Cultural Learning Hub

Reports

Reconciliation Australia’s recommended reading list

Reconciliation Australia has a comprehensive list of readings including reports, important documents, and a range of fiction and non-fiction books and readings.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Like everyone, Indigenous people have all of the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However Indigenous people have specific rights because of their unique position as first peoples of their nations as set out in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Bringing Them Home Report

The Bringing them home report (1995 – 1997) was a national inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, it was released on 26 May 1997 (Sorry Day)

Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

In 1987 a royal commission was established to investigate 99 Aboriginal deaths in custody over a 10-year period. On 15 April 1991 the commission delivered a report, which gave 339 recommendations. There has been a piecemeal attempt to implement the recommendations, which varies according to jurisdiction.

Report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya

This report contains the observations of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, on the situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. The report is based on exchanges of information with the Government, indigenous peoples and other interested parties, including during the Special Rapporteur’s visit to Australia from 17 to 28 August 2009.

In March 2017, the new Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples came to Australia for a second country visit. Her report is due in September 2017, you can see her end of mission statement here.

---

Books

Decolonizing Solidarity

By Clare Land

The thinking and learning of many community members and activists about how to work in support of Aboriginal struggles. The book is based on interviews with 24 Aboriginal community members and non-Aboriginal activists, and includes what the author, Clare Land, has personally learned through her own activist work in southeastern Australia.It includes inspirational flyers and documents created by people pursuing land rights, black power and sovereignty in southeast Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane), and their supporters. Gary Foley, Tony Birch and Marjorie Thorpe provided direction and critical feedback for the research that went into the book. They are members of the political community that the work was created for. Robbie Thorpe is a key influence on the book.

Talking to my country

By Stan Grant

Australian values? Where have I heard that lately? Talking to My Country is that rare and special book that talks to every Australian about their country – what it is, and what it could be. It is not just about race, or about indigenous people but all of us, our shared identity. Direct, honest and forthright, Stan is talking to us all. He might not have all the answers but he wants us to keep on asking the question: how can we be better? See Book trailer by Stan Grant.

Barbed wire and cherry blossoms

By Anita Heiss

Over 1000 Japanese soldiers break out of the No.12 Prisoner of War compound on the fringes of Cowra. In the carnage, hundreds are killed, many are recaptured, and some take their own lives rather than suffer the humiliation of ongoing defeat. But one soldier, Hiroshi, manages to escape. At nearby Erambie Station, an Aboriginal mission, Banjo Williams, father of five and proud man of his community, discovers Hiroshi, distraught and on the run. Unlike most of the townsfolk who dislike and distrust the Japanese, the people of Erambie choose compassion and offer Hiroshi refuge. Mary, Banjo’s daughter, is intrigued by the softly spoken stranger, and charged with his care. For the community, life at Erambie is one of restriction and exclusion – living under Acts of Protection and Assimilation, and always under the ruthless eye of the mission Manager. On top of wartime hardships, families live without basic rights.Love blossoms between Mary and Hiroshi, and they each dream of a future together. But how long can Hiroshi be hidden safely and their bond kept a secret?

Am I Black Enough for you

By Anita Heiss

The story of an urban-based high achieving Aboriginal woman working to break down stereotypes and build bridges between black and white Australia. ‘I’m Aboriginal. I’m just not the Aboriginal person a lot of people want or expect me to be.’

Dark Emu

By Bruce Pascoe

Book of the Year and the Indigenous Writer’s Prize in the 2016 New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards, Dark Emu argues for a reconsideration of the ‘hunter-gatherer’ tag for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians and attempts to rebut the colonial myths that have worked to justify dispossession. Accomplished author Bruce Pascoe provides compelling evidence from the diaries of early explorers that suggests that systems of food production and land management have been blatantly understated in modern retellings of early Aboriginal history, and that a new look at Australia’s past is required.  

It’s our country: Indigenous Arguments for Meaningful Constitutional Recognition and Reform

Edited by Megan Davis & Marcia Langton

Why should Indigenous people have a direct say in the decisions that affect their lives? Australia is one of the only liberal democracies still grappling with such a fundamental question. The idea of constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians has become a highly political and contentious issue. It is entangled in institutional processes that rarely allow the diversity of Indigenous opinion to be expressed. With a referendum on the agenda, it is now urgent that Indigenous people have a direct say in the form of recognition that constitutional change might achieve. This is a collection of essays by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander thinkers and leaders including Patrick Dodson, Noel Pearson, Dawn Casey, Nyunggai Warren Mundine and Mick Mansell. Each essay explores what recognition and constitutional reform might achieve or not achieve for Indigenous people.

