Cultural Diversity Workshop/Seminar Cultural Diversity Workshop/Seminar for Dental students: University of for Dental students: University of

MelbourneMelbourne18 October, 201218 October, 2012

Case Study: Yorta Yorta History, Culture & SurvivalDr Wayne Atkinson, Yorta Yorta Elder, Senior Fellow

School of Social & Political ScienceUniversity of Melbourne

Indigenous Australia BC: before Captain Cook

60-120000 Years Occupation & Possession

Yorta Yorta

Key Factors to understanding Key Factors to understanding Indigenous Culture & Land RelationsIndigenous Culture & Land Relations

1.1. Aboriginal culture in its proper time Aboriginal culture in its proper time perspective-past & present as one.perspective-past & present as one.

2.2. The concept of change adaption & The concept of change adaption & continuity- an evolving process continuity- an evolving process familiar to all cultural groupsfamiliar to all cultural groups

3.3. The existence of an ongoing-living The existence of an ongoing-living culture that has survived & continues culture that has survived & continues to maintain its identity & connections to maintain its identity & connections with the ancestral lands with the ancestral lands

Yorta Yorta Cultural Heritage‘Keeping it for the Future’

Murray River called Dhungulla in Yorta Yorta language

Ramsar Convention & China, Japan Ramsar Convention & China, Japan Migratory Bird Agreement Migratory Bird Agreement (Ramsar comes under UNESCO which is (Ramsar comes under UNESCO which is

a specialised agency of the UN Systema specialised agency of the UN System

Barmah Moira Barmah Moira Lakes, protected Lakes, protected under Ramsar under Ramsar Convention Convention (The signing of (The signing of the Convention took place in 1971 in the the Convention took place in 1971 in the small Iranian town of Ramsar (since small Iranian town of Ramsar (since then, it has taken the common name of then, it has taken the common name of the Ramsar Convention). the Ramsar Convention).

China & Japan China & Japan Migratory Birds Migratory Birds Agreement: Agreement: (CAMBA,1986 & (CAMBA,1986 & JAMBA,1974,) JAMBA,1974,) Agreement on Agreement on international cooperation for the international cooperation for the conservation of migratory species conservation of migratory species & for the protection of specific & for the protection of specific habitats. Great Egret & White-habitats. Great Egret & White-bellied Sea-eagle (two birds BM bellied Sea-eagle (two birds BM listed).listed).

Other birds are Rainbow Bee-eater, Other birds are Rainbow Bee-eater, Cattle Egret, Greenshank, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Greenshank, Glossy Ibis, White-throated Needletail, Sharp-tailed White-throated Needletail, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Latham's Snipe, Red-necked Sandpiper, Latham's Snipe, Red-necked Stint, Fork-tailed Swift and Caspian Stint, Fork-tailed Swift and Caspian Tern (DCE 1992).Tern (DCE 1992).

Great Egret

White Breasted Sea Eagle

Japan, 2008

Yorta Yorta OccupationYorta Yorta Occupation

Timeline & Evidence of Timeline & Evidence of prior occupationprior occupation

Timeline & Indigenous Timeline & Indigenous SurvivalSurvival

Last two centuries (non-Last two centuries (non-Indigenous occupation) dominates Indigenous occupation) dominates the timeline & the intensity of the timeline & the intensity of change that has taken place.change that has taken place.

Adaption cultural continuity & Adaption cultural continuity & survival is the outcome that needs survival is the outcome that needs to be recognised.to be recognised.

Cultural Heritage: A Living Cultural Heritage: A Living HeritageHeritage

Mural of Biami Rainbow Serpent, Dharnya Centre

Stratigraphy(timeline) of Occupation Stratigraphy(timeline) of Occupation SitesSites

Mounds & MiddensMounds & Middens

Timeline of Occupation

Oldest

Recent

Cultural Heritage Values: Scarred Trees

Mound Sites: Barmah State ParkMound Sites: Barmah State Park

Mound Mound

Lagoon& Natural Food Storage System, Barmah Forest

Traditional Fish Trap SystemTraditional Fish Trap System

Fish Trap System Midden

CULTURAL CULTURAL CONTINUITYCONTINUITYTHROUGH THROUGH

Community, Art, Community, Art, Music, Theatre, Music, Theatre,

Dance & SportDance & Sport

Maloga: 1874-88

Cummeragunja: 1889-Present Aboriginal Leaders 1930s

Lynch Cooper World Champion, 1930s

Cummera & Maloga Cummera & Maloga HeritageHeritage

Sir Doug Nichols

Cultural Continuity in the Cultural Continuity in the Yorta Yorta wayYorta Yorta way

Lin Onus, Jimmy’s BillabongBarmah Lake, Yorta Yorta country

Wally & Sony Cooper: Yorta Yorta Dance Group

Lou Bennet & TiddasJimmy Little

Yanagai Yanagai Play, 2006Andrea James

Yorta Yorta artist Lin Onus (1948 - 1996) spent much of his life bridging the gap between urban and traditional, art forms. He had a deep social conscience & his work has inspired a new generation of young Indigenous artists from south-eastern Australia.

