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I am an Australian national currently residing in the UK - originally from the 'deep north' aka Queensland! It is sad that things have come to this - I strongly support your work and will spread the news over here.
Helen Potts, United Kingdom, 10th October 2007
Women are the circle of life and I will always support this circle.
Crea Nolan, Ireland, 8 October 2007
I endorse your work, and wish you success.
I don't know what 'WiK' means! In Hawai'an, wiki is 'quick', so I hope that you achieve success 'wiki wiki' (very quickly). In Old English, a 'wick' is a 'trading place' or 'market' - so I wish that Australia quickly capitalises on the richness of its diversity - exchanging damaging ideas for enabling ones.
Pat Reynolds, UK, 3 October 2007
Glad someone brought this to my attention.
Anne Mason, County of Cambridgeshire, UK, 3 October 2007
I am appalled and sickened by John Howard's new policy. I am praying for the day that Indigenous Australians are given the space and respect they deserve.
Joanna Lathan, Devon, England, 4 October 2007
I AM TIRED OF SEEING THIS HAPPEN TO PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES. HOW DO YOU FEEL KNOWING A THIEF HAS GONE THROUGH YOUR HOUSE AND HAS TAKEN YOUR POSESSIONS AS THEIR OWN!
Oyinda Fakeye, London, England, 4 October 2007
Was made aware of Women for Wik via Claire Smith (WAC). Local people's voices matter.
Madeleine Hummler, UK, 26th September 2007
I am a cultural anthropologist with a long involvement with Indigenous self-determination in North America. The Australian Government must consult with the Aborigines in the Northern Territory and participate in development of and provide funding for a plan to achieve their vision of their future potential.
John Allison, USA, 20th September 2007
I endorse 'Women for Wik - Monitoring the Federal Action in the Northern Territory'.
Dee Reynolds, UK, 20th September 2007
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I am an Australian Remote Area Nurse currently upskilling to NZ midwifery standards. I have been appalled at the Howard initiative and see it as another desperate election issue, Howard has an impressive record at appealing to the ignorant redneck side of Oz politics, non reconciliation native title, Wik, Tampa, Iraq and is to quote a now famous Nga Puhi phrase "a racist bastard"
As a remote area nurse working in the Top End and Central Australia mostly for Aboriginal Controlled Health Services for the last eight years I share the distress and frustration that Aboriginal people must be experiencing. It is significant that none of the 97 recommendations of the Little Children are Sacred report have been even mentioned by Howard, let alone addressed. In fact the main theme of the report is to give Aboriginal communities more control, resources and independence so that these problems can be properly addressed. Howard's response has been typical of his short sighted, paternalistic and racist approach to Aboriginal people.
Chris Wilson, New Zealand, 19th September 2007
As an Australian living overseas, I feel ashamed by the Federal Government and Labor Party's stance on Aboriginal civil rights and the general treatment of Aboriginal Australians.
Dr Laurajane Smith, UK, 19th September 2007
Recent policy shifts by the Australian Government appear to be attacks on indigenous peoples. This is most disturbing.
Dr J Hills, UK, 19th September 2007
The Federal Government's move is oppressive and takes Aboriginal Policy back to the appalling state in which it existed up to the 1960s
Robert Layton, UK, 19th September 2007
These women really need support as do all Indigenous populations. It is tragic that so called 'civilised' governments/societies see fit to destroy these people and their heritage.
Dianne Lister, UK, 19th September 2007
As an Australian living temporarily overseas, I feel even more moved to add my voice to those who speak on behalf of all Aboriginal women - our Tidas
Carol Wild, Scotland, 18th September 2007
I support wholeheartedly the Women for Wik in their endeavours. The government's actions have been hasty and opportunistic, and the fact that the opposition aren't willing to criticise these actions shows the extent to which they want to avoid the issue of Aboriginal disadvantage. This situation is continuous with past injustices such as the stolen generations, and it's time to break from this ignoble tradition
Joanne Faulkner, Canada, 18th September 2007
My friend of 33 yrs in Orbost sent me your link. She emails me often about the plight of the original Australians, and she has championed their cause for a very long time. Your site is so informative, and I didn't really realise how dire the situation of the Aboriginals is. Congratulations on your demo in Scotland on Sept 13. It's about time the rest of the world was aware of the cruelty inflicted on these "invisible" people. Taking their land away - and therefore their identity - is horrendous. More power to you in your efforts! You need not email me, as my Oz friend will keep me up to speed. She is making a formal application to the Northern Territory Task force to become a volunteer up there.
