Indigenous Lives Matter:
a West Australian resource list
Semaphore stands in solidarity with Indigenous people, especially traditional owners in what is called Western Australia and the Whadjuk Noongar people of Boorloo boodjar where this journal is made. We respect their culture, their custodianship and their continuing contribution to our community. This resource list was originally gathered in 2020, within the context of international and national Bla(c)k Lives Matter protests, the ongoing deaths in custardy crisis, and the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. It felt then, as it does now, more important than an acknowledgement, and perhaps it always should have. Now in 2023, after the devestating result of the Voice referedum we again return. As we continue to work toward decarceration, truth-telling, treaty and asserting the rights of Indigenous people here, we think it is important to share this resource list again. We hope it can be of value for our community to educate ourselves, to provide resources that help make change, and continue to act as allies in the fight for justice and healing. This means recognising that Indigenous people are leaders and that we learn the most when we are open and engaged. We believe that the system must change, and there is a lot of work to do in advocating for a better city and state. Please read broadly, seek out organisations and events, make a donation, come to a protest, write a letter, and provide sustained support for Indigenous people because Indigenous Lives Matter.
As we continue to research, this list will be updated.
Please contact us via semaphore.wa.art@gmail.com to suggest additions or corrections.
Last updated: 27 October 2023.
Learn
Books by Indigenous writers:
My Place by Sally Morgan
Kangkushot by Jolly Read and Peter Coppin
Kurlumarniny by Monty Hale
True Country by Kim Scott
John Pat and Other Poems by Jack Davis
Long Time Now by Alf Taylor
Terror Nullius by Claire Coleman
It’s Still In My Heart, This Is My Country: The Single Noongar Claim History by South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council
A Story To Tell by Laurel Nannup
Dwoort Baal Kart by Kim Scott, Russell Nelly and the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project
Too Many Tears: an autobiographical account of stolen generations by Heather Vincenti and Deborah Dickman
Books by non-Indigenous writers:
On Red Earth Walking by Anne Scrimgeour
'Broome' Chapter in North of Capricorn by Henry Reynolds
How the West Was Lost by Don McLeod
Dancing in the Shadows by Anna Haebich
Articles:
‘The battle for Aboriginal heritage on Perth’s foreshore 30 years on’ by Nick Everett. Red Flag, 21 January, 2019.
‘Matargarup, home to the homeless – a safe space – take heed City of Perth Councillors’ by Gerry Georgato. The Stringer Independent News, 11 April, 2015.
‘Aboriginal protesters return to Heirisson Island for “refugee camp”’ by Heather McNeill. WA Today, 21 January, 2016.
‘“Cooked” to death: Ten years after shocking death in custody, has anything changed?’ by Rangi Hirini. NITV, 31 January, 2018.
‘From Karaoke to Noongaroke’ by Anne Haebich and Jim Morrison. Griffith Review, # 44, April 2014.
Audio:
‘Matagarup Refugee Camp: Aboriginal Elder mark 150 days of protest.’ NITV Radio, 25 July 2015.
Noongar Radio 100.9FM
Moorditj Mag on RTR FM
Resources:
AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia
Fine Default Reform Resources (Social Reinvestment WA)
Socail Reinvestment WA Submission to Closing the Gap Refresh Process by Australian Government, 2018
The Killing Times: Australian Massacre Map (The Guardian)
Deaths Inside: Indigenous Deaths in Custody Database (The Guardian)
Carrolup Digital Message Stick (John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University)
The Pilbara Aboriginal Strike (Monash University)
Indigenous Psychological Services Publications
Pathways to Justice-Inquiry into the Incarceration Rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by Australian Law Reform Commission, 2018
Rob Riley Memorial Lecture by Mick Gooda, 2015
Video:
How the West was Lost (1987) [Paywall - via Vimeo On Demand]
Aboriginal Mental Health and Suicide Prevention - Dr Tracey Westermam (2010)
Confessions of a Headhunter (2000) [Accessible via Kanopy membership - sign up for free via your local library]
CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PLACES DESTROYED IN EAST KIMBERLEY (2020) - Kimberly Land Council
Follow
Organisations:
Aboriginal Art Centres Hub WA
Aboriginal Legal Service WA
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Kaartdijin Noongar - Noogar Knowledge
Magabala Books - leading Indigenous publishing house, Broome
Noongar Language Centre
Nyoongar Outreach Services - community-based outreach service, Perth
Reconciliation WA
Social Reinvestment WA
Wungening Aboriginal Corporation - culturally secure, confidential and free of charge services to Aboriginal people in the Perth metropolitan area.
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company - Austrlaia’s biggest Indigenous-led theatre company, Perth
Yokai - support social and emotional wellbeing of WA individuals and families adversely affected by The Stolen Generation.
Projects:
Boorloo Justice - grass-root community led organisation run by First Nations and POC youth that are campaigning the Black Lives Matter Movement in Western Australia.
Wirlomin - Noongar Language and Stories Project
Woylie - Aboriginal Story Telling Project
Pay
This list includes national chraitites and organisations.
Donate to Charities / Fundraisers:
Aboriginal Legal Services WA
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Keep Wongutha Birni Aboriginal Coorporation Alive
Moorditj Koolangka Fundraiser (Edmund Rice Centre WA)
Social Reinvestment WA
Noongar Outreach Services Inc. Fundraiser
Buy Artwork / Literature:
Magabala Books
Many Regional Aboriginal Arts Centres have online sales capacities for artworks and other products—see AACHWA’s website for more details. These organisations have been particularly affected by the COVD-19 gathering restrictions cancelling significant markets for 2020.
Birriliburu Artists/ Tjukurba Gallery
Martumili artists
Papulankutja Artists
Nagula Jarndu Designs
Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre
Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Tjarlirli Art
Warakurna Artists
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
Winda Barna Art Centre
Yamaji Art
Yinjaa-Barni Art
Mankaja Arts Resource Agency
Maruku Arts
Spinifex Hill Studios
Warlayirti Artists
Warmun Art Centre
Lobby
Letters:
Note: Find contact details on the WA Parliament website for Members of the WA Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Find contact details on the Australian Parliament House website for Federal Members of House of Representatives and Senate.
Notes for witing a letter to the WA Government re: Garnkiny Not Granite campaign
Letter to WA Legislative Council Members re: Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices Enforcement Amendment Bill 2019 - royal ascent given 19 June 2020.
Protests:
Black Lives Matter Perth: Youth March for Justice: 12PM Saturday 4 July, Supreme Court Gardens - Riverside Drive, Perth
Black Lives Matter/ Indigenous Lives Matter protest: 12PM Saturday 13 June, Langley Park - Riverside Drive, Perth
Saying Their Names, Fremantle protest: Saturday 13 June, Canning Highway, Fremantle
Protest the Destruction of Sacred Aboriginal Lands: 1PM Tuesday 8 June, Central Park - 777 Hay Street, Perth
Petitions:
#raisetheage petition to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years in line with UN reccomendations
Garnkiny and Goorlabal NOT Granite! petition regarding the destruction of Gija Country by Kimberly Granite Holdings