Debra CheetamPecan Summer Opera

The Cummera Walk Off, The Cummera Walk Off, 19391939

In 1939, the first-ever mass strike of Aboriginal people in this In 1939, the first-ever mass strike of Aboriginal people in this country occurred – the country occurred – the Cummeragunja Walk-offCummeragunja Walk-off. Over 200 . Over 200 residents packed-up and left Cummeragunja in protest of the residents packed-up and left Cummeragunja in protest of the conditions and the oppressive management. They crossed the conditions and the oppressive management. They crossed the border from New South Wales into Victoria in contravention of the border from New South Wales into Victoria in contravention of the rules of the New South Wales Protection Board. rules of the New South Wales Protection Board.

This protest showed the strength and organisational skills of This protest showed the strength and organisational skills of Aboriginal people and their supporters. Many rallied behind the Aboriginal people and their supporters. Many rallied behind the Walk-off, collecting food and provisions and transporting them up Walk-off, collecting food and provisions and transporting them up to the Murray River to the protestors. to the Murray River to the protestors.

Officials were frustrated by these Aboriginal rebellions and were Officials were frustrated by these Aboriginal rebellions and were embarrassed when the media began carrying stories about embarrassed when the media began carrying stories about conditions Aboriginal people were living under. The conditions Aboriginal people were living under. The Cummeragunja Walk-offCummeragunja Walk-off in particular brought changes to in particular brought changes to Aborigines Act of New South Wales in 1942. Aborigines Act of New South Wales in 1942.

http://www.abc.net.au/missionvoices/cummeragunja/default.htmhttp://www.abc.net.au/missionvoices/cummeragunja/default.htm

http://waynera.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/cummerwalkoff11.pdfhttp://waynera.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/cummerwalkoff11.pdf

Pecin Summer Opera on Cummera Walk Off, Shepparton,2010

Day of Mourning Protest, 1938 Day of Mourning Protest, 1938 led to The Cummera Walk-Off, led to The Cummera Walk-Off,

19391939

From Cummera to the Flat, From Cummera to the Flat, Mooroopna, 1939-1957Mooroopna, 1939-1957

Rumbalara Aboriginal CoopRumbalara Aboriginal Coop

Major service delivery organisation in Major service delivery organisation in Region that began in the 1970s Region that began in the 1970s under the Whitlam Governments Self under the Whitlam Governments Self Determination policy. Determination policy.

Employs over 100 people and runs Employs over 100 people and runs diversity of programs in health, diversity of programs in health, housing, family care, and justice, housing, family care, and justice, aimed a ‘closing the gap’.aimed a ‘closing the gap’.

Cultural Continuity through Sport, Cultural Continuity through Sport,

Health & EducationHealth & Education

Rumbalara Football & Netball Club, SheppartonAcademy of Sport Health & Education, Shepparton, 2005(University of Melbourne)

Oncountry Learning: Indigenous Studies visit to RFNC Uni of Melb,2005.

CummeraFootyTeam,1927

ACHIEVING JUSTICE VIA ACHIEVING JUSTICE VIA THE POLITICO - THE POLITICO -

LEGAL PROCESS?LEGAL PROCESS?

THE YORTA YORTA THE YORTA YORTA STRUGGLESTRUGGLE

Yorta Yorta v State of Yorta Yorta v State of Victoria & Ors, Trial (1996-Victoria & Ors, Trial (1996-

1998)1998)

Barriers to achieving land justice under Anglo Barriers to achieving land justice under Anglo legal system & way Mabo principles are being legal system & way Mabo principles are being applied by the Courts, perverted the course of applied by the Courts, perverted the course of justice in the Yorta Yorta case.justice in the Yorta Yorta case.

Back to ‘Base Camp Politics’ Back to ‘Base Camp Politics’ - YY Agreement & BM - YY Agreement & BM Campaign.Campaign.

Olney’s Test for Yorta Yorta Native TitleOlney’s Test for Yorta Yorta Native Title

Indigenous Land Indigenous Land ManagementManagement

A Holistic view of the relationship between A Holistic view of the relationship between Land and Natural Resource Management.Land and Natural Resource Management.

