Aboriginal Way Issue: 41, June 2010 A publication of South Australian Native Title Services Be the change; I am the change The theme of this years Reconciliation Week was Be the change; I am the change. Sorry Day was recognised on 26 May with a special event at Tarndanyangga (Victoria Square) where students from Alberton Primary School were among the performers more photos inside National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples A new era in Australian Indigenous Dr Kerry Arabena affairs is upon us with the and Mr Sam establishment of the National Jeffries are the Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. inaugural fulltime Co-Chairs and The NCAFP was announced on 2 May, are joined by NATIONAL CONGRESS OF effectively giving Aboriginal and Torres AUSTRALIA’S FIRST PEOPLES Strait Islander peoples their first real fellow directors: national voice since the demise of ATSIC, Ms Josephine Bourne, Professor Peter some five years ago. Buckskin, Mr Ned David, Professor Colleen Hayward, Mr Klynton Wanganeen The announcement was made in Sydney and Ms Daphne Yarram. at Australian Hall, the site of the historic rights campaign meeting – the 1938 Dr Arabena told Aboriginal Way she Aborigines Conference. was humbled by the opportunity to be involved in such an historic movement. Eight Indigenous people, including two South Australians, will lead the National “I feel deeply honoured to be part of this,” Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Above: The Inaugural Directors of the NCAFP. Back – Left to right: Ms Daphne Yarram, Professor Peter she said. Buckskin, Professor Colleen Hayward, Mr Ned David, Mr Klynton Wanganeen and Ms Josephine Bourne. (NCAFP) in it’s establishment phase. Front – Left to right: Dr Kerry Arabena and Mr Sam Jeffries. continued on page 3 Inside: Learning leadership skills on Kokoda Track 6 Sorry Day 2010: Respecting the Stolen Generations 10 Power Cup helps students with their studies 14 PMM0002 AW0510_art.indd 1 17/06/10 9:52 PM Parry’s view South Australian native National Congress of Australia’s title claims update First Peoples Adnyamathanha First Peoples of the River It is time for Aboriginal Affairs Flinders Ranges Murray and Mallee Region in Australia to step into the Part settled through approved Riverland and Murray Mallee Region determination, March 2009 In mediation: Federal Court. 21st century. Balance of claim in mediation: Federal Gawler Ranges For too long the voices of Aboriginal Court/National Native Title Tribunal. North of Eyre Peninsula and Torres Strait Islanders have largely Adnyamathanha 3 In mediation: National Native gone unheard. And it’s not because Flinders Ranges Title Tribunal. we’ve been whispering, it’s because Not in mediation. people haven’t known who to listen to. Kaurna Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Fleurieu Peninsula north to Not since Amanda Vanstone Coober Pedy area Port Broughton dismantled ATSIC in June 2004 has In mediation: Federal Court/ In mediation: National Native there been a national Indigenous National Native Title Tribunal. Title Tribunal. voice. The loss of the national voice Arabunna Kokatha Uwankara left many Aboriginal communities Central SA including Lake Eyre Lake Torrens Region In mediation: Federal Court/ feeling left out of “mainstream” Not in mediation. Australia and of the decision-making National Native Title Tribunal. Nauo-Barngarla processes that affect our lives. Barngarla Eyre Peninsula Eyre Peninsula In effect, Aboriginal people felt silenced. In mediation: National Native Directions hearing August 2010 Title Tribunal. The proposal of a new voice – and possible programming to trial. the National Congress of Australia’s Ngarrindjeri Dieri River Murray, Lakes and First Peoples – sounds like a good Central SA, east of Lake Eyre Coorong Region idea, as long as we get the structure In mediation: Federal Court. right, use resources effectively to In mediation: National Native Dieri 2 bring all Australians together and Title Tribunal. Eastern SA north of Lake Frome as long as we listen to the voices In mediation: Federal Court. Nukunu of Indigenous Australia. Spencer Gulf Region Eringa Directions hearing August 2010 This is a starting point and time Above: SANTS CEO, Mr Parry Agius. Far north SA including part and possible programming to trial is needed for the Congress to of Witjira National Park if we are given the tools to allow us to of area that overlaps Barngarla. grow, refine and define it’s role and Area over Witjira National Park position. The Congress is a long drive the solutions. settled through approved Wangkangurru/Yarluyandi Simpson Desert region, term proposition and there should We have a diversity of challenges determination (September 2008) In mediation: Federal Court/ extending into QLD not be any expectation of overnight before us. Health, employment, National Native Title Tribunal. In mediation: Federal Court/ change or short term success. housing, education are just a few of National Native Title Tribunal. Eringa 2 In my opinion the body needs the big ones. The Congress will need a