[recoznet2] FW: A letter from Leonard Peltier
Via Warriornet: -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 07, 1999 12:27 PM To: Workers World News Service Subject: A letter from Leonard Peltier - Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Aug. 12, 1999 issue of Workers World newspaper - A LETTER FROM LEONARD PELTIER My Brothers and Sisters, It is hard for me to believe that the year 2000 is so quickly approaching us. As I sit in this cell and think about my grandchildren who are growing up so fast, my friends who have passed on, and the many years of my life that have been stolen from me, I remind myself of the attention my own suffering has brought to the realities of Indigenous Peoples everywhere. I know that my own persecution has become a symbol of the persecution all of our people face everyday. But I have not given up hope for freedom. Today I am asking you to stand up and represent me and everything I am so proud of: the dignity, spirituality, and pride of the First Nations Peoples of the world. My dream is to continue what the Trail of Broken Treaties started: an event that will have a historic and lasting effect in the minds and consciousness of the public. We are hoping to carry out such an event this November in Washington, DC. November will be a critical time for my freedom campaign. This December will be Clinton's last likely chance to grant me Executive Clemency. My defense team will have been steadily lobbying Congress to support clemency for two months prior to the event. Therefore, November will be an important time for a strong show of public support. The irony is that at the same time, "Native American Heritage Month" and the Thanksgiving holiday will be occurring and will be bringing additional attention on Native Americans into the public, making November an important month to bring real issues of Indigenous Peoples of the U.S. into the limelight of the media. I believe that we can accomplish a successful campaign to do this if we all pull our resources together. I can visualize all the colors of our Native Nations' flags flying high around a culturally brilliant and attention attracting event in front of the White House this Fall. The thought of different Indigenous Nations coming together in unity to support sovereignty, human rights, dignity, cultural preservation, and my freedom, warms my heart. Please read the proposal attached to find out more about our plans and how you can help. Thank you. In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Leonard Peltier LEONARD PELTIER FREEDOM MONTH [Excerpts from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee's appeal]: We are writing to ask for your support, endorsement and collaboration regarding our plans for a November 1999 Leonard Peltier Freedom Month in Washington, D.C. As you know, Peltier is a Native American leader who has been unjustly incarcerated for 23 years in the United States. FBI documents released years after his trial, together with other sources, have proved that critical ballistic evidence establishing his innocence was withheld from the defense, and that witnesses were terrorized into giving false testimonies against him. Though long overdue for parole, and in deteriorating health, Peltier remains in prison. Amnesty International and numerous other human rights organizations have recognized Leonard Peltier as a political prisoner and demanded his immediate and unconditional release. He is seen as a symbol of Indigenous Resistance and his call for freedom is supported by numerous Indigenous organizations worldwide. It is clear that the judicial system in the United States has utterly failed Peltier. We recognize that we must now demand justice from the other two branches of govern ment, the executive and legislative branches. President Clinton has the power to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier at any time, and the United States Congress is charged with overseeing the correct conduct of affairs by such agencies as the United States Parole Board and the FBI. In order to obtain action and justice from these offices, all sectors of society must make themselves heard. As we all know, November is the month of Thanksgiving in the United States. According to historical legend, the first Thanksgiving was held by the pilgrims to give thanks to God for their very survival in North America. They had been saved from starvation by kindly Native Americans who taught them about local crops and wildlife. The pilgrims, in turn, thanked the Lord and exterminated the tribes. Leonard Peltier is but one more of the most recent victims. November has also been declared Native American Heritage month by President Clinton, and we plan to hold him to his word. Traditionally, clemency petitions are granted by the president at the end of each year. November will thus be a critical month. Moreover, the parole board could reconsider Leonard's parole situation
