Tag: First Nations people

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RECONCILIATION NEWZ BUZZ Oct 2023 no 4, Oct 29

RECONCILIATION ROUNDTABLE BY ZOOM 2.11.23

We had an inspiring time when Ps Norman Miller called a Reconciliation Roundtable by zoom on Thursday 19 October. It was called to discuss and pray for strategies to move forward in healing and reconciliation after the Voice Referendum divided our nation and brought grieving and anger to many of the Yes Campaigners. Many of the participants are keen to continue and we are holding another one on Thursday 2 November at 6.30pm Brisbane time, 7.30pm Sydney time and 4.30pm WA time. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are welcome. Please email us for the zoom link.

There was a powerful communion led by Ps Norman where he pulled the spear out of white Australia as part of removing the payback spirit. We discussed and prayed for:

  1. A new way forward. This included Closing the Gap as practical reconciliation with key performance indicators being met and money spent more effectively.
  2. We need a paradigm shift. We need to change the narrative from victim/oppressor to one where we can work more positively. This means accepting some personal and community responsibility by Aboriginal parents, communities and organisations.
  3. We need to promote the forgiveness side of reconciliation more as it is a two-way street. We could join the National Forgiveness Day on Feb 1 run by the Abdullah family in Sydney.
  4. A workbook could be developed from Barbara’s Voice Treaty Truth Book with 10 lessons that could be used by home groups, prayer groups and Bible Colleges etc.
  5. We could have an online course in reconciliation in race relations that has videos.
  6. We can invite First Nations Christians to do 5-minute videos that could be incorporated in this.
  7. We can promote trauma-informed counselling
  8. We will have monthly Reconciliation Roundtable meetings by zoom and have guest speakers with Q and A. Initially we will have another meeting in 2 weeks’ time to keep the momentum going.
  9. Somehow we need to reach out to schools, maybe through ILO’s or teachers.

We all have the message and ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 5:17-21

NB I wrote this article for Canberra Declaration as I was concerned about the leaders of the Yes Campaign using similar terms re Australia and Israel i.e. both nations are illegal occupiers & that some First Nations leaders support
the Palestinian Cause & support Hamas terrorism

Legitimacy of Non-Indigenous Occupation of Australia Challenged by Yes Campaign

By Barbara Miller 27 OCTOBER 2023

Leaders of the Yes Campaign for the Voice referendum released on Sunday night, 23 October, an anonymous statement condemning Australians for voting no to their proposal to enshrine a Voice in the constitution. They are not accepting the democratic process in this nation and are calling it a shameful act that promotes colonialism.

They also said that racism, ignorance, and misinformation were factors, and they have received a bitter lesson from the vote. This ignores the fact that it was not a referendum where non-Indigenous people voted no, and First Nations people voted yes. There were yes and no voters in both camps.

The Guardian reported that the statement said that the Voice referendum ‘unleashed a tsunami of racism’ and Australia had chosen “to make itself less liberal and less democratic” by voting no. It continued that the result was so mean-spirited it would remain “unbelievable and appalling” for decades to come.

Occupied Territory?

More seriously, they have accused Australians of non-Indigenous heritage, who may have been born here and had many generations of family members living here, as illegal occupiers who need to have First Nations people recognise their right to live here. Who would do that? The government-appointed Referendum Working Group, who, along with Prime Minister Albanese, have managed to divide this nation with this referendum proposal? The editorial in The Australian on October 24 says the statement by the Yes campaign said:

“It is the legitimacy of the non-Indigenous occupation in this country that requires recognition, not the other way around. Our sovereignty has never been ceded.”

So, do they want all non-Indigenous Australians to leave Australia, or do they want co-sovereignty and co-governance and laws that will flow from this that will greatly change Australian life? If it is the latter, it is true that First Nations People did not cede sovereignty. However, two court cases have determined that First Nations Australians no longer have sovereignty — Coe v Commonwealth 1979 and the Mabo native title decision of 1992. Regarding the 1979 case: READ MORE

Makarrata and Reconciliation Part 1
by Ps Norman Miller 21.10.23

Part 2 – https://youtu.be/9Xc1Okl5os0

PRAYER FOR ISRAEL AND THE HOSTAGES
Led by Ps Norman Miller and the worship team

Vicarious Trauma and Race-based Trauma – God Can Heal by Ps Barbara Miller

Voice Treaty Truth: Has the Christian Voice Been Heard? Book Trailer
Discounted eBook on Amazon to 99c US for 5 days from 7 November 8am PST or 8 November 1am Brisbane time so get the special while you can.

