[Dialogue] Oombulgurri: This homelands community will be destroyed - unless we act

[frank bremner via Dialogue]

Dear O:E/EI/ICA colleagues, especially those who were been involved in our work in Oombulgurri in some way:
 
This came through various channels from Amnesty International.  If you search the websites for The Australian and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) - especially Radio National - you might be able to locate stories about the Western Australian government withdrawing services from Oombulgurri, information about some of their local issues, and info about the recent move to "flatten" Oombulgurri.  The last story gave birth to the Amnesty action.
 
It would help if the WA government realises that the audience for their action is world-wide.
 
Best wishes
 
 
 
Frank Bremner
Adelaide, South Australia


Dear ICA Colleagues In case you haven’t seen this please read and respond by protesting and/or passing on the information.

From: Tammy, Amnesty International Australia <actioncentre at amnesty.org.au>
Date: Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 3:30 PM
Subject: This homelands community will be destroyed - unless we act
The Government plans to flatten the Aboriginal homelands community of Oombulgurri within days.

They'll destroy forty homes, the school, the hospital and might even damage sacred Aboriginal sites.

Demand the demolition be stopped immediately.Dear .................l, This sort of abuse and neglect of Indigenous communities breaks my heart.Oombulgurri is an Aboriginal homelands community in Western Australia. People from all over the Kimberley have lived there for generations -- but now it’s under threat. The State Government is planning to flatten the town within days. They’ll not only destroy forty houses, a school, and a health clinic - but may damage sacred sites in the process. Join our urgent call to stop the demolition, and to protect sacred Aboriginal sites in Oombulgurri. In 2011 the men, women and children living in Oombulgurri were forced out of their homes and off their traditional land. When the Government announced the town would close, many refused to leave. Those who stayed were given just two days to pack up their lives and move on - then the Government closed the health clinic, and shut off the town’s power and water. And just like that the Oombulgurri became a ghost town. It’s residents and traditional owners have been fighting to return ever since. Many have been left homeless by the town’s closure. The people of Oombulgurri want nothing more than to return to their homelands. Demand the destruction of their homes be stopped immediately. When I interviewed residents this month I could hear the hurt and confusion in their voices. Respected Elder Tom Birch told me: “We want to care for our homelands. We want people to walk with us and help us, not say its too hard and destroy it. We are recognised by our Elders as the keepers of Oombulgurri. We ask the Government not to pull down our houses. This will break our community forever. This is our place, our spirit, our culture.” Our research has shown that Indigenous Peoples are happier and healthier on their homelands [1]. On homelands they can maintain their spiritual connection with their ancestral lands, and stay close to sacred sites, burial places and dreaming trails. What is happening to the people of Oombulgurri breaks international law. It is unlawful to force people from their traditional land without consent. I hope that you will stand with the people of Oombulgurri in their fight for their homeland. Thank you,
Tammy Solonec 
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Manager 
Amnesty International Australia 
@TammyAmnestyOz
[1] There's no place like homelands, Amnesty International Australia

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