------ Forwarded Message From: WEBCENTRAL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:02:43 +1000 To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [atsic] Media Release: LAND AND SEA RIGHTS A MAJOR PRIORITY (Statement by Commissioner for Queensland Far North West Murrandoo Yanner) I have a number of priority issues to pursue in my first term as an elected Commissioner. These include the ongoing fight for land and sea rights in my region. These are particularly important given the strong traditional cultural imperatives for proper land and sea management. I have a strong history of grass roots activism in the area of family violence. Resolving this issue is central to the ongoing survival of our people. It is imperative local Aboriginal people control the development, implementation and management of programs aimed at reducing family violence in our communities. Any solution will need to include both victims and perpetrators. Any approach which ignores the needs of Aboriginal men is doomed to fail. An approach which includes all family members is the only one that will work. I am heartened that ATSIC is pursuing this approach which is the only culturally appropriate way to proceed. Youth suicide is another issue of paramount concern. The reintroduction of traditional ceremony into the Mornington Island community is one way of rebuilding self esteem and cultural pride in our youth. Increased employment and training opportunities in the mining and pastoral industries, particularly for our young people, are also paramount in our fight against the scourge of youth suicide and self harm. I have worked closely in recent years with Torres Strait Islanders in the fight for access to commercial fisheries. It has reinforced my view that unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is the key to advancing our aspirations. The similarities in our cultures, values, connections to land and sea and historical dispossession are profound. I also pledge to strongly support proposals for a treaty between Indigenous peoples and the Australian Government. The current proposals for a treaty build on the groundbreaking work done by previous Aboriginal leaders, particularly that of the Federal Council for Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) in the 1960's and 70's. I also intend to work as an ATSIC Commissioner to highlight the reality that many of our people are still dying in custody. I want to particularly highlight the cases of two young men who have died in police custody over the past two years. Robbie Parker was killed in the police lock-up in Cloncurry. Its alleged he was doused in petrol and set alight. Nathan Mills, it is alleged, died as a result of being run over by two police officers on Thursday Island during a car chase. In both these cases police officers refused to give evidence during the coronial inquiries and the coroners' reports were inconclusive. I look forward to taking up my work as ATSIC Commissioner for this region and intend to follow the lead of my father, the major influence on my life. He was a leader of his people, having been elected as National Aboriginal Congress (NAC) representative for his region and a Commissioner on the Aboriginal Development Commission (ADC) who passed on his passion for justice and an understanding of the principles of struggle and of leadership He also founded the Carpentaria Land Council, Queensland longest running land council, where I have been honoured to continue his work in my position as Chief Executive Officer. I would also like to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution made to his people and to indigenous affairs by the outgoing Commissioner Lester Rosendale. The recognition we have as Indigenous peoples in North Queensland today could not have been achieved without him. His experience and commitment will always be invaluable to our people. I wish him every success in the future as he goes on to establish yet another milestone in his career. Murrandoo Yanner Commissioner for Queensland Far North West Media Contact Alistair Harris 0409 658 177 (Note: Murrandoo Yanner's biographical details are attached to this release.) Murrandoo Yanner's Biographical Details Murrandoo Yanner is a Gangalidda man of the Gunamulla clan. He was born and raised in the Gulf country of North Queensland where he still lives with his wife Rachel and their six boys. Aged 29, Murrandoo is the youngest person ever to be elected to the position of ATSIC Commissioner. However, he is no stranger to the organisation. Murrandoo was first elected as a regional councillor on the ATSIC Gulf North West Regional Council in 1992 at the age of 19. He was educated at primary level in the lower Gulf before attending a number of boarding schools in Charters Towers and completing his secondary education at Atherton State High School. He then commenced a degree in journalism and won a cadetship at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a radio journalist. His cadetship was interrupted by the death of his father and a request from his community to return home to "pick up my father's spear." He nominates his main hobbies as hunting, fishing and reading to further his education. ______________________________ > You have subscribed to the ATSIC Mailing List, where you receive media > releases, speeches, bulletins and news about ATSIC. To unsubscribe from > this mailing list simply click on the link below: > > http://www.atsic.gov.au/media/email_service/default.asp > > > > > > ------ End of Forwarded Message --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/ until 11 March, 2001 and Recoznettwo is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznettwo%40green.net.au/ from that date. 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."
