Defence of Country: Aboriginal people dealing with the impacts of globalisation in Australia. 'Success Stories' Session with Dr Anne Poelina, Nyikina Mangala, WA
Women Of High Degree
The film 'Women Of High Degree' was screened on NITV, Australia Tuesday, 6th October at 7:30PM AEST.
This film retraces the stories of three Nyikina Sisters, Lucy Marshall, Jeanie Wabi and Anne Poelina. This is a compelling account of their story now available - pre-view trailer below.
Short Synopsis
Three Sisters, Women of High Degree is the result of 7 years of collaboration and filmed conversations between three Yimardoowarra Marninil, Nyikina women from the Fitzroy River, Lucy Marshall, Jeannie Wabi, and Anne Poelina, and French-Australian filmmaker Magali McDuffie. For over 30 years, Lucy, Wabi and Anne have been implementing cultural actions to create sustainable economies in their communities for future generations, and to protect their kandri, language and culture. Inscribing the women within their cultural landscape through their river stories, and spanning over 80 years and three generations, this film also retraces the recent history of the Kimberley through the sisters’ lived experiences of slavery on pastoral stations, and reveals the women’s agency in response to various government policies. Highlighting the use of film as a tool of empowerment, Three Sisters looks at the contemporary engagement of the women politically, at a local, national, and international level, in an increasingly neo-liberal context, with, in the background, the ever-increasing threat of massive industrialisation of the Kimberley region by multi-national mining corporations – the new colonisers.
Full Synopsis
Settled more than a hundred years after Sydney because of its isolation, it was only in the 1880s that the Kimberley region of Western Australia witnessed the arrival of settlers in search of land for their cattle or their sheep. Where once waterholes had sustained numerous Aboriginal family groups, fences went up, Aboriginal people were enslaved to work on the stations, or brought into the towns of Derby and Broome. The ones who dared to protest were imprisoned. Worse, massacres were committed, which are still in Nyikina Elders’ living memory. Mick Michael Wiljaniny, a Senior Walmajarri Elder, tells us the story of his imprisonment in the film, quietly, calmly, without a trace of bitterness in his voice...
The missionaries also came, evangelising Aboriginal people, putting them in missions to "protect" them, from which many did not come out... Diseases, such as leprosy, also ravaged Aboriginal nations…
Lucy and Wabi are part of the generation of people who grew up on pastoral stations, and who was subjected to forced labour in exchange for tea, blankets, and sugar… Despite the violence, privations, and the absolute control pastoralists had on their Aboriginal workers, they were still living on their land and continued to practice their traditions, ceremonies, and to speak their language ... In the 1960s, Australia witnessed a change – at the same time as the Civil Rights movement takes shape in the United States, the movement for equality of Aboriginal workers is organized. They become citizens of Australia, acquiring equal pay rights. But Kimberley Aboriginal people will not directly benefit from this new-found “equality”. Unable to pay their Aboriginal workers the normal wages of white men, the pastoralists send them away. They gather near cities, hoping to get work, or any other support. This exodus from their ancestral lands will of course have the disastrous consequences we know today: homelessness, violence, alcoholism, psychological trauma...
But even then, again, the culture survives. Anne Poelina, a generation later, is Nyikina, born not on her country, but in Broome, where many Aboriginal people gathered after they left the stations. Born of the union of a Nyikina mother, and a Timorese father, she represents this new multicultural generation, aware of its roots, but also very much part of the wider world. Anne grows up in Broome, but, spending time in the bush, on Nyikina country, she learns the stories of the Elders, her language, and refuses to submit to the ideology of the time, constantly being told that Aboriginal people are "good for nothing". She studies nursing and then, encouraged by her success, goes on to gain three Masters Degrees, and more recently, a PhD.
Films have been the chosen medium of Nyikina people for over twenty years. Originally, to document their traditions and culture, and later, to access funding of international philanthropic organisations, but most importantly, educationally, to share their culture, explain their initiatives on the ground, and to encourage dialogue between the Elders and the Youth. "These films are a way for us to exist, to assert our identity, to tell the world who we are, that we are here, and that this is what we do," said Anne often.
