Original Power | Community
Original Power
Reviews
to load big map
25.01.2022 BREAKING: Equinor have abandoned plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight. Congratulations to the Mirning mob who fought to protect their land and waters!
24.01.2022 Adnyamathanha Country in the world-renowned Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia is special, unique and a place that many call home. Thats why its featured in Paul Kelly's latest film clip for "Sleep, Australia, Sleep", a song calling on people to wake up and take action on climate change. Right now is a critical moment for the Adnyamathanha people, who are saying no to dangerous, poisonous underground coal gasification on their country in Leigh Creek and Copley. An... extraction process which has already been banned in Queensland due to contamination that resulted in one of the states worst environmental disasters. Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners will never give the company consent for this project - with 90% of the community saying no, declaring their community UCG free! Underground coal gasification is an unproven and extremely risky technology with major threats to human and environmental health - any process of burning coal underground to create gas is risky. Adnyamathanha people are standing together against UCG, and they are asking for you to stand with them! Sign up today. NO gasification in Adnyamathanha Yarta. GAS OFF!
22.01.2022 Today is May Day - or International Workers Day, and marks the 74th anniversary of the Pilbara Strike! On 1 May, nearly 800 Indigenous pastoral workers throughout the Pilbara defied the Aborigines Act 1905 (WA) and walked off in protest over lack of personal freedom, poor or no pay (often only rations) and substandard living conditions. Aboriginal workers defied the owners of pastoral stations in North-West Western Australia, and through their fight to win independence from t...heir colonial masters, exercised self-determination through the successful establishment of Aboriginal co-operatives. The strike was organised with no phones or radios and lasted until 1949, the longest strike in Australias history. You can learn more about some of the incredible stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resistance by downloading out timeline here!
22.01.2022 "If country gets hurt, we get hurt"
22.01.2022 Mr Mortimer likened the impending development to the "vandalism" of the Juukan Gorge in Western Australia by Rio Tinto. "How would you like someone to just go into your house and just flatten it?," he asked. "That's what it means to me. You can't just do that to another person.... "There's a lot more to these rocks than meets the eye, I can tell you."
21.01.2022 "Despite the fact that Australias transmission is slowing we are not out of the woods. Our Elders are our past but they are also our future. Their direction leads us to be who we are. This is about our preservation of our Elders, our families, our identity, our cultures and our languages"
20.01.2022 Within two generations, Eastern Guruma people have seen their country change from a remote place teeming with wildlife, fresh water and unbroken sacred narratives that networked through the Pilbara, to a heavily industrialised mining hub, now dissected by railways, dry and devoid of animals, WGAC said.
20.01.2022 "As a descendent of this River, I have been raised to recognise the ways in which it is our waterscape that has informed and sustained our values, identity and survival across countless generations, establishing forms of governance that emerge through a deeply informed awareness of, and responsibility towards, the bio-diverse systems of life that interweave the River Country." Happy #NAIDOC2020 you mob!
19.01.2022 "As Aboriginal people, we are connected to everything around us. Everything that is living, everything that is alive, is part of us." "We have to do everything in our power. And we can't do it as one mob - we have to do it together. Everyone has to come together and join us in that fight."
18.01.2022 Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation issued a statement on behalf of the Banjima people, saying they "do not support the destruction of sites of cultural significance". "We stand with all Aboriginal traditional owners and particularly our Pilbara brothers and sisters, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura, at this time in our abhorrence at the destruction of the Juukan rock shelters, and those suffering the threat of or having recently experienced similar site destruction," the statement said.
