Resources & Revolution: How Can We Help?
In support & solidarity with the ongoing demonstrations, we bring you a pool of resources which might be of service to us all.
For those who are actively protesting and/or educating themselves, we hope the links we’ve included will be particularly useful in focusing energy & sustaining real change.
ANTaR has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders on rights and reconciliation issues since 1997. ANTaR is an independent, national network of organisations and individuals working in support of Justice, Rights and Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
Please donate directly to the cause if you feel so called. There’s a list of suggested charities in our recent email — not exhaustive, but a starting point.
If you have any other resources which have resonated with you, please send them through so that we can compile everything in this article.
Image via Hannah Davies from the article ‘Travelling Slowly’
AUSTRALIA
Resources to explore;
Blak Brow: ‘Sovereign Debt’ by Layota Rule
“To expect the state to dismantle itself is unwise. It is the question of how we, as sovereign peoples across the world, engage in dismantling the institutions that support Aboriginal deaths in custody and beyond, that I am more so interested in addressing. We don’t deserve to front the cost of the murders of our loved ones.”
Ultimate List Of Things To Do To Support Aboriginal Culture
“Don't underestimate the contribution you can make towards understanding Aboriginal culture. Every little bit you do might be seen and acknowledged.”
Educational resources about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
“The following collection of websites and resources is not only valuable for teachers, students and schools, but also all Australians looking to better understand and celebrate Australia's first people and rich Indigenous history.”
Listen Up To These 12 Indigenous Podcasts
“We compiled a selection of our favourites that delve into themes across pop culture, politics, the arts, language, culture, kin, the judicial system and practices of decolonisation.”
Books to read;
Decolonising Solidarity - Claire Land
Yuendumu Everyday - Yasmine Musharbash
Looking for Blackfella's Point - Mark McKenna
Dark Emu - Bruce Pascoe
Growing up Aboriginal in Australia - Anita Heiss
Welcome to Country - Marcia Langton
Sand Talk - Tyson Yunkaporta
My Place - Sally Morgan
Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Songspirals: Sharing Women's Wisdom of Country Through Songlines
Terra Nullius - Claire G. Coleman
Talking to My Country - Stan Grant
The Hard Light of Day - Rod Moss
Movies/television to watch (most available via sbs or abc);
In My Blood It Runs — An amazing portrayal of contemporary Aboriginal life in Mparntwe. When Dujuan cannot run nor fight alone, he faces the history that runs straight into him and realises that not only has he inherited the trauma and dispossession of his land, but also the resilience and resistance of many generations of his people.
The Australian Dream — AFL legend Adam Goodes shares the story of his life and career to offer a deeper insight into race, identity and belonging.
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith — Jimmie Blacksmith, the son of an Aboriginal mother and a white father, falls victim to much racist abuse after marrying a white woman, and goes on a killing spree and finds himself on the run in the aftermath.
Utopia — A 2013 documentary film written, produced and presented by John Pilger and directed by Pilger and Alan Lowery, that explores the experiences of Aboriginal Australians in modern Australia.
The Tall Man — Australian documentary film directed by Tony Krawitz, about the death of Cameron "Mulrunji" Doomadgee in police custody on Great Palm Island, Palm Islands, Queensland on 19 November 2004.
First Australians: The Untold Story of Australia — Chronicles the birth of contemporary Australia as never told before, from the perspective of its first people.
Westwind: Djalu's Legacy — Djalu Gurruwiwi is an aging elder in a line 60,000 years long who is running out of time to pass on the Yidaki Songlines entrusted to him for the future of his people. His sons and community, struggling to come to terms with the consequences of colonisation, are lost.
Sweet Country — The story of a young boy called Philomac, who witnesses Sam, an Aboriginal stockman kill station owner Harry Marsh in self defense. Directed by Warwick Thornton
Charlie's Country — Displeased with the intervention of whitefella laws, Charlie takes off to live the old way and sets off a chain reaction of enlightening difficulties.
Samson & Delilah — Samson and Delilah’s world is small – an isolated community in the Central Australian desert. When tragedy strikes they turn their backs on home and embark on a journey of survival. Lost, unwanted and alone they discover that life isn’t always fair, but love never judges.