Magali McDuffie has been working with Aboriginal communities for the last 10 years, first on the East Coast, then, following a series of meetings and coincidences, and an invitation by Nyikina women, in the Kimberley. "When I arrived in Broome 7 years ago, in summer, in the tropical heat, I thought I would be staying only for two weeks to make a film with the community, and then leave for new horizons ... It has now been 8 years, I go back and live there often, and it changed my life. " 8 years ago, there was a positive atmosphere in the Kimberley - many projects implemented by Nyikina Inc. and Madjulla Inc., at the initiative of Lucy and Anne, had been very successful. Nyikina language programs, in particular, were very popular - Wabi, as the Nyikina LanguageRepresentative in KALAAC, has worked closely with a linguist, Colleen Hattersley, for many years to produce an interactive dictionary of the Nyikina language and a Nyikina Language Software Package, in collaboration with an Australian university. With Anne, they also published books of Nyikina stories. Fighting poverty through art, culture, language, and economic initiatives for sustainable development in the communities – a culture and conservation economy: these were the objectives of the three sisters, as successive government policies of assimilation, integration and self-management had only made the situation worse.
Unfortunately, a threat was looming over the Kimberley. The region was rich in precious metals, coal, gas and other raw materials. Suddenly there was talk of coal mines along the Mardoowarra, Fitzroy River, shale gas exploration, and of the establishment of one of the largest gas-processing plant north of Broome, at Walmadan – James Price Point. The three sisters, who had up until then been involved in their respective communities at a local level only, immediately saw the need to share their struggle to protect their culture and their country, on which, even with recently-acquired Native Title Rights, they still have no rights, in 2015: the community can negotiate with the mining companies, but certainly does not have a right of veto.
The films of the three sisters, therefore, took on a more political, activist dimension - seeking allies internationally, two of our films were screened at the UNESCO Human Rights Commission in 2012. Anne also signed the Redstone Statement in the United States in 2010, where she met Dr Jonathan Hook, a Cherokee environmental philosopher, who is interviewed in our film, during his visit in Kimberley in 2010.
These films do not only bear witness to the strength of Nyikina Culture – they also reveal an unequal fight between diametrically opposed views of development, those of the Western world against those of Indigenous world. In the final analysis, they also tackle a much wider picture of the world, as mentioned by Anne in the film: "we are all being colonized: it is not a black or white question any longer." Anne has become, in recent years, an activist, or actionist, as she prefers to call it, recognized not only in Australia, but throughout the world, and participated in many other film projects, for instance in Eugenie Dumont’s film, Heritage Fight, and another documentary by Thalassa (French Television) about the industrialisation of the Kimberley region.
This film, Three Sisters, Women of High Degree, retraces the fascinating journey of the three sisters, and through them, the recent history of Kimberley and the impacts of excessive industrialisation. It is their message to the world: "We are still here. We know who we are, we know our culture, we can run the country. We must stand together, shoulder to shoulder" (Lucy Marshall).
A New Home
Madjulla Inc. now has a new home!
In early August, 2015 Alexander Hayes approached Dr. Anne Poelina and Ian Perdrisat offering to build a dynamic web presence. This contribution is to ensure the important work and achievements of the Nyikina community are made accessible via the world wide web.
This website will now enable Madjulla Inc to facilitate crowd funding via internet connections, engage people from all over the world in understanding everything with this organisation including news, media releases, resources and daily activities.
New logos, banners and web compliant mobile enabled features will soon be released via this location. It will be a live build and open for all to see the development of this important online resource.
There will also be an online store to sell products and merchandise through, a projects page, high resolution photos galleries, video resources and a podcast page for visitors. To learn more about these initiatives please contact Anne Poelina or Ian Peridsat for more details.
Old Madjulla Inc. website - screenshot
Native Title An Act Too Hard to Follow
Written by Anne Poelina
First published in the National Indigenous Times (NIT) - December 7, 2011 - Opinion, page 27
My social, cultural, political journey has revealed flaws in Native Title law which leave Aboriginal people and the environment vulnerable to genocide and ecocide.
I have learnt that the colonial ethos is entrenched in the laws, policies and practices of governments, corporations and Indigenous representative bodies which impose development over Traditional Owners who do not have free, prior or informed consent.
My recent experience on country demonstrated how the rights of senior law and cultural bosses were ignored, reducing their right to participate in Native Title decision making. I saw first hand how the votes were rigged against Aboriginal people with rights and interest in their own lands becoming quickly, disenfranchised. Federal law and the deficit public policy approach to Indigenous development are aimed at reducing the human rights of Aboriginal Australians.
The national and international evidence regarding the construction and maintenance of Indigenous disadvantage by Australian state and territory governments is overwhelming. The Australian Government has the powers to make laws to promote Indigenous interests and reduce Indigenous disadvantage. It has failed its constitutional duty.
