The Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have been, are, and will continue to be, the Indigenous Peoples of Australia. Through our inter-dependent and devout relationship with country we, the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, have always retained concerted and exclusive possession of the lands, waters and resources, from time immemorial. As Indigenous Peoples, we savour a physical and spiritual connection to our lands, waters and environment which cannot be substituted, extinguished or altered without interference to our essence. These physical and spiritual connections are necessary elements of life energy. Two hundred years ago, Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and our lands, waters and environment were invaded, violated and usurped by one of the major world colonisers of Europe, the British Crown. The colonists committed wanton murder, torture, genocide and larceny against the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, with the manifest consent of the British Crown. The colonists tried to brutally and unjustifiably deny our Peoples the exercise of our rights over our lands, waters and environment under the legal concept of 'terra nullius', or 'unoccupied lands'. We have survived the colonial invasion and can legitimately claim our unimpaired rights to our lands, waters and environment, having never conceded such rights. Where the exercise of our rights is impossible due to the destruction or desecration of lands, waters or environment we must be able to demand settlement on just terms. The injustices of the British Crown have been inherited by the nation-state of Australia. The nation-state of Australia benefits unduly from exploitation of the wealth of our lands, waters and environment, while denying us our ownership and rights. The Constitution of Australia does not acknowledge the rights of the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, including our continued ownership of the lands, waters and environment. The Constitution of Australia is founded in racism and genocide. The nation-state of Australia has conveniently avoided any obligation to recognise the inherent rights of the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The nation-state of Australia does not have unfettered use of the lands, waters or environment without first achieving settlement with the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The citizens of Australia should realise and acknowledge that the nation-state of Australia has a debt accrued through its dispossession and unjust treatment of the rightful owners of the lands, waters and environment. The citizens of Australia must accept and acknowledge that the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Island Peoples have suffered cruelty and indignity as the innocent victims of an undeclared war. The citizens of Australia have the responsibility to ensure that the history of invasion is not concealed and, as a consequence, true justice is denied. The Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples must have safe and secure connection with our lands, waters and environment for our own fundamental physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. HOME | ABOUT FAIRA | NEWSROOM | ISSUES | >>> email FAIRA • LRQ FAIRA Aboriginal Corporation Phone +61 7 3391 4677 • Fax +61 7 3391 4551 • email letterbox@faira.org.au Post Office Box 8402 Woolloongabba Q 4102 Australia 37 Balaclava Street Woolloongabba