Firstnationsrainbow

09/04/2026

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy of the Northern Territory has been criticized for allegedly losing touch with reality, acting as a puppet for white interests and neglecting the needs of Aboriginal communities. Critics claim that she focuses more on her personal gain rather than addressing pressing issues faced by Indigenous peoples, such as high rates of incarceration, suicides, child removals, and domestic violence.

Furthermore, it is suggested that Senator McCarthy prioritizes her own interests and connections over the well-being of Aboriginal communities. Calls have been made for her to be held accountable for the challenges faced by Indigenous populations in the Northern Territory, including deaths in police custody.

Critics argue that Senator McCarthy should redirect resources towards supporting community-controlled health organizations rather than benefiting personally from speaking engagements. They urge Aboriginal communities to reconsider inviting her to events until she demonstrates a genuine commitment to their welfare and seeks guidance from respected community leaders.

In conclusion, concerns have been raised about Senator McCarthy's alleged detachment from the realities faced by Aboriginal Australians. It is emphasized that she should refocus her efforts on actively addressing the systemic issues affecting Indigenous communities and working towards meaningful change rather than serving personal interests.

05/04/2026

🖤💛💔

It is with heavy hearts the Board and staff of AMS Redfern honour Aunty Dr Naomi Mayers OAM, AKA “Aunty Nay”, following her passing.

We have lost a fearless Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman, who dedicated her life to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

Born on Erambie Mission in Cowra in 1941, Aunty Nay’s first paid job was for the Aborigines Advancement League in Melbourne.

A visionary, Aunty Nay was one of the pioneering founders of the Aboriginal Medical Service Co-operative Limited, Australia’s first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

With a background in nursing, Aunty Nay was appointed as AMS Redfern’s first Administrator in 1972, later serving as CEO until her retirement in 2017. She always remained connected to AMS Redfern and continued to enjoy many community events following her retirement.

Over 45 years, she guided the transformation of AMS Redfern, from a small shop-front medical clinic - underpinned by the principles of self-determination - into a model of care that has been instrumental in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities throughout Australia.

When communities needed help, they called Naomi, who would organise an AMS Redfern team to provide whatever support and resources they could gather - that would help the local community to establish their own local health service - often Naomi was part of the team.

At the same time, she was instrumental in the establishment of other community-controlled initiatives in Redfern, including as a founding board member of the Aboriginal Children’s Service, the Aboriginal Housing Company, a board member of the Aboriginal Legal Service, and was a regional ATSIC representative.

Aunty Nay was a founding member and the first national coordinator of the National Aboriginal and Islander Health Organisation (now NACCHO), the national body for Community Controlled Health Services and a member of the Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW as well as a number of other organisations.

In 1984, she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of her services to community.

Aunty Nay led some of the most enduring reforms in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and continued up until the day she retired.

In 1988, she was appointed Chair of the National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party, recognised as the landmark document in Aboriginal Health policy in Australia.
Aunty Nay’s leadership was also recognised internationally by her election as the Australasian delegate to the International Committee on Indigenous Health.

Aunty Nay loved to sing, and was a member of the original Sapphires, the ground-breaking all-Aboriginal music group who performed defiantly, at a time when Aboriginal people and issues were ignored or not spoken about.
In 2023, she was honoured with a NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding services and contributions to our people.

Aunty Nay was a trailblazer in health and a visionary and activist long before the closing the gap policy. One of her legacies will be self determination and community control which she never deviated from as she continued to support many Aboriginal communities across Australia.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very sad time.

NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia AH&MRC of NSW

08/03/2026

To my family and friends
In our community, there is a concerning trend of individuals self-identifying as Aboriginal without genuine connections to the culture. This issue is deeply troubling and disrespectful to the Aboriginal community. As someone familiar with these individuals, I am appalled by their actions.
It is unacceptable for anyone, regardless of their background or gender, to falsely claim Aboriginal heritage. The act of obtaining a signed declaration from a Justice of the peace in New South Wales to assert one's Aboriginality is deceitful and undermines the true essence of being Aboriginal.
As a Justice of the peace myself, I have taken steps to address this issue by reaching out to relevant authorities and expressing my concerns. It is crucial that Justices of the peace do not endorse or confirm false claims of Aboriginal identity through statutory declarations.
Individuals who fabricate their Aboriginal heritage must understand that they are not part of the stolen generation or have experienced the historical struggles faced by true Aboriginal people. Merely acquiring letters from acquaintances or elders does not grant one legitimate Aboriginal status; it is essential to respect and honor the authenticity of Indigenous cultures.
Cultural appropriation, such as blackfishing, passing, and transracial identification, further exacerbates this problem by exploiting sacred traditions and reducing them to stereotypes for personal gain. Such actions disrespect the cultural significance and history of Indigenous communities.
It is imperative that we address these issues seriously and prevent individuals from appropriating Aboriginal identities for their benefit.
We must uphold respect for all cultures and refrain from exploiting or misrepresenting them for personal interests.

10/02/2026