The Sovereign Union of First Nations and Peoples in Australia held the 3rd Gathering of Nations in Old Parliament House, Canberra on 21 & 22 November 2015.
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Introductions by Ghillar Michael Anderson and Ruth Gilbert
Ghillar Michael Anderson, Convenor of the Sovereign Union presents the keynote address to the Gathering of Nations held in Old Parliament House, Canberra, on 21 & 22 November 2015.
He very clearly articulates the internationally accepted process for assertion of sovereignty by Nations and Peoples subjugated by a foreign power. He also expands on the need for the Australian Commonwealth government to begin the process of decolonisation. Australia was criticised by 110 UN Member States in the November 2015 Human Rights Committee meeting in Geneva for its treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and also its treatment of refugees. Australia is also listed on the UN list of countries that need to decolonise.
Ghillar also explains some of the steps the Euahlayi Nation took when making their Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) based on their pre-existing independent and continuing sovereignty, which has never been ceded to a foreign power.
Freedom and security is a right of all Peoples on the planet.
The Sovereignty Movement led by the Sovereign Union of Aboriginal Nations and Peoples in Australia is very different and must not be confused with the so-called Freeman movement of sovereign citizens.
The Sovereign Union is founded on the pre-existing continental Common Law, the First Nations Law of the Land, known as the Law of the Dreaming, which has been partially recognised by the High Court in the Mabo (No. 2) case.
At the Gathering of Nations in Canberra Alice Haines graphically describes the dangers for Aboriginal People being included in the Australian Constitution and the proposed changes to section 51(26), as well as the horrendous origins of the 'R' symbol.
Tjilpi Lawman Murray George, Pitjantjatjara, from Fregon SA presented clearly the unity of the One Law.and the need for people to come together in unity in order to bring Tjukurpa Law, Aboriginal Law, back on top of the colonial law of the oppressors.
Bejam Noonuccal aka Denis Walker, son of Oogeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) uses a Tindale's map of tribal boundaries to explain how Peoples have 'domain and range' and at the big ceremonies is where regional governance takes place. Bejam also creates a distinction between the Crown's police who 'enforce Crown law on you and genocide you' and blakfella police in the true sense of 'those who know the Law enough to create the peace in Country'.
He articulates 'Oldest in time, best at law' and Australia is a colony under an Act of the UK parliament asserting a de facto illegal sovereignty and domain
Senior Law woman Napanungka Nellie Patterson gives her background of working hard to keep the Tjukurpa Law and Stories really strong for the owner people and the Earth, Munda, and encourages younger ones not to fall for the trap of "lollies, chocolate and drinks" which lure the weak ones the wrong way.
She accuses governments of killing the people and stealing everything and making her people 'poor people' when they should be 'really really rich'.
Napanungka Nellie Patterson says 'No' to mining the land for minerals and to the APY Executive Council's control over APY lands 'wrong story talking'.
Our Law is really strong, really strong culture for Mother Earth and Ananou.
Our men are really strong, the women are same strong. We have to teach the young to carry on really strong....
'Ayers Rock (Uluru) is my grandmother's country.'
Our time is to move forward and so that First Nations Law has its proper place in this Country once again. It is in fact only the courts that are keeping the colonial regime in power.
Senior Law woman Napanungka Nellie Patterson and Tjilpi Murray George come in with support.
Tjilpi Murray George emphasises how we have to come forward with the One Voice of the Dreaming for everybody and talk with government 'nice way' saying this is the way we want to go because the government tries to cover up Aboriginal Law, Anangu law all the time.
The presentation by Ghillar Michael Anderson then dealt with the excessive remove of children from families and country. He explains how Australia's place in the UN is only based on its signing the Treaty of Versailles and acceptance of the UN Charter. There is no date when Australia became independent from Britain. He is emphatic that Aboriginal people need to know their rights properly because they have no other ammunition to fight back with. Ghillar also unravels the importance of the Biodiversity Convention in protecting Country from mining and development etc.
Bejam Nonuccal, Denis Walker, empathised that 'oldest in time is best at law' and Australia is still a colony of Great Britain as defined in the Australian Constitution. Therefore how can it be an independent Nation State in the UN? He suggests outlawing Australia from the UN.
This presentation goes into the past experiences of the NAC (National Aboriginal Conferences) Treaty research which looked at the pros and cons of Treaties in terms of how not to cede First Nations' sovereignty and maintain our sovereign independence.
Ghillar retells the story of the 1983 African tour meeting with Heads of State to gain support for the Treaty process.
He highlights the fact that Australia's recent report to the UN Human Rights Committee attracted condemnation from 110 Countries, more than half of the UN Member States, for its treatment of First Nations Peoples and refugees. So Australia is under a lot of pressure at present and it is time to take advantage of this condemnation. We have friends in the UN.
Ghillar Michael Anderson thanks the organisers. Welcoming the Djurin from WA and delegates of the Nations who have made their Unilateral Declarations of Independence (UDIs).
Realities of educating at grassroots. Concepts and misconceptions. The Black Wall in relation to the Stockholm Syndrome.
Fred Hooper of the Murrawarri Republic explains in detail the court case he is involved in because he refused to vote in the Federal Election. He examines who is a citizen of Australia and who is an 'alien'.
In the Q & A discussions clarified that the Gathering of Nations is for people representing Nations on Country and is a way of helping to stop the loss of hope and the loss of ground that is happening. The idea is to educate with relevant pathways and for people to take the information home and make changes.
Also respect was given to the friends amongst us who offer their skills and talents.
Formal recognition of the 42 Nations in the Murray Darling Basin by the Water Act was also highlighted.
Past diplomacy between Nations was recognised and modern diplomacy was advocated.