The formation of NAILSMA is a most important development both for
Indigenous communities and for North Australia.
It is also the necessary and logical development to follow on from
the Mabo and Wik judgements. It is also vitally necessary at this
time when there is little to be hoped for from the politicians and
the parliaments. The era of reform in Indigenous affairs seems to
be over...and many issues have simply not been resolved...questions
about sovereignty and autonomy and self determination have simply
disappeared off the politician’s radar. And yet the
underlying issues have not gone away. So it is up to the Indigenous
people to set their own agenda...and not wait to be asked or
'consulted'...yet again.
And the regional focus is exactly what is required. North Australia
has forever been exploited...has been an economic colony of the
south and of overseas investors. So much wealth has come out of the
north and so little was left behind...it has enriched people who
have either never been in the north; have flown over it or have
made a quick dry season visit. It is time too for Indigenous
communities to both protect the north from bad developments and to
gain the benefit from appropriate ones. We should never forget the
enormous contribution made by Indigenous men and women to the
economy of the north.
We should never forget that thousands of workers were not paid for
their work, that they experienced outrageously bad working
conditions…violence...sexual
exploitation...malnutrition...and little thanks or even respect.
The time has arrived for indigenous communities to take their own
destiny in their own hands...NAILSMA may provide an avenue to
further this ambition.
Henry Reynolds, 29 October, 2004
