growing numbers of >our fellow Australians - who feel the same. > >Because the movement for Reconciliation is having an impact - is making a >difference. >More than ever before. >After these Olympics - there is no doubt about this in my mind, now. >Until, the Olympics, until the Opening Ceremony and then Cathy's >phenomenal run in the women's 400, until the spectacular closing >ceremony, that was a fairly bold statement. >I'm glad to say, that there are far fewer people who would contradict >that now. >Like the athletes, like anybody I have heard who was there at the Olympics, >I can't describe how moving, how uplifting - these events are for me. >But no more so than to hear 110, 000 people chanting "Cathy, Cathy, Cathy", >when she was awarded her gold medal. >It is inspirational feeling. A feeling we all felt. And it is a growing >feeling. >One that started with Corroboree 2000 in Sydney, moved to Brisbane a week >later, with that record march across William Jolly Bridge. Then on to >Adelaide, then Hobart and then here to Townsville in August. >And now the Olympics. >You can see, you can feel that this is the case. >All are record turnouts. All have been truly wonderful human experiences for >almost everyone who took part in them. >These are defining moments in this nation's history. >That is a key point, I want to make to you today: >This was the first Olympics that has been a "defining moment" for Aboriginal >and Torres Strait Islander people in this country. >Why? Because we were included. Because we had a seat in the house. >Because we had a proud and memorable role in the Opening and Closing >Ceremonies, and on the sporting stage, through Cathy and our other 10 >indigenous members of the Australian contingent. >Because we felt proud. >Because other Australians wholeheartedly cheered us, our culture, our >presence - our inclusion. >This country cheered us like has never been done before in the history of >this country. >To me that is one of the overwhelming legacies for this country and for >reconciliation from the Sydney 2000 games. >And I think, for many other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. >These were the "Reconciliation" games, the "Goodwill "games. >There is another observation I want to quickly make about the Olympics, too. >One of the grievances that many Aboriginal people have with the media, is >that they constantly portray negative images and stereotypes about our >people. >Well ,I have to say, that the overwhelming impression I have of the media >coverage I have seen during and since the Olympics has been overwhelmingly a >positive one, on and for our people. >Indeed I think it is fair to say: there has never before been such a >sustained period of overwhelmingly positive media coverage of and about >indigenous people. >As it has been for Sydney and Australia. >Both of these legacies from the Olympics bode tremendously well for >Reconciliation in this country. >Moving on from the Olympics, there is another key development I want make >some mention of , too. >One that has not received anywhere near the recognition it deserves for its >significance, to the cause and to the substance of what I believe, true >reconciliation is about. >And that is: >The renewed call for a Bill of Rights in this country. >A call which was made, initially, by ATSIC Chairman Geoff Clark, on >international World's Indigenous Peoples' day - August the 9th. >And then supported, very strongly and clearly, by the former Liberal Prime >Minister, Malcolm Fraser, on August the 24th - in his Vincent Lingiari >Memorial speech in Darwin. >If you doubt the significance of this - this is what the respected Sydney >Morning Herald journalist , Michele Grattan, wrote: "Most provocatively, >Fraser has put the Bill of Rights question back on the agenda. > >This was "radical stuff coming from a Liberal," she said, which would " >reignite" the debate in this country. > >There is another significance to this as well, in my humble opinion. > >A "reignited" Bill of Rights debate in this country, through the efforts of >Mr Clark and Mr Fraser, is an "extraordinary development." > >One which means that those who have opposed indigenous rights on the basis >that > "rights" are only an issue for Indigenous people in this country, are now >fatally exposed. > >A Bill of Rights is now an issue for all Australians. One that affects all >of us. > >One that forms , in my view, a new, indivisible and unifying link for and >between all Australians. > >This is I repeat an extraordinary set of occurrences, one that was almost >unthinkable, even at Corroboree. > >One which I believe both the Reconciliation movement and in turn, the people >of Australia can embrace. > >Indeed will embrace. >Having said that, though, there is still a long way to go to achieve what >we are calling "true" reconciliation in this country. >As many of you know, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation - or CAR for >short - will wind up at the end of this year. >In my view , CAR has done an