Aboriginal Way Issue: 44, May 2011 A publication of South Australian Native Title Services Feeling the Vibe Full story and more photos on page 10 Above: South Australian soccer star Travis Dodd and artist and comedian Kevin Kropinyeri were on hand to support the National Indigenous 3on3 Basketball and Hop Hop Challenge, the Vibe 3on3 held at Murray Bridge. De Rose Hill authorises first native title compensation application An application for compensation for The De Rose Hill determination did not lost native title rights will be made by extend to areas in which native title was the native title holders of De Rose Hill. ‘extinguished’. They are portions of the Stuart Highway and the Alice Springs- It is the first time in South Australia that Tarcoola Railway that traverses the such an application has been made and determination area, a freehold block marks the start of an important new chapter of land, and a carpark/rest-stop that for the De Rose Hill native title holders. abuts the Stuart Highway. The compensation application was As a result, it is now necessary to seek authorised by the De Rose Hill-Ilpalka native title compensation for those Aboriginal Corporation (DRHIAC) Annual (and other) acts that have ‘extinguished’ General Meeting. native title. DRHIAC is the Prescribed Body Corporate What is native title compensation? for Native Title Determination SAD6001/ Compensation is money or benefits for 1996 better know as the De Rose Hill things that have hurt and damaged you. native title claim. Accordingly, native title compensation is In June 2005, native title was found to money or benefits for things that have exist in De Rose Hill. hurt and damaged your native title rights and interests. This was the first native title determination in South Australia. Above:e D Rose Hill Aboriginal Corporation Annual General Meeting was held in Umuwa in March. continued on page 5 Inside: p Give u smokes for good 4 Mari Yerta 8 First Aboriginal Rhodes scholar 11 Ife w find the need to restructure our organisation at the local level? How They include: existing frameworks; would you be willing would a non government super Aboriginal A. Establishing an Independent to work side by side with government community organisation deliver services, Parry’s Aboriginal Authority and the Aboriginal community to achieve how can the current level of expertise positive change in the way we deliver from the Aboriginal community be placed We recommend that an Independent view services from both government and the into a single super Aboriginal community Aboriginal Authority be established Aboriginal community? organization? What will it look like, what to ensure Aboriginal control and will it do and how will it achieve it’s goals. management of Aboriginal Heritage in the Government regularly reviews its own State. This Authority would have many services and makes changes to way it I look forward to the discussion. I’m of the powers that the Minister currently delivers services to the South Australian certain that it will create debate in the has. Importantly, the Authority would be: community. community and hopefully there will be a lot of ideas and solutions put forward. • Independent Governments do reduce or amalgamate • Controlled by Aboriginal members the number of government departments, Change – while it may not be comfortable, • Representative of Aboriginal advisory boards, schools. We have it most certainly is necessary. communities recently witnessed the Rann Government Aboriginal Heritage B. Developing a planning framework create new super government for Heritage management departments, super schools and super Aboriginal Heritage all too often ends up health services centres. as a news item in the media – usually as The Joint Heritage Committees think that a negative story. a planning approach to heritage will be When was the last time the delivery of Above: SANTS CEO, Mr Parry Agius. more effective than relying on penalties government funded services in Aboriginal Recently we’ve seen two such stories – and sanctions in the current Act. This organisations was strategically and one over the discovery of remains during Change is something that makes approach will mean that developers will significantly reviewed? the earthworks for the $291 million many people feel uncomfortable. Seaford Rail Extension, the second over have to make a Heritage Plan before What is stopping the Aboriginal community undertaking work avoid or minimise We all like familiar structures, places, clearances at the new Royal Adelaide from working with governments in damage to Heritage. The Aboriginal faces and processes – they make us Hospital site. reviewing how change could occur? Authority will have the right to approve, feel safe. Sadly, when these matters are brought modify or reject the plan. The Plan can Why shouldn’t government funded But sometimes we need to step outside to the attention of the public, the then be negotiated, and if necessary, Aboriginal communities be subject to our comfort zones and explore new government wants to find a “quick fix”, to mediated