[recoznet2] A DEATHBED RECONCILIATION
The article below was published this month in Djadi-Dugarang, the Indigenous Social Justice Association's newsletter. It was written by Ray Jackson who has given his permission to reproduce it on Recoznet2. A DEATHBED RECONCILIATION Recently the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation have issued their Draft Document for Reconciliation so the Australian people can discuss the views put by the Council and can input acceptance or other ideas back to the Council. The document is in several parts. The first is the Draft Declaration followed by four National Strategies or steps to make Reconciliation possible. The future revised document will be launched in May 2000 for its final acceptance. As a concept Reconciliation and its processes are indeed a praiseworthy attempt of allowing the non-Indigenous Australians to fully accept and become reconciled to the true black history of this land. With all that that entails. Whilst I personally, as an Aboriginal man, descended from the Wiradjuri peoples, am able to accept the social need for Reconciliation I fear that what is being offered is not the type of Reconciliation as I have outlined above, but a more severe, a more debilitating Reconciliation for the Indigenous peoples of these traditionally owned lands. What I see as being offered to all Indigenous peoples is nothing less that a death-bed Reconciliation whereby we as a culture, as a people, will die whilst those whom are left, the dominant, non-Indigenous culture and peoples, will accept the Reconciliation and everything that goes with it. And I mean everything! Our Lands, Our Culture, Our Life. Reconciliation does not and more importantly cannot mean absorption, assimilation, or being merged into the dominant culture. Reconciliation to me is total recognition of our rights as the traditional owners of this land. Reconciliation to me is non-Indigenous acceptance of our original Black History and our mixed Black and White History. Whether that History is of the black-armband view or the white-blindfold view matters not. It must be the true histories. To a certain extent the Draft Declaration does accept this but to me there appears to be the need for our mob to accept what has already happened to us and then we all march on together or to use their words - Speaking with one voice, we the people of Australia, of many origins as we are, make a commitment to go on together recognising the gift of one anothers presence. Whilst we are recognised as the traditional owners and custodian of the Land, and recognition is made that the land was colonised without our consent, (not stolen, mind you), nowhere in the whole Draft Document is there any calls to return some traditional lands to the original owners and custodian of that land. Mabo and Wik do not exist. Whilst this Draft Document is being debated we have Federal, State and Territory Governments actively winding back any legal opportunities to allow Indigenous peoples access to traditional lands. The Howard Governments active role in legally attempting to wind back the 1975 Land Rights Act in the Northern Territory is but one example. The legal machinations of the Court Government in Western Australia and the Beattie Government in Queensland are other examples. Why do these vile politicians talk of Reconciliation while they are actively removing our rights to land? Where are the Reconciliationists loudly calling on these Governments to stop this chicanery before we lose everything? Where are the Reconciliationists crying shame to the Howard Government and the Northern Territory Government against their legal actions in attempting to strike down the legitimate claims of just two of the tens of thousands of the Stolen Generations in the Northern Territory Supreme Court? Government talk and also the words of the National Strategy for Economic Independence for Indigenous Peoples, is the talk of false prophets, forked tongues, secret English. Our economic independence is based in and on and with our Lands. We do not all aspire to becoming a Skase or a Bond, nor do we all aspire to be shop owners. Independence and our lands are as one, indivisible one from the other. The National Strategy to Address ATSI Disadvantage and the Governments talk of better outcomes in health, education, employment, hosing, law and justice but they do not mention Land. All six areas mentioned are for the greater part controlled by non-Indigenous organisations, including Government Departments. Our medical services work, our education facilities such as Tranby and Eora College to name but two are quite successful, our people have worked for the dole for years and our high unemployment rate is white based, not black. There are some problems in housing areas but we need to work it out ourselves. We must have houses designed by and for our people. The mention of Law and Justice is a sick, sick joke. We have had over 200 years of your law and over 200 years of no
