Aboriginal Way Issue: 43, Dec. 2010 A publication of South Australian Native Title Services Merry Christmas

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in , none more so than at Kura Yerlo Children’s Centre at Largs Bay.

Students from Kura Yerlo Children’s Centre at Largs Bay are looking forward to Christmas holidays. Aboriginal Way visited the centre soon after the children had decorated their Christmas tree. Many thanks to the centre and children for sharing their Christmas spirit with us. The centre offers friendly, professional childcare for children from six months to five years. They can be contacted on 8449 7367. More on back page. Courto t decide fate of Lake Torrens sacred sites An Adelaide court will decide the with any aboriginal sites, objects or The case is part heard, with six ERD Court or National Native Title fate of the sacred sites at Lake remains located within the vicinity of people called by claim group members Tribunal has said no to mineral Torrens and Andamooka Island. Lake Torrens and Andamooka Island. having given evidence against the exploration on native title land. proposed drilling. The case was taken to court by the The case seeks authorisation from the The case, if lost, may set a worrying explorer Straits Exploration (Australia) Environment, Resources and Development Much of the evidence has been heard precedent for mining companies Pty Ltd. Court for Straits Exploration (Australia) in closed court, as it involved gender who wish to drill on sacred sites, Pty Ltd to commence a drill program on restricted and highly sacred men’s particularly large iconic salt lakes The move followed a decision by the Lake Torrens and Andamooka Island. stories and information. which are National Parks, such as Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Lake Gairdner and Lake Eyre. Minister Grace Portolesi, to authorise Native title claim group Uwankara If the case is successfully defended, damage, disturbance or interference is heavily defending the court action. it will be the first time ever that the The case continues in early 2011.

Inside: Protecting rock holes in the Gawler Ranges 5 First National Congress meeting: June 2011 7 Desert Country: Aboriginal artists in major exhibition 8 Parry’s view South Australian native title claims update First Peoples of the River Flinders Ranges Murray & Mallee Region Part settled through approved Riverland and Murray Mallee Region determination (March 2009) In mediation: Federal Court. Balance of claim in mediation: Federal Gawler Ranges Court/National Native Title Tribunal. North of Eyre Peninsula Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara In mediation: National Native Coober Pedy area Title Tribunal. In mediation: Federal Court/ National Native Title Tribunal. Fleurieu Peninsula north to Port Broughton. In mediation: Arabunna National Native Title Tribunal. Central SA including Lake Eyre In mediation: Federal Court/ Kokatha Uwankara National Native Title Tribunal. Lake Torrens Region. Not in mediation.

