We are seeking signatures of support for the protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage and for Aboriginal people of NSW to have a real say in the protection of culture and heritage. we want to take the petition with us to Sydney on the 27 February 2014

 

Peaceful Demonstration – Stop the cultural genocide -Culture Ride Rally

 

27 February Thursday Sydney

 

Aboriginal people across NSW want to rally against the Government because they don't protect culture and heritage now and the proposed reforms are believed to include even more processes to gag the voice of Aboriginal people and their rights in this State to protect their culture and heritage.

On the surface the principle of the reform looks hopeful. In the detail it’s a worry and will reduce Aboriginal rights and voice to a privileged few. Out of growing anger and frustration many Aboriginal people in their communities and homes have decided enough is enough! The system fails to protect and Governments just permit to destroy. Communities have had enough and Elders and groups are asking their Land Councils and other Organisations to provide their buses and petrol costs to enable Elders and families to travel to Sydney to tell the Government Enough is Enough.

The Elders in communities believe ‘We need to go back to the old ways and make ourselves visible’. Many Elders were part of the Freedom ride and Land Rights movement. Well the movement has just given birth again for the culture ride!!!!”

‘ what is happening now is the continued and agreement by government to destroy our culture and heritage …usually for money (royalties). They are wiping out our ancestors footprints…. it wasn’t enough to try and destroy our people, it now about trying to make their legacy invisible.

The proposed new reform is flawed …it will be a cultural genocide…..under the guise of Aboriginal ownership.  There has been so many cases before ICAC, the new reforms will be opening the gates to opportunity for crime and misconduct, rorting and culturally and community suffering….If the government are real about Aboriginal owning our own culture and heritage then we need to have the right to decide the governance under our traditional lores and customs and community not based on a model designed by Western and non-Aboriginal ways of doing things. It’s not about stopping development it’s about saving our culture and heritage.  The new reform is a new genocide and one we will not support. It’s about time Aboriginal people stepped up and took control over their own culture and heritage and not be swayed by models developed by bureaucrats which do little to bring Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people together in celebrating the diversity of Aboriginal cultures…..our cultures.

The new reforms are toothless…..Aboriginal people will again be the losers. No one  especially our people would support the destruction of the structures of the iconic and religious structures of  the Catholic or Church of England  cathedrals or the Synagogues or Mosques  yet we (Aboriginal people) are subjected to constant discussions and Government approvals which approve the desecration and destruction of our spiritual places. And even when we share our sacred knowledge we are ignored and the bulldozers or detonators come in.  In whatever neat package governments and politicians want to package it …….Its simply cultural genocide.

A Modern Day Culture Ride

Some supporters of the rally are travelling by private car or bike others are using LALC buses. Elder’s families and individuals are invited to come to meet up in Sydney for the rally. Some are coming to Newcastle to catch the train to Sydney from there it costs pensioners about $2.50 return.

This is the second rally of a series of protests as we are sick of the threat and destruction.

The community have been making their banners and plan to travel by train and bus and drive to Sydney to meet at Archibald Fountain at Hyde Park and march to NSW Parliament House in Macquarie street Sydney. The permit for a peaceful rally is approved and the street will be cleared for the rally to parliament. The train leaves Newcastle at 7.18 am arrives at central at 9.55 am.

The rally gathering will start at 10:00 – 10:30 am and walk to Parliament House Macquarie street Sydney starts at 11:00 am.

Everyone who is tired of seeing their Culture and Heritage being destroyed is welcome to attend this peaceful rally. Bring picnic lunch and if you could share this information with families and your network.

Let me know if you want more information and I will try to forward your details to the Elders and volunteers organising the rally. Make yourself a banner and come along if you would like to perform.

The message is simple - Save Culture and Heritage leave a legacy for future generations