Perkins says all ministers should walk for reconciliation Source: AAP | Published: Sunday May 21, 2:08 PM All government ministers should join in the people's Walk For Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge next Sunday, Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins said today. The walk, to be held the day after Corroboree 2000 at the Sydney Opera House, should include everyone, Mr Perkins said. "I think they should all walk across the bridge, that's the least they can do," he said today. "All the government ministers should walk across the bridge and other state premiers will be walking across the bridge, including the (Northern Territories) chief minister, which would be rather surprising, and the governor-general. "I mean, why not, let's all stick together and let's try to walk together as a nation in the context of reconciliation." The reconciliation celebrations, including the handing over of the reconciliation declaration, were the most important events in his 40-year involvement in Aboriginal affairs, Mr Perkins said. "Well, I think it is just one of the watersheds in Aboriginal affairs, in all the time that I have been involved, almost 40 years, this is the most critical week of Aboriginal affairs." However, Prime Minister Howard's actions relating to the reconciliation document had cast a shadow on the week. The so-called Father of Reconciliation, Pat Dodson, has refused to attend because of Mr Howard's refusal to endorse all aspects of the reconciliation declaration. Mr Perkins said he would not be boycotting the event, but admitted to second thoughts. "I will be attending the walk over the bridge and secondly I will be attending the meeting on the Saturday, the handing over of the document, despite the presence of the Prime Minister," he said. "I can see the point that Pat Dodson makes, that it is very disappointing after all this time that the prime minister produces another document that is not supportive at all. "Many Aboriginal people did (have second thoughts), we thought, well blow it, why should we attend when this man has deceived us all along." -- ********************************** 'Click' to protect the rainforest: Make the Rainforest Site your homepage! http://www.therainforestsite.com/ ********************************** ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ 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." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