Barngarla Nauo Eyre Peninsula Eyre Peninsula. Not in mediation. In mediation: Federal Court. Southern Flinders Ranges in Dieri Mid North SA. In mediation: Central SA east of Lake Eyre National Native Title Tribunal. In mediation: Federal Court. Above: SANTS CEO, Mr Parry Agius. Dieri 2 River Murray, Lakes and It has been a very productive and With the vision, drive and determination Eastern SA north of Lake Frome Coorong Region. In mediation: fulfilling year for native title. In expressed in practical application of In mediation: National Native National Native Title Tribunal. this, our second year of operation, native title, the South Australian Aboriginal Title Tribunal. we have continued to consolidate community is growing at a tremendous the company as a native title rate. This action is setting the pace and Eringa Spencer Gulf Region service provider with a continued creating positive examples of success, Far north SA including portion In mediation: Federal Court. focus on good governance, good from creating and owing businesses, to management and the delivery of employment to traineeships, to people Area over Witjira National Park Southern Fleurieu Peninsula professional native title services. at universities on scholarships. settled through approved and Kangaroo Island determination (September 2008) Our board held its Annual Meeting in Today, not everything is doom and In mediation: National Native In mediation: Federal Court/ November and elected a new chair, Lucy gloom. What we have is Aboriginal Title Tribunal. Evans. I look forward to working with Lucy people building their nations and building National Native Title Tribunal. / and the board during their term in office. their assets through wealth creation. Lucy replaces who was Eringa 2 Simpson Desert Region and our inaugural chairperson. His experience Constitutional recognition Far north SA including portion extending into QLD Witjira National Park In mediation: Federal Court/ and expertise is not lost, as he remains Change is good. It makes people step Area over Witjira National Park National Native Title Tribunal. on the board. out of their comfort zones and think settled through approved about their future direction. Constitutional Wirangu 2 When SANTS first came about, determination (September 2008) recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Eyre Peninsula and West Coast we developed a mission statement In mediation: Federal Court/ Islander peoples is long overdue. In mediation: National Native which says: National Native Title Tribunal. Title Tribunal. Provide to the Aboriginal community The Prime Minister says Constitutional Eringa 3 leadership and their decision-making recognition is an important step towards Yandruwandha/ Far north SA processes, expert services to solve building a nation based on strong Innamincka area. Not in mediation. Not in mediation. complex legal and social issues and relationships and mutual respect. This information was accurate at December build the socio-economic capacity 2, 2010. Information provided by the National A referendum about the issue will Far West Coast Native Title Tribunal – visit www.nntt.gov.au of the Aboriginal Community. hopefully see some change; positive Far West Coast SA for more about native title. For information on claim activity (other than mediation) contact I believe we fulfil our mission, our staff change that recognises the rightful In mediation: Federal Court. South Australian Native Title Services. work long hours and are dedicated and place Aboriginal and Torres Strait committed to South Australia’s Aboriginal Islander peoples have in this great peoples. I thank them for their work and country of ours. commitment and say to them that the Seasons greetings work we do really is making a difference First Indigenous to peoples’ lives. Thankyou to the wonderful students and staff from Kura Yerlo for allowing us Providing jobs, looking after country, to be a part of their Christmas activities. political party changing other peoples’ perception of native title, reminding people that On behalf of the board and staff of A new political party, the First The party has been established by former traditional owners do have legitimate South Australian Native Title Services National Political Party, has applied Labor party member and Indigenous and lawful rights and interests and I wish you and your families a happy and for registration with the Australian rights campaigner, Maurie Ryan. safe Christmas and New Year and we Electoral Commission. asserting those rights – this is the work Objections to the party need to be lodged we do. It is important and valuable to look forward to being of further service If successful it will be the first by January 4. The AEC is expected to Aboriginal people. to you in 2011. Indigenous political party representing officially register the party sometime in Indigenous people. early 2011.

