Chris Tomlins
UNCLE CHRIS TOMLINS, ARRERNTE ELDER
“I am Peltherre Agnillinga Agkmoura, one of the most ancient names on the planet.”
Uncle Chris Peltherre Tomlins’ mother was a Warlpiri woman; his father was an Arrernte man.“Through my father I claim that Arrente, my sisters go Warlpiri, through my mother. Its through my father that I have that status, especially because my father was born on the country on which he is buried and on which I now live.”
Uncle Chris has been involved in the land rights movement since the early 80s and was instrumental in establishing and running Yipirinya, a bilingual, two-way learning primary school for bush kids in Alice Springs. “I took my activism skills out of politics and legalities, into the healing and the people movement, the people’s healing.”
Since attending the Aboriginal Tent Embassy as a delegate of the Freedom Summit in 2015, Chris has been travelling the countryside as a voice for Country and an activist of peace, lending his support to many actions, often involving the protection of sacred sites.
“These sacred sites are our spiritual connection, they are our stories of creation, before man and woman. They are about Mother Earth and all the animals that were here before us.
Uncle Chris is a custodian, a peaceful protector of his country and and a passionate activist. Among other things, he supported actions such as ‘Close Pine Gap’, Indigenous Sovereignty, and recognition of the Frontier Wars.
Pine Gap is the extensive US military and intelligence base that occupies Aboriginal lands of the Arrernte people, the original custodians of country. The Arrernte were never asked for their permission to build Pine Gap on their land.
Uncle Chris wrote in a letter: “It’s not only Black Australia that has a sovereignty issue. The Arrernte people have been the custodians and peaceful protectors of their country for thousands of years. Our sovereignty is contained in our songlines, stories and dances, which have been handed down over thousands of years.
“As the lawful custodians we are responsible for what occurs on our land and the harm it brings to the rest of the world. The activity of the facility at Pine Gap has implicated us in criminal military actions, which threatens the dignity of all people, implicates us in war crimes and generates instability and conflict around the globe as a consequence of US imperialism.”
SELF– DETERMINATION
The right of Self Determination for indigenous people were brought into Australian law in 1972. It is based on the traditions of self – governance and decision- making processes of indigenous peoples.
The Native Title Act 1993 (sect. 251B) requires compliance with traditional decision- making processes under Aboriginal custom and law.
When elected, I will implement this law to bring decision making back to our aboriginal elders and community leaders. We are cultural people, and we need a seat at the table. Self- Determination is about making choices for our children and grandchildren. We need resources allocated to bring decision making back to communities, back to families. It’s time for all of us to look to ourselves, find the necessary help and sort out our own issues. I ask non-Aboriginal Territorians to do the same- examine your government, your communities. Let’s explore the issues together, come together and work together locally to deal with the problems plaguing our households and communities, towns and territory as a whole.
KIDS ON COUNTRY
I agree with the Chief Minister that the problem children in Alice Springs need to be sent back out to their homelands, many of them are not Arrernte and don’t reside here permanently. But we need resources and support for communities and the homelands/outstations that have been neglected through almost 20 years of military occupation.
The courts must again recognise Aboriginal law and custom. This will make it possible for the police to work with magistrates and community leaders to set up the appropriate process to get kids safely back on country, where they belong. We need to re-educate government officials and NGO’s on why trusting us with our kids is the only way forward.
It is time to end the occupation of remote Aboriginal lands and reestablish regular meetings with the elders’ councils. This is what we did in the 80’s and 90’s. This is what Central Land Council use to facilitate. Perhaps its time land council was broken up into its tribal estate groups and the decisions made inside the communities, not in Canberra.
Self- Determination is for all Territorians. Our families and kids are all suffering from decisions being made outside of our communities, from outsiders and or people with little to no interest in our children’s future. Lost income, reduced tourism, the rise in drug and gang antisocial behaviour and crime. These are all issues that need to be addressed from within our community, by the appropriate people.
THE 2007 NORTHERN TERRITORY EMERGENCY INTERVENTION REMAINS IN PLACE
This is a race-based legislation which has no place in a modern commonwealth. It must end. There can be no Self- Determination whilst the intervention is in place. Since its implementation in 2007, the situation in the territory has got worse for everyone.