[recoznet2] The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is on the move
Forwarded with permission: THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY IS ON THE MOVE EMBASSADORS FROM THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY WILL BE EMBARKING ON A NATIONAL SOVEREIGN RIDE TO SING UP ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGNTY THE TOUR IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY MEMBERS OF THE SOVEREIGN COUNCIL AND CONCERNED GROUPS IN AUSTRALIA In it's 27th year of occupation, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy still spearheads the struggle for recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty and for freedom and justice. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy in it's peaceful presence poses the following fundamental question: By what authority does the British Crown or the Australian government have sovereign right over the lands and Peoples of the Aboriginal Nations? OBJECTIVES OF THE TOUR IS TO BRING THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY TO THE COMMUNITIES TO GIVE ALL COMMUNITIES A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ON THE SOVEREIGN ISSUES CONCERNING ABORIGINAL PEOPLE AND NATIONS IN AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES TO STOP THE WAR CRIMES FROM CONTINUING AGAINST ABORIGINAL PEOPLE AND CALL FOR PEACE, BEFORE RECONCILIATION. DISCLOSE THE CONTINUATION OF GENOCIDE, BEING PERPETRATED UPON ABORIGINAL PEOPLE FOR EXAMPLE THE NATIVE TITLE ACT AND AMENDMENTS. CALL UPON THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY TO HONOUR ALL INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CONCERNING HUMAN RIGHTS AND TO STOP FURTHER VIOLATIONS OF SUCH INSTRUMENTS TO OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE SELF EMPOWERMENT FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE The speaking tour starts on the 3 August 1999 and will continue until JUSTICE IS SERVED Are you interested in having speakers come to your community from the Embassy, please do not hesitate to contact us at: ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY PO BOX 71, NARRABUNDAH ACT 2604 Telephone/Fax: (02) 6295 0493 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.aboriginaltentembassy.com.au Press Release press release press release press release PRESS RELEASE Background: Aboriginal Tent Embassy has been existing since 1972, calling for Australia to keep up with international standards which it lacks concerning Aboriginal Peoples and Nations. Part of Prime Minister Howard's 1998 election victory speech was to have a "true and just reconciliation" 25 Jan 1999: Aboriginal Tent Embassy under attack because it is an eyesore to Australia. Cabinet enacted an 40 year old law. to remove embassy. 26 Jan 1999 INVASION DAY, Corroboree for Aboriginal Sovereignty held at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. 27 Jan 1999 Declaration for Peace issued. 8-16 February 1999 Calls sent out to Aboriginal Communities to come to show support to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. 8 February 1999: Aboriginal Tent Embassy demands that Prime Minister, Howard and all politicians talk to the Aboriginal people at the Tent Embassy about the crisis concerning Aboriginal Peoples throughout the land. Since this day was the first day of parliament's sitting for the new year it was an appropriate time to commit to dealing with the heart of the issues facing this Country. Namely:, the legality of Aboriginal Sovereignty; the creation of a foundation for genuine dialogue by not negotiating with the artificial Aboriginal leadership much of which is government controlled, e.g. ATSIC, NIWG, land councils etc. but with "sovereign Aboriginal councils with family bloodlines connected back to territories" [section 6 Declaration for Peace]; ceasing all incitement to genocide of Aboriginal Peoples and Nations. This is the only path to genuine peace-making. and to accept the urgency of the Declaration for Peace. That night sacred fire arrested. 9 February 1999: returned to talk peace at Parliament house, stayed all night. 10 February 1999: Sacred fire arrested again that night, along with sacred objects of the ceremony. 15 February 1999: Declaration for Peace on behalf of Aboriginal People and nations was handed to Senator Bill Heffernan to deliver to Cabinet at the Fire for Peace and Justice asking John Howard to come and talk peace. Later that day the Cabinet gave their answer to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy's eight point Declaration for Peace by instruction from Parliament through the Speaker of the House and the Presidency of the Senate, Senator Margaret Reid, who instructed the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and Australian Protective Service (APS) to move our ancient peaceful ceremonial gathering. 