2 Aboriginal Way, December 2010 The Right to Negotiate The right to negotiate is a procedure a registered native title body corporate procedural rights such as the right If the right to negotiate applies, the under the Native Title Act 1993 that for that area. to be notified, to comment or to be government, the developer and the is followed to make sure that some consulted, to object and to be heard by registered native title parties must The registered native title claimant or of the things that can affect native an independent umpire. negotiate ‘in good faith’ at least about the registered native title body corporate title (called future acts) can be the effect of the proposed development is the native title party that has the right The right to negotiate is triggered when a validly done. on the claimants’ registered native to negotiate. government issues a ‘section 29 notice’ that states the government intends to title rights and interests with a view to The types of future act the process If a claimant application does not satisfy do a future act that is subject to that obtaining the agreement of the native applies to are the grant of exploration all of the registration test conditions, the procedure. Notice is required by section title parties to the future act being done. licences, mining leases and some claim may continue in the Federal Court. compulsory acquisitions. 29 of the Native Title Act 1993, which The parties can ask the National Native sets out what must be done where native Title Tribunal to mediate during the These future acts require negotiations title will be affected by the future act. “The right to negotiate negotiations. If agreement cant be between native title parties, the The notice is given by placing an reached, then one or more of the parties government and the proponent. is not a right to stop advertisement in major newspapers. It can ask the Tribunal (no soon than six Grants of other mining tenements, or veto projects from must also be given directly to any native months after the notification date) to may not attract the right to negotiate. going ahead.” title parties. If there is a native title decide whether or not the future act representative body for the area, such as can go ahead, or on what conditions The right to negotiate is not a right to South Australian Native Title Services, it The claimant may also apply for it can go ahead. stop or veto projects from going ahead is also notified. but it does give native title parties a right reconsideration of the registration The Federal Attorney-General also offers to have a say about the project. decision. While the application is not on People who claim to hold native title assistance in developing standard form the register, the claimants will not have in the area, but have not yet made a agreements. Guidelines for the provision The right to negotiate applies to certain procedural rights under the Act. native title claimant application, have of assistance in native title cases are future acts if either the area they relate three months from the date given in the The right to negotiate does not apply available at www.ag.gov.au or by calling to is covered, wholly or partly, by a section 29 notice to file a claim if they to other types of future acts, such as the Department on (02) 6250 6770. registered native title claimant application want to have the right to negotiate the construction of public works or the (one that has satisfied all the conditions about the proposed future act. To get Information supplied by the management of water. of the registration test), or if the Federal that right, their claim must also be National Native Title Tribunal. Court has determined that native title In these circumstances, claimants and registered within four months of the More information is available online exists in the area concerned and there is native title holders may have other date given in the notice. at www.nntt.gov.au or from SANTS. Time for Constitutional Recognition The Australian Government believes “The national apology to Indigenous of recognition and the Prime Minister on the nature of the amendment, the time is right to consider amending Australians, in particular the said it was important that Indigenous which could be put to the people the Australian Constitution to Stolen Generation, helped build a people were involved in the process and at a referendum. acknowledge the special place bridge of respect between Indigenous in building broader community support. Ms Gillard said the government did not of Aboriginal and Torres Strait and non-Indigenous people. It helped The expert panel will include Indigenous under-estimate the challenge of achieving Islander peoples. generate the trust and respect needed and community leaders, constitutional nation-wide consensus. for closing the gap. Constitutional recognition takes time and experts, and parliamentary members. “There are diverse community views will involve a referendum either during the “The recognition of Aboriginal and It will lead a national discussion and and only eight of 44 referendums since current term of the Gillard Government or Torres Strait Islander peoples in the broad consultation during 2011 to build Federation have been successful,” at the next Federal election. Australian Constitution is the next step consensus on the recognition question. she said. on that journey. A referendum is a vote in which all the It will work closely with organisations with To succeed, the referendum must people are asked to accept or reject a “The Government is pursuing an expertise and a history of engagement attract the support of a majority vote question put to them. ambitious agenda to close the gap in on this issues, including the Australian nationally, and a majority of votes in a Indigenous disadvantage, including Human Rights Commission, the National Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that majority of states. constitutional recognition is an important undertaking major reform and delivering Congress of Australia’s First People’s step towards building a nation based on unprecedented investment in early and Reconciliation Australia. A wide range of politicians has expressed strong relationships and mutual respect. education, health, jobs, housing and support for recognising Indigenous The panel, which will report to the services, and infrastructure,” said the Australians in the Constitution. “Recognition will demonstrate that we are Government in December 2011, Prime Minister. a country that is united in acknowledging will consider how best to progress People interested in nominating someone the unique and special place of our first The Government is establishing an expert constitutional recognition of Indigenous for the expert panel can do so by emailing peoples,” said Ms Gillard. panel to help with the process people, and provide possible options [email protected] Indigenous Cup winners

Above left: Kaurna 1/87 defeated Port Augusta 10/86 in Adelaide in the Indigenous Cup played in Adelaide during November. Winner of the Vince Copley Medal was Jamie McCafferty pictured kneeling front left. Above right: The SACA Under 20 squad played in the carnival. The squad includes: Marcus McGregor Cassady (Captain) (16), Ayden McGregor Baptista (13), Ethan Ericson (14), Dylan Fuller (16), Wayne Ericson (12), Dayne Hancock (16), Chris Schilling (15), Anthony Burgoyne (15), Luke Lavender (14), Jason Mamo (14).

