Black GST Newsletter March 28, 2006
Posted by campsovereignty in Analysis, Camp News.2 comments
Greetings!
1. Black GST camp wrap up date
As the end of the Stolenwealth Games draws near on the weekend, preparations are likewise underway to wrap up the Black GST Stolenwealth Games campaign. There is a cycling road race around the Botanic Gardens (including King’s Domain) on Sunday 26th March making it near impossible to move camp facilities off site on that day. Therefore the big pack-up day is Saturday 25th.
Please attend camp to take responsibility for any gear committed in support of the Black GST and/or lend a hand. Please note also that anyone who has taken images, film or sound recordings, written stories or in any way documented the campaign: you must return copies of these materials to the Black GST. This is an essential protocol of courtesy and respect. Thankyou!!
www.blackgst.com
Black GST
PO Box 4320
Uni of Melbourne PO
Parkville, VIC 3052.
2. Success and celebration
The Black GST declares that as of Saturday our action in Kings Domain in Melbourne is complete. We claim victory, having attained our goals for the Stolenwealth Games campaign.
Stolenwealth Campaign Victory March 28, 2006
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1. Black GST Stolenwealth Games Campaign Victory – meeting and celebration
As promised last newsletter, we would like to announce the time, date and venue of a public meeting and celebration to mark the completion of the Black GST 'Stolenwealth Games' campaign – the first major campgain in an ongoing struggle.
6pm Sunday April 2nd, Trades Hall Bar, Trades Hall, Carlton (corner Victoria and Lygon Sts)
All Indigenous people and Supporters are invited to come along and hear speeches, reflections, and see some photos, press clippings and video footage from the past 2 weeks. Also a chance to hand over copies of footage and photos and clippings we may not have yet.
2. Permanent presence at Camp Sovereignty
Camp Sovereignty, in its own right, is now a permanent presence in King’s Domain. Below is a list of needed items, if people would like to know how to continue to support Camp Sovereignty staying strong. So far reports are it’s feeling real solid. During the day its business as usual.
• Wood
• Eucalypt branches for the Sacred Fire ( just ask the tree before taking from it )
• Food – Bread Milk Fruit Eggs Meat …
• Ice – don’t bring perishable foods without also bringing ice please!
• Candles, camp lights, couple more torches, batteries
• Tobacco
• Solar Powered Generator (*someone offered one at some stage?)
• or Small generator
• Nice chairs for elderly custodians and guests
There’s also flag, banner and sign making to be done, if folk wanna help.
Pop in to make contact and drop off donated goods and provisions. Visit at King’s Domain, just off St Kilda Road near the NGVi and Victoria College of the Arts.
Legacy or Larceny? March 22, 2006
Posted by campsovereignty in Analysis.1 comment so far
Some of you may have read the opinion piece in the Herald Sun by Paul Gray entitled "Just Who's Money Is It?" While we don't agree with most of it, at least the debate is happening! Below is a response to Paul's article written by one of the younger participants down at Camp Sovereignty. It's a good response, enjoy…
Legacy or Larceny?
As the youth contingent of the Black GST campaign we would like to respond to Paul Grey's article ("Just Who's Money Is It?" Herald Sun, 20/03).
Grey's interpretation of a summed up Australia has more than a few shortcomings. In his perspective of the Black GST Stolenwealth campaign is completely off. He claims to understand the plight of Indigenous Australia and the hardship faced by them, even to the point of being sympathetic. However, he fails to see how the theft of 'common wealth' is relevant to the terms Genocide Sovereignty and Treaty.
There are a number of issues which are conveniently absent from Grey's argument. An alarming fact, given he is a social columnist for a major news establishment. For example, the idea that [we] "have not developed the resources of what we own to create any wealth for ourselves or others" is absolute rubbish. Wealth can be defined in many forms. Land is wealth; however, how you use that land in terms of economic resource is a cultural speculation.
