Sunday 26 May 2013

WGAR New - Keeping them home - Stop the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families

Keeping Them Home
- Stop the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families


Special Sorry Day Edition
http://www.nsdc.org.au
"National Sorry Day offers the Community the opportunity 
to acknowledge the impact of the policies spanning more 
than 150 years of forcible removal of Aboriginal and 
Torres Strait Islander children from their families."

Newsletter date: Sorry Day - 26 May 2013

This newsletter: http://indymedia.org.au/2013/05/26/wgar-news-keeping-them-home-stop-the-forced-removal-of-aboriginal-children-from-their-fam

Contents: 

* Petition: Keeping Them Home - Stop the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families
* Let's Talk's Tiga Bayles interviews renowned journalist Jeff McMullen about child removals and the importance of families
* Jeff McMullen, Respect and Listen: The Future of the Family (giving context to the suicide and child removal issues)
* SNAICC News: Keeping Them Home - Elder Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, calls for this trend to be reversed
* Peter Robson, Green Left: NT government risks new stolen generation
* ABC Indigenous: Chief magistrate says NT's child protection department is failing
* Northern Territory (NT) Forced Aboriginal Adoption Media Coverage
* Background to the Stolen Generations and the Bringing Them Home report
* Background to Child Protection and Out-of-home care

* Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Six years and still standing strong: NT trade unions join Traditional Owners to protest Muckaty radioactive waste dump
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump

* ABC Indigenous: NT Indigenous deaths in custody worst in nation
* Background to Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody

* CAAMA: NAAJA CEO Priscilla Collins on The Alcohol Protection Order Scheme
* APO NT: Alcohol and Other Drugs
* ABC: New alcohol powers for police
* ABC: Grog culture defended as 'core social value'


* PETITION:
KEEPING THEM HOME:
STOP THE FORCED REMOVAL OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES



- Petition

Change.org Petition: Keeping Them Home
- Stop the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families

Petitioning Adam Giles
Petition by Stand For Freedom
http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/keeping-them-home-stop-the-forced-removal-of-aboriginal-children-from-their-families
"40 years ago the Stolen Generation happened on our watch.
5 years ago the Nation apologised for it.
Now, forced child removal is happening again on our watch."
"Please read the petition letter to the Chief Minister Adam 
Giles, initiated by the Keeping Them Home campaign by 
'concerned Australians', and lend your voice to this 
important cause."


- Campaign

Keeping Them Home
'concerned Australians': http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/
Respect and Listen: http://www.respectandlisten.org/


* LET'S TALK'S TIGA BAYLES INTERVIEWS RENOWNED JOURNALIST JEFF MCMULLEN
ABOUT CHILD REMOVALS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILIES



- Audio Interview

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Let's Talk - Jeff McMullen

http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/lets-talk/
17 May 13: "Jeff McMullen, Honorary CEO of the Ian Thorpe’s 
Foundation For Youth and renowned Journalist."
Listen to this interview on-line: 
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/jeff-mcmullen-11/


* JEFF MCMULLEN, RESPECT AND LISTEN:
THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY



- Analysis / Opinion

Respect and Listen: The Future of the Family - Jeff McMullen
http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/speeches/jeff-mcmullen---the-future-of-the-family.html
13 Mar 13: "Many Elders have told me that the family 
counselling efforts trialled in Central Australia tap into 
traditional approaches for alleviating social crisis by 
involving members of the extended family and community 
services to discuss how to improve the safety and 
well-being of the child. This approach can reduce the 
removal of children from family and we should be supporting 
the local efforts vigorously." By Jeff McMullen


* SNAICC NEWS:
KEEPING THEM HOME:
ELDER REV DR DJINIYINI GONDARRA, CALLS FOR THIS TREND TO BE REVERSED



- News

SNAICC News: Keeping Them Home
- Elder Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, calls for this trend to be reversed

http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=32&id=1083
23 May 13: "The most recent data shows that the number of 
children being moved into out-of-home care in the Northern 
Territory has just about doubled since 2007. Two-thirds of 
these children are being placed with non-Indigenous 
families away from their communities. Elder Rev Dr 
Djiniyini Gondarra, as spokesperson for Yolngu Makarr Dhuni 
calls for this trend to be reversed by increasing family 
support services in communities. He has written to the Chief 
Minister of the Northern Territory, Adam Giles, asking him 
for his support."