Aboriginal Way, December 2010 3 Aboriginal Aboriginal Heritage News Heritage Branch To recognise the importance of Heritage and Native Title being considered together, the Got a Heritage question? Aboriginal Heritage Branch (AHB) of the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (AARD) will have a small section in this newspaper to address what we are doing about important issues. Want to be on our The State Aboriginal Heritage Committee (SAHC) and the AHB are working closely with the distribution mailing list? Congress Heritage Sub-Committee and the South Australia Native Title Services (SANTS). If you answered yes, please contact us by writing, emailing or phoning via the contact From the Chairperson details listed below. Once again it is an honour to speak It is our hope to carry out this sort Manager to the community about Aboriginal of work in many more areas over the Ms Anne Stimson heritage and our activities during years as it a useful way for AARD and [email protected] the last couple of months. Nungas to work closely together for the Ph: (08) 8226 8902 or protection of our cultural heritage. First let me start by paying my deep 0401 124 391 condolences on behalf of the State In the next six months communities Aboriginal Heritage Committee (SAHC) across the State will have a further Heritage Conservation to those families who have recently said opportunity to comment on the Aboriginal Heidi Crow goodbye to loved ones. Heritage Act 1988 as the final leg of [email protected] the consultative process takes place in Ph: (08) 8226 8917 Our world is poorer for the absence of our the early stages of 2011. At this stage friends and we vow to continue to fight it is likely that the meetings will take a Community and to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in different form with locations yet to be Industry Relations South Australia on their behalf. decided. More details will be given to the Ms Meredyth Taylor Above: Syd Sparrow, Chairperson. There has been some important work community closer to the final consultation [email protected] dates. These consultations will again be Ph: (08) 8226 8951 achieved by the staff of the Aboriginal carried out by AARD staff and the Joint Heritage Branch (AHB), Aboriginal Working Party, which is comprised of Affairs and Reconciliation Division Heritage Information members of the Aboriginal Congress of (AARD), Department of the Premier and Management South Australia and the SAHC. Cabinet (DPC) in regards to registering Justin Wearne a large number of sites within the Yorke Finally I pass on seasons greetings from Syd Sparrow [email protected] Peninsula. This has pleased members the SAHC and look forward to speaking Chairperson Ph: (08) 8226 8860 of that community and AHB staff alike. to you again in 2011. State Aboriginal Heritage Committee Register Searches [email protected]

Database of Aboriginal Heritage State Aboriginal Heritage Committee Leata Clarke Groups and Committees [email protected] The Aboriginal Heritage Branch sites and objects. People who are listed that we can update our system. Ph: (08) 8226 6200 maintains a database of Aboriginal on the database as Aboriginal heritage If you would like to discuss the database heritage groups and committees group representatives are included as Fax number of Aboriginal Heritage Groups and for South Australia, this includes a contact on most correspondence we (08) 8226 0390 be included as a representative of a (where possible) the name, email, send to developers, mining companies particular Aboriginal heritage group we address and phone number of and consultants. will need your name, phone number, Location a representative/chairperson State Administration Building, Representatives and chairpersons from email address and postal address. from each group. We often refer Level 13 Aboriginal heritage groups might change developers, mining companies You can contact the Aboriginal Heritage 200 Victoria Square/ or people might move away and so it and archaeology consultants to Branch on 8226 8900 or via email Tarndanyangga is important that we, here in the city, the relevant group by using this [email protected]. ADELAIDE SA 5000 keep our records up to date. If you are a database, so it is vital that it is The postal address is GPO Box 2343, representative of an Aboriginal heritage maintained and up to date. Adelaide SA 5001 Postal address group in South Australia and think that GPO Box 2343 The branch regularly receives requests to you should be included on our database Aboriginal Heritage Branch ADELAIDE SA 5001 search the Register of Aboriginal heritage please feel free to contact the branch so DPC-AARD

This section sponsored by the State Government of South Australia

Spirit Festival The third Spirit Festival will be held in Adelaide in February at a new venue.