between developers and local change and find better ways to improve possibilities. And I believe one of those get the story out of the headlines and to Aboriginal groups. This way heritage services, to make Aboriginal community times is upon us. move forward. protection is considered up front in any organisations more efficient? development. We all know, Aboriginal people and the I acknowledge that these issues are real The willingness of the Rann Government wider South Australian community, and need to be addressed. C. Use Local Organisations to to acknowledge the many changes that that Aboriginal Affairs in this state identify Heritage interests have occurred in recent history and look Short-term solutions might fix the rail could be so much better leading to at how best to plan for the future by extension and hospital problems, but In the current Act, the Minister identifies a positive and commanding lifestyle means of legislative review processes we must take a bigger-picture look at ‘traditional owners’ to consider heritage based on personal wealth, community whole Aboriginal Heritage scene. We provides the context for broader concerns. This approach has proved wealth, self-reliance, self-sufficiency need standards, common and workable examination of holistic changes to difficult as it has not provided certainty and personal strategies. processes and procedures. Aboriginal Affairs. or direction with respect to identifying How could the above vision be realised. the right people to speak for country. A robust assessment of current There is a need for a credible framework What would we all need to do? that guides how Aboriginal people, structures and practices to improve The Joint Heritage Committees believe government Ministers, government What will Aboriginal Affairs look like policy and service delivery outcomes that Registered Local Aboriginal departments, developers and proponents in 15 years time, will there be an fits with the Government’s agenda and Organisations should be recognised need to work to show respect to and increase in self-reliant communities provides an unprecedented opportunity and registered as the contact point for for Aboriginal culture & heritage, for and self-reliant individuals? to make positive meaningful change Aboriginal Heritage decision making everyone Aboriginal and non Aboriginal for Aboriginal people in South Australia processes. These organisations will be Will we see a reduction and to engage with each other with integrity as Aboriginal people move from responsible for advising the Authority on reliance in the number of Aboriginal and creditability. If we all fail to behave dispossession to land ownership, identifying the right people to participate organisations? appropriately; the loser will be the integrity self-determination and self-sufficiency. in any decisions made in regard to of Aboriginal culture and the breakdown of What will small community towns, or Aboriginal Heritage and will bring together relationships between Aboriginal people rural and regional centres look like Heritage and Native Title interests. and non-Aboriginal people. with fewer Aboriginal organisations But sometimes we D. Widen the definition of Heritage delivering services? need to step outside Aboriginal Heritage for too long has been on the back-burner – there’s no- The current Act defines Aboriginal Will there be fewer organisations our comfort zones one really to blame for this, there has Heritage as sites, objects and remains. competing for government resources and explore new often just been other matters needing We believe that the definition of Aboriginal (grants)? more urgent attention. possibilities. And I Heritage should be much wider than this Could there be amalgamations, We need to take Aboriginal Heritage to include knowledge, all waters and re-framing and disbanding of believe one of those off the back-burner and get things land, plants, animals, natural resources, Aboriginal organisations? times is upon us. happening, so that the ‘bad headlines’ are repatriation and more. Will government and Aboriginal people a thing of the past. This needs to happen I believe this framework is a good in partnership be able to create new A legislative and administrative regime now – not next week, not next year, or for starting point for the Government to structures to deliver services? that is equipped to face the challenges the next election. This government can start making change to the legislation. do the right thing and still achieve the and opportunities that stem from the We need to fix Aboriginal Heritage in this With fewer Aboriginal organisations will goal of building the economy of South fundamental changes in the socio-political state, to put an end to the uncertainty there be a reduction in the burden on Australia at the same time as ensuring landscape is a necessary tool in realising and bad headlines. the South Australian taxpayers? Aboriginal heritage. opportunities for Aboriginal South Aboriginal Leadership From your perspective what would Australians and in meeting these challenges.