“Solidarity” by Barbara Shaw
Request for Support for Prescribed Area Peoples’ Alliance Gathering – Darwin June 1921st 2011
Hello,
I’m Barbara Shaw and I live at Mt Nancy, Central Australia, one of the ‘prescribed areas’ under the NTER (Intervention). For nearly 4 years the Intervention Rollback Action Group (IRAG) has been working to support and advocate for Aboriginal people living under the NTER legislation.
The intervention has failed and conditions for Aboriginal people across the NT continue to worsen. The only way to improve the lives of our people is for us to take control and be empowered to find solutions to issues affecting us.
We have begun circulation of a draft program on alternatives to the Intervention developed in collaboration with other Prescribed Area peoples and in line with recommendations from key Aboriginal organizations. (A copy of this draft program can be obtained through the above contacts.)
During the next few weeks we will be sitting down with as many people as possible for them to have further input into this proposal for our future.
On June 1920th Prescribed Area peoples from Central Australia and Top End communities will meet in Darwin to discuss strategies to accomplish the aims of the program. There will be meetings with parliamentarians, unions and key organisations.
The following day, June 21st, will mark four years of failed Intervention. On this day there will be a rally to show support for Prescribed Area people followed by a concert.
In order for all this happen we urgently need funds to support our work and to take a delegation of key people from as many communities as possible to Darwin in June.
We estimate it will cost approximately $15,000 to take a delegation from prescribed communities throughout the Northern Territory to Darwin. Travel will be mainly by bus, camping along the way and in Darwin to keep costs down.
Further information on the work we have done over almost 4 years is posted on our website. Our work continues because the voices of the people directly impacted by the Intervention continue to be ignored by government. The gathering in Darwin is a great opportunity for our voices to be heard.
Any support you are able to give would help immensely.
Donations may be made to:
Bendigo Bank Alice Springs
Or by cheque to: Intervention Rollback Action Group PO Box 8488 Alice Springs NT 0871
Please email IRAG at rollbacktheintervention@gmail.com if you make a donation so that we can acknowledge receipt.
With thanks to the Australian community for their ongoing support.
Barbara Shaw
Mt Nancy
26th April 2011.
In Solidarity Barbara. I am now often in the Central Desert Barbara and would like to meet up with you. Kindly, Gerry Georgatos.