The location for the Festival is Mullawirraburka (Rymill Park) and it will be held February 19–27. Expressions of interest from artists and volunteers are being called for. Tandanya is managing the event and is planning some program changes including one major concert on Saturday, February 19. A family fun day will be held on the Sunday, which will include traditional and contemporary dance and song performances throughout the day. Tandanya will present a range of visual arts exhibitions and performances throughout the week as part of the 2011 Spirit Festival.

For more information please contact Carmel Young (08) 8224 3232.

4 Aboriginal Way, December 2010 Protecting rock holes in the Gawler Ranges The Gawler Ranges native title claim group will be the first native title claim group in South Australia to establish a comprehensive, spatial database system for storing and managing their cultural and ecological information.

The database came about during the development of a whole of country management plan for the Gawler Ranges native title claim group.

South Australian Native Title Services continues to develop and deliver a partnership project with the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.

This project centres on the cultural and ecological assessment and protection of rock-holes in the Gawler Ranges.

In 2010 SANTS received funding from the SAAL NRM Board to Above: State Government Ecologist Mel White examining a water sample during the Gawler Ranges rock-hole field work, June 2010. undertake the project in partnership with the Board, the Department for the claim group has held workshops managed by the Aboriginal Heritage Water (previously the Department to develop a database system to meet Branch, SA Museum and State Records. of Water, Land and Biodiversity their needs and aspirations for cultural Importantly the database is designed to Conservation), local pastoralists and information storage and management. be user friendly and to be self managed most importantly the Gawler Ranges by the claimants. The group has also worked with other native title claim group. stakeholders in the SAAL NRM Board The project and the partnership are As with previous activities through and staff of the State Government important to the protection of Aboriginal this project, claimants returned to (Aboriginal Heritage Branch) to ensure heritage and to the exercise of native title country through field work to visit that their database compliments and is rights and interests. these important places and share their consistent with existing ecological and In January 2010, SANTS also submitted knowledge with other experts and jointly cultural databases. a competitive application to the assess rock-hole condition and identify Commonwealth under the Caring for This will allow for information to be management options. our Country program. transferred to and from the Gawler Under the guidance of consultant Ranges database and other information It is hoped that the rock-hole project Troy Maille (Cultural Systems Solutions), management systems such as those will continue through 2011 as a result. Above: Peter De Rose on De Rose Hill Station. Employing Aboriginal Rangers in SA National Parks In July 2009, SANTS was informed for WoC funds to employ claim group Ranges National Park and a Project other Parks within the Gawler Ranges that we had been successful in members as National Park staff within Coordinator in SANTS. claim area. obtaining funding for four years the Gawler Ranges claim area. A steering committee comprised of The Project Coordinator is based in (~$430,000 per year) under the The application required the development Gawler Ranges native title claim group, Adelaide with SANTS and collaborates with Commonwealth’s Working on Country of an innovative partnership with the then SANTS, DENR and the Commonwealth DENR in liaising with the Rangers and Program run through DEWHA. Department of Environment and Heritage was established to oversee the project overseeing their environmental and cultural This program provides funding (now Department of Environment and and formalise the partnership. responsibilities and works program. Natural Resources or DENR) to negotiate specifically for the employment of The three Rangers and the Project The roles of the Rangers include the Aboriginal rangers to work on Aboriginal mechanisms for claimants to work as Coordinator had commenced by March management of environmental values owned or held lands and other tenures DENR employees using DEWHA funds. 2010 to finalise the establishment of the in the Park, visitor and visitor facility such as National Parks. SANTS secured WoC funding to project. The three Rangers are all based management, the recording of Traditional SANTS, in collaboration with the Gawler employee three Aboriginal Rangers as at Wudinna, working out of the Gawler Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and the Ranges native title claim group, applied DENR employees to work in the Gawler Ranges National Park and servicing the identification, assessment and protection of culturally significant areas.