enormous job. >Helping change for the better, how this nation thinks, feels and understands >its own history. And its relationship with the Indigenous people of this >country. >If you think back to where this country was just 10 years ago and consider >where we are today, CAR and the whole process of reconciliation has achieved >much. >But we are not "there" yet. >So,... >Where does Reconciliation need to go post-CAR? >First of all, I think that the whole notion of Reconciliation is now >embedded in the national psyche like never before. >Yet we will still need at least another 10 years or more of the sort of >education and information, consultation at the community level that CAR, the >ANTARs and reconciliation groups, have been doing for the last 10 years. >So I am concerned that with CAR out of the picture, at this year's end, >that this grass-roots role and process, and the resources needed to do this, >may no longer be there. >And that despite the huge strides forward this year at Corroboree and at >the Olympics, this could still serve to take us back, set us back, to where >we were decade ago - where there was no grass roots education or information >process in place, in the community. >But what this will mean, after CAR goes is the increased importance of >ANTAR and Reconciliation groups. >Because at the most fundamental level, where Reconciliation is heading and >ultimately gets to - rests with you and I together. We - the people. >This also means that a substantial part of the answer as to where >reconciliation ultimately goes - also rightly lies with Aboriginal and >Torres Strait Islander people. >We have to be able to have a major say in those directions. It is also true >that we have and will continue to do so. >At the most basic level, what Reconciliation - and all these issues that are >inextricably tied up in it - are really about for us - is we no longer >want mainstream Australia to make decisions for us. >We want to have a real say in determining our destiny - for ourselves. >Instead of governments deciding what is best for us, for them to ask us. And >to listen to what we are saying and why. >We are asking for the same basic respect that you all expect, and rightfully >so, for your right to be who you are. >So, I think the fundamental directions Reconciliation ultimately takes - and >needs to head towards now - are pretty clear. >A Treaty: >This direction has long been clear and has been enunciated again, at >Corroboree 2000 and in the ensuing debate about the treaty. >It has been interesting to watch how the media have interpreted the actions >of the hundreds of thousands of people who crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge >at Corroboree 2000. And elsewhere. >It has been equally fascinating to watch Prime Minister John Howard's >reaction. >Even though the marchers literally walked past the front door of his >official residence on Sydney Harbour, he could not find it within himself to >join in. >And despite a string of prominent statements from Aboriginal leaders >leading up to Corroboree, many commentators have claimed the popular call >for a treaty - even its inclusion on the Documents of Reconciliation - was >an attempt to hijack the reconciliation process. >Nothing could be further from the truth . >Because a treaty has never been off our agenda. >What this shows, is just how much work still needs to be done -to truly >inform the nation about our rights and aspirations and the history of our >struggle. >Despite the amazing amount of shoe leather left on Sydney Harbour Bridge. >Despite the phenomenal good will from the people of Australia, we have seen >during the Olympics. >But those who take more than a passing interest in Aboriginal Affairs, like >all of you here, will recall that the reconciliation process was what we >got from former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke. >In response to our calls for a treaty. That great hope that he raised and >then backed away from. >That was over a decade ago, now. But it is amazing how some of the finest >commentators have forgotten this little bit of history, part of their own >history. >What is true though, is that most mainstream political leaders have, up >until now, painted the "t" word - as a dirty word. >So it was no surprise to hear the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, and his >Ministers reject the proposal as divisive, claiming it would create a nation >within a nation. >Familiar? >This is the blinkered vision, these are the tactics, they have employed >against our right to self-determination for more than 10 years. >Again, it probably won't surprise you to recall that back in April, 1989, >when Mr Howard was then Leader of the Opposition, said the Hawke Government >would not improve "the lot" of Aborigines "by empty symbolic gestures such >as treaties." >It's worth repeating what he said: > "I take the opportunity of saying again, that if the Government >wants to divide Australian against Australian, if it wants to create a black >nation