Brilliant article! If only government policy and programs could have such clarity. Instead they are confused with stereotypes and offering kneekerk reactions.

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kalkadoon.org presents
Gunya Gossip

An evening of discussion, music, poetry and dance
Saturday August 26
At
INDIGE-N-ARTS
270 Montague Rd. West End (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
opposite Davies Park

Forum begins at 7.30
“What relevance do environment and social justice movements have to Aboriginal Australia?”

Speakers

Baganan Kurityityin Theresa Creed
Director of Gunya 21 and kalkadoon.org and the principle researcher of kalkadoon.org’s “Out of the Box” reports for the Gunya 21 Link Tank.

Senator Andrew Bartlett
Member of Gunya 21 Link Tank. Deputy leader of the Australian Democrats and national spokesperson in indigenous issues.

Drew Hutton
Convenor of Gunya 21 Link Tank. Veteran environment and human rights campaigner and the Qld. Greens state spokesperson in indigenous issues.

Followed by entertainment including
The 2 hard basket ensemble featuring poetry and dance by Baganan Kurityityin Theresa Creed
Plus guest artists and jam session.

Entry by donation
Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available
Gunya Gossip is the launch of the Gunya 21 Link Tank, a sustainable housing resource network assisting Aboriginal development projects on Palm Island.
Contact homeland@kalkadoon.org

A special thank-you to INDIGE-N-ARTS gallery and workshop for providing the venue for Gunya Gossip
INDIGE-N-ARTS is an indigenous owned and operated art gallery that runs indigenous art and craft workshops, cultural tours and stocks a wide range of art including clothing, jewellery and ceramics.

kalkadoon.org Aborigininity, Sustainability, Art and Education

Stephen Hagan thanks for your article. Your insights are well articulated. Certainly helps us interested white folks along our way. The train platform story is a classic example of that kind of subtle, albeit, usually unconscious, put downs that Indigenous people often endure.

KAROOSON, What is this about the RSL?

Perhaps someone could tell me if there is any truth in this stuff that old diggers have passed on. A returned soldier I had a chat with in a pub said that the Indigenous girls up in the Islands would sit down on the beach and stuff their vaginas full of sand to stop the US soldiers from having their way with them – raping them. I only heard it the once.

I asked my Dad but he wasn’t in the Islands and said it was probably rubbish. And that is from someone who did not have any time for the “Yanks”, especially that callous idiot McCarthy (McCarthy’s stupidity and grandstanding often resulted in more casualties than the enemy inflicted).

Another returned soldier I asked, who served in Darwin said he had heard the girls would climb trees and pee on the soldiers who tried to harass them. One other reason I am asking this is because silence is often used to stop infighting. RSL don't take kindly to this kind of questons being asked or the truth being spoken about supposed heroic figures. Infighting can also be a sign of robust and open debate. Needs to be a balance.

Please don’t be offended, I haven’t brought this up with an Indigenous person because I didn’t want to be like the guy on the train platform. I did ask an Indigenous friend of mine once and the look in his eyes was a anymore-and-you-going-to-die-brother look.

I know it is hearsay, but at least someone may be able to tell me if the sand thing is true. If that is crap then the other, would probably be so as well. Best wishes.