Standing against the NT Intervention - Voices for self-determination

Monday April 14 6pm Redfern Community Centre
BBQ provided

Speakers include:
* Vince Forrester - Elder from Mutitjulu community
* Monique Wiseman - Aboriginal Rights Coalition activist, recently
returned from solidarity work in Darwin town camps
* Darren Dick, HREOC

Two months after Kevin Rudd's apology to the stolen generation, a new
wave of dispossession in sweeping through the Northern Territory.

The NT intervention has introduced a punitive welfare regime and seen
the closure of many services in remote communities. Large numbers of
people are being forced into the major urban centres, where they can
not access employment or accommodation. Last Thursday and Friday in
Alice Springs, a "special police operation" targeting "anti-social
behaviour" (ie Aboriginal people in public spaces) saw 188 people
taken into custody.

Vince Forrester is a long time land rights activist and Aboriginal
leader. He is from Mutitjulu, a proud community whose demonisation
paved the way to the federal intervention. He will discuss the
devastating impact this policy is having on his people - from the
intimidating police raids through to the closure of the local high
school and health care facilities. He will also discuss strategies for
reasserting self-determination and campaigning to seriously address
disadvantage.

Monique Wiseman has recently returned from Darwin. She will speak
about the deteriorating conditions in Darwin's town camps, whose
populations have doubled through the intervention as people are forced
in from remote communities.

This forum will also provide an opportunity to talk about the way
forward for the campaign against the Northern Territory intervention.
The Aboriginal Rights Coalition is preparing for a national conference
in May. We are also building for mass rallies on June 21, marking one
year since the intervention.

Come along, here the stories first hand and get involved in the campaign!

For more info see: aboriginalrightscoalition.wordpress.com
Contact: Greg Eatock 0432050240 Paddy Gibson 0415800586

Students of Sustainability 2008

Students Of Sustainability 2008
July 5th-9th: Newcastle, New South Wales

Students of Sustainability (SoS) is a five day camping conference for anyone interested in creating a more ecologically and socially sustainable world.

SoS '08 will be held at the University of Newcastle, from the 5th - 9th July, on the lands of the Pambalong, Awabakal and Woroni peoples. 

At SoS, students and environmental activists are given the opportunity to learn from the stories and struggles of Traditional Owners from many nations around Australia. As campaigners for social and environmental justice, it is important for us to recognise the past and ongoing custodianship of this land, and to stand in solidarity with Traditional Owners who continue to fight for clean country and strong culture. Forums such as SoS are an important place to gather, share stories and plan campaigns in support of real sustainability and sovereignty for indigenous Australians.

To assist indigenous delegates attending SoS, a reduced or waived fee for conference registration will be offered, along with transport and accommodation assistance for speakers and presenters. We are hoping that delegates from many nations, including those far from the east coast, will be able to come to SoS 2008; there are many ways that you can help to make this a reality.

What you can do:
- Organise transport for your state network or collective to get to SoS 2008
- Invite indigenous students from your campus or school to come to SoS
- Fundraise to assist Traditional Owners from your area attending SoS
- Talk to Traditional Owners in your area about their campaigns, issues and struggles, and how your collectives can help.

For more information:
www.studentsofsustainability.org