BE Monday, may 2, 2011
COUNTED Edition 15
ISSN: 1837-9176
Indigenous musicians take
Cost: $1.00
INSIDE
centre stage at Bluesfest
Must read special editorial P5
Anne Boyd, Kim Tait, Brenda Nungala, Elouse Gaela, Rose Rath and Debra Cole weave at Bluesfest.
THIS year’s 22nd Annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival featured many rising Indigenous stars on the main stages. While noticibly the First Nation’s Tent was missing, the aray of Indigenous acts wasn’t. Gurrumul mesermised audiences with two soulful performances in the main tent. Gurrumul joined his other group Saltwater Band who also performed in the Mojo Tent. Despite Microwave Jenny getting the lunch time slot - the duo drew a stong crowd. The Sydney based outfit’s popularity was evident with all of their CDs selling out. Also igniting the magic at the festival was the Mad Bastards. The trio formation was a blend of the Pigram Brothers and
Alex Lloyd who played music from the upcoming film by the same name. Other acts included Frank Yarma, Leah Flanangan and Buddy Knox. A homegrown talent also highlighting the plight of Indigenous causes was Xavier Rudd. During his set he had some of the local Aboriginal dancers join him on stage. Each year Bluefest attracts many artists from not only around Australia but from around the globe, and this year was no different. BB King, Grace Jones, Michael Franti, First Nations singer Buffy Sainte Marie, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples were among those international acts.
See page 6 & 7 for more people and performers from the event.
Close the health gap p7
Curtis Finn Touch Competition P8
Relocated trade college receives a warm welcome
CONTENTS Profile: Letih Dewis ....................................P3 Close the Health Gap Column .................... P4 Editorial .................................................... P5 Best of the bluesfest pictures ................ P6-7 Sport - Curtis Finn touch tournament ...... P8
This paper acknowledges the traditional owners of the areas of distribution. A welcome dance was performed at the opening. THE Australian Trade Industry College had a warm welcome when it opened its doors to its new premises recently. Gold Coast City’s trade skills students have been handed their own purpose designed facility, a $10 million building in Robina’s CBD. While there are 300 hundred students attending the college there is also many Indigenous students enrolled. The ATIC has relocated from its temporary accommodation at Reedy
Creek. The college, one of 28 Australia-wide, is open to Year 11 and Year 12 students who also study mathematics, English, business and information technology. It works with industry to provide on-the-job training for its students, more than 500 of whom since 2008 have been employed as school-based apprentices, and 280 of whom have graduated. Students spend four week periods on and off campus and can complete
up to a third of an apprenticeship while attending the college. The college building encloses a central courtyard and has 1600 square metres of floorspace with classrooms, canteen, gymnasium and administration at ground level and staff rooms above. Resources include 200 laptop computers, smart boards, wireless internet access, and biometric sign-on system.
DISCLAIMER: All material is printed at the discretion of the publishers, but does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: All letters must be signed (name will be withheld on request) profanity is unacceptable. All letters are subject to editing for clarity by the editor. The publisher or editor of Be Counted reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Letters reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of Be Counted or its staff, nor does it take any responsibility of the views stated by those who write to the editor. COPYRIGHT: All material in Be Counted is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission of the publisher. © Be Counted 2011 EDITOR: Solua Middleton PUBLISHER: Solua Middleton Email: becounted.mag@gmail.com Phone: 0411 737 161 Web: www.issuu.com/becounted For advertising rates call 0411 737 161 or email becounted.mag@gmail.com Address: PO BOX 372, Pottsville Beach 2489 Printer: The Print Spot, 18-20 Quarry Rd, Murwillumbah. Be Counted would like to thank contributor, Clinton Schultz.
