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Pay the Rent for Invasion Day - the Black GST

From the newswire: After 218 years of occupation: The Black GST campaign needs your help in getting Indigenous rights back on the agenda, through calling public and political attention to the issues of GENOCIDE, SOVEREIGNTY and TREATY. [ See Also: Aboriginal Sovereignty Day Declared ] Native Title and Reconciliation have not adequetly addressed Indigenous rights on this continent. Native Title puts the onus on Indigenous peoples to somehow prove continuous connection with their land - an impossible task given the effects of dispossession and attempted genocide. Indigenous peoples have sacred connections and rights to this land exercised over tens of thousands of years. In March 2006, Indigenous peoples from throughout the continent will converge in Melbourne during the 'Stolenwealth' Games. Through peaceful events and protests, they will use the games to bring international media attention to the shameful and unjust situation they face. [ The Black GST Campaign Website ] The campaign will use the Stolenwealth Games as part of an ongoing process that aims to: Stop the genocide of Indigenous peoples; Achieve recognition of Indigenous peoples as having sovereign rights over the land; and Work towards the development of treaties so that Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can co-exist on the land. The Reconciliation process has failed. The concept of reconciliation is based on the approach that Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples need to 'reconcile their differences'. Indigenous peoples have suffered attempted and actual genocide at the hands of white people. White settlers directly and indirectly killed large numbers of Indigenous people. The Australian government continued the attempted genocide through enclosed camps, reservations and forced removals of children. Indigenous peoples today continue to be severely disadvantaged, suffering shocking Third World conditions that Australia should be ashamed of. We must recognise the attempted genocide of Indigenous culture, society and people, and end it. There is no escaping the issues of genocide, sovereignty and treaty. Unless they are properly addressed, Indigenous peoples will continue to suffer greatly and struggle to regain their dignity. Unless they are properly addressed, non-Indigenous people will continue to carry the scar in their souls and their society that comes from not being at peace with the land and its traditional owners. The Melbourne 'Stolenwealth' Games in March is an opportunity to get Indigenous rights back on the agenda. We can bring international attention to the shameful situation facing Indigenous peoples on this continent... READ MORE/Comment... 26th January 2006: Aboriginal Sovereignty Day Declared - Tribal Law Council Established. Read More...

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