Adelaide, Sunday 25th November: Approximately 75 people attended an Aboriginal smoking ceremony in

Hindmarsh Square to observe John Howard’s “political funeral”.

John Howard’s coffin was bathed in smoke as Aboriginal Kaurna elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien performed a funeral rite in the Kaurna language. Niwili White Forrest held the bowl of smoking leaves as they circled the coffin together.

Members of the audience placed “detention centre” barbed wire wreaths, WMDs, and flowers for those who have suffered under his regime, on the coffin.

MC Tauto Sansbury addressed the crowd, explaining how John Howard’s evil spirit was being cleansed from the

country after 11 bad years.

Channel 7, 9, and 10 cameras filmed the ceremony, but did not carry it in their TV news that night – Costello’s “resignation” took pride of place…

Klynton Wanganeen from the local community addressed the crowd.

The smoking ceremony was followed by young

Aboriginal dancers, Tamari and Curly

who performed the kangaroo and shake-a-leg dances

as they moved around the coffin.

Katrina Power saw the event as “Howard’s final payback”.

Professor Peter Buckskin gave a powerful speech that outlined Howard’s impact on Aboriginal communities.

Pilawuk White, from the Ngangiwumerri people of the NT, said, “We now consider the country to be finally rid of John Howard’s evil spirit, and are celebrating the birth of a new era.”

She took the audience through a water cleansing ceremony from her country

in which water is placed on the forehead

and then on the navel.

(Cissy Cubillo administering.)

Janet Giles, Secretary of SA Unions, also took part in the ceremony, receiving purification from Eileen Wanganeen.

The mainstream media ignored this important event that symbolises the burying of the Howard era and the subsequent moving on.

Let real Reconciliation begin!

If you think this iconic moment deserves public recognition, please send it on ASAP through your networks – be part of the new, electronic, word of mouth media…..

Organized and produced by the Ecosocialist Network and the Adelaide Aboriginal community

http://ecosocialistnetwork.blogspot.com