In their first year, the Rangers have also undertaken various training in Park management and other activities to meet Government and legislative requirements.

This project is making an important contribution to the exercising and protection of native title rights and interests and the protection of country.

Employment is also a strong aspiration for many native title claim groups and this project is providing such an opportunity. It is hoped that SANTS in conjunction with native title claim groups and DENR can expand on this project

Above: National Park Senior Ranger Ken Smith employed under the Working on Country project in the Gawler Ranges with Commonwealth Government and develop similar opportunities representative, Rob Walter, at Lake Gairdner. elsewhere in the State.

Aboriginal Way, December 2010 5 Christmas period Funding boost for better contact numbers quality food for APY Lands Food production, preparation, It will provide the opportunity for Christmass i not always a happy time for everyone. For those people nutrition and education will be community members to sign up to feeling isolated or in need of some company or assistance the the focus of a new strategy aimed regular sessions and learn more about at improving the quality of food healthy eating and food preparation. following services may help you. available on the APY Lands. This initiative will focus on helping Crisis Care 13 1611 The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and support people to create healthy Reconciliation, Grace Portolesi has meals for their families announced the Anangu The Arid Lands Garden/Horticulture Lifeline 13 1114 Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands Food Security Project: will establish raised garden Strategic Plan 2011–2016. beds utilising arid- gardens horticultural Child Abuse Report Line 13 1478 The strategy will bring together a techniques at and Sandy Bore. variety of government and non As part of this food production trial, Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 800 098 government programs and will provide run by the Department of Environment a further $820,000 over two years for and Natural Resources, a quandong new initiatives. Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 plantation will be established inside the The Minister witnessed first hand how fenced effluent ponds at Pipalyatjara. Mental Health Assessment and expensive food was and it’s poor quality The Come and Cook with Your during a visit to the APY Lands in May Crisis Intervention Service 13 1456 Kids – School Holiday Program: will 2010 and vowed to address the problem. target school aged children and involve Veterans & Veterans “During my first visit to the Lands I was their families. The program will provide Families Counselling Service 1800 011 046 struck by the price and poor quality nutritional education, food preparation of the fresh food available and I made skills and involve the daily preparation a commitment to work with the local of meals that are then consumed. people, government and non government Children will also experience growing a agencies to improve this situation,” fresh food they can then eat or take home. Ms Portolesi said. The Australian Red Cross will be one “While we have made significant gains Christmas meals of the key organisations involved in in closing the gap in some areas, the running two of the new initiatives. health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people The following organisations will be open on living on the APY Lands can be vastly These Food Security initiatives are Christmas Day 2010, offering a Christmas meal: improved by increasing the availability complimentary to the existing nine and consumption of healthy foods. breakfast programs throughout the Byron Place Community Centre APY Lands that Red Cross supports. “Access to good quality, affordable, Openn o Christmas Day 8am – 11.30am nutritious food is fundamental for overall “To ensure whole-of-government for homeless or disadvantaged people health and wellbeing and the APY Food coordination and action on the strategy, – Christmas brunch provided from 10am Security Strategic Plan will help us deliver an APY Food Security Executive Action better options on the Lands.” 61–67 Byron Place, Adelaide SA 5000 Team (APY-EAT) will be established. Tel. 8217 9600 The strategy includes three new “This team will also involve the initiatives that focus on food production, Commonwealth Government and be Gawler Community House food preparation skills, nutrition and responsible and accountable for education and these will build on the progress in the implementation of Christmas lunch provided from 12 noon – 2.30pm programs already run on the Lands. the Plan. Gawler Elderly Centre, 37 Fourteenth Street, Gawler South “The new initiatives will be undertaken It will also pursue new initiatives Tel. 8522 4601 in partnership with Aboriginal people, and evaluate the outcomes of these government agencies and the non- new programs. Hutt Street Centre government sector and align with “The strategy also brings together the the priorities set out through the Openn o Christmas Day from 9am – 1pm. current South Australian Government COAG national partnership with the Christmas lunch provided from 11am investment in programs that improve Commonwealth Government.” 258 Hutt Street, Adelaide 5000 food security, nutrition and related health outcomes on the APY Lands. Tel. 8418 2500 The new initiatives are: Cooking and Eating Together: a “Effective food security and Maughan Church community education program focusing improvements in nutrition on the APY on healthy eating and nutrition. It is an Lands requires effort across policy, Christmas Day tea at 5.30pm for people intensive community-based nutrition governance and service delivery and who would otherwise be alone program that will be conducted in this strategy tackles food security on Way Hall, 10 Pitt Street, Adelaide 5000 various locations across the Lands. all three levels.” Tel. 8202 5832

