Talk:Aboriginal Tent Embassy
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[edit] Text removed
I removed the following from the article (by 203.10.231.231) as I could not work out whether it was an unattributed quotation or an emphasised opinion of the contributor. --Zigger 13:55, 2004 Jun 29 (UTC)
- The right to free speech on political matters trumps the letter of the law, because it is is precisely this right that gives law its legitimacy as the expression of the will of the people. I think Australians, and Canberrans in particular, instinctively understand this.
The article refers to Aboriginals wanting control of "the Northwest Territory" but this Australian has never heard of such a place. I didn't want to remove it because, hey, I could be mistaken but if no one else has heard of it I'd suggest cutting it. --Roisterer 02:18, 14 Jul 2004 (UTC)
It may refer to the Nor'West (of Western Australia). Capt. Cyril Longmore, Croix de Guerre, Order of Leopold etc who led the last Battle of Hindenberg attack, and who established the WestAustralian and was Editor of the Western Mail newspapers plus a War Correspondent in the Nor'West in WW11 lobbied his good friend, PM John Curtin to have the Nor'West declared an Aboriginal State after spending ages at Liveringa Station, WA, under ADF supervision, training an Aboriginal guerilla force to defend the Nor'West when it was feared that area was to be invaded. The Second Divison AIF returned back home in time though plus the Americans turned up and the guerilla force became the NAOUs (nackeroos) that evolved into Norforce who received their offical military colours recently. Recorded in the archives of the West Australian newspaper plus the "black guerillas" and nackeroos are online.
Moran, Rod 1991 'The West Australian' Big Weekend: BLACK STATE, 23 November, 1991, page numbers not clear on photocopy
A couple of things: I have also never heard of the Northwest Territory, probably because it doesn't exist. Does it mean nor'west WA? Anyway, what most strikes me about this article is the use of the word 'aborigines' -- it smacks of colonialism to my mind, and I would suggest 'indeginous people' or somesuch...
The "northwest territories" would be arnhem land, I imagine.
Arnhem Land is Arnhem Land, not the Nor'west. Its Dhuwa and Yirritja land not the Nor'West. Its traditional land.
The article Australian Aboriginies has more on nomclementure.
And yes, that "quote" is my personal opinion. But I live here in Canberra.
Sadly, this article repeats a common myth about the tent embassy - that it has been on its present site since 1972.
This is incorrect - the current embassy was only established in 1992 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original.
Between 1972 and 1992 there was NO embassy on this site. My reference for this is the Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia published by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the fact I worked at parliament house during the 80s and there was no embassy on this site during this entire decade.
Further source - http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/chron/1999-2000/2000chr03.htm The Australian Parliamentary Library
It might be worthwhile point out that australian aboriginals were recognised as citizens via a refurendum in ... '73? '72? Also, a bit of point/counterpoint might be reasonable. It's controversial, after all. Pmurray bigpond.com 23:07, 16 December 2005 (UTC)
It wasnt local Indigneous people set the tent embassy up. I used to live with one of the founders. That person certainly wasn't from southern NSW nor were many who were on the Freedom Ride that then resulted in the embassy being established. I hope the tent embassy stays. As a non Indigenous person it represents true aussie democracy to me. I know Matidla and she is a lovely person but her calling for the removal of the embassy is about local politics rather than allowing a national voice and presence in Canberra via the embassy. Some think that just because one Indigenous person wants such and such, then that is how it is. There is a national Indigenous movement - then local politics come in to try and upsurp that. Same as in the mainstream. Many non Indigenous people support the tent embassy and hope it remains and continue on in the background lobbying where they can in support of justice for all indigenous people in Australia, not just for some. If local Indigenous people want no one in Canberra who isnt from the Canberra area, maybe if they only let ngarriralwkpina be used in dhuwa country and this region stick to local Indigenous music makers? Pan aboriginality happens and will continue to happen and because of that the national significance of the tent embassy is inspiring for all Australians who are preapred to let its very Australian message be heard.
