New Claim for the South East of SA
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Aboriginal Way www.nativetitlesa.org Issue 68, Spring 2017 A publication of South Australian Native Title Services Above: Bunggul (ceremonial dancing) for opening of Garma 2017. Read full article on page 4. New claim for the South East of SA Native Title claims for areas in traditional law and customs and descendants “I congratulate that community and That overlap area has been excised from the South East of South Australia of particular people who lived in that area. am pleased that the process to have the Ngarrindjeri Claim and mediation has have been approved by community their native title recognised has begun” commenced, as the Ngarrindjeri Claim is The claim was authorised at a meeting members and lodged by SA Native said Mr Thomas heading for a Consent Determination in in Mount Gambier and lodged on Title Services (SANTS). coming months. 4 August 2017. SANTS Senior Anthropologist Robert The First Nations of the South East Claim Graham will prepare a Native Title “The lodging of this claim marks #1 and #2 cover areas near Keith to the SA Native Title Services CEO Keith report as required by the court. significant progress in the resolution coast and across to the Victorian border, Thomas welcomed the authorisation and of native title across the state” The claims are now awaiting registration including the towns of Mount Gambier, lodging of the claim. Mr Thomas said. by the Federal Court. The First Nations of Penola and Lakes Bonney, George and Eliza. “They’ve been waiting a long time, there the South East Claim #2 has some parts “This is a large claim area and leaves Native title holders are held to be First have been limited resources available to which overlap the existing Ngarrindjeri only some small areas of the state yet Nations of the South East people under prepare this application” he said. and Others Native Title Claim. to be subject to claim” he said. Inside: Councils consider January 26 5 New approach to prisons needed 6 Walking Kaurna country 8 Looking ahead for native title 11 Council votes for Elliston Memorial to acknowledge massacre Wirangu elder Jack Johncock has Mr Jody Miller, a Nauo and Wirangu Some estimated that 200 people had about a monument around 40 years ago. welcomed the Elliston District man, told Aboriginal Way that those died, however an anthropologist hired “It’s been a long journey to have some Council’s proposal to include the acknowledging the tragedy at by the Council to examine the issue put recognition, a lot of them didn’t want to word “massacre” on a memorial Waterloo Bay needed to remember the estimate much lower, possibly at have anything to do with us” he said marking the site where Aboriginal those connections. 25 to 50. people were killed at Waterloo Bay “As much as it’s been a battle with the “Nauo people were pushed towards Anthropologist Tim Haines advised 170 years ago. wording this time, I’ve got to pay homage Elliston and chased off the cliff as the Council that the number of people to the current Council. At least they’ve “I just think it’s a win for everybody well back in 1849. killed was difficult to accurately define. negotiated with the Wirangu.” He said that it was evident that killing that that grim day is now out in the “The Nauo people were involved, open for everyone to read about and as were their neighbours the Kokatha had happened there and that in fact Mr Johncock says he will encourage acknowledge” he told CAAMA Radio. people” he said the number killed should not make people to accept the Council’s proposal. a difference to the use of the word He has met with other local Aboriginal He says it’s well known in the West Three stone monuments now stand “massacre”. people to discuss the proposal. Coast community that Aboriginal people at Waterloo Bay. However the smallest were driven off the cliffs in 1849. monument in the middle remains blank At a Council meeting on Monday 19 “The Nauo really want to get on board with and what will go on it has been the September, Council voted to include this issue” Mr Miller told Aboriginal Way. “The Elliston Massacre was one of subject of fierce debate. wording that included the word the biggest stories of our time and “massacre” on the monument. “Wirangu came across and sat down at everybody on the West Coast here While no-one disputed that Aboriginal the table with us and acknowledged it knows of it” he said. people were killed, the words to be They voted to remove the term “large” was Nauo as well involved in this. used to describe what happened on from the plaque’s description of the “People were driven over cliffs over the “We want to know more but also to that day have been debated. number of people killed. murder of a settler called John Hamp.” support the Wirangu as much as Mr Johncock told the ABC in July. “The problem in the last few months has Elliston District Council Chairman Kym possible” he said. been the wording to go on the monument Callaghan said after the meeting that the Mr Johncock told CAAMA Radio that His comments come after a debate that and one word in particular – massacre. council’s resolution would be put to the has taken place since the building of a A lot of people in the area were not in Wirangu people for their consideration. he will support acceptance of the new walking trail and memorial at the favour of that” said Mr Johncock. Council’s proposal. site earlier this year. While many people see it as an important Mr Callaghan had initially opposed the “I for one will be encouraging our mob “They were lucky enough to get a recognition of the events, other locals word’s inclusion, but changed his mind to accept what council have put forward, I grant for some walking trails and they opposed the word. petitions circulated after reading Supreme Court documents think it’s been a win. I think this thing has wanted to put some monuments there” around Elliston opposing the use of the about the incident, and after visiting the been many years on the table and finally Mr Johncock explained. term “massacre”. site with two Wirangu people. its recognition that has finally been given to our people” “The monuments are there now, The use of the word “massacre” was Mr Johncock said that although this acknowledging the Wirangu on one and initially tied to how many people had current debate had taken some time, it “We can all move forward now. It’s been acknowledging the other clan groups of been killed on that day in debates over was just a part of a much longer journey, a long long fight, the outcome is palya” the area on the other. the topic. with local people starting the discussion he said. Community members meet at the site of the Elliston Memorial. 2 Aboriginal Way, Spring 2017 Native title voice growing The National Native Title Council enable all parts of the native title sector groups (PBCs and TOCs) and Regional The NNTC meets for its Annual General (NNTC), the peak advocacy body to work together in policy development Native Title Organisations for NTRBs Meeting on 25 October in Brisbane, for the native title sector, has and advocacy. and NTSPs. where the formal election for new welcomed Traditional Owner groups Board members will be held. “The native title sector has been The new governance structure includes as members for the first time. developing rapidly in recent times dedicated places on the Board for NNTC Hosting Regional Forums The Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee PBC or TOC representatives and “It’s time to ensure all parts of our sector The Department of Prime Minister & Aboriginal Corporation, from Queensland, ensures that those groups can are able to become properly involved in Cabinet (PM&C) is supporting regional and the Mungarlu Ngarrankatja participate in the National Council national dialogues and debates on the forums for native title groups and Rirranunkaja Aboriginal Corporation of Members, Ms Betts said. from the Central Desert region of issues that affect us” Ms Betts said. Prescribed Bodies Corporate PBCs PBCs and TOCs from around Australia across Australia. Western Australia, were accepted as Originally formed as an alliance of are invited to submit applications for members of the NNTC at a Council Native Title Representative Bodies Hosted by the National Native Title Council, membership of the NNTC. meeting held in Perth in September. (NTRBs) and Native Title Service the meetings aim to facilitate information The inclusion of the two groups signals a Providers (NTSPs) from around Australia, “The NNTC is going through a process sharing and collaboration between native significant change to the structure of the the NNTC aims to provide a national of structural change and by becoming title holders and the regional offices of advocacy body and gives members of voice to represent the interests of members PBCs and TOCs can help PM&C. It comes as the PM&C introduces a Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) and native title and Traditional Owners. shape the organisation into the future” transition model for PBCs to move towards Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs) a said Ms Betts. greater self-sufficiency. Earlier this year a new structure was direct voice in the work of the Council. announced for the body, it now includes Membership forms and further Representatives from native title groups Chief Operating Officer at the NNTC two member classes – Local Native information can be obtained from in South Australia will receive invitations Carolyn Betts says that the change will Title Organisations for traditional owner [email protected] for the meeting taking place in our state.