Aboriginal Support Circle
LISTEN! LEARN! UNDERSTAND!
Beginnings
The Older Women's Network (OWN) Aboriginal Support Circle began in 1994 using the Australians for Reconciliation Study Circle Kit and the Open Learning Program on the ABC as guidlines for our activities. We adopted a motto: LISTEN, LEARN, UNDERSTAND in order to meet with Aboriginal women and to study Aboriginal history, customs and culture. We aim to extend this knowledge to family and friends so that a better appreciation of Australia's first people will be gained, leading to greater respect and acknowledgement of their unique and valuable contribution to Australia throughout their long history. In this way we try to change entrenched and bigoted attitudes among non-indigenous Australians, particularly older people, and to cultivate a better relationship and friendship with older Aboriginal women so that we can work together to add value to both our lives.
Reconciliation
Since the invasion of Australia by white people, the indigenous people of Australia have been subjected to seizure of their land, attempted genocide, loss of dignity, persecution and gross discrimination. Through the tenacity and struggle of black leaders, both men and women, and assisted by the growing awareness in the white community of the terrible injustices inflicted on our black brothers and sisters by our society, an ongoing change is taking place. However, an enormous amount of work remains to be done before our indigenous people gain their rightful and just place in our society. One goal of reconciliation is to mend the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous people, in particular, to break down bitterness and misunderstanding amongst sections of the Aboriginal population towards white society and to combat white racism and lack of respect for our first people.
Activities: The Aboriginal Support Circle
- invites Aboriginal women to meetings as guest speakers
- organises showings of videos and DVD's with Aboriginal content to OWN membership
- visits Aboriginal communities
- organises excursions to significant Aboriginal sites
- attends art exhibitions, plays and other cultural events featuring Aboriginal history and contemporary issues
- participates in functions, gatherings, events and working bees organised by Aboriginal organisations and other reconciliation groups in Sydney
- monitors discriminatory practices in media reports and policy documents, and protests where possible
- carries out research on topical issues to enable members to understand the broad issues
- supports Aboriginal organisations by attending meetings and rallies, and lobbies on behalf of Aboriginal people when appropriate
- supports Aboriginal organisations and events with financial contributions
Our most outstanding event so far has been the publication of our book Steppin' Out and Speakin' Up which was launched on 21st November, 2003, at Parliament House. It contains stories of eleven Aboriginal and two non-indigenous women, some of whom have recently died. From the sale of these books we were able to present Tranby College with $10,000 towards a scholarship in the name of Lynn Pollack, one of our most inspired members, who had died earlier in the year.
Members of any Older Women's Network group are welcome to join the Aboriginal Support Circle, which meets on the second Monday of each month.
OWN's official stance on the Northern Territory Intervention - Letter to the Australian Federal Government.
For more information, please contact the OWN NSW Coordinator.
tel: 02 9247 7046
email: info@ownnsw.org.au
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