Photos from the May 1st rally, to “Protect our Land and Water” from the ravages of the Coal Seam Gas industry. We walked from Martin Place, to Parliament House in Sydney, joining close to 10, 000 people from all over the state, all with their own stories to tell about the effects of CSG on their communities. It was galvanising to march with so many people - students, farmers, environmentalists, the CWA - who are traditionally skeptical of each other. We’d found a common enemy: government in the pocket of extractive industries. Hopefully we’re also on the way to forging common values and interests: care for community, environment, food and water. - Aimee...
Read More
Photos from the May 1st rally, to “Protect our Land and Water” from the ravages of the Coal Seam Gas industry. We walked from Martin Place, to Parliament House in Sydney, joining close to 10, 000 people from all over the state, all with their own stories to tell about the effects of CSG on their communities. It was galvanising to march with so many people - students, farmers, environmentalists, the CWA - who are traditionally skeptical of each other. We’d found a common enemy: government in the pocket of extractive industries. Hopefully we’re also on the way to forging common values and interests: care for community, environment, food and water. - Aimee...
Read More

Non-Indigenous and Indigenous Dialogue in Activism

This article was written by ASEN member Em Russ in 2008.  Activism can become very problematic if non-Aboriginal activists are not frequently engaged in dialogue with Aboriginal people. Without active dialogue between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians self-determination will inherently be discouraged. Activism is about challenging the status quo and acting to change it. Active dialogue discontinues the construction commonly found in mainstream society of Indigenous Australians as the ‘other’. Through positive dialogue and contact with Aboriginal communities, non-Indigenous activists can learn on a personal and practical level about the culture that they’re fighting to keep alive. Environmental activists can learn how to live with and care for this land from Aboriginal people whose ancestors were caretakers of it for tens of thousands of years. Activism is about empowering all people to take control of their world, promoted through dialogue, skill-sharing and broad contact with all cultures, discouraging exclusivity. Aboriginal activism can very effectively involve non-Aboriginal people who acknowledge their role of...
Read More