‘‘Break Here’Break Here’

Holistic View of Land Management & Holistic View of Land Management & CareCare

Indigenous wisdom throughout the world Indigenous wisdom throughout the world shares a common belief system that ‘all shares a common belief system that ‘all things are related’. What happens in one things are related’. What happens in one area sooner or later directly or indirectly area sooner or later directly or indirectly impacts on other areas. The history of impacts on other areas. The history of imported land uses vindicates this view imported land uses vindicates this view

‘‘Yorta Yorta have a long tradition of caring Yorta Yorta have a long tradition of caring for forest. They ‘see the forest & all of its for forest. They ‘see the forest & all of its encompassing features (including all living encompassing features (including all living entities) from a holistic viewpoint’. entities) from a holistic viewpoint’. (Yorta Yorta Nations Inc, 1990).(Yorta Yorta Nations Inc, 1990).

Campaign for National Park & Campaign for National Park & Joint ManagementJoint Management

Joint as to Sole ManagementJoint as to Sole Management

Joint Management is a recently imported western Joint Management is a recently imported western construct that is used to ensure that when land is construct that is used to ensure that when land is returned to Traditional Owners, it is conditional upon returned to Traditional Owners, it is conditional upon the land being leased back to the Government to the land being leased back to the Government to manage jointly with the Traditional Owners. manage jointly with the Traditional Owners.

Joint Management is therefore a compromise Joint Management is therefore a compromise position, between Indigenous and non Indigenous position, between Indigenous and non Indigenous land interests , to that of land interests , to that of ‘Sole Management’‘Sole Management’ which which has been practiced by Indigenous Australians for the has been practiced by Indigenous Australians for the majority of our land management history. majority of our land management history.

Key IssuesKey Issues Adapting management practices to Adapting management practices to

Indigenous philosophy of land and water Indigenous philosophy of land and water management without compromising track management without compromising track record of land managementrecord of land management

Tapping into the tourism economy to Tapping into the tourism economy to generate an economic base for local generate an economic base for local communities.communities.

Promoting education and training through Promoting education and training through local resources like Yenbeena and Dharnyalocal resources like Yenbeena and Dharnya

Other issues for group discussionOther issues for group discussion

Key Issues (cont)-Key Issues (cont)- Contribution of Indigenous knowledge to Contribution of Indigenous knowledge to

current land management practices-is it current land management practices-is it being given due recognitionbeing given due recognition

Inclusion of Indigenous people in land Inclusion of Indigenous people in land management and care. Are Indigenous management and care. Are Indigenous people employed in all levels of people employed in all levels of management including senior decision management including senior decision making level?making level?

Joint management structures working Joint management structures working successfully in Australia-Kakadu, Ulluru, successfully in Australia-Kakadu, Ulluru, Boodaree, (Wreck Bay ACT). Boodaree, (Wreck Bay ACT).

Apology-Wed, February 13 Apology-Wed, February 13 20082008

Ten years after the “Bringing Them Home Report”, the Federal Ten years after the “Bringing Them Home Report”, the Federal Government made a formal apology to the Stolen Generations Government made a formal apology to the Stolen Generations on Wednesday, 13th February 2008, committing itself to on Wednesday, 13th February 2008, committing itself to ‘‘Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage’.Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage’.

SSince the delivery of the apology, the ‘ince the delivery of the apology, the ‘Indigenous Indigenous Disadvantage Report’Disadvantage Report’ of Reconciliation Australia, 2009, and of Reconciliation Australia, 2009, and the the Productivity Commission ReportProductivity Commission Report, 2010, found that across , 2010, found that across virtually all indicators there are still wide gaps between virtually all indicators there are still wide gaps between Indigenous and other Australians’ and Indigenous and other Australians’ and in in almost all cases ‘the almost all cases ‘the gaps’ have in fact increased as mainstream economic gaps’ have in fact increased as mainstream economic prosperity has accelerated away from that of Aboriginal prosperity has accelerated away from that of Aboriginal AustraliaAustralia’(Productivity Commission (2009) Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key ’(Productivity Commission (2009) Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators 2009. Canberra Productivity Commission). Indicators 2009. Canberra Productivity Commission).

FOUR years down the track (2012) students can assess how FOUR years down the track (2012) students can assess how far we've come and whether the gap has been closed, is the far we've come and whether the gap has been closed, is the same, or is getting wider? same, or is getting wider?

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23202622-5001021,00.html0,22049,23202622-5001021,00.html

PATHWAYS FOR FUTUREPATHWAYS FOR FUTURE

A negotiatedA negotiated settlement settlement between government & other between government & other parties, which recognises the parties, which recognises the Yorta Yorta as the traditional Yorta Yorta as the traditional owners under a owners under a handback/leaseback handback/leaseback arrangement and inalienable arrangement and inalienable freehold title freehold title (see Models of Structures for Joint (see Models of Structures for Joint

Management of NP’s in current BM Campaign research, 2004). Management of NP’s in current BM Campaign research, 2004).

‘‘Keeping it for the Keeping it for the Future’Future’

Old Dhungulla: Keep Her Flowin &Old Dhungulla: Keep Her Flowin &

Keep the River Reds Growin

Maranooka - Thank you