thesun-icon.jpg Focus on the empowerment of the people - the natural-born right, the ways and means, to self-governance.

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Please note the headings below introducing sections on THE FOUNDATION (indigenous empowerment) and THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY (indigenous and non-indigenous empowerment collectively).

THE FOUNDATION

The Bundjalung Elders Council Aboriginal Corporation - the first Elders Council to be formed in Australia - performs ongoing consultations and meetings with organisations and community groups throughout the Bundjalung Nation to better the lives of the people of the Bundjalung Nation economically, culturally and socially; work in strategic partnership with key stakeholders and advocate clear protocols so as to ensure that things are done the right way for Aboriginal people and their communities - i.e., with respect for the social and political conventions of each community.
The Bundjalung Elders Council are available for school activities, community events, openings, meetings and consultation. Contact them through their web site: www.sharedvision.org.au/bund2.html

“This always was, always will be Aboriginal Land”. With those words the former NSW Premier, Bob Carr, formally welcomed the Arakwal people back to Byron Bay, acknowledged their special connection with the headland they call “Walgun” (the Shoulder) and recognised their rights as its traditional owners. The symbolic handover culminated seven years of negotiations involving the State Government , Native Title Tribunal, NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Byron Shire Council; it marked the formal registration of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA, 28.08.01) which includes the creation of the Arakwal National Park and the transfer of Crown Land to the Arakwal Elders to establish homes and an Aboriginal cultural centre and tourist facility. Premeir Carr affirmed: “It is a lighthouse agreement. It points the way. It guides other communities in NSW and other communities around Australia”. “Such a comprehensive Indigenous Land Use Agreement has never before been achieved on mainland Australia,” said Cnr Brown. This agreement is the first of its kind in Australia as it sees the traditional owners and the National Parks and Wildlife Service share joint management of a National Park thereby, formally recognizing traditional custdianship and creating training and jobs for Aboriginal people.
http://guidetobyron.com/about/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9&Itemid=32
www.atns.net.au/agreement.asp?EntityID=506

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy - in the ACT - has, for some 30 plus years, maintained a significant indigenous presence and voice for pan-Australian Aboriginal truth and justice. The strong people of the Bundjalung Nation have always been represented at major Embassy Events. www.aboriginaltentembassy.net

THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY

The Autonomous Regions Coalition (ARC) - launched in the Northern Rivers region in 2006 - stands for the creation of self reliant and self governing regions across Australia. The non-partisan group’s aims and campaigns promote the interests of grassroots democracy and, ultimately, the reformation of Australia as a Commonwealth of Regions ensuring sustainability and good stewardship of the land and resources. The founding members have many years of real community building behind them - this is a movement from the ground up! Think Globally, Act Locally, Join ARC! www.a-r-c.org.au/

The United People Website - created here in the Wollumbin Bioregion - offers the space and the tools for a world government to function as a real democracy by allowing all willing and able individuals to take part in eery decision. The site is designed so as to facilitate true participatory democracy - providing a means for the People to communicate with each other and also to direct their respective governments on every geographical and political level. www.upworldvgov.org

Byron Shire Council’s user-friendly web site facilitates community input into council decision-making (Have Your Say); and governmental transparency and accountability (Recent Minutes, Publications, Current Matters, etc.). Isn’t it wonderful to have not only a progressive government at the local level, but now at the national level as well! www.byron.nsw.gov.au/

NOTE: The next category in the ‘WB Solutions Galore’ is Emotional Plane - achieving clear, open, harmonious inter-relations.