within the Australian nation it should go ahead with its Aboriginal >and Torres Strait Islander Commission legislation and its treaty. > In the process it will be doing a monumental disservice to the >Australian community." >While he may be consistent, there is no question in my mind that hundreds >of thousands of Australians who walked across Sydney Harbour bridge, and >around the country since then don't think like that, don't feel like that, >at all. >Rather they are voting with their feet for a new deal for our peoples. >Clearly, the informed public debate has moved on. Mr Howard has not. >People are leading the reconciliation debate, it is the politicians who are >not. Who are lagging behind public opinion. >To be fair, I must also say I believe the Prime Minister has come to accept >that ATSIC has helped to considerably "improve the lot" of our constituents >over the past decade. >I can tell you that he has certainly made it clear to the ATSIC Board that >he is happy to work with us to make crucial improvements in the health >education, employment and essential services of our peoples. >What he terms "practical" reconciliation. >And we are happy to work with him to deliver these improvements. And we have >said so- publicly and privately. >But he also knows, as I do, there is simply not enough money currently being >allocated to these areas. >True Reconciliation: Constitutional Consent >ATSIC has also made it equally clear to Mr Howard that we want him to work >with us to deliver true reconciliation. >And at Corroboree 2000 ATSIC called on all Aboriginal and Torres Strait >Islander peoples to unify behind our struggle for true reconciliation. >This means recognising that we possess distinct rights arising from our >status as first peoples, our relationships with our territories and waters, >and our own systems of law and governance. >We called for a new era of informed constitutional consent. >Because it must be always be remembered - we have never given such consent >at any stage in our history. >I repeat, there have been no treaties, no formal settlements, no compacts. >We are not mentioned in the constitution. >But let's make on thing clear. >We do not seek this to divide the nation, but to unite it. >I think it is quite clear on the question of the treaty, and indeed on many >Indigenous issues, this nation already is divided. >It is my view and that of ATSIC - and I must say many other Indigenous >leaders outside of ATSIC too - that a treaty can unite the nation. >Reconciliation is the way we can - the way we already are - starting to >change that. >Clearly, what Prime Minister Howard and his conservative bedfellows are up >to - is to whip up hysteria over our pursuit of a treaty. >In so doing they use the narrowest definition of the word. >They claim it is a document signed between two separate nations. They do so >to exploit division. >As Prime Minister, Mr Howard should be seeking to resolve this division. > Any dictionary will tell him - the word treaty can also apply to any >agreement or compact. >The Aboriginal leadership of this country is not seeking to divide the >nation. > We are seeking to unite it - on just terms for the first Australians. >We are not, as Mr Howard has claimed, seeking a nation within a nation or a >separate black state. >Nevertheless, Indigenous people will not agree to any document or documents >of reconciliation that compromise our assertions of sovereignty. >The reason is simple. And the facts of history are clear on this. >Governor Phillip arrived in Australia with instructions to settle this >country "with the consent" - of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander >peoples. >Consent was never given. >We never gave up our lands. They were taken from us. >This is the black hole in the heart of Australian history. >>From the moment the British established a penal colony at Sydney Cove on 26 >January 1788, all thinking about Indigenous peoples in Australia was >dominated by the notion of terra nullius. >Where the British became sovereign in a legal desert, without settled >inhabitants or settled law. >This was despite the fact it had been the practice of European colonial >powers in Africa, the Americas, Africa, Asia and New Zealand at the time - >to seek to negotiate treaties with the Indigenous peoples. >It was not long, however, before the British settlers had to adjust their >ideas about the Indigenous peoples. >By the end of the nineteenth century, enough was known of the law and >governance of Aboriginal tribes to suggest a society that had exercised >sovereignty prior to the arrival of Europeans. >Yet it was not until the courageous 1992 Mabo case that the High Court >finally rid us all of the doctrine of terra nullius. That 200 year lie. >When this country, through its highest court, finally recognised what we >have always known and argued. That our Indigenous laws and customs are the >source of our rights. > When your system finally said this was true under common law, as well. >The Court, however, did