A Better Way: Success Stories in Aboriginal Community Control in the Northern Territory

There has been much media attention in recent years on the serious challenges facing Aboriginal communities in the NT. As a part of the A Better Way Campaign, ANTaR is releasing a publication that showcases best practice community development models. We collected stories of successful community programs and initiatives in the NT that involve Aboriginal people and their communities in decision-making, resource allocation and the management and running of programs.

The initiatives showcased display great determination and ingenuity in their efforts to improve the lives of their communities. There is an impressive diversity of Aboriginal controlled organisations, services and businesses involved in almost every aspect of community life and economic development. Programs featured within the booklet include the Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation, Sunrise Health Service, the Traditional Credit Union and the Central Land Council to name a few.

The publication is a timely reminder to the Federal Government that Aboriginal community control is critical to achieving sustainable outcomes for children, families and communities.

The launch of the publication is on Tuesday 26 October at 10am at the Supreme Court Foyer in Darwin. If you would like to attend please RSVP to us.

The publication will be available to download from our website after the 26th October.

The RIGHTS Stuff

We've just released our 2010/11 Rights Stuff catalogue featuring books, cards, toys, CDs, cushion covers, necklaces, prints and more. Everything in our catalogue is created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or supports Indigenous rights.

We're also selling the Jukurrpa calendar and diaries again this year. These sold out the last three years, so get your order in quickly!
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This year we're featuring cards that showcase the artwork of the Papulankutja Artists, Blackstone. Papulankutja was established after the Ngaayatjarra people walked out of Warburton mission in the 1970s and returned to their land. Papulankutja Artists was established in 2001 and incorporated in 2004 growing out of the Blackstones Women's Centre. After many years of working through the Women's Centre and then the community hall, Papulankutja Artists opened their own art studio in 2009. The card themes are all about country and include the Seven Sisters story, Wati Kutjarra, Illupa and Nintika. The cards are $13 for a pack of 10.

Take a look at the fantastic products on our website.
Catalogue special: Papunya Tula and Meenah Mienne ANTaR greeting cards. Receive a pack of 50 for only $30. Just call the office (02) 9564 0594, and quote "ANTaR card offer".

Meet our National Director

Jacqueline Phillips started as the National Director in April.

She comes to us from the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) where she has been working on social security, housing and Indigenous policy issues for the last few years. Much of her Indigenous policy work in this role focused on the impacts of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER).

Jacqueline has also worked at the ACT Council of Social Service on a range of policy issues, particularly mental health and Aboriginal justice issues.

Before working in the community sector, Jacqueline studied law and wrote her Masters thesis on Native Title.
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Jacqueline has a strong commitment to social justice and equality and a particular commitment to advancing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and addressing poverty and disadvantage.

Her vision is for ANTaR to be a strong, independent, informed and principled voice in support of Indigenous rights and aspirations.

Belvoir St Theatre (Sydney) is offering a special deal to ANTaR supporters to see two plays in October and November.

NAMATJIRA

Until 7 November
Fifty years after his death, the life story of Albert Namatjira is told in words, music and through the creation of a growing artwork. For this production some of Namatjira's descendants— third generation water-colour artists—will be on-stage, creating the artwork.

THE BOUGAINVILLE PHOTOPLAY PROJECT

9 - 28 November
Paul Dwyer retraces journeys made by his father, world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Allan Dwyer, to Bougainville during the 1960s. His story is intertwined with the reconciliation process still occurring in Bougainville today, after a civil war that tore the country apart and killed thousands.