Aboriginal Way Issue 60, Spring 2015 A publication of South Australian Native Title Services Aboriginal Congress of South Australia A long way to go in nuclear debate, says Aboriginal Congress of SA In early August, the Aboriginal During July and August, the Royal Parry Agius, Alinytjara Wiluara Natural waste dump” and the Royal Commission Congress of South Australia Commission engaged regional and Resources Board Member reinforced the is nothing more than mere formality. convened in Port Augusta to remote communities including Coober notion of an appropriate timeline in his Karina Lester, Aboriginal Congress discuss the issues and concerns Pedy, Oak Valley, Ceduna, Port Lincoln, submission. Mr Agius wrote, “we note of SA member said it is clear by the of potential expansion of uranium Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Pirie, levels of concern within our communities submissions to the Royal Commission mining in SA, including the Ernabella, Fregon, Mimili, Indulkana, that suggest that the timeframe for that Aboriginal People do not support development of a nuclear Ceduna, Amata, Kanpi and Pipalyatjara. consultation on the risks and opportunities the Nuclear Fuel Cycle. waste dump. through the Royal Commission is Aboriginal Congress of SA Chair, insufficient”. Through the initial “Our views are clear in the submissions The State Government launched a Tauto Sansbury said the engagement conversations with community members and we need to ensure that this gets public inquiry on the Nuclear Fuel Cycle with Aboriginal Communities is there is, he added, “a level of confusion across to the Commissioner. We need by calling a Royal Commission in March. welcomed however the consultation about what was being discussed”. to put pressure on the Government. This Since then, submissions have been time is unrealistic. needs to be taken seriously,” she said. made by a range of community and Mr Agius noted some conflicting views “We need to be clear and informed amongst community members, with industry sectors. Ms Lester stated in an independent so that our rights and our land are some believing that the nuclear fuel submission to the Commissioner how A decision in favour of such activity protected. More information sessions cycle has “all been talked about in the she is now facing the same concerns will potentially affect all South Australians are needed and it is not good enough past and there won’t be any more for Anangu people and their land, as and above all, Aboriginal communities to present this to the community and nuclear”. On the other hand, there are her family has voiced for generations. who live on the land in which the nuclear then have a final report by next year, those who sense that “decisions had facilities may be placed. it is simply not long enough,” he said. already been made to proceed with a Continued on page 3 Inside: Recognising the first Australians in our constitution 2 A bright year for NAIDOC in SA 6 The ALRC Native Title Act recommendations released 11 A move closer to recognising the first Australians in our constitution The Prime Minister and Opposition say and for all significant points of the Prime Minister and myself, came treaty would act as a framework Leader met with Aboriginal and view to be considered; and away with a greater unity of purpose than through which Indigenous peoples Torres Strait Islander leaders in early • The Parliamentary Joint Select I think this debate about constitutional could work towards reconciliation at a July to discuss the next steps needed Committee on Constitutional recognition has seen in a long time.” community and personal level and on to amend Australia’s Constitution to Recognition to develop a discussion equal grounds to the government. That is, recognise the first Australians and It was the first time in Australia’s history paper to assist this consultation. a treaty could promote some degree of delete racial bigotries. that the Prime Minister and Opposition self-determination. The Prime Minister and Leader of Leader convened a summit of Aboriginal Both leaders said they are committed the Opposition would receive regular This has caused some confusion as to holding a recognition referendum to and Torres Strait Islander leaders to reports from this Council and together change Australia’s founding document discuss constitutional recognition. some have argued that constitutional will consider its final recommendations and spent time with Indigenous leaders change will prevent future ratification of in developing a proposal to put to It is clear political and public support is to understand their views on how to an Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander/ the Parliament, and if supported, the growing for the significant amendment. secure a successful outcome. Commonwealth treaty. However, as Australian people. According to the Human Rights stated on the Recognise website “calls Tony Abbott said before we can put a Commission, events like the National Tanya Hosch, joint director of the for a treaty or treaties and constitutional vote to Australians there is still much Apology in 2008, the Australian work that needs to be done and timing Constitutional reform campaign recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Government support for the UN is crucial. RECOGNISE welcomed the recent work Strait Islander peoples are separate made by leaders. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous aspirations and they can co-exist. Many “Based on today’s discussions, we Peoples, the recognition of first peoples “It’s encouraging to see this commitment Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consider that the referendum could in several State Constitutions and the from the nation’s political and Aboriginal people support both. not be held before the next term of launch of the RECOGNISE Campaign and Torres Strait Islander leaders to Parliament and should be outside the Acclaimed Aboriginal academic, writer press on with the significant task of in 2012, has shown how people are politics of the election cycle. and barrister Larissa Behrendt writes: settling on a final model,” Ms Hosch said. standing up for Aboriginal and Torres “The arguments that constitutional Before then, there should be a more Strait Islander peoples. intense and structured broad-based Aboriginal leader Patrick Dodson told the recognition will impact on the sovereignty national conversation on what indigenous ABC that the meeting was constructive. Moreover, polling has suggested of Aboriginal people or a treaty is not a majority of the public supports recognition can achieve and on the precise “It was a great occasion, a great event, legally correct. There is nothing so constitutional recognition. The form that it could take,” said Mr Abbott. a historic event and terribly meaningful, far proposed as part of the current Recognise Campaign has close to Key developments towards constitutional I think, in the context of what we’re trying constitutional reform agenda that would change include: to do around a very complicated matter,” 300,000 supporters, including high- take away or undermine the ability for he said. profilers Adam Goodes, Gail Kelly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander • A Referendum Council to be Former CEO of Westpac, Noel Pearson people to enter into a treaty… A treaty established to progress issues such Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten said and Prof Mick Dodson have all spoken out and constitutional reform are not an as settling the referendum question spending time with Aboriginal leaders about the need for constitutional reforms. and timing (with regular reports to the has helped advance the cause. either/or. We actually need both.” Prime Minister and Opposition Leader); “There’s been a lot of work done before An alternative (or compliment) to The journey to recognition will continue • A series of community conferences today, and there’ll be a lot of work constitutional recognition may come in to gain momentum as Aboriginal leaders across the country to provide an done after today, but I can assure all the former of a treaty. Patrick Dodson across Australia work on a unified opportunity for everyone to have a Australians, that the Indigenous leaders, and Lisa Strelein have argued that a approach to positive change. Indigenous culture in education – symposium looks at the recognition it deserves As the debate continues about ideas of ‘best practice’, the contributions • Professor Peter Buckskin, curriculum, pedagogy, administration and Constitutional recognition for the of non-Indigenous teaching staff, and the Dean of Indigenous Scholarship, schooling environment,” Prof Smith says. first Australians, the University of ways in which students can best learn Engagement and Research, UniSA. Conference co-Chair, Assoc Prof Andrew South Australia is leading a national about Indigenous culture. With a background in higher education, Gunstone from UniSA’s David Unaipon discussion on the best ways to cultural and policy studies and in forging College of Indigenous Education and include Indigenous knowledge Keynote speakers include: the foundation of Maori Education Research (DUCIER) says the Symposium will and content in curriculum. • distinguished Professor Graham Studies in New Zealand universities, address critical issues regarding Indigenous Scholars from across Australia and Hingangaroa Smith, Chief Executive Prof Smith says the symposium offers knowledges and the development of New Zealand will join the conversation Officer of Te Whare aW nanga a great opportunity for professionals, Indigenous content in universities. at