Keywords: Myrna Tonkinson
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 16 February 2016
3 Comments
Last week, Malcolm Turnbull presented the eighth annual Prime Minister's Report on the government's Close the Gap campaign. The Close the Gap Campaign steering committee also released its 2016 progress and priorities report. While the reports identify modest gains, overall the gaps remain wide the words 'target not met' recur throughout. The results are disheartening but should strengthen the resolve of all concerned to set realistic goals, with consultation at local levels.
READ MORE 
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 13 March 2015
13 Comments
The PM's cavalier use of the term 'lifestyle choice' is totally inappropriate when referring to the people who will be affected by the proposed closures of remote Aboriginal communities. Undeniably it is expensive to sustain remote living, and effective schooling and health services are unfeasible. But we must avoid arbitrary decision-making, and implicit disparagement of people in remote communities.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 19 November 2012
15 Comments
The battle of words about what constitutes Aboriginality, sparked by Tony Abbott's ill-conceived remarks about Liberal Party member Ken Wyatt, has been discomfiting. References to Aboriginal 'blood' conjure up the absurd measurements that were used to classify and separate Aboriginal people in the past.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 14 January 2011
Not yet 40, she must live in Perth, hundreds of kilometres from home, to receive dialysis. She is currently in hospital recovering from spinal surgery, and so is separated even from her city-based loved ones. Yet she appears always with a beaming smile.
READ MORE
-
ARTS AND CULTURE
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 20 August 2010
The women assemble to sing, dance, tell stories; thus the elders induct
younger women into the religious
knowledge and rituals that are shared across a wide area.
Yuwani Annie's origin story blends a Yanyuwa version with the biblical Adam and Eve story.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 07 July 2010
1 Comment
Not yet 40, she must live in Perth, hundreds of kilometres from home, to receive
dialysis. She is currently in hospital recovering from spinal surgery,
and so is separated even from her city-based loved ones. Yet she appears always with a beaming smile.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 18 June 2010
14 Comments
Timana Tahu left the NSW State of Origin team after racist comments by assistant coach Andrew Johns. AFL heavyweight Mal Brown described Aboriginal players as cannibals. Why is it an insult to call someone black?
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 13 October 2009
14 Comments
Some Aboriginal languages do not distinguish the unvoiced and voiced
consonants 'b' and 'p', 'd' and 't', and 'g' and 'k'. Julia Gillard's push to provide 'English as a second language' training to teachers in remote communities can address such language obstacles and help lift levels of Indigenous education.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 07 September 2009
3 Comments
Like many Aboriginal communities, the Western Desert communities of WA's Pilabara are dealing with many pressing local issues. If plans for a national representative body can address some of these without introducing
cumbersome structures that will inevitably fail, it will have achieved
much.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 08 July 2009
2 Comments
The focus on the sensational when discussing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health tends to obscure
some positives. Many families are dealing with problems of abuse and neglect
with remarkable success.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 11 May 2009
2 Comments
Any cuts made in this dire economic climate must exclude items for improving conditions for Indigenous Australians. This Budget will test the Government's determination to 'close the
gap' between Indigenous Australians and the rest of the population.
READ MORE
-
AUSTRALIA
- Myrna Tonkinson
- 19 February 2009
9 Comments
The muted recognition of the anniversary of the National Apology was partly due
to the bushfires in Victoria, which continue, understandably, to
monopolise attention and emotion. But the
momentous event of February 2008 has not been followed up by
significant developments in Indigenous affairs.
READ MORE