17 February 1999: First invitation to Governor-General, 18 February 1999: Gatjil Djerrkura says: "the tent embassy was established to demonstrate to Australians that Aboriginal people have never ceded sovereignty and to bring to national attention of our continuing quest for land."... We call on Gatjil Djerrkura, all ATSIC Commissioners and Regional Councillors, Reconciliation Council members, NIWG and all Aboriginal Statutory bodies to come to the Fire and join us in the Fire Ceremony. 21 February 1999: The Aboriginal Tent Embassy appealed our concerns to the Governor General by inviting him to the Fire for Peace and Justice Ceremony, but he has ignored our pleas the Governor General did not appear for Peace
[recoznet2] Dems referendum question passed in Senate
The Democrat minimalist question "to change the commonwealth of Australia to a republic" was passed by the Senate with some of the government Senators voting in favour! Howard will now put up his own referendum question to the lower house again. Trudy --- 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] Youth crime prevention forum to focus on solutions
Forwarded with permission: Subject: Qld. Media statement - Youth crime prevention forum to focus on solutions Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 9:18 AM Families, Youth and Community Care/Disability Services, HON. ANNA BLIGH 12/8/99 Youth crime prevention forum to focus on solutions Crime specialists, Local Government representatives, youth workers and Indigenous elders from across Queensland have gathered in Brisbane to tackle issues surrounding Youth crime. Officially opening a two day Youth Crime Prevention Forum, Minister for Families, Anna Bligh said prevention is the key to safer communities and a brighter future for young people in conflict with the law. "Youth crime prevention is a major focus of the Beattie government's statewide crime prevention strategy. "To tackle crime, we have to effectively tackle the causes of crime. "This Forum is an opportunity to review the way we are addressing the causes of youth crime and look at how we can do it better," Ms Bligh said. The Forum is a joint initiative of the Department of Families, Youth and Community Care and community agencies funded by the Department's Youth and Community Combined Action (YACCA) scheme. "We need a range of responses to youth crime. We need tough responses to crime and we need better more flexible ways of intervening early and nipping criminal behaviour in the bud. "This Government wants to make sure today's shoplifters don't become tomorrows hardened criminals. "The Conference is a good example of State and Local Governments working in partnership with the community to find solutions," Ms Bligh said. A range of specialist speakers will address the Forum to outline current prevention programs. Dr David Brereton, CJC, will discuss the nature and extent of youth crime in Queensland and Professor Ross Homel from Griffith University will give a keynote address on current trends in crime prevention practice and responses to the causes of crime. The Forum will focus on: · Current approaches to crime prevention · Over representation of indigenous young people in the youth justice system · Strategies for partnership with the wider community · Workshops focussing on improving crime prevention strategies. "I look forward to the outcome of this Forum, its recommendations and challenges to improve our approach to crime prevention," Ms Bligh said. Forum Contact: Lindsay Wegener 0419 668 242, Youth Justice Program, DFYCC --- 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] AAP: Preamble should be dumped: Dodson
Preamble should be dumped: Dodson Source: AAP | Published: Thursday August 12 8:39:10 AM Former reconciliation council chairman Pat Dodson today called for the preamble to be dumped from the November referendum, describing the compromise preamble agreed between the prime minister and Australian Democrats as a farce. The compromise has also been rejected by other influential indigenous leaders including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission chair Gatjil Djerrkura and Kimberley Land Council head Peter Yu. "I would prefer nothing, this is an absolute farce this preamble," Dodson told ABC radio. "We ought to take it off the agenda and leave it alone, it does nothing and it contributes nothing to enhance the position of indigenous people." Dodson said Australian Democrats reconciliation spokesman Aden Ridgeway, who negotiated the new wording, needed to learn what customary law was all about. Ridgeway proposed a reference to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders' deep kinship with their lands rather than custodianship as many indigenous people wanted. "Aboriginal people are owners of this country and if you want to put anything in there put the fact down that we own Australia and that ought to be reflected in any preamble or any constitutional reality." He said the prime minister's consultation on the preamble should go beyond Ridgeway to the rest of the indigenous community. "We are being treated with absolute contempt, we are being denied any real rights and real say over this matter," he said. --- 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] Some events with a mainly South Oz flavour