18.01.2022 Call Minister Sussan Ley and ask her to act now to protect Gomeroi cultural heritage from the Shenhua mine! Shenhua Australia wants to build a 10 million tonnes per year coal mine near Breeza on the Liverpool Plains in the North Western slopes of New South Wales on Gomeroi country. The three giant pits to be mined harbour places of enormous significance to Gomeroi people, including a burial pathway, large grinding groove sites where warriors sharpened their spears, scarred tr...ees and artefactual objects that together create a landscape of cultural and spiritual meaning irreplaceable to the Gomeroi Traditional Custodians. Dolly Talbott and her country needs our back-up. Call the Minister now on 02 6277 7920 See here for key messages to pass on to the Minister: https://bit.ly/gomeroi
17.01.2022 "The Covid-19 lock downs on our communities mean that Aboriginal people will not get to participate fully in deciding our local representatives or the next government of the Territory if an election goes ahead under current conditions," said Gadrian Hoosan, a Garrwa, Yanyuwa spokesperson from Borroloola in the electorate of Barkly. "If the Chief Minister tries to force an election on August 22 it means Aboriginal people will not be able to campaign for a candidate or assist our communities to enrol to vote across the region or potentially get to the polls to have our voices heard."
16.01.2022 We did not enter the land as trespassers. The State Government extinguished our native title on Unallocated State Land and handed it to Adani. We were camped and holding ceremonies in our country. We have not returned to our ceremonial site since Adanis security force confronted us. We know their mine and their licenses lack legitimacy in the face of our rights; and as Aboriginal people we have always known that. That it is made legal to destroy our country and our way of life, and bar us from access to our sites, doesnt make it just. Adani relies on draconian laws, that benefit the State and corporations, to control us and take away our rights."
16.01.2022 Our communities want laws that are based on the principles of empowerment, self-determination, First Nations decision making, greater transparency and free, prior and informed consent, they said. I have no intention of giving up. I made promises to old people who are not with us any more. Those promises mean a lot to me. That country out there means a lot to me. Its the country of my mother, my father and all those ancestors before, and its my country. Im not going to give up fighting, so if they think that were going to go away, theyd better think again.
16.01.2022 In Naarm (Melbourne) another Black Lives Matter Rally is kicking off in solidarity with George Floyd with thousands of people in attendance.
16.01.2022 "Our people are deeply troubled and saddened by the destruction of these rock shelters and are grieving the loss of connection to our ancestors as well as our land" As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, our power comes from our country, and our connection to its lands, waters and skies. As stewards of our lands for time immemorial, we care for, protect and defend country. Strength to Puutu Kunti Kurrama mob today, as they grapple with this devastating loss at the hands of reckless extraction. "I would encourage other traditional owners to ensure that their mining proponents, whoever is doing any mining activity on their country, that they understand what they are getting themselves into and do everything they possibly can to protect their sacred sites."
15.01.2022 It is our duty as Wangan and Jagalingou tribal warriors to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our borders. Adrian Burragubba, cultural leader Wangan and Jagalingou mob have been staunchly fighting the destruction of their homelands for years, and are now moving into a new phase of their campaign to protect and defend country. Follow the new campaign at the links below to find out how you can support us to Stand our Ground against Adanis destruction of our ...ancestral land and waters https://standing-our-ground.org/ https://www.facebook.com/WanganJagalingouStandingOurGround/ https://www.instagram.com/wjstandingourground/ https://twitter.com/WJWarriors
15.01.2022 "We never wanted this gas fracking to come to our homelands in the first place. Now that the company has said they will be leaving we are very happy. We want to tell Santos not to come back, respect our people and our country. It's not yours to frack." Big news! Fracking giant Santos has joined Origin Energy, pulling out of fracking in the Northern Territory for 2020. The fight isn't over, but this is a great win!
15.01.2022 For many, this crisis has been a wake-up call. We must now use it as an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to emerge from this crisis with new systems for everything from health, to housing and the economy. This is an opportunity for a rethink about how governments invest. It is an opportunity for new conversations and ways of thinking.... If we get this right, we can create systems that enable us to close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples once and for all, so we are never at risk like this again.
14.01.2022 "Internal government emails reveal for the first time that the industry is expected to produce so much greenhouse gas, it has the potential to jeopardise Australia's Paris emissions reduction target." Traditional Owners right across the Northern Territory have stated time and time again that they do NOT want fracking on their country. Because they know that we cant allow big fracking companies to destroy sacred country and drill through precious ground water which will put remote communities health at risk.