Find out the background story behind the Voice referendum and read a significant Biblical view and prophetic insights. Order the eBook from Amazon or the paperback from Amazon or www.barbara-miller-books.com

Australian amazon link   US Amazon link

William Cooper’s grandson Uncle Boydie (Alf Turner), Abe Schwarz, unknown woman and Barbara and Norman Miller laying a wreath at Be’er Sheva at the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Be’er Sheva on Oct 31 2017. Norman and Barbara led a prayer tour of 50 internationally based Christians through Israel and hosted a Sons of Abraham conference in Jerusalem on this visit as well as attending the Welcome the King of Glory conference.

The charge of the Australian Lighthorse, as well as the fighting by the New Zealanders and British, was crucial to opening up the way for Jerusalem to be wrested from 400 years of rule by the Muslim Ottoman Empire in 1917. A Jewish homeland was set up under a British Mandate and eventually, in 1948, the state of Israel was reborn. 

THE MOST AMAZING VIDEOS ON ISRAEL, PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC AND MUCH MORE – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! BE BLESSED!!!

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RECONCILIATION NEWZ BUZZ Sept 2023 no 2, 27 Sept

Long-time Supporter of Indigenous Advancement Will Vote No to the Voice and Explains Why in a New Book Called Voice, Treaty Truth: Has the Christian Voice Been Heard? 

Pastor Barbara Miller and her husband Aboriginal pastor Norman Miller will vote no to the Voice and she explains why in a new book called Voice, Treaty Truth: Has the Christian Voice Been Heard? The book covers the journey of how she got to this decision after being an activist in First Nations affairs for over 50 years.

On the verge of the Voice Referendum and as part of a heated debate about the Voice, this new book comes out on Amazon on October 6, just in time to inform Christians and other voters on referendum day October 14.

Author Barbara Miller says, “I wrote the book because I don’t believe the Christian voice, of First Nations and others, has been heard. I don’t want Australia to be divided by race and I value equality before the law and the Voice will breach this. These are basic Christian values. If it succeeds, the Voice will divide First Nations people themselves as well as the rest of the population.

“This book not only covers all the reasons to vote yes and all the reasons to vote no as well as the progressive no case but also looks at the spiritual dynamics and motivations behind the positions people are taking. As a pastor and former psychologist, this is an important area to explore, especially when there is so much confusion around the Voice.

“I have also been an activist in First Nations affairs for over 50 years and have written over a dozen books, many of them on First Nations issues. As a historian and sociologist, I have followed the Voice debate closely and covered the history leading to where we are now. Regrettably, I will probably lose some of my friendships forged with First Nations and other activists over many years. However, I also have to live with my conscience and I have to listen to a higher Voice – the Voice of God.

“I have had visions and dreams that have led me to re-examine my position and call out the support of major churches for a Constitutional Voice. This could lead to the possible constitutional recognition of Aboriginal spirituality when there is meant to be a separation of religion and state in the constitution as per section 116 which deals with religious freedom. This section prohibits the imposition of any religious observance which could include Welcome to Country ceremonies.

“Also, I do not believe we need another expensive bureaucracy that will cut across the many First Nations voices we already have with no guarantee it will Close the Gap or improve the lives on the ground for First Nations people. 

“My husband Munganbana Norman Miller is an Aboriginal pastor and artist and is of the Jirrbal, Bar-barrum, and Wadjanbarra Yidinji people of north Queensland. He campaigned for many years for the recognition of First Nations people and the removal of racism from the constitution. He presented a giant boomerang with 360 signatures on the back saying “No Racism in the Constitution” to then-Speaker Bronwyn Bishop at Parliament House on 27 November 2013. Norman donated this to the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House and they have included it in a special exhibition.

“His on-paper petition based on the Expert Panel’s recommendations was presented to federal parliament in two stages by Warren Entsch MP in December 2013 and February 2016 totaling over 5,000 signatures gathered by hand from around Australia.

“We presented a smaller version of this boomerang to Senators Jacinta Nampijinja Price and Kerrynne Liddle at Parliament House Canberra on July 31 this year.

“I launch my book by Zoom on 29 September at 6.30 pm but it is already available for pre-order and will be sent to those who have ordered it on 6 October LINK. A paperback will be available too but you might not receive it till after the referendum.”

Chag Sameach! Happy Sukkot as we commemorate the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot Fri, 29 Sept 2023 – Fri, 6 Oct 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION OF BARBARA’S NEW BOOK

See other books on LINK

Australia is at a crossroads. Is it a racist nation? Will reconciliation ever be possible? Will it be divided forever? Will we have two classes of citizens, Indigenous and non-Indigenous after the Voice Referendum on October 14? Do we have to deal with the original sin of colonialism as the foundation of Australia from which we can never have redemption or forgiveness?

