October 1998

Black Australia Movement Launched

A new non-government Indigenous movement was launched in Brisbane on September 16, spearheaded by black activist and businessman, Adrian McAvoy.

The Murri flag was flown proudly over King George Square as Grace Hegarty, Lionel Fogarty and other Indigenous community members gathered to address the lunchtime crowd.

The B.A.M. - Black Australia Movement - has been established in response to what it says are the "critical, oppressive, demanding and overbearing" behaviours of White Australia. The movement argues that "through the practice, protection and ownership of our Aboriginal culture we will ensure that our laws and our language remain intact. And while our laws and language remain intact, our sovereignty over these lands survives."

Mr McAvoy told the assembly that Aboriginal people are not a violent people and that B.A.M. was not preaching violence or hate.

"We are the First People of this place. We pay respect to our Elders and to our extended family" he said. "That's what we are. But what do you have left at the end of the day? You go to your churches - do they fulfil your spirituality? The Creator who created you also created us - we had spirituality before your bible came to this place. If Captain Cook came here today, I'd tell him, you have to pay before you walk on my land. You treat me as an equal and we can walk hand in hand - until then, forget it."

Strongly critical of the idea that Indigenous people want 'welfare' in response to their dispossession, B.A.M. argues that Indigenous ownership of, and spiritual connection to land is not transferable. The organisation called for a percentage of GDP - "the profits which you have ripped off by stealing our country" - to be paid to Indigenous People in place of inadequate and demeaning white-controlled welfare.

"We stand together in kinship and solidarity. We are not poor - we are rich in culture" said Mr McAvoy. "So don't treat me as a poor white man, I'm a black man, a Birri Gubba man! Keep your welfare, and recognise my rights in land."

The B.A.M. plans a series of public meetings in other capitals in the coming months.

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