* PETER ROBSON, GREEN LEFT:
NT GOVERNMENT RISKS NEW STOLEN GENERATION



- News

Green Left: NT government risks new stolen generation
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/54144
25 May 13: "Australia’s first Aboriginal parliamentary 
leader, Adam Giles, announced on May 13 that his government 
would increase the number of Aboriginal children removed 
from their families. Concerns that a new stolen generation 
could be created were putting children at risk, he said. ... 
Since 2007, the number of Aboriginal children removed from 
their families in the NT has almost doubled and two-thirds 
of those removed are placed with non-Aboriginal families. 
This reality has led Aboriginal elders to condemn Giles’ 
statements and call for more support for Aboriginal families." 
By Peter Robson


* ABC INDIGENOUS:
CHIEF MAGISTRATE SAYS NT'S CHILD PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS FAILING



- News

ABC Indigenous:
Chief magistrate says NT's child protection department is failing

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-25/chief-magistrate-critical-of-nts-child-protection-department/4712740/
25 May 13: "The Northern Territory's chief magistrate says 
the child protection department is failing to categorise 
Aboriginal children at risk because of a lack of services. 
Hilary Hannam says the NT's Office of Children and Families 
will "only very rarely conclude there are risks" to a child 
or that they need protection, especially when they are from 
an Aboriginal community. She said the "department's 
reluctance to become involved is unclear" and there may be 
"subtle pressure" on child protection workers "to conclude 
that a child is not in need of protection where services 
are not available"." By Phoebe Stewart

Australian:
Northern Territory agency battles with child-neglect cases

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/department-good-at-taking-kids-into-care-but-not-very-good-at-looking-after-them/story-e6frgczx-1226647958868
22 May 13: "CASES of child neglect are falling through the 
cracks as the Northern Territory's under-resourced child 
protection agency bounces between crises. Sometimes the 
agency is doing more harm than good, its incoming head has 
warned." Amos Aikman, Northern correspondent


* NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) FORCED ABORIGINAL ADOPTION MEDIA COVERAGE


- Compilations

Respect and Listen: Keeping Them Home: Media Coverage
[scroll down page] http://www.respectandlisten.org/

WGAR News: Keeping them Home - What have we learnt from Bringing them Home?:
ACM Sydney
 (23 May 13)
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/05/22/wgar-news-keeping-them-home-what-have-we-learnt-from-bringing-them-home-acm-sydney

WGAR News: Indigenous adoption push prompts Stolen Generation fears:
ABC Radio Australia Video
 (18 May 13)
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/05/17/wgar-news-indigenous-adoption-push-prompts-stolen-generation-fears-abc-radio-australia-vi


- Audio

The World Today:
NT Govt to strengthen long term child protection orders

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3764812.htm
22 May 13: "The Northern Territory's Child Protection 
Minister says her Government is redrafting laws to increase 
stability for vulnerable children in long-term foster care. 
Last week the Northern Territory's Chief Minister Adam 
Giles suggested it was time to increase permanent adoptions 
for children in long-term foster care. He said successive 
governments had failed to protect Aboriginal children by 
not removing them from abusive and neglectful situation, 
for fear of creating another Stolen Generation. But the 
Child Protection Minister says forced adoptions is not on 
the table."


