Introduction
These four videos, two featuring Gary Foley and two featuring Robbie Thorpe, are essential viewing for non-Indigenous people seeking to act in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These videos are from a public discussion forum held in 2010 called ‘Deactivating Colonialism / Decolonising Activism’ convened by Clare Land at MAYSAR (Melbourne Aboriginal Youth, Sport and Recreation) in Fitzroy, Naarm/Melbourne.
Watch Videos
Advice for White Indigenous-rights Activists (Gary Foley)
Aboriginal historian, activist and leader, Gary Foley, explains the do’s and don’t’s of white activism. 100% Juice from an inspiring orator, and priceless advice for all would-be allies of Indigenous people in the struggle for justice.
‘Educate YOURSELF, then Educate the People’ (Gary Foley)
Aboriginal historian, academic and leader Gary Foley, explains the do’s and don’t’s of white activism. 100% Juice from an inspiring orator, and priceless advice for all would-be allies of Indigenous people in the struggle for justice.
The first process that needs to be gone through is the process of self education and becoming aware, fully aware, of just how little you know… realising the true nature of what we’re up against. White supporters need to realise the precise nature of what we’re up against …- Gary Foley
Advice for White Indigenous Activists in Australia (Robbie Thorpe)
Veteran Aboriginal activist Robbie Thorpe explains the do’s and don’t’s for white activists who are aspire to work as allies in the Indigenous struggle for justice.
…it’s not bringing your own ideas of freedom…freedom is tied up with ours… – Robbie Thorpe
Genocide = Ecocide (Robbie Thorpe)
Veteran Indigenous activist Robbie Thorpe explains the do’s and don’t’s for white activists who are aspire to work as allies in the Indigenous struggle for justice.
About Speakers
Gary Foley
Dr Gary Foley is an Australian Aboriginal Gumbainggir activist, academic, writer and actor. He has been at the centre of many major political activities including the Springbok tour demonstrations (1971), Tent Embassy in Canberra (1972), Commonwealth Games protest (1982) and protests during the bicentennial celebrations (1988). Foley was involved in the establishment of the first Aboriginal self-help and survival organisations including Redfern’s Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Health Service in Melbourne and National Black Theatre. Foley set up the Koori History website, has a PhD in history, was a Senior Curator at Museum Victoria and currently works at Victoria University.
Robbie Thorpe
Robbie Thorpe is from the Krauatungalung people of the Gunai Nation, the traditional owners of Lake Tyers, as well as the Gunditjmara Nation, whose homelands include Framlingham, Victoria. Robbie has been a strong advocate for Pay the Rent, an Aboriginal initiative which would provide independent economic resource for Aboriginal peoples. Robbie has initiated a number of legal actions, where he has argued that crimes of genocide have been committed against Aboriginal peoples throughout the colonisation of Australia. He was a founding office bearer of the Aboriginal Provisional Government in 1992. During 2005-06 Robbie was a member of the Black GST collective, and spokesperson for Camp Sovereignty. He has served as a director of Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR). He broadcasts two programmes on 3CR community radio.
Explore Further
- Changemaker Chat with Tyson Yunkaporta: Indigenous Thinking
- Writing a Solidarity Statement: Considerations and Process Questions
- Insights into Indigenous Solidarity, Creativity and Social Justice with Laniyuk & Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira (Commons Conversations Podcast)
- Becoming Allies: Reaching across the Divide
Attribution CC BY