Yanner attacks Australia Day plan
By Ashleigh Wilson
24jan03
FIERY Aboriginal activist Murrandoo Yanner has denounced Aboriginal involvement in Australia Day, saying there is no reason for indigenous people to celebrate when they find themselves excluded for the rest of the year.
The former ATSIC commissioner said yesterday January 26 should remain as "invasion day" until indigenous inequalities were overcome.
"What the hell is there to celebrate on one day of the year when the other 364 days in the year you're f...ed over by the same system you're celebrating?" Mr Yanner said yesterday from Burketown in north-west Queensland.
"We have got nothing to celebrate other than survival. So f... Australia Day."
Mr Yanner's comments were in response to Brisbane Council of Elders chairman Herb Bligh who has urged Aborigines to take part in official Australia Day celebrations this weekend in the name of reconciliation.
Mr Bligh stood by his comments yesterday and said he had received a lot of support for his position.
Mr Bligh, who says Aboriginal participation in the Australia Day ceremony is "long overdue", has been supported by north Queensland ATSIC leader Terry O'Shane, who says the past should be left behind.
But Mr Yanner said the only Aboriginal people embracing Australia Day were those who had benefited from the system.
"It's alright if you've done well," he said.
"But you won't see too many poor blackfellas saying let's celebrate Australia Day."
Mr Yanner said indigenous people needed to be properly included in the country's economic, social and political systems.
He said a treaty between black and white Austraia would help reverse some of the damage.
"It would show that despite the past we can live together for the future and be one," he said.
"That will give everyone cause to celebrate."
ATSIC deputy chairman "Sugar" Ray Robinson yesterday said Mr O'Shane and Mr Bligh did not have wide support in their push to embrace Australia Day.
He said the majority of Aboriginal people he knew regarded January 26 as "invasion day".
"You can move on, but there's no reason to celebrate," Mr Robinson said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5882002%255E421,00 .html
