July 2005 Volume 6, Issue 12
In this edition, Ruth McCausland, of Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning in Sydney, writes about Shared Responsibility Agreements — one indicator of the Government’s significant shift in ‘Indigenous affairs’.
Stolen wages continues as a prominent issue, but unfortunately only thanks to the hard work of campaigners who will not rest until they see just recompense for Indigenous people cheated by their own government. Christine Howes of the Queensland Stolen Wages Working Group provides an update of the campaign in that State, which has stepped up given that there is now less than six months left until the Queensland Government withdraws its ‘offer’. Importantly, the article also highlights the work being undertaken to compile a national report on the issue. Volunteers are required for research so if you are in a position to help, please take note of the contact details.
The Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2005 was introduced to Parliament in May of this year and will see a significant decrease in funding to independent, Indigenous-controlled education providers like Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative College. Kate Munro from Tranby explains the Bill and the devastating impact it is likely to have on Indigenous students and Indigenous education in general. Tranby and similar organisations will now be required to compete for their funding, despite the overwhelming success of their programs, undeniable when you see the statistics.
Editor Catherine Hunter recently spoke with the Chair of Palm Island Aboriginal Council in Queensland on issues of community advocacy and representation. Those insights into a community rebuilding form part of this edition. Josephine Cashman details her research into child sexual assault in NSW Indigenous communities and debates whether steps toward self-determination have affected the ability to deal with the problem, and Richard Edney looks at steps taken in Canada to tackle Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system and discusses whether Australia may incorporate some of the lessons learned.
We are also now online. Complete archives from Volume 1, Issue 1 (1981) of the Bulletin are available online at www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/
General Edition
Research Methodologies — A Maori Story
Maui and Kahu’s Excellent Adventure
by Carwyn Jones
Stolen Wages — Stolen Lives
Stolen Wages: Pushing the Issue onto the National Agenda
by Christine Howes
Shared Responsibility Agreements
Shared Responsibility Agreements: Practical Reconciliation or Paternalistic Rhetoric?
by Ruth McCausland
Indigenous Education Under Threat
Community
Palm Island — The Truth Behind the Media Portrayal: An Interview with Erykah Kyle, Chairperson of the Palm Island Aboriginal Council
by Catherine HunterDon’t Tell Anyone Our Secret! Child Sexual Assault in Indigenous Communities
by Josephine CashmanImprisonment as a Last Resort for Indigenous Offenders: Some Lessons from Canada?
by Richard Edney
Regular
News Update
Recent Happenings July 2005