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2013 Gathering of Nations in Canberra - Agenda

Media Release

31 October 2013

Michael Anderson said today from Goodooga:

The final agenda [see below or Download pdf file] is to focus on where we are at and where we are going. There are many Aboriginal Nations and individuals, who find themselves confused and frustrated because on the one hand governments are forcing through Native Title determinations providing the people sign ILUAs, Indigenous Land Use Agreements. Mining companies are doing the same with the insistence for government funded Native Title Representative bodies. Our people are being cheated and deceived. I repeat - we have grand theft occurring in the guise of doing right and 'in the best interest'.

There is another way. We must stand and fight for what is just. They gave us nothing in the beginning of invasion. Now the invaders have mastered their conniving and deceitful methods. Our people are so poor and totally economically dependent that government and mining companies can ambush the people to sign away their inherent birthright for the sake of a few dollars and for facilities that are supplied to the rest of the community as a government service.

We must go beyond short-term gains and the securing of someone's salary. This is fight we can win. We can't throw in the towel. It is our expectation that this Gathering of Nations will shed light on the reality of our new way forward.

Contact: Ghillar, Michael Anderson 0427 292 492 ghillar29@gmail.com
Convenor, Sovereign Union of First Nations and Peoples in Australia
Asserting Australia's First Nations Sovereignty into Governance
www.sovereignunion.mobi
AGENDA

GATHERING of NATIONS, CANBERRA, 23 - 24 November 2013

SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2013

9 - 9.45am: Registration of delegates, observers and media at Aboriginal Embassy, includes morning tea
10 am: Start in House of Representatives, Old Parliament House, Canberra
(NB: no-one can be admitted without registration)

Housekeeping

  1. Welcome and Introductions
    All delegate leaders to present a 2 minute introduction:
    1. naming your Nation
    2. why you are here?
    3. what are your expectations?
  2. Sovereignty and Self-Determination in International Law
    • Defining sovereignty & Self-determination
    • UN Charter and conventions
    • ICCPR - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    • ICESCR - International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
      Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and UN GA Resolution 1541 (XV)
    • UN General Assembly Resolution 2625, 'The Declaration on
    • Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States' was adopted by the General Assembly on 24 October 1970
    • UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 1948
  3. Aboriginal Sovereignty v Native Title

    Discussion point: High Court Mabo decision did not deal with -

    1. Aboriginal rights, rights to land and claims to other forms of property, social, political, human and other rights
    2. The legal question raised by European occupation and the dispossession of Aboriginal Lands and Waters
    3. The greater question is whether a fudiciary obligation of care and protection for First Nations had been established by the process of the Crown acquiring sovereignty and radical title to the land or by the various individual and corporate acts by which that title was historically extended
    4. What are the limits to the Crown imposing its sovereignty eg Pacific Islanders Protection Act 1872 and 1875 and Mabo

    12.30 - 1.15pm: LUNCH

  4. Declaring Sovereign Independence

    Original declarations of Sovereign Independence, eg. Bonjon, Murrell etc.
    Basis of Independence - Unity within your Peoples and common purpose

    1. Land base
    2. Population
    3. Economics and sustainability
    4. Ability to govern
    5. Ability to trade, treaty and enter into international agreements
  5. Unification of Sovereign First Nations within Australia

    Benefits of unification

    3 - 3.15pm: AFTERNOON TEA

  6. Developing International Relations
    • Recognition of Statehood & Act of State doctrine
    • Treaties, accords and agreements

4.30 - 4.45pm: Closing remarks

SUNDAY 24 November 2013

at Aboriginal Embassy, Canberra

9am: Work-shopping issues identified from the previous day

2 - 3 pm: Concluding