04/11/2023
Message from and
People in our studios felt sad, flat, wondering where to next, angry but not surprised; having lived through the NT Intervention. Govt has been in Aboriginal people’s lives here probably more than anywhere else in this country. People are also feeling worried - that the cynical No fear campaign will translate into Peter Dutton and Jacinta Price getting into government and decimating funding to Indigenous run organisations including Tangentyere Council. This happened when Tony Abbott became PM and of course the Intervention happened under John Howard.
In Alice Springs, Aboriginal people experience the gap in education, health, housing and life opportunity daily. People are wondering where to now; how will life improve for them? People are worried for their children, who are often acting out of anger as the gap is so clear to them. People are worried for the mental health of their children and grandchildren, and for their future in a country that rejected their simple request to have a say in matters that concern them.
In the last few weeks and have participated in at AGSA and Tarnanthi Art Fair.
We participated in through a capsule outside the State Library and fashion on the ganbu marra runway at The Lume. Artists have met commitments and kept turning up and sharing their culture and lore with generosity.
We are also feeling strongly supportive of local young leaders like Shirleen Campbell and Connie Shaw from Family Safety Group, to other leaders including Dr Josie Douglas and Barbara Shaw from Central Land Council, and to Rachel Perkins, who put so much on the line for this campaign. Artists in our studios are proud of these people.
We have taken our silence, met our work commitments, sat in sorry and are now ready for what is next.
And to our friends that have sent us so much love and support. We say thank you.