- News

ABC Indigenous:
Care options call to protect Aboriginal children

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-23/care-options-for-aboriginal-children-dr-sarah-mares/4708534/?site=indigenous&topic=latest
23 May 13: "A child psychiatrist from the Menzies School of 
Health Research says alternative long-term care options are 
necessary to protect vulnerable Aboriginal children. The 
Northern Territory Government has flagged allowing the 
adoption of Indigenous children who are subject to 
long-term neglect or abuse. Dr Sarah Mares of the Menzies 
School of Health Research delivered a talk in Alice 
Sporings yesterday on the damage trauma does to children's 
development. She says all children need stable and loving 
homes to reach their full potential."

newsTracker: Elder slams NT forced adoption plan
http://tracker.org.au/2013/05/9207/
21 May 13: "NATIONAL: An Indigenous elder is pleading with 
Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles to scrap plans 
to address Aboriginal child neglect via forced adoptions. 
Mr Giles has warned that Aboriginal children are being left 
with neglectful parents for fear of creating another stolen 
generation. ... But in a letter obtained by AAP, elder 
Djiniyini Gondarra, who represents 8000 Yolngu people of 
east Arnhem Land, urges Mr Giles to have a rethink. 
"We vehemently oppose your proposed policy to take away our 
children and give them up for adoption," Dr Gondarra writes."


* BACKGROUND TO THE STOLEN GENERATIONS AND
THE BRINGING THEM HOME REPORT



- Compilation

Respect and Listen: Keeping Them Home: Background Information
[scroll down page] http://www.respectandlisten.org/


- Analysis / Opinion

lara (author-blogger):
Some things never change: more Stolen Generations

http://larahentz.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/some-things-never-change-more-stolen-generations/
23 May 13: "As a Native American who has experienced 
upheaval and survived my own closed adoption, the 
devastating loss of my culture and my language cannot be 
overstated as a loss to me, to my family and to other 
adoptees I know who endured it. This media release struck 
me that some things never change, either in the US or in 
Australia. If we do not teach this history, we are doomed 
to repeat it - over and over. Poverty is the worst form of 
violence and the Third World and Indian Country is still 
suffering the effects, generation after generation... 
Trace/Lara"

Stolen Generations: The invention of the Stolen Generations
http://www.stolengenerations.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=27
"IN 1997, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 
made the most notorious accusation ever directed by a 
government body against Australia. It accused this country 
of committing genocide against the Aborigines by stealing 
their children. According to the commission’s report, 
Bringing Them Home, state officials ripped from the arms of 
loving parents several generations of Aboriginal children 
in order to raise them in institutions or with white 
families."

Brisbane Blacks Monthly: The New Stolen Generations
http://brisbaneblacksmonthly.weebly.com/the-new-stolen-generations.html
October 2012: "Tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres 
Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their 
families between 1869 and the 1970s, with the 1997 Bringing 
Them Home report estimating that "between one in three and 
one in ten" were stolen and made wards of the state. In 
2008, then Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a 
formal apology to the Stolen Generations "for the laws and 
policies of successive Parliaments and governments that 
have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss" on the 
nation’s Indigenous people." 
By Callum Clayton-Dixon, Anaywan Nation


* BACKGROUND TO CHILD PROTECTION AND OUT-OF-HOME CARE


- Consultation

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA):
National Standards for Out of Home Care - Consultation Paper

http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/publications-articles/national-standards-for-out-of-home-care-consultation-paper?HTML


- Research

Information concerning Australia and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/information-concerning-australia-and-convention-rights-child

NTCOSS Submission to the Inquiry into the
Child Protection System in the Northern Territory
 2010
http://www.ntcoss.org.au/sites/www.ntcoss.org.au/files/Child%20Protection%20Inquiry%20NTCOSS%20Submisison_0.pdf

Adoption and Forgotten Australians
http://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/content.php?pid=55757&sid=498466

'Getting the big picture':
A synopsis and critique of Australian out-of-home care research 

- Leah Bromfield and Alexandra Osborn
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/issues/issues26/issues26.html

The mental health care needs of children in out-of-home care:
A report from the expert working committee of the
Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

http://www.ranzcp.org/Files/ranzcp-attachments/Resources/FCAP_paper_on_Out_of_Home_Care_June_2008-pdf.aspx

Experiencing Out-of-Home Care in Australia:
The Views of Children and Young People 

