Statement of Purpose
To generate in Australia a moral
and legal recognition of and respect for the distinctive
status of Indigenous Australians as First Peoples. Recognition
of Indigenous Australians
rights, which include self-determination,
their relationships to land and the maintenance and
growth of their cultures, is essential to creating a
just and fair society for all Australians.
About ANTaR
Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR) began in 1997 in response to a swell of public anger towards Federal Government moves to wind back Indigenous native title rights. In Victoria, more than 30000 people became involved, forming groups in most of the 37 Federal electorates in the State.
ANTaR is an independent, national network of mainly non-Indigenous organisations and individuals working in support of justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Much of ANTaR
s work is carried out by peak state and territory ANTaRs and by numerous local groups.
ANTaR is a peoples’ movement, committed to the rights and perspectives of Indigenous peoples to determine their own future with the support of the Australian People. ANTaR coordinates a major national community education and awareness campaign on native title, reconciliation and other issues. This includes:
- maintaining close liaison with Indigenous leaderships and communities;
- conducting national campaigns and lobbying on Indigenous affairs issues;
- conducting education and awareness projects targeted at non-Indigenous Australians and international audiences.
Central to ANTaR
s activities is the Sea of Hands. Almost 250,000 Australians have put their signatures on a hand in the Sea of Hands and helped in its installation in locations around Australia.
ANTaR Victoria
Preamble
ANTaR Victoria Inc acknowledges that at the time of
European invasion the totality of lands now known as
Victoria were occupied by sovereign Indigenous nations
who owned, cared for and enjoyed them in accordance
with their laws, customs and traditions. The Indigenous
nations’ sovereignty as well as their peoples’
right of ownership, occupation, use and enjoyment of
lands have not been ceded.
The impact of invasion forced drastic changes on Indigenous
peoples, including where and how they lived, their languages,
religion, health, economic status, freedom of movement
and association, and in some cases their very survival.
We acknowledge all Indigenous peoples in Victoria today,
including the original language groups as well as all
clans, family groups and land owning groups; as well
as their rights to their lands, self determination and
control over their culture and traditions.
This is a Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
map (produced in 1996). This map is not suitable for
Native Title Claims. NB: The English spelling of language
group names varies throughout Victorian communities
depending on oral knowledge and beliefs.”
Download
ANTaR Victoria's Rules of Association
About ANTaR Victoria
ANTaR Victoria was formed in 1997 under the banner Defenders of Native Title to preserve the integrity of the Mabo and Wik High Court judgements. Over 180 concerned Victorians from differing sectors of the community formed Defenders. The structure was based on Victoria
s electoral regions with most of the 37 electorates having representation from people involved in defending native title and land justice with Indigenous Australians.
Now incorporated as Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Victoria, we focus on activities and issues specific to Victoria, while also supporting national campaigns and priorities. The organisation has over 400 members and has consolidated with a range of supporting organizations including non-government organisations, community groups and faith groups. ANTaR Victoria operates at a grassroots level with a network of 26 local groups throughout metropolitan and rural Victoria, with each group facilitating their own reconciliation initiatives.
The ANTaR Victoria office
is the base for a secretariat of part-time staff
and volunteer members of the organisation. It is located
in the Brotherhood of St Laurence building, Fitzroy. |