not explicitly address the question of original >Aboriginal sovereignty. >And there remains no constitutional or other document that records the >consent of Australia's Indigenous peoples - about the terms of our >relationship with non-Indigenous Australians. >This is what we are seeking. >Recognition that we possess distinct rights arising from our unique status >as first peoples, from our relationships with our territories and waters, >and our own systems of law and governance. >In this regard, Australia is well behind developments in other countries. >There are a range of contemporary agreements negotiated overseas between >Indigenous peoples and non-indigenous and colonial states. >These have been accompanied by parallel recognition of the distinct rights >Indigenous peoples have in international law through the United Nations. >In Canada, there is acceptance of the Indigenous right of self government. >The debate there is squarely focussed upon the character of self government >and upon implementation. >Many Australians are totally unaware that the Inuit in Greenland exercise >home-rule, that the Maori have reserved seats in New Zealand or that there >are Sami parliaments in Finland, Norway and Sweden. >There is no doubt Constitutional issues in relation to these matters will >take time. >They will also require an informed nation. >But Mr Howard does himself and the nation a massive disservice by milking >the fear and ignorance in the community on these issues. >Rather than by helping us inform the nation about the true nature of >reconciliation. >There is a second measure of true reconciliation that I want to canvas with >you before finishing: >Indigenous representation in parliament: >Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now need to take further steps >forward in both politics and in the wider community. >We have the capacity, we have the strength, we actually have a lot of >experience and a great deal of skills. But we now need to have greater >formal involvement in these processes. >More of us should now be looking to step out from behind the scenes and into >the forefront. >It is time there are more of us on local councils and in local government. >And there are some encouraging signs that there are more indigenous people >in these decision-making positions. >But it is time we had a good look higher up the scale to the mainstream >political parties and the Parliaments. >There is not one indigenous person in the Queensland parliament. > In all the parliaments of this country, you can count the number of >indigenous people on one hand. >It remains a national shame that in the year, 2000, despite 33 years since >the 1967 referendum, that after 10 years of reconciliation there is only >one Indigenous person in the national Parliament: Aden Ridgeway in the >Senate. > And that he is only the second we have ever had there. >None of us have ever been elected to the House of Representatives. >And you don't need any hands to count the number of Indigenous women in this >county's Parliaments. There aren't any. >It is now time there was. >This is not just a challenge for us Indigenous men and women. >It is a challenge to all our parliaments and all political parties. >ATSIC has again put these issues back on the political agenda in this >country, by calling for Indigenous representation in the Federal Parliament. >I strongly support that. >One of the questions is how that should be done. >My ATSIC colleague, Commissioner Patricia Thompson in Brisbane has come up >with a very good idea outlining how that can be done. >Like Pat, I also believe this is a suggestion that this government, all >governments, should now be seriously considering. >And her suggestion fits in remarkably well with what the Prime Minister >and others like to call "practical reconciliation." >And it is quite simple. Political parties should go out and select, on >merit, talented Indigenous people for membership with a view to developing >them, training them. >As they do for any other talented candidates, in readiness for >pre-selection. >Again, on merit. >There is already a name for this. It is quite well known >It's called "headhunting." >A process that business, and government departments do to get the right >people under active consideration for key positions. >There are a number of federal and state seats where there are many >Indigenous people living. Some where we are more than 40 per cent of the >electorate. >These seats are ideally suited to this sort of preselection process by the >main political parties. >There is already the talent in our communities, and a surprising amount of >experience, and sheer political "nous" in our organisations and our >communities. Aden Ridgeway is a great example of that . >It is time that this happened. It is time this was recognised. >Not only in the national parliament but also in the Queensland Parliament >and every state Parliament. >And that 's a pretty good note to end up on. > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
