- Liam ___________________________ . In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse http://itsoch.hypermart.net KOLA Action Group http://kola-hq.hypermart.net .___________________________ -----Original Message----- From: WebCentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, February 11, 1999 2:59 PM Subject: [atsic] Speech by ATSIC Chairman Gatjil Djerrkura at the Inaugural Australian National Earth Charter Forum >Social Values and the Earth Charter > >Speech by > ATSIC Chairman Gatjil Djerrkura >at the >Inaugural Australian National Earth Charter Forum > >5-6 February 1999 > > >Thank you for the opportunity to speak at this forum. > >As is my custom let me begin by acknowledging the Ngunawal people. > >They are the traditional owners of this region. > >I'm told I only have a few minutes available to me today. > >I do not need any longer. > >The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission is happy to support the >principles underlying the proposed Earth Charter with a degree of caution. > >No-one could disagree with the principle of "sustainable development." > >We are all about forming partnerships with those who understand our need for >recognition and respect. > >The land is our life. > >We have been grateful for the support we have received from conservationists >and others concerned about the protection of our land. > >We believe there is much to gain from a closer relationship with those who >seek a more sustainable future. > >Be but mindful. >Our culture does not necessarily protect the land from change. > >We are happy to share much of our land with all Australians but it is wrong >to see all of our land as national park. > >It is only in recent times that our land has provided us with political and >economic as well as spiritual and cultural strength. > >In my community at Yirrkala in Arnhem Land I have sacred cultural >responsibilities to the country around my community. > >But I also spent 10 years in Nhulunbuy managing a business with valuable >contracts with a large local mine. > >I see no conflict in these two roles - they both involved nurturing the >sustainable development of my community. > >For indigenous Australians, the most important thing about joining this >Earth Charter is how it affects our rights - how it affects our power to >give or withhold our consent or to have a meaningful say in how our land is >used. > >This is a normal right that any land holder enjoys. > >But we have had to rely on special legislation to enjoy this right. > >In the Northern Territory, the Land Rights Act gave us the power to insist >on negotiation and participation. > >For a short time, the Native Title Act gave indigenous Australians in other >parts of the country the opportunity to negotiate over the use of their >land. > >But now those legislated native title rights have been largely lost. > >Now even the Land Rights Act is under threat. > >I find it encouraging that the principles of the Earth Charter stress >recognition, participation and negotiation for all stakeholders. > >I find it encouraging that the principles for the Earth Charter emphasise >partnerships and discussion about economic and social goals as well as >ecological goals. > >All stakeholders will bring a different perspective to the process. > >Success of the Earth Charter will depend on the respect that all parties >demonstrate towards each other. > >The rights of indigenous communities to manage our own lands and make our >own decisions must be part of that respect. > >I urge you to talk to indigenous Australians about our needs and to listen >closely to what we say. > >Thank you for the opportunity to speak. > > > > > > > > > > > > >Craig Sproule >Craig Sproule >Office of Public Affairs >Ph: 02 6289 3450 >Fax: 02 6282 2854 > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use."
