A range of renowned speakers, addressing critical Indigenous issues, today visited Charles Darwin University's Casuarina campus as a part of Speakers Corner, a NAIDOC Week event.
Issues including the recent Indigenous reforms, Aboriginal past, present and future, 99-year leases, Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) and Indigenous health issues, were addressed during the forum.
Head of the School of Australian Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Professor Wendy Brady spoke about the recent reforms targeting Aboriginal communities.
Professor Brady expressed her displeasure with the current reform and the ‘ill-educated’ finger-pointing involved.
‘While I do feel there is a need for reform and change, the notion that Aboriginal men are to blame is absolutely reprehensible,’ she said.
Professor Brady pointed to long-time under-resourcing and the misuse of funding as major contributors to the current situation.
The growth and development of the NAIDOC Week initiative in celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal people and fostering relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, was the message underpinning the day’s program.
The national theme for this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations is 50 Years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak. Darwin is the focus city for 2007.