diversity of people, with a range of Far north SA including part Wirangu 2 to be more about professional experience and expertise to contribute of Witjira National Park Eyre Peninsula and West Coast policy development and less about In mediation: National Native to the debate required to set the Area over Witjira National Park politics. It needs to listen to the settled through approved Title Tribunal. agendas for change. local community before it makes determination (September 2008) Yandruwandha/Yawarrawarrka representations to the policy makers. The Congress membership should In mediation: Federal Court/ Innamincka area also be diverse with a range of experts National Native Title Tribunal. The national body needs to be a Not in mediation. and community leaders. And it should partner of government, but also Far West Coast also have the potential to identify Information provided by the National Native of the Indigenous community. The Far west coast SA Title Tribunal – visit www.nntt.gov.au for more and foster young leaders from within national body should have the scope In mediation: Federal Court. about native title. Indigenous communities. and power to reinforce the cultural values and integrity of Aboriginal There’s no doubt in my mind that a people as a people that can engage Congress is a proper way to proceed. sensibly and coherently with any In South Australia we have a Congress Narungga language Australian, any Australian institution of Native Title Management Committees and any commercial business. that was established to provide a “united voice” to government. The Congress is alive and growing To become a trusted adviser to brings the opinions of their communities governments, the body must first be The Narungga language, once “The first graduates of the new Narungga to the table and government and other trusted by Indigenous communities. in danger of being lost – is having language course included five teachers native title stakeholders have a body a resurgence through a partnership who have since incorporated what they’ve Indigenous communities across from which they can receive advice between the Narungga Aboriginal learnt into lessons at schools in Kadina, our nation face many challenges; and guidance about Aboriginal policy Progress Association and local schools. Moonta, Maitland and Stansbury,” Mr Weatherill said. challenges that have been generations matters. It works. School teachers, senior secondary students in the making, challenges that may and interested community members The new course follows the publication of A new national body can also take generations to solve. have been participating in four week-long a Narungga dictionary, grammar book and work if we proceed with caution workshops where they learn about the series of storybooks which were developed Indigenous communities want to solve and learn from the mistakes of the Narungga language and culture. by NAPA with a community linguist. these problems. We want to find past. A national Indigenous voice According to Education Minister Jay A book of speeches to be used at public the solutions to overcome poverty, must be allowed to be heard – Weatherill 16 Yorke Peninsula locals have occasions and a book explaining the inequality and injustice. We will do so for the sake of all. completed the course and another 18 are complex Narungga kinship system and enrolled this year. its terminology have also been released. 2 Aboriginal Way, June 2010 PMM0002 AW0510_art.indd 2 17/06/10 9:52 PM The changing face of Aboriginal Affairs Grace Portolesi is the new face of Aboriginal Affairs in South Australia. Minister Portolesi grew up in Adelaide, the youngest child of Since becoming Minister for Aboriginal Affairs a large migrant Italian family. and Reconciliation she has hit the ground running, meeting key Aboriginal leaders She studied public policy and and travelling to Aboriginal communities. government and Flinders University. The Minister told Aboriginal Way she had In the early 1990s, she moved a lot to learn and that she is committed to Queensland where she worked to making improvements in the lives of as an advisor to then Premier of Aboriginal people in South Australia. Queensland Wayne Goss. “It is an honour and privilege to be She returned to Adelaide some serving in this portfolio,” she said. years later to work as a policy advisor to then-Opposition Leader Ms Portolesi shows signs of grit and Mike Rann, and when Labor won determination. At the 26 May Sorry Day government in 2002, worked for gathering in Adelaide she told the crowd then-Minister for Families and that “saying sorry isn’t enough”. Community Services Jay Weatherill. “Although sorry is the hardest word, Minister Portolesi has been a vocal it simply is a down payment, a promise Above: Getting down to business. Left to right: Milyika Paddy, Chairperson for Kalka Community, Molly Miller, supporter of paid maternity leave, to make things better.” Executive member for Ananguku Arts and Culture Aboriginal Corporation and Minister Portolesi discuss life and established a select committee on the Lands.