December eNews ANTaR National Forum First Peoples Assembly announced Indigenous voice to parliament Dozens of sites added to map of Aboriginal Massacres ANTaR National Forum Over the weekend, ANTaR National held their annual end of year forum. This year, ANTaR Victoria had the pleasure of co hosting the event in Melbourne. As well as members of the public, representatives from each state ANTaR group came together to learn about Treaty – nationally and state wide. The day included academic Professor, Kirsty Gover discussing the complexities of sovereignty, particularly in the case of Australia, where sovereignty has never been ceded or properly negotiated between First Australians and the commonwealth. We also heard from Taungurung man and First Nations Assembly representative, Marcus Stewart about the journey of the Victorian Treaty. Finally, questions were put to a panel of Kirsty and Marcus alongside Larrakia, Wadjigan & Central Arrente man and Fellow of Melbourne University, Eddie Cubillo, who has done significant work in the justice space in the Northern Territory and in Victoria. While we are closely observing the Treaty process in Victoria, conversation around a National Treaty remains lively. You can find out more here. Speakers announced for Treaty Summit 2020 Anticipation is growing for the National Treaty Summit which will be hosted in Melbourne over 3 days in April next year. Speakers will include Professor Mick Dodson AM, Tony McAvoy, Patrick Dodson and Linda Burney MP, Justice Jo Williams, Peter Yu and Dr Jackie Huggins. More speakers to be announced The early bird special will be available until February 2020. Find out more here. First Peoples Assembly announced Aboriginal Victorians’ votes have been counted and the 21 people on the First Peoples Assembly have been announced. The Assembly will lead negotiations for the next part of the Treaty process. The first meeting of the Assembly will be on 10 December. Read more about the election results here and about the next steps here. Click here to listen to Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher and newly elected Gunditjmara woman, Sissy Austin discuss the election outcome and what happens from here. Deaths in custody Outrage over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody continues as 19-year-old Warlpiri man, Kumanjayi Walker, was shot in police custody in the Indigenous community of Yuendumu earlier this month. The latest Aboriginal death sparked wide spread anger and protests across the country. A Northern Territory police officer, Zachary Rolfe, has been charged with murdering the 19-year-old Warlpiri man. During one of the protest in Alice Springs, Warlpiri elder Harry Jakamarra Nelson told the crowd: “Please, we come in peace. We want to know the truth. No more lies. That incident last week hit us like a rocket. We didn’t know what to do, we were shocked.” To read more about the rally and responses from Alice Springs regarding the shooting from Elders, NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner, NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker and others here. To Learn more about what will happen now that the charges have been laid against NT Police Officer, Zachary Rolfe click here. Listen to Walpiri Elder Ned Hargraves, local independent MP Scott McConnell and other community members discuss the shooting, a potential ban on police carrying guns and the location of the upcoming trial of the police officer charged with the Kumanjayi Walker’s murder. So what happens next? Here is an article on the follow up investigation. In this piece, by Melinda Hinkson, she shares her views on how police culture must change. First meeting to co-design Indigenous voice to parliament The senior advisory group to co-design the Indigenous voice to Government held its first meeting in Canberra this month. The group is made up of 19 people appointed by Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt who has urged the group to take hold of the “moment in time” before them to change the lives of Indigenous Australians. Ken Wyatt has already seen backlash due to taking a constitutionally enshrined voice to parliament off the table. Read more about the advisory group’s meeting here and Minister Wyatt’s plan for the voice here. Researchers add dozens of sites to map of Aboriginal killings Fifty three new sites have been added to the Colonial Frontier Massacres map by the researchers behind the project. The map documents the massacres of at least 8,400, mainly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people by colonists between 1788 and 1930. Learn more about the new sites added to the map press here. Events Connections: Stories People Place Thursday December 5, 7:30pm Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, 35-37 Castella St, Lilydale For more than 40,000 years the unique landscape of the Yarra Ranges region has been a source of spiritual and physical power. Now the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum is home to an exhibition that displays diverse items from our collection, information about the unique landscape of the Yarra Ranges, the supportive relationship between surrounding the industries, and insight into the people who have made this beautiful region their home. Click here to find out more about this event. A Very Koorie Krismas 2019 Sunday, 8 December 2019, 11am-4pm Federation Square, Melbourne This year’s Koorie Krismas will be a host to some fantastic market stalls and workshops for everyone to come and experience. The festive event will include live performances throughout out the day from rising stars big names such as Alice Skye, Culture Evolves, Carissa Watts, Djirri Djirri Dance Group and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects. For more information click here. Our mailing address is: ANTaR Victoria 67 Brunswick St Fitzroy, VIC 3065 Australia |