This is a copy of the statement delivered by Murrumu of Walubara at an international court on tribal land. [Trrbul Dippal] This day the 22nd of October 2016.
1. Can you please tell us your name, Nation/group and which part of the Great Barrier Reef land and sea country you’re speaking for today Thank you for your kind words before we proceed any further we would like to convey two things as a matter of protocol: ▪ Firstly,Yidindji people and the Sovereign Yidindji government would like to extend their blessings and heartfelt friendship to the tribal socieites on who’s land we stand on today, we must be permitted to acknowledge them and pay respect to them, as the true and correct owner; They are here today, and we thank their kindness and gracious welcome. We also would like to acknowledge other members of societies that also maybe present here today. ▪ Separate to this we would also like to offer a word of caution to those who may wish to not know certain truths and certain facts, for those not interested in the truth, you have an oppounity to leave this room now. For those persons wishing to learn of certain truths, then we welcome you to stay, but one can not unlearn these things that we will talk of here today. Are there any objections? Let’s proceed. My given name is Murrumu of Walubara in apropria persona and we make this special appearance here on this land just for you– it is an honour to be received with such cordiality, kindness and respect, and I have to aquaint you that it is an honour to be acting in my capacity as a representative of the Soveriegn Yidindji Goverment. It must be said and a reminder for those present here today the Yidindji people were not included in the creation of Australia’s legal foundation document the Commonwealth of Australia constitution act of 1901 or any other state constitution, apart from the constitution that created the Sovereign Yidindji Government. That is to say we the Yidindji men & women are not subject to Australian law, but foreign persons on our territory are subject to ours. [TAKE SLIDE: YIDINDJI TERRITORY MAP] If we turn to the slide of the map, this is just one image to identify our marine economic zone it is roughly 80 kilometres east of ourcoastline, but our claim is a lot further out.. it will please you to know that the Yidindji territory its dominions, eminems & imperium has been acknowledged & recognised by the United Nations & the Commonwealth of Australia.
Next Question. 2. Can you please tell us something about your spiritual and cultural connection to the Reef, and your responsibilities towards the life supported by the Reef? 4-5 minutes • Well, that is a wonderful question. It is truly an honour and pleasure to speak of our creator Gayaburra Goopi. We would cherish the opportunity to spend all day talking about Yidindji’s connections, be it spiritual, lawful or legal & Yidindji’s responsibilities.. and to tell the world about Gayaburra Goopi especiallyon this day, but this would require more time. But, the very short summary is that we have an obligation to uphold these sacred laws that governs the Yidindji society, laws which have their roots in ancient times. • • Goorabunna – wet season law, Gooraminya – dry season law.. there are many others that I will not go into today. So, Are the Yidindji men & women not the beneficiares of such wonders thank be to the one, Gayaburra Goopi? • As defenders of the faith, are we not defenders of this gift? The gift of life and all its beauty? • Perhaps a more appriopriate question is what spiritual, cultural or any connection to the reef does the Commonwealth of Australia possess? • When it has yet to secure a formal agreement with the Yidindji people through its legal personality namely the Sovereign Yidindji Government? • How can the Commonwealth of Australia and or any of its juridical persons lay claim to the reef when Australia’s own parliamentarians say sovereignty has never been ceded in relation the aboriginal & torres strait islander peoples? • If Yidindji are the acknowledged owners pursuant to their laws, then what does the Commonwealth of Australia and or its citizens actually own? • The Federal Court of Australia, bound all Australians to acknowledge certain facts including but not limited to the following: • Yidindji has a system of land tenure • Yidinjdi has a system of authority and decision making • Yidindji has a system of dispute resolution ( We call it a Court, and its this court that I’ve been invited and charged to preside over, right now) Please do not interpret these facts as threats, we see them as a gift from the almighty. The Yidindji people have taken this course of action to help settle the past, and secure the future for all persons on our territory. Our creator demands it through peace, charity, forgiveness and love for all things good. 3. Can you please tell us what your community is most worried about, regarding the health of the Great Barrier Reef?
We have learned with the greatest of concern from members of the Yidindji society, the tribal council of elders and have read information published by scientists and other foreign persons that the reef has sustained tragic injuries. So my immediate concern is who is causing the injury, loss or harm? Now, if the Commonwealth of Australia has no connection to the Yidindji territory through any formal agreement, in way of a treaty or bargain with the recognised authority in this case Yidindji, then are agents and or representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia not injuring someone elses property? If the Yidindji people rely and or are restricted from accessing resources as a means of substistence, then is the Commonwealth of Australia committing crimes against humanity? It must be put on the record, that the Yidindji people are very concerned about the actions of the Commonwealth of Australia. Once again, it must be conveyed that the Yidindji people through its legal personality, the Sovereign Yidindji Government is offering to remedy the errors in Australia’s legal foundation document. We have extended our hands of friendship in good faith and in peace to provide maximum cure and maintenance. But what have we received in return? Maybe this should be the Commonwealth of Australia’s greatest concern. Next Question.4 4. What do you want to see happen, to ensure the GBR is cared for and protected? Well, thank you again for another brilliant question.. We see the answer as this simply uphold the rule of law.. [TAKE SLIDE: YIDINDJI ENVIRONMENT ACT] - Uphold the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous peoples. UNDRIP - Uphold the Sovereign Yidindji Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act - Australia citizens - uphold your constitution and defend it from falling into disrepute or disaffection. - Uphold and protect the United Nations Charter from falling into disrepute and disaffection, after all Australia is a founding member. The rule of law is integral if mankind is to live in peace, maintain order and good governance. Our very future depends on it, it is a matter of international security.
5. What are you asking from the Tribunal today? The Yidindji people have come here to not ask for anything. But we have come in good faith and in peace to instruct and inform the Commonwealth of Australia that it or any of its persons, that any more acts causing damage, injury or loss to our sacred reef, will envoke prosecution through our legal universe of our laws in a competent court, maybe this one? Perhaps using the Yidindji’s environmental and biodiversity act. We do have our acts in place for a reason, that is to protect Yidindji’s territory on this earth to ensure our unbroken physical connection dating back to a time prior to 1788 continues. The Yidindji people will watch your actions with interest. Your understanding is appreciated. And to all Australians here today, you are the Commonweal of Australia, so please take care and govern yourselves accordingly. END OF STATEMENT