Let's Talk Recognition
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Australian Embassy Vienna Newsletter, June/July 2012 Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations 1040 Vienna, Mattiellistrasse 2; www.austria.embassy.gov.au Disclaimer: This newsletter is published for the information and convenience of our subscribers in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Unless the Australian Embassy in Vienna is specifically identified as the author of the mes- sage, all articles, expressed opinions, advice, statements or other information contained in the Newsletter are the responsibility of the author of that message and not of the Australian Embassy in Vienna. The fact that a particular article or opinion is featured www.austria.embassy.gov.au does not necessarily mean that the Australian Embassy in Vienna has endorsed a message or opinion in any way, verified its accuracy, or its completeness. If you have questions or feedback, please send us an email at: [email protected] Indigenous Australia: Vienna to Sydney: Stephen Wurm Lecture: Events and Links: National Reconciliation Tim Bonyhady on Klimt, Prof Darrell Tryon on Australia-related Events in and NAIDOC weeks: Hoffmann and the story of Language and Society: Austria and the pages 1 to 3 his family: pages 4 to 5 pages 6 to 7 region: page 11 Let’s Talk Recognition Celebrating National Reconciliation and NAIDOC Weeks ach year, from 27 May to 3 June, Na- action towards a better relationship be- tional Reconciliation Week celebrates tween fellow Australians. National Reconcili- Ethe respectful relationships shared by ation week celebrates two important dates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s history. 27 May commemorates and other Australians. One month later, in the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, the first full week of July, celebrations are when Australians voted to remove clauses held across Australia to in the Australian Consti- celebrate the history, cul- tution that discriminated ture and achievements of against Aboriginal and Tor- Aboriginal and Torres Strait res Strait Islander people. Islander people during 3 June marks the historic NAIDOC week. “Mabo decision” of 1992, in which the High Court of June and July feature two Australia recognised the important events in ac- special relationship that knowledging and honour- Aboriginal and Torres Strait ing Indigenous Australia, Islander peoples have with namely National Reconcili- the land. ation Week and NAIDOC week, standing for Nation- The case centred on the al Aboriginal and Islander Murray Islands in the east- Day Observance Commit- ern part of the Torres Strait tee week. Islands between Australia and Papua New Guinea. National The Meriam people, led by Reconciliation Week Eddie Koiki Mabo, took the National Reconciliation action to the High Court week is a time for Australians to raise aware- to overturn the doctrine of “terra nullius” (or ness and knowledge of Indigenous history empty land). and culture. It is a reminder to encourage Continued on page 2. he verdict of the Court was that under tionally held in the first full week of July, is Australian law, Indigenous people have celebrated in the Indigenous community, Trights to land and that Australia was nev- as well as in increasing numbers of govern- er terra nullius when Captain Cook arrived ment agencies, schools, local councils and in Australia in 1788. This right is called native workplaces all across Australia. title. The “Mabo decision” stated that the “majority of the Court held that the com- This year’s NAIDCO theme is “Spirit of the mon law of Australia recognises a form of Tent Embassy: 40 years on”. It celebrates native title, where those people have main- the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent tained their connection with the land, and Embassy, residing on the lawn of Old Parlia- where the title has not been extinguished ment House in Australia’s capital Canberra. by acts of Imperial, Colonial, State, Territory It was established by four Indigenous Aus- or Commonwealth government.” tralians, Billy Craige, Bert Williams, Michael Anderson and Tony Coorey to advocate NAIDOC Week the political rights of Australian Aborigines The origins of NAIDOC week, on the other on 27 January 1972. The Embassy renewed hand, can be traced to the emergence of the spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Is- Aboriginal groups in the 1920s that sought lander peoples and became a power- to increase awareness in the wider com- ful symbol of unity. For further information, munity of the status and treatment of In- please refer below.• digenous Australians. NAIDOC week, tradi- National Reconciliation Week is a time for Australians to raise Image above: The 2012 National NAIDOC Poster was de- awareness and knowledge of Indigenous history and culture. signed by Australian artist Amanda Joy Tronc. The poster’s title is “Look at us now”. Asked about what inspired the artist Reconciliation is about building better relationships be- to create the poster, Amanda said that she was shocked to tween Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the realise that most people she knows have never heard of the wider Australian community for the benefit of all Australians. Tent Embassy before: “I knew it existed but never appreci- Reconciliation Australia’s vision is for an Australia that rec- ated what our people and my family had to fight for only 40 ognises and respects the special place, culture, rights and years ago. I researched the four men who founded the Tent contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; Embassy, Billy Craige, Bert Williams, Michael Anderson and and where good relationships between First Australians and Tony Coorey and thought it was important to portray them in other Australians become the foundation for local strength my artwork along with their beach umbrella in front of Par- and success; and the enhancement of Australia’s national liament House. To respect their era, I painted them in black wellbeing. and white to give them a nostalgic look. 40 years on, the foreground shows what we have achieved today because Recognition comes in all sorts of ways and means different of the fruits of their labour.” Amanda goes on to explain the things to different people. Since European settlement, Ab- certain elements of the poster by saying that: “The woman original and Torres Strait Islander people have often been graduating and holding her degree shows our right to an treated unfairly by other Australians. The lack of recognition education. The football star represents our sporting achieve- still inhibits some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ments. The nurse reflects a positive attitude towards health from feeling valued within the Australian community. and the qualifications earned through hard work and study. The man in his work clothes shows our right to earn a wage, progress and be successful. And finally, the family owning Reconciliation Australia’s programs, such as the Indigenous their home shows our right to buy or rent and live in a home. Governance Awards Project and the Reconciliation Ac- The nine circles throughout the painting show communities tion Plans, along with Reconciliation Australia’s advocacy and togetherness. The two white hands represent identity. and public education work, are about building sustainable The background colours represent the Aboriginal and Tor- frameworks for lasting change in Australia. For more detailed res Strait Islander flags to reflect NAIDOC week. The artwork information, please refer to shows that our history is behind us but our culture is a part of our people, not dwindling but getting stronger the more our www.reconciliation.org.au mob succeed and path the way for the future generations.” www.naidoc.org.au Page 2 Indigenous Programs across the Australian Government - A Selection The National Indigenous Languages Policy confirms the Australian Government’s commitment to keeping Indigenous languages alive, and Indigenous Languages Support funding provides funding for the mainte- nance, documentation, transmission and revival of Indigenous languages - OFTA. Website: www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/ils The Indigenous Culture Support funding provides for the maintenance of Indigenous culture and the transmission of cultural knowledge across age groups -OFTA. Website: www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/ics The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia stores, preserves and provides access to culturally re- stricted materials in accordance with its Indigenous Collections Management Protocols and Guidelines and in conjunction with Indigenous permissions and protocols. Website: http://nfsa.gov.au/site_media/ uploads/file/2010/12/09/Indig-Collection-Protocols-and-Guidelines.pdf The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) manages the world’s most extensive collections of printed, audio and visual materials on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and societies. The goal of AIATSIS is to create further understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, past and present. Website: www.aiatsis.gov.au/ AIATSIS produces Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies. These protocols incor- porate the research practice guidelines set by the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council – AIATSIS. Website: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/research/docs/ethics.pdf The Indigenous Repatriation Program aims to return secret sacred objects held in state and territory fund- ed museums,