The Countries peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative body says it is tired of seeing a constant roll out of Government funding to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people when previous investments have failed to show results.

Aboriginal rights campaigner Michael Anderson has spoken out in defence of the Toomelah community following media speculation that residents could be facing some form of Government intervention.

Sport

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The Gillard Labor Government has committed more than 3. Billion dollars  over 10 years towards implementing Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory as part of a 5.2 billion dollar national package to help close the gap nationally on Aboriginal disadvantage.

The Australian Greens say they will vote ‘No’ if the Government brings on the Strong Futures Legislation in the Senate to extend and expand the NT Intervention.

Sport

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Photo: Rob de Castella

12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women are set to begin the journey which could see them run a marathon by the end of the year.

Rob de Castella chats to Nerida Currey about this.

8.05 Rob de Castella web versionfinal

(Photo Courtesy of Ned Madsen, sourced from The Chronicle)

Dr Odette Best became the first Aboriginal person to graduate with a PhD from the Universtiy of Sourthern Queensland when she recieved her Doctorate in Nursing…after six years of study.

She speaks to Mikaela Simpson on Womens Business, to share her story.

Download audio file (Dr-Odette-Best-interview-final-web-version.mp3)

The boss of the Northern Territory Police has flagged an inter agency operation to bring relief and long term sustainable change from unacceptable levels of social dysfunction and crime being experienced in Alice Springs.

Australia’s peak national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islanders says it will continue to oppose proposed new Intervention laws for the Northern Territory because they have not been tested for human rights violations.

12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women are set to begin the journey which could see them run a marathon by the end of the year.

Sport

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Alcohol bans which have been in place in 19 Queensland Aboriginal communities since 2002 could be lifted with a state government review of the controversial laws already under way.

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin says an intensive eight-week period of community consultation on income management will begin this week.

Last weeks memorial concert for Uncle Jimmy Little at the Sydney Opera House has
strengthened opposition against the Stronger Futures Legislation for Aboriginal
people in the Northern Territory.

A forum on Aboriginal Chronic Disease in NSW has heard significant steps are
being made in preventing and treating health conditions for the mob but there
is still a long way to go.

Sport

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A senior policy advisor with the the Northern Territory Chief Ministers Department has questioned claims that Aboriginal people previously ran local Government organisations and says most were predominantly managed by CEO’s.

Des Rogers talks with Paul Wiles on Strong Voices.

Download audio file (2-05-Des-Rogers-reponds-to-criticism-of-NT-gov.mp3)

2-05 Des Rogers reponds to criticism of NT gov

Aboriginal leaders in Alice Springs says they  wants to enter into a proper negotiation process with community leaders  as part of a move to address the current issues that the town is facing. 

A high-profile group is calling for tens of millions of dollars to be diverted each year from the juvenile justice system into prevention programs to help young Aboriginal men and women.

Sport

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A State Memorial Service held at the Sydney Opera House yesterday, Thursday the 3rd of May, honoured the life and achievements of the late Jimmy Little.

A smoking ceremony was held outside the Opera House to honour the legendary musician…who sadly passed on April 2, aged 75.

Uncle Jimmy little made history in 1963 when his hit song Royal Telephone topped the charts…a rarity for Aboriginal artists in that era.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said uncle Jimmy Little had taught and mentored Aboriginal music  students in Redfern since 1985… and spoke of his not-for-profit Jimmy Little foundation which aimed to  increase the life expectancy of Aboriginal people.

Mr O’Farrell announced that Mr Little had been named  recipient of the 2012 JC Williamson Award…which recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry…and shaped its future for the better.

Mr O’Farrell said Uncle Jimmy Little was delighted when he was told earlier this year that he  had won the award.

Member for Stuart, Karl Hampton, and Minister for Arts and Museums, Gerry McCarthy have announced the Barunga Festival will go ahead this year.

The Barunga Festival is the longest running Indigenous sport and cultural event…and will run from June 8-10 in Jawoyn country, 80kms south-east of Katherine.

Minister Hampton says the Territory Government has been working with stakeholders behind the scenes to ensure the festival’s success.