St Lukes Whitmore Square Open for usual services until Friday 24 December 2010. AGM elects new Providing lunch on Christmas Day from 11.30am – all welcome 35 Whitmore Square, Adelaide 5000 SANTS board Tel. 8231 4149 The new chairperson of the Sansbury, who was the inaugural SANTS Westcare board of South Australian Native chairperson. Mr Sansbury remains on Title Services is Lucy Evans. the board as a director. Allan Hunter Providing a Christmas meal from 12 noon for people has been elected as Deputy Chair. The who are disadvantaged or isolated Ms Evans was elected chairperson at other directors are Ian Proctor, Andrea the SANTS Annual General Meeting held Nicholls, Paul Case (Treasurer) and newly 216 Wright Street, Adelaide 5000 on 29 November. Ms Evans, a appointed Jacqui Nelson (Secretary). Tel. 8231 2850 woman, from Terowie was previously Ms Nelson replaced Darcy O’Shea. a board director. She replaces Tauto The board meets bi-monthly.

6 Aboriginal Way, December 2010 Congress Nominations re-open The National Congress of “Membership is still free, so sign up Australia’s First Peoples has opened today,” said Dr Arabena. nominations to elect for the first Mr Jeffries said he was proud of the time its Co-Chairs who will lead the enormous amount of work that had organisation over the next two years. been achieved to bring the Congress Nominations have opened for Congress to this point. members to nominate as Co-Chair and “We already have a very healthy and as one of the 120 delegates to the first strong membership base which will deliver national forum in Sydney in June 2011. a good cross section of candidates.

The current Co-Chairs Kerry Arabena and “When you combine our individual Above:r D Kerry Arabena, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue and Sam Saffries at the Adelaide information meeting Sam Jeffries encouraged the community members and organisations, we will of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. to become members and nominate. already represent thousands of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people. “It has been a great honour for the current Directors to help establish the “The work of the first Congress meeting is one of the most important priorities Aboriginal Lands Trust Congress,” said Dr Arabena. for the Congress. “The success of the Congress and the review “The delegates and the newly elected calibre of our delegates and Board can National Board of Directors will chart a A consultation paper on the review consultation paper is part of our only be as good as our membership. course and set our agenda for the next of the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act commitment to ensuring this occurs. two years. 1966 has been released by the “To have a direct say and the chance “There will be a variety of public meetings to stand for election, you must be a Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and “We know there are many accomplished in regional and metropolitan communities Reconciliation Grace Portolesi. member of the Congress. and emerging leaders in our and I encourage all interested people to make submissions or attend the communities, it is now time to stand The review of the act is already underway “Our membership is always open consultation meetings.” for election and build on the good work and the consultation paper brings but if you want to stand as one of the together the initial round of public already underway,”said Mr Jeffries. The review was implemented to ensure Co-Chairs or be a delegate you must consultation and sets out the vision for the Aboriginal Lands Trust reflects the apply for membership and nominate Information packs are available from the a modern and reinvigorated Aboriginal aspirations of Aboriginal people around before February 11th 2011. website www.nationalcongress.com.au Lands Trust. self-determination and independence.