Dear all, Some of the following may be of interest, [particularly for South Australians on the list - but in some cases for then rest of you also] Please pass information on to others who you think it might interest. 1. Radio National encounter program 2. Reconciliation Statement Consultations in Adelaide/south 3. New Book - Reconciliation: Searching for Australia's Soul 4. Countering racism launch - Adelaide 5. The Circle - Goodwood 6. Anti-racism workshops - Adelaide 7. Conference on religion and the media - Sydney 8. National youth reconciliation conference - Geelong ___ 1. Radio National: 'Encounter' program Sunday, 15th August, 7am Discussion on reconciliation in connection with some issues raised by Robert Schrieter (currently on speaking tour in Australia on Christianity and Reconciliation). The panel facilitated by Stephen Watkins is composed of Sharon Cruse, Catherine Koh, Jenny Baker, Norman Habel, Shaun Ewing, and Chip Morgan. (recorded in Adelaide last week) ___ 2. Public Consultation Meetings on the Draft Document for Reconciliation Over the next month major public consultation meetings will be held in South Australia to consider the draft Document for Reconciliation proposed by the Council for Reconciliation. The details of these meetings are as follows: Adelaide: Wednesday August 18 at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Maughan Church corner of Franklin and Pitt Streets Adelaide with Evelyn Scott and Archie Barton Adelaide Southern: Wednesday August 25 at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Noarlunga Health Village Alexander Kelly Drive Noarlunga Centre with Karmi Dunn and Archie Barton . You are also invited to arrange your own local meetings in your local area; and/or organisation/s you are involved in. For resources to facilitate such meetings contact Chip or Russell on 1800060270. Please promote these meetings in your area of influence and plan to hold meetings in you community. __ 3 Reconciliation: Searching for Australia's Soul, by Norman C. Habel Much has been written about reconciliation as part of the political process in Australia. What is missing is a serious attempt to interpret the reconciliation process in spiritual terms that reflect Australia's heritage. Reconciliation in the deepest sense is not only political and social, but also spiritual and human. The soul of Australia is at stake. Reconciliation: Searching for Australia's Soul explores the spiritual dimensions of reconciliation in the Australian context. Where others have focussed on spirituality in Australia through poetry and art, Norman Habel explores spirituality through the reconciliation process, linking it with our shared history, Aboriginal culture and understandings of the land in Australia. About the author: Norman Habel is a recognised scholar and theologian from Adelaide where is involved in social justice and ecojustice issues. He lectures at the Adelaide College of Divinity. He is coordinating the writing of a series of books entitled The Earth Bible. Norman also helped facilitate the writing of Rainbow Spirit Theology. Reconciliation: Searching for Australia's Soul is available at Open Book at $19.95) ___ 4. Public Seminar [organised by SA Education Department] "TOLERANCE - OR RESPECT?" - LAUNCH OF DETE'S COUNTERING RACISM PROJECT Tuesday August 31 1999, 9am Adelaide Festival Centre King William St Adelaide Celebrating diversity in curriculum and teaching Speakers include: Zita Antonias Race Discrimination Commissioner - Human Rights Equal Opportunities Commission Evelyn ScottChair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Prof Mary Kalantzis Dean of Education, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Contact Vincenzo Andreacchio, project manager, Countering Racism 83668513 or Maria Callisto, project officer, SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission phone 83668555 or fax 83650571 __ 5. September - THE CIRCLE - Thursday night Not entertainment - not about activism and issues - just bring your self to participate in a contemporary ceremony for healing and upliftment through music, song and prayer Thursday September 9th at 7.30 pm sharp Venue : SOPHIA 225 Cross Road Cumberland Park Indigenous/non-IndigenousALL WELCOME Phone 82936831 Guided by Kerry Yates and Robert Crompton - Tanganakuld Clan Ngarrindjeri Nation Gold coin donation for venue hire gratefully accepted. _ 6. ANTI RACISM WORKSHOP The successful CHALLENGING RACISM workshop