Best Regards
Bonita Akow, Trinidad & Tobago, 18th September 2007
Hutia ra te rito o te harakeke, kei whea ra te Komako...ki mai ki ahua he aha ra te mea nui i tenei ao?... maku e ki ake - he wahine, he whenua, he tangata... tihe i mauriora!!!
Anaru Fraser, Aotearoa/NZ, 17th September 2007
Having worked west of Alice for 3 years, I know how hard it is for families out there. These new laws only make it harder and remove any opportunity for self determination by Indigenous Australians. The Government needs to actually fund decent education if it wants kids to go to school and these communities to have any hope of moving forward in their own ways and with their own beliefs and systems.
Trisha Sertori, Indonesia, 17th September 2007
Thanks and all the courage
Vasiliki Erophile, Amsterdam, 17th September 2007
I understand the situation in some communities is desperate and maybe the government thinks that calls for desperate measures but I feel like this sort of tactic is only going to make things worse for the very people it should be helping, the children and the people in the communities who do want to make change.
Samantha Destree, The Netherlands, 13th September
It makes me ashamed and outraged to be an Australian citizen watching from overseas as Indigenous Human Rights and self-determination are negated and eroded further. Where is the respect? How much longer can Indigenous voices continue to be silenced and ignored? When are we going to begin listening to the Elders, community leaders and mentors who have been proposing practical methods for tackling these issues of structural violence for years?
Moo Baulh, Spain, 11th September 2007
I support the petition.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 11th September 2007
What are you doing over there, sending in the army to indigenous communities?
You are the laughing stock of Europe - it's in all the news.
This wouldn't happen in other countries. How did you let it happen there?
Alison Meagher, Galway, Ireland, 10th September, 2007
Alejandra Korstanje Alejandra Korstanje, Tucaman, Argentina, 8th September, 2007
I think that all Australian women must continue to act in their territories. I'm very happy to see Australian women fighting for their rights and Aboriginal rights over their land. Those who lose their cultural origins lose their identity!! Please, fight until the end for your culture and your rights.
From the Catalan countries we will always support you.
Didac Roman, Catalan Countries, 8th September, 2007
Every country with a history of stealing the land and brutalizing and conquering the indigenous communities of a region absolutely needs to take *extreme* care to take responsibility for it in the 21st century and ensure that the original descendants of the land are given basic human rights and access to opportunity that was denied their ancestors. The Australian government should be ashamed in doing anything else [and I only feel qualified in saying this since my country has a similar history and is also sorely lacking in providing for Native Americans].
Shannon Weber, USA, 8th September 2007
I have sent this on and hope they get some more support. I also would like to protest against the Australian federal government's treatment of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory on this issue. It all just looks like a land grab to me.
Prof. Hilary du Cros, Macao, 6th September 2007
Too much years of insensible attitudes to the roots of ancient Australia. Mind changes are necessary.
L. Hernandez Ivars, Spain, 6th September 2007
Once again John Howard's actions, based on greed and lack of compassion, have brought shame on Australia. Although I live in New Zealand I am proudly Australian except when it comes to the Howard government's treatment of indigenous Australians. Then I am truly ashamed. Good on you Women for Wik! May your collective voice be strong and powerful enough to bring about positive change.
Maree Williams, New Zealand, 5th September, 2007
Race-based legislation is definitely not the way to go. In South Africa this formed the basis of Apartheid. The language of law is mostly conflictual and a last resort. Acknowledging difference and different needs requires far more than a legal approach.
Sven Ouzman, South Africa, 5th September, 2007
I add my endorsment to the "Women for Wik" for monitoring the intervention following policies previously agreed by Indigenous people.
Australian Indigenous women against the intervention. Stand up for your rights and keep fighting! It is your land and you should be the ones deciding about your present and your future!
Dr Ines Domingo Sanz, Spain, 3rd September 2007
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