High crime rates in the Northern Territory have sparked a call for alcohol rehabilitation services in remote areas.

Australia challenged at United Nations over racist laws.

Sport

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(Photo courtesy of AUM)

The Yabu Band have just recently released their powerful new single “Petrol, Paint and Glue”. A tragic tale of loss, substance abuse and desperation that needs to be told and addressed. They have been touring  around with their new single, and will finish in Alice Springs on the 2nd of June.

Nerida Currey caught up with Yabu Band’s Delson Stokes on the Big Brekky show.

11.5.12 Delson Stokes Yabu band with Nerida Currey

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Check out the tour dates below to see the details of their tour and whether they are coming to your community.

Yabu Band Tour Dates:

May 17 – Albany

Albany Entertainment Centre

www.albanyentertainment.com.au
| 08 9844 5005

 May 18 – Geraldton WA  

Queens Park Theatre   

www.queensparktheatre.com.au |
Ph: 08 9956 6662

May 19 – Fremantle WA

Fly By Night Club

www.flybynight.org
|  Ph: 08 9430 5976

May 20 – Bunbury WA

Bunbury Entertainment Centre

www.bunburyentertainment.com
|  Ph: 08 9792 3111

May 23 – Karratha WA

The Walkington Amphitheatre

www.pilbaratafe.wa.edu.au
|  Ph: 08 9159 6860

May 24 – Port Hedland WA

Matt Dann Centre

www.mattdann.com
|  Ph: 08 9158 9368

May 25 – Broome WA

Goolarri Gimme Club

www.goolari.com
|  Ph:  08 9195 5333

May 26 – Kununurra WA

Barramundi Concert

www.kununurra.crc.net.au/our-community/events/barramundi-concert

Ph: 08 9169 3504

May 31  – Melbourne VIC

The Royal Melbourne Hotel

www.rmh.com.au
|  Ph: 03 9629 2400 

June 2 – Alice Springs NT

Monte’s

www.montes.net.au
|  Ph: 08 8952 4336

Yanayuwa traditional owners on the Gulf of Carpentaria have celebrated the official protection of their land.

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Early Wednesday morning Hundreds of police moved in on the site arresting up to 30 rights campaigners and forcing other supporters to leave the site under threat of arrest.
Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad has described the police action as an absolute unnecessary escalation in force.

Remote area broadcasters call on Government to provide digital television channel for the Bush.

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Trouble is brewing between the Musgrave Park Aboriginal “tent embassy” and the Brisbane City Council …. with rights campaigners refusing to leave the site ahead of a local Greek Festival.

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The only research Institute in Australia which has a sole focus on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders …is set to hold a two day conference in Alice springs starting today.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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(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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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