Not Just Black and White

By Lesley and Tammy Williams

The true story of a mother and daughter’s experiences growing up in Queensland. Lesley grew up under the act on a mission in SE Queensland until she was forced to leave. Tammy grew up with her mum in Brisbane and learned of her mother’s life and struggles growing up under the Act.

---

Online articles

10 things you should know about white privilege

Luke Pearson, Sophie Verass, NITV, October 2016

How much do we actually know about the concept and history of this sociological term, which is rapidly gaining popularity?

20 inspiring women who have changed Australia

Andrea Booth, Luke Briscoe, NITV, March 2017

NITV has put together a list of 20 trailblazing Indigenous women who have changed Australia.

Anzac Day: We’ve already said thanks enough, it’s time to move on

Chris Graham, New Matilda, April 2016

Aboriginal people got one national apology. But ANZACs have had more than 100 thank you’s, writes Chris Graham.

Don’t tell me to get over a colonialism that is still being implemented today

Luke Pearson, The Guardian, April 2016

Broadcaster Kyle Sandilands says ‘get over it, it’s 200 years ago’, but it’s everything that has happened since that is the real problem.  

Why the term ‘Australian’ can be an imposition on Aboriginal people

Celeste Liddle, SBS, March 2017

Terms like “First Australians” and “Aboriginal Australians” may be well intentioned, but along with concepts like “Real Australians,” they can do more harm than good for Aboriginal rights. Celeste Liddle explains.

Right Wrongs

abc.net.au May 2017

On May 27, 1967, Australians voted in a referendum to change how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the Constitution. Explore these personal stories, opinions and historical recordings of what happened.  How far have we come since 1967?

Why I stand for Indigenous Rights

Indigenous Rights Team, Amnesty International, July 2015

During NAIDOC Week 2015, Amnesty’s Indigenous Rights Team shared what motivates them to work for Indigenous rights.

The Justice Gap is widening, and Our Kids are feeling it most

Rodney Dillon, May 2017, Huffpost

In 50 years since the referendum on Indigenous rights, we have been continuously let down.

National Indigenous Television (NITV)

NITV is an Australian television channel that broadcasts programs produced primarily by Indigenous people. Check out their website or follow them on Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with the latest Indigenous news!

The Koori Mail

The fortnightly national Indigenous newspaper – 100% Aboriginal owner, 100% self funded, you can also follow on Facebook.

National Indigenous Times

First published as a newspaper in February 2002, the National Indigenous Times is an Australian Indigenous affairs website.

Desert Pea Media

In Australia today, our Original Nations people continue to suffer huge disadvantages, both culturally and socially as a direct consequence of our shameful history of racism and violence. Many of Australia’s First Nations people continue to feel the effects of generational trauma on a daily basis: critical rates of youth suicide, low life expectancy, unemployment, cycles of incarceration, isolation and substance abuse. Desert Pea Media (DPM) is a response to this.

Established in 2002, DPM is a registered charitable organisation that works with individuals and communities in regional and remote areas in Australia to support them to create important social and cultural dialogue

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Radio

The Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) came to life in 1982 with the establishment of radio station 8KIN FM. Aboriginal-owned media was seen as being vital to the broad educational and community development aspirations of Aboriginal people in Central Australia. Radio was a way to give voice to Aboriginal hopes and dreams as well as being a tool to maintain and sustain the culture and languages of Central Australia. Originally offering music and programming in Arrernte, Pitjantjatjara, Luritja and Warlpiri, today CAAMA broadcasts in half a dozen more Indigenous languages, reaching communities across Australia.

National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS)

The National Indigenous Radio Service Limited (NIRS) is a national program distribution service that delivers four radio channels of content produced by First Nations broadcasters via satellite distribution and via the internet. Operating from a central hub in Brisbane, NIRS receives programs from a majority of the 180+ First Nations broadcasting services across Australia. Arguably, the NIRS satellite footprint is the largest for a First Nations radio network in the southern hemisphere, if not the world.  Given this, NIRS and its programs are unique within the Australian media environment.  Over 120 Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS) units, 23 Indigenous radio stations and 120 Community Broadcastes receive NIRS. To learn more about our network simply explore our new Google Map interface which show where each and every radio station is located, its website details and even includes a streaming link in some cases.

Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media (PAKAM) Network

PAKAM is an association of Indigenous media producers and broadcasters in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. Our members operate thirteen BRACS (Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme) community television and radio stations and six larger town-based community radio stations.

Other community radio broadcasters

There are many more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander radio stations around the country. The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia is helpful in finding your local Indigenous radio station. Simply go to the website, enter in your suburb or postcode, select Indigenous from ‘Community Served’ drop down menu and click apply and local stations will appear.