13.01.2022 Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Aboriginal Corporation Our focus continues to rest heavily on preserving Aboriginal heritage and advocating for wide-ranging changes to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. We cannot and will not allow this type of devastation to occur ever again.
13.01.2022 Tomorrow, Gomeroi women have called for a gathering on country to discuss what country needs - if you're Gomeroi mob, head over to this event!
13.01.2022 Black Lives Matter. There have been well over 400 Aboriginal deaths in custody in the 26 years since the Royal Commission. Every single one of them, taken cruelly and unjustly - the same acts of violence that we see perpetrated against black lands are being exacted upon black bodies. We stand with Black communities in the US fighting for justice for George Floyd, taken too soon. We know that what is happening in the US isnt just about him its about Ahmaud Arbery, who was... gunned down going for a jog. Its about Treyvon Martin, murdered going about his business. Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland and so many more. The world is understandably outraged at these ongoing atrocities. We understand their grief, their pain and their anger. If you can today, please turn out and show your support for First Nations communities - details of events are in the comments. There are many fair and valid reasons for not being able to attend in person. Rallies will be live-streamed to tune into, and please donate to families seeking justice. Justice for David Dungay Jnr: https://bit.ly/justicefordavid Justice for Kumanjayi Walker: https://bit.ly/justiceforyuendum Justice for Aunty Tanya Day: https://bit.ly/justicefortanyaday Justice for Joyce Clarke: https://bit.ly/justiceforjoyceclarke
13.01.2022 Under the access agreement they are meant to have given us notice of those mining leases and come and discussed them with us. Five of those mines we knew nothing about and there are a number of very significant sites and areas in those mining leases.
12.01.2022 "Banjima native title holders told the WA government in April they did not want any of the 86 archaeological sites within the project area to be damaged, saying the impending harm to the area is a further significant cumulative loss to the cultural values of the Banjima people."
12.01.2022 The UCG operation was designed to produce synthetic fuel through a combustion process below the surface. Air was allegedly injected into underground combustion chambers at pressures that were too high causing the rock and coal seams to fracture, allowing toxic gases to escape and contaminating the surrounding air, soil and water. Monitoring and remediation of the site are expected to take decades.... Full article: https://mobile.abc.net.au//five-linc-energy-dire/12030426 This is why we must fight to protect Copley and Leigh Creek from this poison. Join us: https://www.originalpower.org.au/copley_no_ucg
12.01.2022 We already knew that fracking in the Northern Territory was dirty, dangerous, and Traditional Owners say no. Now we know the full extent of just how much public money is being poured into this destructive industry. As Public Health Association of Australia Associate Professor Suzanne Belton said, "Not only does oil and gas steal your money that could be invested into preventing and treating ill health, but mining oil and gas contribute to climate warming which will cause severe problems for you and your children."
11.01.2022 If we look at the circulatory system within the body, and if you put poison into your heart, then that’s going to ultimately spread to everything, he said. The ideology that we could look at doing something so signifiant that literally attacks ‘the hearts of country’ without even guaranteeing (the project’s) safety, then why is that even being considered?"
10.01.2022 "The land was used for thousands of years and is one of a few places in Wonnarua country that can demonstrate ongoing occupation and use by a hunter-gatherer society," the letter says. Loss of our country in the Hunter Valley exceeds 95 per cent due to agriculture and mining. The letter says the current generation of Wonnarua peoples need to preserve this land for future generations so the story lines can flow throughs the creeks and watercourses that the mining company plans... to divert. It is spiritual place and we need to protect it for our ancestors who died on this land. https://www.singletonargus.com.au//call-for-federal-envir/
10.01.2022 Gomeroi Traditional Custodians are lodging a Section 10 ATSIHP Application to stop this project from going ahead - they need you to add your name in support. All you have to do is message Gomeroi Traditional Custodians your name, address and phone number with a quick statement on why you think we need to stop the destruction of the land's Gomeroi heritage!
