The passing of Uncle Jack Charles, at 79, makes me even sadder than Queesny Babe's ELxit, at 96:

The ABC reports 13 September 2022 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-13/uncle-jack-charles-victorian-aboriginal-actor-elder-dies/101433094

Actor, musician and revered Victorian Aboriginal elder Uncle Jack Charles is being mourned as a cheeky, tenacious "father of black theatre", after his death aged 79.

NOTE: This story uses Uncle Jack Charles's name and image with the permission of his family.

In a statement, his publicist said the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man, who also had links to several other clans across south-eastern Australia, passed away peacefully this morning at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a stroke.

"Before he passed away, his family were able to send him off on Country during a smoking ceremony at the Royal Melbourne Hospital," the statement said.

"We are so proud of everything he has achieved in his remarkable life — Elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, a household name and voice loved by all — as is demonstrated by his numerous awards including this year's NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year.

"He will live on in our hearts and memories and through his numerous screen and stage roles.

"May he be greeted by his Ancestors on his return home."

'Saved' by a gift for acting

In a career spanning several decades, the Stolen Generations survivor used his creative platforms to share painful and personal truths about the brutal impact of government policies on his community.

[Jack's image http://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/cb561e75e834ad08f9bb6e56b256283a?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=2000&cropW=2997&xPos=1&yPos=0&width=862&height=575 ]

MORE here http://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-13/uncle-jack-charles-victorian-aboriginal-actor-elder-dies/101433094

Uncle Jack Charles, was a great Australian and an Elder of his native clan who made a significant contribution to both his people and the country.

RIP Old Fella.

Uncle Jack Charles, Aboriginal elder, author, artist,
musician, has died aged 79. We're told he died peacefully
surrounded by his family and loved ones at the Royal
Melbourne Hospital after a stroke. Before he passed his
family were able to send him off on Country during a
smoking ceremony at the hospital.

Uncle Charles was a very charismatic character. Physically
he stood out with his white hair and bushy beard. He
was known for his strength of character, resilience and his
contribution to the community. He won numerous awards
including this year's NAIDOC Male Elder of the year.

May he Rest In Peace.

ABORIGINAL ANTI MONARCHY PROTESTERS SHRED, BLOOD AND BURN AUSTRALIAN FLAG

On National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Australian Associated Press via Canberra Times, Launceston Examiner, Northwest Star and many other papers report September 22 2022
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7915082/protesters-demand-monarchy-be-abolished/

"Protesters demand monarchy be abolished"

The Australian flag has been covered in blood and burned at a series of anti-monarchy rallies across the country.

Protesters at Melbourne's Birrarung Marr cut up the flag and covered it in fake blood, while chanting "abolish the monarchy" in confronting scenes.

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe ["a proud DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman"] led hundreds of protesters of all ages and backgrounds taking a stand against colonisation on the Queen's National Day of Mourning.

"The Crown's boot is on our neck and we're sick of it," Senator Thorpe told the rally.

"Do you know we have over 20,000 Aboriginal children who have been stolen in 2022? And you want to mourn the coloniser who brought the pain and the genocide and the murders here to our people. Shame!"

The crowd then sat at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets while clutching Aboriginal flags and anti-monarchy signs, before marching to state parliament.

Senator Thorpe decried countless atrocities and human rights violations against First Nations people, and the high incarceration rates among Indigenous youths.

"While everyone mourns the Queen, we have 10-year-old babies trying to take their lives in Don Dale prison. We have to shut the child prisons down," she said.

In 2007, Indigenous youths accounted for 59 per cent of the total juvenile detention population, according to government records.

Last year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners made up 30 per cent of all prisoners.

The protests come amid calls for the Victorian government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14.

The Melbourne rally was one of multiple protests in Australia on Thursday.

...Activist groups Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) and Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties are among those organising the demonstrations...."

MORE SEE http://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7915082/protesters-demand-monarchy-be-abolished/

Thanks Maverick.

I guess we all have seen the protests on the news. They
got plenty of coverage. And my reaction was one of
shock and condemnation. Until I read Stan Grant's article:

http://abc.net.au/news/2022-09-18/queen-death-indigenous-australia-colonisation-empire/101445508

I now realize that I will never be able to walk in his shoes.
But at least I can try to understand how he feels - more than
I have thus far. I can't walk in his shoes. But I can walk
beside him.

An unverifiable sob story from Stan Grant.

I call BS. Probably borrowed and inflated.