The Kimberley is unique; worthy of responsible management. Despite partial National Heritage Listing a couple of months ago there are serious questions hanging over development in the Kimberley. The science is in, the resource extraction, processing and transport planned for the Kimberley would have significant negative impacts on the environment, the people, plants and animals if it were allowed to proceed.
Recently at the National Press Club Alan Jones illuminated the collective concern people right around Australia share in regards to the damage resource extraction, processing and transport, particularly coal seam gas is having on established and potential industries. Mr Jones makes the argument for farmers to have the right to ‘lock the gate’ which is effectively the same as Aboriginal peoples call for the right to ‘veto’ mining on their land. There is a common need to protect our water, food and job security into the future.
The opportunity to coexist and co-manage with pastoralist, graziers and agriculturalist has not been seriously considered. There are far more Indigenous jobs in the culture and conservation green collar industries such as wild harvest bush foods and medicine, land care, rangers and tourism these enterprises require serious investment as they are more sustainable and produce greater national ecosystem services, social and cultural benefits than mining.
The current worldwide financial crisis demonstrates the rampant pursuit of growth and globalisation has greatly improved the lives of a few wealthy investors at the expense of other lives, mainly Indigenous people from around the world.
"...The largest and most aggressive resource development companies in the world are based in Australia and they are responsible for the majority of environmental catastrophes around the world. The Australian Government is allowing these same corporations to invade, occupy and destroy Aboriginal land, water and people."
Many Aboriginal people are not aware of their rights under United Nations conventions which say they can never be forced to trade their country for basic human rights like health, education and housing and have an absolute right to say no to such deals. Instead, they are being told they have no choice.
The Native Title Act 1993 provides no security for Aboriginal people to protect their land, health, culture and sustainable economic development.
The first thing Traditional Owners are told in mining negotiations from our native title representative body is, “you have no ‘veto’ so you can’t say no, so start negotiating”. The process has steered Aboriginal people down the funnel without any genuine opportunity to discuss the issues regarding the pro and cons associated with mining. Mining deals are being pushed onto Aboriginal people who are forced to make decisions without free, prior and informed consent.
"...I have clear evidence of instructions from Traditional Owner clients being ignored by a Native Title representative body. Furthermore, Elders who cannot read and right are being coerced into signing agreements."
Traditional Owners have an absolute right and responsibility to protect our ancestral lands and waters. Government policies are forcing us to move away from our traditional homelands and make it look like nobody cares about the country, to further entrench the myth that the land is empty.
Dr Anne Poelina talking with the gathering at the Walmadany Camp at its official opening of the Tent Embassy in September 2011. Image: Damian Kelly
We have a duty of care to look after the environment. Who talks for the river, who talks for the fish and the animals? It is our job to do the right thing now for current and future generations of all Australians.
We have a shared heritage and we need to look after this country, as Lucy Marshall OAM says “shoulder to shoulder, black and white together”.
There are so many serious challenges for Aboriginal people yet federal and state/ territory governments continually fail to look beyond their own selfish interests.
The Council Of Australian Government has failed to deliver meaning outcomes because the only things governments appear to do is focus on is mining and bullying us into giving up the last of our identity and freedom.
Every which way you look at it the governments are bullying us into mining. All the rules, all the laws, all the policies; are designed to take our rights away and force us into dangerous short term mining ventures which have produced limited changes to indicators of wellness and wealth.
All levels of government are working as direct partners with these multinational companies to send the majority of our wealth overseas. According to Senator Bob Brown 83% of the resource profit goes to international investors. These profits are derived from the destruction of our food and job security, lands and waters all of which is eroding our human rights as Australians to economic participation and personal and community well being.
There are hundreds of millions of government dollars going into mining development and the best Aboriginal people can do is to negotiate for some crumbs from a mining deal.
Surely as 2011 draws to a close, we can come up with an equitable way of sharing these resources between all of the partners and be proud of world’s better practice, with a win-win for the environment, corporate sector, governments and not least of all Traditional Owners.
We have not been given any alternatives to mining in order to improve our local economy. The federal economic policy around Native Tile is “get a mine and close the gap”.
I am not against resource development if it can be done in an ethical and responsible process however if the science is not certain of the safety and the cultural issues are not resolved then Traditional Owners must have the right to veto mining on their land.
Without these powers, Native Title will remain an Act to hard to follow.
Richaqd Hunter (L), Joseph Roe (C) and Phillip Roe (R) - Walmadany traditional law custodians. Image: Damian Kelly.
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