He says its a highlight on the event calendar for visitors and Territorians and provides a great opportunity for people to come together, share knowledge, culture and compete in a range of sporting events.

The festival now sits in its 26th year.

For more information about this year’s Barunga Festival, check out the website… http://www.barungafestival.com.au/

Tegan Pigram from Derby WA and Jamie Wunungmurra from Yirrkala NT have overcome many hurdles to conquer the 2012 Boston Marathon…a 42.195 km course.

With a temperature of 31 degrees at the start line these two deadly athletes have made an outstanding achievement in completing the marathon…with Tegan finishing the course in 5 hours 14 minutes, and Jamie coming in at 6 hours 7 minutes.

This is an incredible example of the strength, spirit and determination…people say if you can run a marathon, you can achieve almost anything!

Tegan and Jamie will now continue to work through elements of their Certificate III in Community Recreation.

Keep an eye on the Indigenous Marathon Project website for further updates… http://themarathonproject.com.au

Rob de Castella and the Indigenous Marathon Project team have announced the 12 men and women who have been selected to be part of the IMP 2012 New York City Marathon squad.

After a nation-wide search with more than 130 applications and a massive screening process, the 2012 squad are:

Men
Nat Heath – Newcastle, NSW
Jurgean Tabuai – Townsville, QLD
Justin Gaykamangu – Ramingining, NT
Marius Clarke – Gunbalanya, NT
Kieren De Santis – Tiwi Islands, NT
Korey Summers – Alice Springs, NT

Women
Amber Parker – Newcastle, NSW
Anna Kerindun – Arukun, QLD
Nickaela Kerindun – Arukun, QLD
Victoria Davis-Jenkins – Cairns, QLD
Emma Cameron – Darwin, NT
Grace Eather – Maningrida, NT

The athletes will meet for the first time when they come together in Canberra this month for the first training camp…the first of a number of intensive training camps which will lead them a step closer to completing the world’s most famous foot race.

• Eight nations of Aboriginal people in the  Top End  of the Northern Territory have rejected the Federal Governments Stronger Futures legislation in a strongly worded statement calling for a partnership based on self determination.
• A senior policy advisor with the the Northern Territory Chief Ministers Department has questioned claims that Aboriginal people previously ran local Government organisations and says most were predominantly managed by CEO’s.
• Sport.

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Download audio file (am-3-051.mp3)

A leading Australian social commentator says that it is really hard to find any precise data even from the Governments own official statistics which show that the Intervention in Northern Territory Aboriginal Communities is having a positive impact.

The CEO of the Australian Employment covenant says that there are still large numbers of Aboriginal people who have had training for trainings sake but no access to a guaranteed job.

Sport

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The Managing editor of A Sydney based investigate journal into says Central Australian Aboriginal bush communities have been decimated by the ongoing impact of the Northern Territory Intervention with many people choosing to move into Alice Springs.

Indigenous Business Australia are running a series of free business workshops to assist Aboriginal people to get into business.

Sport

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Up to 4000 older Aboriginal people who have participated in community CDEP programs for most of their working lives will be allowed to continue on the scheme for another five years.

New school based program which gives young aboriginal men and women the opportunity to train as mechanics is enjoying great success and could be expanded into mainstream.

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                                                                     Freda Glynn

Pam caught up with CAAMA  co founder  Freda Glynn at the opening of the John Macumba centre and asked her how she was, what she has been doing and what she has planned for the future.

Pam and Freda pt 1 edit

Freda Glynn n Pam pt 2 edit

Photo: Steve Hodder

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will convene its 11th Session in May 2012 and the CLC has a new staff member attending in New York, USA. CLC Media officer, Steve Hodder Watt (Bunabjee) has been sponsored by Oxfam as a youth delegate, and as a part of the Indigenous People’s Organisation (IOP) Network will help document the visit.

Steve said he was surprised he qualified as a ‘youth’ at 34 years old.

STEVE HODDER PT 1

The Western Australian Minister for Indigenous Affairs says a law that discriminates against Aboriginal people is an embarrassment to the state and he will change it.

The CEO of the Alice Springs Town council has outlined the significant role that codes of conduct play in ensuring that passion and heated debate do not overtake council’s decision making processes.

Sport

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