BE COUNTED ‘Aunty Joyce presenting the Indigenous symbol ‘Indigenous painted safety hat’ to Ethan Clarke’
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Gold coast artist aims to create, relate and educate
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist and cultural consultant Letih Dewis LEITH Dewis prides himself on being able to create, relate and As a professional he has worked in the following areas: educate. Mr Dewis says his approach to cultural awareness programs is important. In fact he is making his business to focus on those key principles. “It is designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Mr Dewis is an artist and also works in consultancy. cultures and to teach both Indigenous and non-Indigenous He says, as a professional consultant and facilitator he has people about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and the issues that have affected and influenced Aboriginal and experience in delivering cultural awareness, motivational Torres Islander people in the past and that continuing affect it speaking as well as public speaking mentoring. Mr Dewis is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man has on contemporary Indigenous society today,” he said. Leith says his paintings are collectables for serious collectors with lineage of the Wuthathi people in Cape York Peninsula of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. North Queensland and the Boigu and Badu Islander people in the Torres Straits. In a short period of time he went from selling his paintings to family and friends to now selling his paintings nationally and Raised in Thursday Island (Torres Strait) and Cairns (North internationally through galleries, exhibitions, markets, internet Queensland) and comes from a family who is respected in both and commissioned works. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
NITV Seeks guarantee for its future NITV has called on the Federal Government to adopt a robust Indigenous broadcasting policy to ensure a viable future for the industry including a central place for NITV. The country’s only dedicated Indigenous television service said policies that would also guarantee triennial funding from July 2012 would be at the centre of its negotiations with the Government following the recent release of the Stevens Review into the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media sector. “We recognise the significance of the Federal Government’s decision to continue our funding in 2011-12, and acknowledge the budgetary challenges presently being faced by the government,” NITV Chairman, Ken Reys, said, adding, “We are also appreciative that future funding decisions will now reside with the Communications portfolio, along with decisions on increased free to air carriage of NITV. We are accepting of the majority of the recommendations
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in the Stevens report, however, there were some elements we feel must be addressed and misconceptions corrected.” Mr Reys was commenting following the release of NITV’s detailed response to the Stevens Review report. Mr Reys feels Stevens had fallen short on the question of how NITV should continue by effectively labeling it as community television and promoting the idea that the social, cultural and economic benefits of Indigenous television should be realised largely through the national public broadcasters and commercial networks. “NITV is Australia’s only Indigenous TV service. We present Australia’s vibrant and diverse Indigenous culture and can challenge the preconceptions of the wider population about Indigenous television content. NITV is an Indigenous channel and a unique entity. It should not be pigeonholed as community TV or anything else.”
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Another observation with which Mr Reys disagrees is that NITV is yet to fulfill its potential. “The implication here is that we should have. We have been on air for less than four years, can reach only a small proportion of the population on a free to air basis, and operate to a modest annual budget (now $15.2 million). Despite this we have created the first national Indigenous television news service and commissioned more than 1,200 hours of original, quality content in a range of genres from external producers. Secure funding at the right level and availability across Australia as a free to air channel will help us to realise our potential.” NITV acknowledges that it is the government’s call as to which type of corporate structure it will fund to deliver NITV over the long term, and will negotiate with government in good faith over the transition. For NITV’s full detailed response to the Stevens Review visit http://nitv.org.au/
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Sponsored Column
Close the Health Gap with Clinton Schultz By CLINTON SCHULTZ WHAT is a chronic disease? YOU will hear a lot of talk around town presently about programs that are available for people who are experiencing a chronic illness. So what is a chronic illness or disease? Chronic disease is an ongoing illness you have had, or are likely to have, for at least six months. In some instances it may be a disease that re-occurs and relapses over an extended period. Chronic illness usually impact on peoples’ daily living and in many instances these conditions are very debilitating. Some
chronic diseases include: • asthma • cancer • heart disease • diabetes • arthritis • stroke There are many other conditions that are considered chronic illness also and if you experience ongoing illness, discomfort or pain you should visit your health clinic. Unfortunately Members of our mob tend to get more chronic diseases and get them a lot earlier than non-Indigenous Australians. A regular wellness check or health assessment will help to identify these diseases, allowing for better treatment and management.
Diploma brings healing to Indigenous communities A DIPLOMA in trauma and recovery created in the wake of a murder of an Indigenous woman in a small rural Northern New South Wales town is proving a catalyst for healing. Eight community workers from Boggabilla, just a few kilometres from the Queensland border, are graduating from Southern Cross University with a Diploma in Community Recovery. “One of the big issues in Aboriginal communities is loss and grief but there’s not of work being done at a community-based level to tackle it,” said Judy Knox, a lecturer from the University’s Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. “Because we have such huge extended communities deaths are quite regular so you could have up to seven funerals a month.” Pain runs deep for the townspeople still reeling from the untimely death of a 43-year-old Boggabilla woman in 2003. Her murder remains unsolved. After it happened Gnibi’s community crisis response team travelled to the town to help. The Diploma in Community Recovery is similar to the Master of Indigenous Studies (Wellbeing) but is designed for community workers. “So the non-professional person can gain skills from this course to be able to respond in their own communities in a
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therapeutic way.” Among those stepping up to the podium on Saturday, May 7, to receive their diplomas are health clinic workers, community development officers and preschool workers. “In their jobs they tackle a whole range of things, like working with children, sexual assaults, drug and alcohol issues, loss and grief work, all really major issues.” Ms Knox has strong family ties to Boggabilla. “I’m over the moon actually that they’re the first pilot group in Australia.” The Community Recovery diploma is a one year fulltime distance education course. “These workers are getting the skills on how to work with people with their trauma and grief and it’s culturally appropriate. They adjust it to suit what’s going on in their own communities.” The effects of trans-generational trauma have been well documented by former Gnibi director, Professor Judy Atkinson. “We’ve pulled together Aboriginal Indigenous processes, plus we borrowed processes from other Indigenous groups around the world in combination with Western psychology. Government intervention just isn’t tackling it,” Ms Knox said. “With this work we see changes within a day. This is a fast-tracking of sifting through layers and finding out what the trauma story is.”