But what is more relevant in this case is that Grey has absolutely no understanding that social inheritance received by non-Indigenous Australia is not the same as Aboriginal Australia, in this era. Nor has it ever been.
Heard of the Stolen Wages campaign? If Indigenous Australia had received these wages we will be experiencing the same middle-class prosperity as other Australians. If land had been acquired through legal means, as was instructed by the British Monarch, our social inheritance would be flourishing today. Wages were not awarded, purely based upon racial supremacy, and land was acquired by the same means. Then there is the stolen children, stolen land, stolen identity and other cultural exploitations. The list goes on and it all spells Stolen Wealth.
The Commonwealth has only ever acquired wealth through unlawful dispossession. It has committed genocide against sovereign people and done so against the request of its own authority.
For those of you who, like Grey, have been confused by historical inaccuracies, the Monarch did indeed request a treaty be made with the people occupying these lands and this remains unfinished business to this day.
Thankfully, however, many people do understand the unresolved fundamental legal issues and are working to support the Black GST for a future based on consent, respect and honour for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia.
Aletha Penrith – on behalf of the Youth Contingent of the Black GST
Black GST Newsletter March 19, 2006
Posted by campsovereignty in Camp News.6 comments
1. Greetings and update
Much has happened at Camp Sovereignty since the Sacred Fire went in on
Sunday March 12th. There was a fantastic action on Wednesday March 15th,
where the Black GST word was taken directly to the Queen as she visited
Melbourne’s Exhibition Buildings for lunch on the day of the
Stolenwealth Games opening ceremony. Up to 2000 Indigenous people and
supporters were present.
There’s been absolutely heaps of media coverage both domestically and
overseas. Key Black GST aims for the Stolenwealth Games have therefore
been largely achieved!!! Long live the ongoing campaign, though – we
have to consolidate and take this into the future beyond the Games.
The Black GST wants to thank the Supporters who have worked so hard to
establish Camp Sovereignty and spread the word so far. Indigenous people
continue to camp at Camp Sovereignty with non-Indigenous supporters
asked to visit, support, help out and participate in daylight hours.
blackgst@hotmail.com
Please wear your Black GST t-shirt on the day or buy one at camp.
3. Roles needed
- Supporter team to cook BBQ lunch tomorrow
- Supporters to attend camp and help out – jobs like filling water
bottles, boiling water to cuppas etc – please come along, report to info
tent and make yourself available
And a reminder to please keep a track of your personal belongings.
Remove any surplus tent and camping materials if you have loaned them.
v
“,0] ); //–>Non-Indigenous people please contact Clare on 0409 352 297 if you are
visiting Melbourne for the Convergence and need to camp or stay somewhere.
Supporters are continuing to develop solidarity actions in support of
the Black GST – please propose your ideas and accept feedback and
discuss a way forward.
We have now called a second major action, timed with the UN
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Details
below.
Come one, come all! And see the day unfold. Hurrah. Roles listed below.
Please come along, pitch in with material support, and help out.
2. BLACK GST Solidarity Day Tuesday 21 March
The Black GST invites all Traditional Owners, Indigenous people,
Supporters and media to our solidarity day at Camp Sovereignty
12pm: Ceremony (Inc Carolyn Briggs, Boon Wurrung)
BBQ lunch
Panel (on the Black GST – Genocide, Sovereignty and Treaty)
21 March: UN International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination
Camp Sovereignty, Kings Domain (off St Kilda Road, behind Myer Music
Bowl – look out for flags and tents). Please visit info and media tent
upon entry. Thankyou! If you can’t make it, please send a message of
solidarity to blackgst@hotmail.com
Please wear your Black GST t-shirt on the day or buy one at camp.
3. Roles needed
- Supporter team to cook BBQ lunch tomorrow
- Supporters to attend camp and help out – jobs like filling water
bottles, boiling water to cuppas etc – please come along, report to info
tent and make yourself available
And a reminder to please keep a track of your personal belongings.
Remove any surplus tent and camping materials if you have loaned them.
