Aboriginal Way www.nativetitlesa.org
Issue 66, Autumn 2017
A publication of South Australian Native Title Services
Above: Greg Hughes, Quentin Agius, Fred Agius and Raymond Agius at Survival Day 2017. Full story on page 9.
SA Treaty talks underway Aboriginal people in South Australia are being asked to share their ideas about what treaty with the State Government might look like. Following an announcement by the South Australian Government in December 2016 that the Government would commence a conversation about treaty with Aboriginal people, a Treaty Commissioner has been appointed and has begun a series of talks with Aboriginal people across the state.
Dr Roger Thomas, a Kokatha, Mirning man, and an experienced educator and leader, has been asked to consult with Aboriginal people on a suitable framework for what could be considered in a treaty. Commissioner Thomas has also been asked to provide advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on the treaty making process between the government and Aboriginal people.
Shortly after commencing the role, the Commissioner attended a meeting of statewide representatives of native title groups in Port Augusta. He provided details of the task the government had set him, and asked those present to start to think about some of the key questions about treaty. He wants people to consider as a starting point the purpose of treaty, the key principles that should be included in treaty,
who would be represented in a treaty, including who would be recognised as the Aboriginal representatives to a treaty and how a treaty could be structured. The Commissioner told the peak group of native title groups and Aboriginal Way that the Government had commenced the engagement with a blank sheet and not having a preconceived or preferred model for what could be in a treaty. Continued on page 2
Inside:
Apologies and denial
State and Federal nuclear update
11
Stolen generations reparations applications update
13
In Review – The Secret River 14
4