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellness Checks must be done by your usual Doctor or practice and involve asking you about your health, conducting a physical examination, organising any tests you may need and writing up a Wellness Plan that suits you. If you have any questions regarding chronic illness or health checks please contact your health clinic or Martie Wighton (Indigenous Outreach Worker, GPGC) on 0428440311.
Music
Gurrumul Yunupingu Rrakala SkinnyFish Music
TITLED ‘Rrakala’; a sub-group of people within the Gumatj clan, Gurrumul’s songwriting and choice of songs reflects deeper into his Aboriginal identity. Rrakala taps into old songs from Gurrumul’s band, his family’s songwriting, his new
material and presents a choice of songs that reflect deeper into his Aboriginal identity. Showcased for the first time are his skills on piano, drums, and a range of guitars. Rrakala has debuted at #3 on the ARIA charts.
Mad Bastards Music from the motion picture THE rich evocative sountrack to Mad Bastards stand on its own as a reflection of life in remote North Western Australia - haunting, moving and soulful. The first single from the soundtrack, ‘Nothing really matters’ has been
on high rotation around Australian radio stations. The next song to be released ‘Slow Train’ highlights the unusal coupling Alex Lloyd and the Pigram Brothers. The trio’s performance brings magical elements to the album.
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Cooking up Roasted Pumpkin and Feta Salad
Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
3. Cut green beans in fours and then steam for 5 mins then drain and rinse with cold water. 4. Place salad leaves into serving dish, then layer pumpkin, green beans, pine nuts. 5. Crush Danish feta into a crumble then sprinkle over salad. 6. Then sprinkle sundried tomatoes and olives over salad evenly. 7. Place olive oil and balsamic vinegar together in an container and shake for 30 seconds, the pour evenly over salad.
½ Pumpkin (cut into pieces and roasted) 300 gm of favourite salad leaves Handful of green beans 3 tbs spoons of pine nuts (toasted) Stick of Danish feta Olive Oil Small tub of black olives (pitted) Sundried tomatoes Balsamic vinegar
Directions 1. Cut the pumpkin into bite size pieces and place on oven tray, the lightly coat pumpkin with cooking oil spray. Cook
until golden brown and soft. 2. Place pine nuts in frying pan with cooking spray and toast until golden brown, the set aside.
Serves: 4 Time: 30 minutes. Rating: Easy Eat as a meal on its own, or as an accompaniment with protein.
Editorial: Sometimes the truth hurts THIS month I was hoping to hold an photographic exhibition to celebrate the first birthday of the Be Counted and all those who have appeared in the paper, but is with great regret that I inform all my readers, supporters, advertisers, that Be Counted is having a break indefinitely. Unfortunately as a one man band, with little support, no funding it is no longer personally or financially viable for me to continue with this paper. It saddens me deeply that I cannot continue, as I feel just as the paper was starting to come into its own and it now has to retire. I feel I have so much more to offer my community, but I had to make the call. There are many personal goals that I have sidelined while working on Be Counted, and I need to address those also. I’d like to thank all the supporters of the paper, especially my advertisers who have see the paper survive this long. Gold Coast United’s James Brown
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must also be thanked his columns were a great insight into a sport which is starting to realise its potenital within the sporting sphere. Clinton Schultz delivered an important message each edition about health issues amongst our people enlighted us on the range of services out there. All those contributors who put their hands up to cover stories and shoot photographs you have been deadly and help the paper to be as colourful as it is. My family especially my mum for finding me recipes and delivering the paper to organisations along the coast. My number one subscriber Aunty Bev Anderson and the students at Keebra Park State High School. Aunty Bev and the students have been key not only in supporting the paper through paid subscriptions, but also being appearing in the pages for their achievements. I’ve been juggling a full time job and the paper for some time now. I still hope to stay connected through my work with the ABC. I’m an Open Producer and it’s all about getting out there and working with community to create content, so I hope to work with some of you through with
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my role in the ABC. Be Counted will retire in the paper form for now, but it will live as a blog. I will still be getting around when I can and posting pictures and words. So please find me there and join the conversation. Be Counted on facebook will still function and past copies of Be Counted will also continue to live at www.issuu.com/becounted You can still send me your letters, poems, events and pics and I will make them a part of the blog. I will keep flying the flags in what ever I do. So now it’s time to say goodbye, hopefully not for too long. Thanks again to everyone who who read, advertised, subscribed, contributed, delivered, and passed on this paper. I do hope down the track I can revive the paper but next time with a lot more support. Keep in touch. xo Solua http://becounted-news.blogspot. com/ http://www.issuu.com/becounted PO Box 372 Pottsville, NSW 2489
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The best of Bluesfest
From top clockwise: Brenda Nungala with her artwork; Geoffery ‘Gurrumul’ Yunupingu; Sonny Hart from Fingal, Michael Franti; BB King; and Buddy Knox. ~ All photos by Solua Middleton and Duncan Taylor.