- By Dr Joseph J. McDowall
http://www.nwhn.net.au/admin/file/content101/c6/CREATE_ReportCard2013%28LR%29.pdf

Do Not Damage and Disturb:
On Child Protection Failures and the Pressure on Out of Home Care in Australia 

- Jeremy Sammut
http://www.cis.org.au/images/stories/policy-monographs/pm-122.pdf
CIS Policy Monograph 122 - 2011: The Centre for Independent Studies

Australian Homelessness Clearinghouse:
Permanency planning and adoption of children in out-of-home care.

http://homelessnessclearinghouse.govspace.gov.au/about-homelessness/agreements-and-initiatives/s-and-t-initiatives/nsw-initiatives/permanency-planning-and-adoption-of-children-in-out-of-home-care-briefing-paper-no-032013-nsw-aust/

Aboriginal Child Abuse the Royal Commission Cannot Avoid 
- Tony Thomas
http://www.quadrant.org.au/magazine/issue/2013/5/aboriginal-child-abuse-the-royal-commission-cannot-avoid


- Background

SAF,T: Our Kids, Our Way program
http://www.saft.org.au/carers

Child protection and wellbeing
http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/related-issues/family-violence/publications/specific-topics/child-protection

Child protection and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
http://www.aifs.gov.au/cfca/pubs/factsheets/a142117/

The Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory: 
http://www.childprotectioninquiry.nt.gov.au/

Australian Bureau of Statistics:
Child protection

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.NSF/bb8db737e2af84b8ca2571780015701e/1E0502ECA1BA306DCA2574390014CF1C

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW):
Child protection

http://www.aihw.gov.au/child-protection/
http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129542752

Child protection and youth justice services
http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/122864/21-2013-compendium-chapter15.pdf

Protection and support services
http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/114969/53-government-services-2012-chapter15.pdf

Reporting abuse and neglect:
State and territory departments responsible for protecting children

http://www.aifs.gov.au/cfca/pubs/factsheets/a142843/index.html

Their needs:
appropriate service models for vulnerable children, young people and families

http://www.cfecfw.asn.au/sites/www.cfecfw.asn.au/files/PVVC_Issues_Paper_2_Final.pdf


* BEYOND NUCLEAR INITIATIVE:
SIX YEARS AND STILL STANDING STRONG:
NT TRADE UNIONS JOIN TRADITIONAL OWNERS
TO PROTEST MUCKATY RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP



- News

Beyond Nuclear Initiative:
Six years and still standing strong:
NT trade unions join Traditional Owners
to protest Muckaty radioactive waste dump

http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/2013/05/25/six-years-and-still-standing-strong-nt-trade-unions-join-traditional-owners-to-protest-muckaty-radioactive-waste-dump/
25 May 13: "NT Union members will join Traditional Owners 
and supporters from across the Territory in Tennant Creek 
this weekend for a rally against the proposed national 
radioactive waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory. 
The rally and concert will mark exactly six years since the 
Northern Land Council voted to nominate the site. In May 
2012 the Australian Council of Trades Unions National 
Congress unanimously voted to support the Muckaty campaign. 
Bryan Wilkins, NT Organiser for the Australian 
Manufacturing Workers Union said, "NT Unions are standing 
in solidarity with Traditional Owners and communities ... ""


* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:

Last updated: 11 May 2013

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nuclear-waste-dump-in-nt-australia


* ABC INDIGENOUS:
NT INDIGENOUS DEATHS IN CUSTODY WORST IN NATION



- Video

ABC Indigenous: NT Indigenous deaths in custody worst in nation
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-24/nt-indigenous-deaths-in-custody-worst-in-nation/4712380/?site=indigenous&topic=latest
24 May 13: "Source: 7pm TV News NT"


* BACKGROUND TO JUSTICE REINVESTMENT,
ABORIGINAL IMPRISONMENT AND
DEATHS IN CUSTODY: 


Last updated: 15 May 2013

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/12/17/background-to-aboriginal-imprisonment-and-deaths-in-custody


* CAAMA:
NAAJA CEO PRISCILLA COLLINS
ON THE ALCOHOL PROTECTION ORDER SCHEME



- Audio Interview

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
NAAJA CEO Priscilla Collins on The Alcohol Protection Order Scheme

http://caama.com.au/ceo-of-naaja-priscilla-collins-talks-about-the-alcohol-protection-order-scheme
14 May 13: "The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency 
(NAAJA) CEO Priscilla Collins talks to Lorena Walker about 
the APO and the supply of Alcohol."


