Friday, 26 January, 2007

by Adrienne Francis
ABC Country Hour

Many across the Territory today are celebrating all things Australian by playing a game of cricket, kicking back at home, chucking a prawn on the BBQ, heading to the local pub or out onto the water putting a line in. However, there are also those for whom this day is far from a celebration.

Today is also known as 'Invasion Day' and more recently labelled 'Aboriginal Sovereignty Day'. It's the focus of lobbying for recognition of indigenous sovereignty over land.

Sixty-year-old Speedy McGuiness of Batchelor has joined peaceful protesters at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns in front of Old Parliament House in Canberra today.

"When the Gurindji walked out (of the Territory's Wave Hill cattle station) in 1966, it was later on that the first members set up the tent Embassy to reclaim the land. I am so proud to be able to come here and show recognition to the people of the embassy. There are about 300 people walking today with the main theme being sovereignty and a nuclear free future. It's all to do with looking after the people and the future."

Mr McGuiness is a Gurindji elder and is also involved with the Finniss Area Land Trust around Batchelor in the Top End. He says he's also protesting against uranium mining and advocating for the rehabilitation of the former Rum Jungle Mine.

"We are going to keep going on until little Johnny Howard until we have a nuclear-free future for future generations. People have to recognise what the Tent Embassy stands for. The sooner the rest of Australia recognises what the embassy stands for and the past, the better. We have to have sovereignty to start looking after the land better."