2009-07-06

'We are dying like flies': Aboriginal elder slams Australia policy inaction


An Aboriginal elder has delivered a scathing attack on government inaction on Indigenous issues during a NAIDOC week ceremony in Darwin, saying "we have no name whatsoever".

The raw emotion in Joy White's speech prompted the Northern Territory Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, to offer to meet with the elder, saying the "pain" in her voice had "really affected" him.

Ms White was speaking before a flag-raising ceremony at the Bagot community in Darwin to mark the start of NAIDOC week.

She told the crowd that drugs are destroying her people and governments are deaf and blind to their plight.

"Our people are dying," she said.

"The full bloods are dying like flies.

"All our people are dying.

"And it's through alcohol and drugs."

She said politicians do not set aside the proper time needed to consult with Aboriginal people.

"And we are struggling, our people, because we don't have the same rights as any individual living in Australia.

"We have no name whatsoever.

"Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory don't have a name."

The Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, spoke at the ceremony after Ms White and promised to make time to meet with her.

"I will certainly come and talk to you and certainly to hear the pain in your voice is something that has really affected me."

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