The Tracker — An Aboriginal man is accused of murdering a white woman, and three white men are on a mission to capture him with the help of an experienced indigenous man.
Rabbit Proof Fence — In 1931, three half-white, half-Aboriginal girls escape after being plucked from their houses to be trained as domestic staff, and set off on a journey across the Outback.
Satellite Boy — A film about a small boy, Pete, who tries to save his home from developers. It's a story about courage and friendship that reveals how powerful a dream can be... if you don’t understand it's meant to be impossible.
Kanyini — Over 40,000 years of culture. One philosophy that connects us all. Kanyini is our connectedness to our tjukurrpa (knowledge of creation or ‘Dreaming’), our ngura (place), our walytja (kinship) and our kurunpa (spirit or soul).
Mabo — The portrayal of one of Australia's national heroes: Eddie Koiki Mabo, the Torres Strait Islander who left school at age 15, yet spearheaded the High Court challenge that overthrew the fiction of terra nullius.
accounts to follow;
@commongroundaustralia — Sharing First Nations cultures, histories and lived experiences. First Nations-led not for profit.
@tiddas4tiddas — An initiative by Kamilaroi sisters @marlee.silva & @keelyysilva — check out the podcast!
@childrensground — With your support, we are giving First Nations children the best start in life.
@abcindigenous — Plan to keep Aboriginal Australians out of jail, as Indigenous leaders hope change will come.
Image via Sam Tanner from the article ‘Documenting Ihumātao: Privilege and Responsibility’
NEW ZEALAND
“ActionStation is an independent, crowdfunded, community campaigning organisation. Our mission is to tautoko (support) and whakamana (uplift) everyday New Zealanders to act together in powerful and coordinated ways to create what we cannot achieve on our own: a society, economy and democracy that serves all of us - everyday people and Papatūānuku, the planet we love.”
Racism and White Defensiveness in Aotearoa: A Pākehā Perspective
“It’s worth wondering whether there’s anything unique about Aotearoa New Zealand that might make white defensiveness worse here than in other countries.”
Mana Rangatahi: Young Māori on Standing with Ihumātao
“Ten rangatahi Māori on what standing with mana whenua at Ihumātao meant for them.”
Documenting Ihumātao: Privilege and Responsibility
“I feel the burning need to write something about my experience and what I’m learning. So here’s a letter to all my fellow people of white privilege (especially people who identify as christian) - we need to talk about Ihumātao.”
Rediscovering Aotearoa: a decolonisation series
“An 8-part bilingual short documentary, podcast and article series, made with the support of NZ on Air. The series travels Aotearoa meeting young Kiwis as they discuss the impacts of colonisation today, modern race relations and how they are decolonising themselves.”
“Time travel and delve into taonga both famous and obscure with Dame Anne Salmond, telling tremendous stories about our Aotearoa.”
“A seven-part documentary web-series that tells the stories of New Zealanders who are reflecting on their colonial heritage and white guilt, and the ways they push through to find a more healthy Pākehā identity.
* BEFORE A PROTEST
Here are some articles & websites that can help you stay informed of your rights — Australia & New Zealand
Top tips;
Don’t post any content (or livestream) with other protestors’ faces; if you want to be identified as attending, that’s ok, but respect the safety and privacy of other people.
Don’t lead chants; amplify BIPOC voices who will take charge of these activities.
If confronted by the media, ask them to speak to BIPOC as they’re the voices which need to be prioritised right now. Politely decline their request and suggest they find somebody more suitable.
Don’t use the protest as a means of expressing your own personal emotions or trying to get media attention; this can cause a scene and detract from the real message.
Be a physical barrier around the edge of the crowd, to create a buffer between BIPOC people and the police.
Write down an emergency contact name and number (on your arm/piece of paper); some law firms have also offered free assistance to those arrested in their cities — make a note of this number too, just in case.
WARRANT would like to thank community members for their positive contributions to this discussion — particularly Sam Tanner for his wisdom & open dialogue around supporting Māori-led initiatives, and Hannah Davies for her ongoing energy & ignition of positive change around the treatment of Indigenous Australians.