NORTHERN REGION LALCS SIGN UNIQUE FRIENDSHIP TREATY

"Local Aboriginal people will be buoyed by an historic event which took place at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place on Wednesday, July 22- 14 Local Aboriginal Land Councils from the Northern Region of NSW signed a Friendship Treaty agreement to work together for mutual benefit" proclaimed the first two paragraphs of the Armidale Express' story of the event.

It summed it up perfectly.

It could, however, have added that it was unique - a first, and an event that could possibly be followed up by other Land Councils. It was certainly an event that caught the imagination - and drew considerable praise and congratulations. [click here for photos]

Praise that came from the local Mayor, Councillor Peter Ducat and the Federal Member for New England, Tony Windsor - and NSWALC's Chairperson Bev Manton.

Clearly, all l4 Land Councils were proud of what they had achieved.

"It is an historic day - a first of its type," said Tony Windsor MP, adding "the signing of this agreement is symbolic and a very positive step."

Mayor Peter Ducat, a great supporter of the Treaty, spoke about its principles, aims and objectives and added that it sent a significant important message throughout the Region while Bev Manton said "It is a magnificent achievement."

"Today is a momentous occasion," she said.

Chairperson Manton added: "You should be very proud of what you in the Northern Region have achieved. I think, from NSWALC's point of view, it is something every land council might want to emulate.

"But any document initially is only words. To make it work and to make those words have real meaning it needs commitment, it needs to be driven.

"I know that a lot of hard work and emotion has gone into fine-tuning the words and concepts contained in the final document. It is not just words." You have all worked to drive it, to make it work. This is a momentous occasion. To my knowledge the first in Australia."

NSWALC's Deputy Chair and Northern zone representative, Councillor Tom Briggs, who was roundly congratulated by many people for his work to drive the Treaty agreement initiative, said it was a very special day. One that had been long in the making.

"We first started talking about developing and agreeing on a Friendship Treaty nearly a decade ago," Councillor Briggs added. "Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work, but hard work that has been really worthwhile.

"I am immensely proud of what we have achieved here today. It is unique and I know we will never regret it. I know our people will thank us."

NSWALC's Deputy CEO, Norman Laing, said the signing proved that a Treaty didn't have to just be a document between countries, or even a national treaty.

"The signing of a regional Friendship Treaty demonstrated that such Treaties could happen at home, domestically and locally.

"This Region is now entering into an era where not many have stepped. Many of our Aboriginal nations have been reluctant, have been afraid or have lacked the will. This Treaty has taken bravery not only by the actions and initiatives of you 14 LALCs but also the persistence and patience of Councillor Briggs."

The Treaty has four principal components, these being: The preamble, Principles Goals, and Mutual covenants.

The preamble states pledges signatories to their mutual recognition of the distinct identifies inherent rights, needs and aspirations of each LALC while respecting each right to govern themselves in the best interest of members.

In being a signatory to the Friendship Treaty, each LALC accepts the terms of the Treaty, its principles, goals and objectives.

The governing principles specify such fundamental as:

• That the Aboriginal people of the Northern Region have an inherent right to self governance and self determination in accordance with respective laws, values, customs and languages;
• The continuation of the political, social, cultural and economic relationships that have existed between the Aboriginal nations and individual people of the Northern Region since time immemorial;
• A shared commitment to care for, preserve and protect the land, water and traditional and cultural sites within each others boundaries;
• The inherent right to control and enjoyment of the lands of the Northern Region, including collective rights and responsibilities over the environment, including the air, land, inland waters, flora, fauna and all other surface and sub-surface resources; and
• That collective rights include all traditional, cultural and ecological knowledge, the exercise of conservation practices, traditional ceremonies, medicinal and healing practices and all other expressions of art, culture and language.

The Treaty's over-arching goal is to see all LALC's undertaking to work together in all things that improve the rights of Aboriginal people and their present and future wellbeing.

In signing the Treaty, each LALC will also exchange economic, legal, political, traditional and technical knowledge regarding the protection of Aboriginal cultural property, both real and intellectual, and to collaborate on issues that impact on Aboriginal people throughout the Region.

As Red Chief LALC Chairperson, Greg Griffiths said after the signing ceremony: "It is all about shaking hands together - working collaborately, sharing our knowledge and our expertise.

"This is our way and it helps everyone."