Is separatism the way forward? Or can Australia heal after this divisive debate over the Voice to Parliament and government referendum? We are fighting for the very heart of Australia. We are soul-searching about who we really are as a nation and what we want to be and our vision of the future. We are told that whether we are black or white, First Nations or non-Indigenous that if we vote yes, we are enshrining racism in the constitution and if we vote no, we are racist, ignorant, and hateful. Years of work for reconciliation and to build a multicultural cohesive society in Australia are at risk.

Has the Christian voice been heard? This book gives a Christian response by a pastor and former psychologist who has been an activist and researcher in First Nations affairs for over 50 years. She explains why she has changed from supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart to voting no at the referendum.
Barbara is a prayer leader, sociologist, and historian who is a bestselling author and has written over a dozen books, most of them on Australian history involving First Nations people. She has also written books on the Holocaust and on Christianity.

HAVE A PRAYER NEED? LET US KNOW

Also World Prayer Assembly in Perth 3-6 Oct 23 –
 https://world.prayerassembly.org/

THE MOST AMAZING VIDEOS ON ISRAEL, PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC AND MUCH MORE – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! BE BLESSED!!!

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NO RACISM IN THE CONSTITUTION

By Pastor Norman Miller 14.4.23

I have been a big supporter of the recognition of First Nations people in the Australian constitution and removal of racism from the constitution since 2012 when the Expert Panel on Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution brought out its recommendations. 

However, I cannot support the Voice as it currently stands as I believe it will not promote the cause of reconciliation but bring division between First Nations people with each other and with the rest of the nation.

I also believe it will be taking away Australians’ equality before the law in the constitution and introduce race into it making two classes of citizens based on race or ancestry.

Reminiscent of the Yirrkala bark petition, I made a giant boomerang in 2012 with the words No Racism in the Constitution on it and I presented it to then-Speaker the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop at Parliament House Canberra in the company of MPs the Hon. Ken Wyatt and the Hon. Warren Entsch on 27 November 2013.

This boomerang was part of an exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy Canberra where it is now housed https://www.moadoph.gov.au/exhibitions/blueprint/#

On the same occasion in 2013, I presented my local member, the Hon. Warren Entsch the Miller Boomerang Petition with 2115 signatures on it that I had gathered at my own expense around the nation and he presented it to parliament. My journey around Australia to gather the first signatures is shown on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a06cqhZfOwI

I continued to gather signatures and presented the rest of the 5,100 signatures to then-speaker the Hon. Tony Smith MP, the Clerk of the House, and the Hon. Warren Entsch MP on 8 February 2016 who presented it to Parliament https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LSEErGV1rI

It was basically supporting constitutional recognition and the removal of racism from the Constitution and was based on the recommendation of the Expert Panel. It read: “We therefore ask the House to: 

Educate the Australian nation about the need for constitutional change and hold a referendum within two years to:

  • Remove Section 25 – which says the States can ban people from voting based on their race; • Remove section 51(xxvi) – which can be used to pass laws that discriminate against people based on their race;
  • Insert a new section 51A – to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to preserve the Australian Government’s ability to pass laws for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
  • Insert a new section 116A, banning racial discrimination by government; and
  • Insert a new section 127A, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were this country’s first tongues, while confirming that English is Australia’s national language.” For more information see https://barbara-miller-books.com/boomerang-petition/

Most Australians, including myself, support the constitutional recognition of First Nations people in the constitution, effective consultation with First Nations people on matters that affect us, and reconciliation. 

The referendum question should be split into two propositions – one, the recognition of First Nations people in the constitution, and a second on the Voice. There is still a lack of clarity on the Voice and its possible unintended consequences.

The option of achieving this recognition through a preamble was rejected at the referendum on a republic and would be now by many First Nations people. However, as you can see from the example of the Expert Panel’s recommendations, it can be achieved within the body of the constitution without adding in a Voice. 

A legislated Voice is still an option that could be considered by the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum which reports back on 15 May. Amendments re a constitutional Voice to executive government are likely to be discussed but considering the composition of the Committee, not much change to the Referendum Working Group/Albanese proposal is likely. 

I want to see practical solutions on the ground for my people – closing the gap on the serious disadvantage that exists for my people, money spent where it will count and the voices of grassroots First Nations people heard. 

I also believe the First Nations Christian Voice needs to be heard in this debate. More articles on the Voice by my wife can be found on the Canberra Declaration blog and on our church website www.reconciliationandpeace.org. 

I will also be writing on this subject soon from the perspective of my role as co-founder of the Indigenous Friends of Israel https://indigenousfriendsofisrael.org/


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