Indigenous Recognition
For over ten years, Rev Lindsay McDowell and the National Act of Recognition (NAR) team have worked on promoting a vision for Australia of acting in positive ways to recognise the place of Indigenous Australians from the time of British arrival.
It has been a very difficult task in many ways, but some of the fruit of this is now appearing. It has been a huge task to bring a national change in worldview and the spirit of the nation that many other groups have also been working towards.
Prime Minister Gillard's announcement this month that a referendum will be held within three years to recognise the place of Indigenous Australians in the Constitution is part of the fruit of all these efforts.
Lindsay McDowell reports that an invitation has been raised to speak on NAR at a NSW men's conference that has been postponed until mid-March.
"Garry Tosh of Dubbo, Ivan Simon of Sydney and I have briefly discussed this... One outcome is that we hope to use the extra time to meet with leaders across the North West [NSW], individually and in small groups, to raise as much Recognition awareness as possible.
"Garry and I have already flagged the prospect of he and me making a trip from Bathurst to Bourke between now and March, simply meeting and sitting with people, sharing all our dreams and building confidence in each other. Ivan has flagged his intention to do the same as he travels across the North west in his capacity as CEO of NSW Aboriginal Housing.
"Give thanks for Ivan. He is emerging as a natural leader loved and trusted by all. He is a gem!
Sand drawings to promote kidney health
A project in Western Australia is using traditional sand drawings and animation to communicate information on kidney health, renal disease and diabetes. Annette Stokes, Chief Investigator of Western Desert Kidney Health Project (Poppy van Oorde-Grainger
The Western Desert Kidney Health project, run by the University of Western Australia's Rural Clinical School, aims to reduce the incidence of kidney disease and diabetes by 20% in ten remote communities.
The University's Associate Professor Christine Jeffries-Stokes is co-ordinating the program in the state's northern Goldfields region.
WA correspondent Phil Tucak asked her how the sand drawings will be used.
Friends - we are short of hands so if you have any ideas please let me know!!
We have started the Western Desert Kidney Project - We started with Kurrawang (to 5th November) and then we will be in Coolgardie over 3 weeks starting on the 14th of November and finishing on 3 December (2010!) . Unfortunately, we do not have a full compliment of staff due to funding delays and unavoidable recruitment delays so we really need some volunteers or students. The communities are close to Kalgoorlie (it is Coolgardie) so we will travel out there every day - although there may be some accommodation in Coolgardie for volunteers.
We needs hands to help with filling in forms, taking blood pressures, blood sugars etc (all finger prick test) and / OR helping with arts workshops - especially with supervision of children (so need working with children check).
If you know anyone who might be interested please let us know.
We do not have any spare funds as the funding for staff the staff funding is all through the AMS so unfortunately there is no pay or funds for travel, we may be able to help with accommodation - but we can guarantee an amazing time!!
Christine Jeffries-Stokes
Assoc Prof Christine Jeffries-Stokes MBBS, B Med Sc, MPH, FRACP
The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia,
PO Box 1654 Kalgoorlie WA 6433
Phone: 0407387602, +61 8 9091 0666 Fax: +61 8 9021 4366
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Koorie Night Market in Box Hill Town Hall on Wed 17th Nov. 5-9 pm
I'll have a stall there selling my artwork so come say 'Hi'. - Safina Fergie
Info: www.koorienightmarket.com.au
Eva-Jo 0419 750 399 Sharon 0425 747 727
Arrow-Head Ministries is presenting:
THE ASHES & THE COAL - INDIGENOUS "CAMPFIRE"
SYDNEY, NSW (not a literal campfire just a gathering place)
As you know, I am back from Europe! I have been talking about the harvest and the Lord has laid on my heart how He wants to commission our Aboriginal/Torres Strait people. This is stage one. Stage two is to build partnerships in each state, but first let us begin on a national scale.
I am now inviting you to send this email out to as many people as possible. I need at least 60 people to respond as soon as possible as this event is only 6 weeks away. The available accommodation at the moment is 60 and we may need to find other places of accommodation in the area and depending on numbers, we may also need to increase our venue size. So it will all depend on you and your response!
HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU? FOR THIS COMING HARVEST AND MIGHTY MOVE OF GOD! LET US CONTINUE TO PREPARE THE WAY IN HIM!
10th, 11th and 12th December 2010.
THE VISION OF THE ASHES AND THE COAL
I saw a vision of ashes and coal raining down from heaven like being released from a laundry chute as we prayed for revival fire! It is an Indigenous Fire that I saw. Ashes and Coal was what we carried to start a new fire in another location.
Let this be a fire that will start something new in the nation of Australia as hungry people come together to join hearts as one.
WHO WILL GO AND WHO SHALL I SEND? HERE AM I LORD, SEND ME!
Is this the cry of your heart and you want to link arms in partnership with the First Born of this land!
This invitation is also for you!
Venue: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, 180 George Street, Redfern, New South Wales.
Sponsors welcome - send your support to help our Aboriginal/Torres Strait people to attend. Send them on their way to represent you!
Gloria Dyer
Arrow-Head Ministries
Phone 0439 851 561