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Patrick Breen and Jason Sines.
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE
Wayne Wharton from Labrador and Tony Kyle from Townsville.
Microwave Jenny
GEORGE CLINTON
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Welcome to country dance.
Saltwater Band
LEAH FLANAGAN
XAVIER RUDD
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SPORT
Touch carnival brings a community to stand together against suicide By SOLUA MIDDLETON IT’S time again to teams to battle it out on the touch field all in the name of raising awareness of youth depression and suicide. The 2nd Annual Curtis Finn Touch Tournament will be held at Bilambil Sports Fields in June, in memory of the late Tweed man who tragically took his own life two years ago. Competition organiser and sister to Curtis, Tamra Forde, said she decided to hold another carnival after last year’s success. “Last year we had teams already promising to be bigger and better before the day was over,” she said.
Last year’s winner “There was such a comradery amongst everyone; we knew it was something that could be even better.” Tamra says she hopes this will become a major event in the Gold Coast/Tweed Community to raise awareness for suicide prevention in partnership with the
Inspire Foundation. “As a new community event, we want to raise awareness about the issues facing young people and how we can help them and support the families who go through what we have,” she said. “In turn we also aim to help decrease the rate of suicide amongst young people.” “Suicide is the leading cause of death amongst women and men aged 15-44. Suicide killed more people in 2009 than any other cause. So we feel if more and more young people get involved we will start to see that rate decrease as we keep educating and raising funds.” Last year’s turn out saw 13 teams register with over 170 players, and over 150 people in attendance. This year 20 teams are expected to take the field with over 250 players and more in attendance. Again this year all funds raised will be donated to the Inspire Foundation and organizers hope to raise $8000 second time around. “Last year our community event was the largest and most successful for Inspire, which is a great motivation for us to be involved with them again this year,” Tamra said. “This time around the emotion is not as raw but it is just as hard to bring such a big event together for someone you loved so much. “Bringing the community together in Curtis’s name and to raise awareness of this issue makes us happy to make a difference. “For everyone to stand together - it was
The late Curtis Finn playing rugby league football just awesome last year to see how many people wanted to be involved for Curtis.” The competition will take place on the 11th June at Bilambil Sports Fields from 9am. There will be raffles and prizes, a BBQ, traditional foods, home made cakes, stalls and live entertainment after the final, so come and watch the action, its sure to good! Volunteers are still needed. To volunteer or find out more information email: bstyle_7@hotmail.com or visit www.everydayhero.com.au/huck_finn
An Indigenous record is set in Australian Rugby League Team ARL Indigenous Council Chairman, Mr William ‘Smiley’ Johnstone, has hailed a record six Indigenous players in the Australian Rugby League team as an inspiration for all Indigenous Australians. The VB Kangaroos will tonight field the most Indigenous players in Australian Rugby League history in the VB Test against New Zealand on the Gold
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Coast with six players in the 17-man side – Johnathan Thurston, Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Greg Inglis and debutants Jharal Yow Yeh and Jamal Idris. The number of Indigenous representatives for the Skilled Park Test eclipses the previous record of five set in the 2008 Centenary Test against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “I admit I had a few tear
drops in the eye to see so many of the boys selected,” Johnstone said. “It just shows the importance of Aboriginal involvement in Rugby League and the reality is it is only going to get stronger. The challenge now is to continue building the involvement of Aboriginal people in the game in a range of roles.” Johnstone said the All Stars
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has given Aboriginal Rugby League a platform it never had before. “I said at the time it was the greatest positive act of reconciliation this country had ever been involved in with Aboriginal people,” he said. “I know what it means to our mob and to now see six of our boys playing for Australia, that is a really powerful tool that will only inspire all Indigenous Australians.
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