“The review of the Aboriginal Lands “This review will allow the Aboriginal Trust Act is an important step Lands Trust to move towards a more towards a stronger, independent, strategic role in assisting Aboriginal First National Congress effective Aboriginal Lands Trust,” people to manage lands and Ms Portolesi said. strengthen its governance structures,” Ms Portolesi said. meeting: June 2011 “It is important for all voices to be heard in every step of this review The public consultation period ends on There are different info packs for each Dear Members process and the release of this January 31, 2011. of the positions open for nomination: Applications are now open for Delegates Chambers 1 & 2 (Organisations), to the first annual meeting of the National Congress of Australia’s First Chamber 3 (Individuals) and one for Peoples Ltd (National Congress). standing for Co-Chair.

Applications are also open to stand for Inside the packs you will find: Stay in touch election as one of the two Co-Chairs • A nomination form (one male & one female). • Membership forms Name: ______The first full meeting of the National Congress will take place in Sydney, • A National Police Check Application Address:______NSW, from 07 to 09 June 2011. form (the Congress pays the fee and submits the form) ______Information and forms can be downloaded from our website • A Declaration of fitness to hold ______Postcode:______www.nationalcongress.com.au office form Phone:______By being a delegate to the National • A Policy document outlining the Congress, you will have the opportunity roles and responsibilities for each Email: ______to participate in the development of a of the positions national policy agenda for Indigenous DX no:______issues and be part of a new and exciting You need to complete and submit all No of copies:______organisation that will advocate on behalf forms by close of business on 11th of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander February 2011. No late or incomplete peoples across the country. applications will be accepted. Is this an alteration to our current records? Yes o N After nominating, a vetting process will You also need two referees to endorse Would you like to be added to the mailing list? Yes o N take place that includes a National Police your nomination. Check and a fitness to hold office test by Would you like to be sent regular If you have any questions please email: the Ethics Council. information about SANTS? Yes o N [email protected] All successful Delegates will be advised ISSUE3 4 of their participation in April next year. Good luck with your nomination.

Aboriginal Way, December 2010 7 Desert Country: Aboriginal artists in major exhibition A major exhibition at the Art Gallery The Desert Country exhibition continues The curator of the exhibition, Nici of South Australia is showcasing the the Art Gallery’s pioneering tradition Cumpston, hopes that beyond its artistic diversity of desert art and charting in the area of Indigenous art. goals, the exhibition will also be a step the evolution of Australia’s most forward to improved race relations The Gallery was the first cultural influential art movement. with the wider Australian community. institution to purchase a work by an Desert Country is running at the Art Indigenous artists ( “Desert Country allows us into an ancient SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Gallery until January 26 before it will go in 1939) and in 1981, became the first existence and to witness history through NATIVE TITLE SERVICES on tour through regional Victoria, New to start collecting western desert the contemporary art of the oldest living South Wales, Queensland and Western ‘dot’ painting. culture in the world. Taking the time to Australia. learn the stories behind the paintings is Art Gallery Director, Nick Mitzevich one of the ways that enables us all to Level 4 All the works on display in Desert Country says, “without a doubt, desert painting understand this culture and to enhance 345 King William Street are drawn entirely from the extensive is Australia’s single most significant our respect for it, “ she said. Adelaide SA 5000 holdings of Aboriginal art from the contribution to the art world and it Pictured: below: Art Gallery. deserves to be celebrated.” Australia, 1969 Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia 100 paintings are on display, from the “I am very proud that the Art Gallery of Ngayuku ngura – My country Editor watercolours of Albert Namatjira to the South Australia is continuing to lead the 2010, Amata, South Australia synthetic polymer paint on linen Parry Agius ground-breaking canvases of the Papunya way in the promotion of Aboriginal art, 152.5 x 101.5 cm Tula artists, and the latest stunning works by being the first to document the rise d’Auvergne Boxall Bequest Fund 2010 Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide to emerge from the APY Lands. of the desert art movement,” he said. © Tjungkara Ken, Courtesy of Journalist Lesley Johns

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Above: Staff and children from the Kura Yerlo Children’s Centre.

8 Aboriginal Way, December 2010