* APO NT:
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS



- Analysis / Opinion

Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT):
Alcohol and Other Drugs

"The Northern Territory has the second highest alcohol 
consumption in the world. Misuse of alcohol has devastating 
health and social consequences for NT Aboriginal 
communities. APO NT believes that addressing alcohol and 
drug misuse, along with the many health and social 
consequences of this misuse, can only be achieved through 
a multi-tiered approach. 
APO NT supports evidence based alcohol policy reform, 
including: 
* Supply reduction measures 
* Harm reduction measures, and 
* Demand reduction measures 
To address alcohol and drug misuse within Aboriginal and 
Torres Strait Islander communities, social and structural 
determinants of mental health must be addressed."

APO NT Membership
http://apont.org.au/index.php/membership.html
"Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT) 
is an alliance comprising the 
Central Land Council (CLC), 
Northern Land Council (NLC), 
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), 
Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS) 
and the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT). 
The alliance was created to provide a more effective 
response to key issues of joint interest and concern 
affecting Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, 
including through advocating practical policy solutions 
to government."


* ABC:
NEW ALCOHOL POWERS FOR POLICE



- Video

ABC: New alcohol powers for police
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-10/new-alcohol-powers-for-police/4683052
10 May 13: "The Deputy Chief Minister David Tollner 
outlines new alcohol protection orders to ban some alleged 
criminals from drinking."


* ABC:
GROG CULTURE DEFENDED AS 'CORE SOCIAL VALUE'



- News

ABC: Grog culture defended as 'core social value'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-23/giles-defends-nt-drinking-culture-as-core-social-value/4708310
24 May 13: "Chief Minister Adam Giles has defended the 
Northern Territory's drinking culture as a "core social 
value". Speaking at an Australian Hotels Association (AHA) 
annual awards dinner in Darwin last night, Mr Giles said 
the tradition of "having a coldie" in a pub should be 
"enshrined" as part of Territory life. "This is our 
lifestyle, this is the way we live," he said. Mr Giles 
said the Government would do its best to support the liquor 
industry." By Kristy O'Brien

- - -

About WGAR News: 

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-aboriginal-rights-australia

Subscription to 'WGAR News' is free. 

'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media, focusing on: 

* the Australian Federal government intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities; 
* the Aboriginal sovereignty movement and the Aboriginal tent embassies; 
* Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Deaths in Custody; 
* Aboriginal land rights and mining; 
* other Aboriginal rights issues; and 
* upcoming Aboriginal rights events around Australia. 

'WGAR News' publishes information and opinions from a wide range of sources. 
These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR. 

The e-newsletters include media releases, opinion pieces, news items, audio, videos and events. 

Subscribers can expect to receive about 5 e-newsletters each week. 

To subscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR News" in the message header. 

To unsubscribe, email wgar.news@gmail.com and include the words "unsubscribe WGAR News" in the message header. 

Sample WGAR News e-newsletters: 
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-sample-wgar-news-e-newsletters

- - -

WGAR events postings: 
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-wgar-events-postings

WGAR background info web-pages: 
http://indymedia.org.au/2013/01/03/about-wgar-news-wgar-background-info-web-pages

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You can also subscribe to our second list 'Contact WGAR' which provides a point of contact and includes occasional activities and events. 

To subscribe, email contactwgar@gmail.com and include the words "subscribe WGAR Contact" in the message header. 

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR Website: http://wgar.wordpress.com/

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