09.01.2022 Were hearing from elders in isolated communities that the government is not sending them medical services or support theyre sending them body bags for children. That breaks my heart. I cannot believe that this is happening and no one really knows about it." This pandemic will not impact everyone the same - all levels of government have to step up and take immediate action to care for our mob.
09.01.2022 Mr Muir said Australian Potash had not engaged with the Waturta native title claimants to carry out Aboriginal heritage consultations. "We invited Australian Potash to come and talk to us on a number of occasions, particularly because Lake Wells, the lake the company seeks to extract potash from is a site of significance to us," he said. He also said he believed the mining company was trying to "divide and rule".... "They're trying to set up a group because they don't like to engage with us," he said. "So they're going to talk to other people who don't have any legal standing."
09.01.2022 REGISTER FOR ORIGINAL POWER RESOURCES AND TOOLS. BUILDING POWER GUIDE This guide is a resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander changemakers and facilitators. It brings together tools and processes for community visioning, campaign planning, power mapping and leadership development.... The guide outlines Original Power's 6 ingredients for self-determining communities - what we need to say yes, or no, to developments being offered or imposed on our people. Our aim is to build the capacity of our people to make informed decisions that provide for community needs. RESISTANCE TIMELINE The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander timeline of resistance is a snapshot of the history of our people. From invasion to land rights our people have campaigned and organised. Download this resource to read the stories of individual actions and collective campaigning and to remind yourselves or teach others about the strength and resilience of our communities. The timeline is dedicated to all the elders, warriors, stewards, protectors, and young mob coming through standing strong for what you believe in. https://www.originalpower.org.au/resources_and_tools
08.01.2022 "Aboriginal people aren't consulted about how they are protected, revitalised and promoted. There's such significant landmarks to our culture, to our history and to everybody who lives in Australia. "Really it's about that genuine partnership of us working together with the peak organisations so that we can move forward to protect what we have."
08.01.2022 "Every day in our work at the Aboriginal Legal Service we see our kids get dragged into the criminal justice system, instead of being supported at school, in community and with their families."
07.01.2022 If the Chief Minister tries to force an election on August 22 it means Aboriginal people will not be able to campaign for a candidate or assist our communities to enrol to vote across the region or potentially get to the polls to have our voices heard, said Barkly electorate spokesperson and Garrwa Yanyuwa man, Gadrian Hoosan.
06.01.2022 More than 100 ancient Aboriginal sites in Western Australia some of which date before the last ice age could be destroyed by mining companies which have already obtained legal permission to do so.
06.01.2022 During this lockdown, we know that plenty of people are reading, learning and running plenty of webinars! Why not spend some time learning about the histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resistance following colonisation? Sign up and receive our Timeline of Resistance - which can be used for your own reading, or incorporated into workshops! https://www.originalpower.org.au/resistance_timeline
06.01.2022 NSW Aboriginal Land Council are providing food boxes for mob at risk of COVID-19 and are in isolation - you can register for one here. Stay safe you fullas!
06.01.2022 LIVE FROM NAARM PROTEST
05.01.2022 From health funding to housing, we know this this virus will not impact everyone the same way. We must keep our people - especially our elders safe, and need urgent action to protect our mob from the very worst of COVID-19.
03.01.2022 We all had a traditional way that we lived. We all had songs. We all had dance. We all had our own laws designed for that country. They were designed so that we would live and respect the country, but also respect ourselves. While were in isolation, learn and practise. Start practising stuff that you never practised before or didnt know about your own culture, your own ceremonies. Start practising them with your family that you live with. Keep learning, keep teaching, he says.
01.01.2022 Original Power organisers Dwayne and Edie are joining the School Strike 4 Climate interactive livestream this evening to yarn about climate justice, the defence of country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resistance. Join us TODAY for the BuildABetterFuture Interactive Livestream from 4pm AEST / 3:30pm ACST / 2pm AWST. Find the stream at:... School Strike 4 Climate The SS4C website: https://www.schoolstrike4climate.com/live The SS4C YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuVyIXBt2uc See more
