Environment award winner Kevin Buzzacott says Ban Open cut uranium mines. : Melbourne Indymedia

I want to thank all those involved for giving me the Australian Conservation Foundation's (ACF) Peter Rawlinson Award on World Environment Day. Thanks to those who nominated me and to those who refereed me. It means alot to me and my supporters. Also thanks to those who gave me the SA Conservation Council's Jill Hudson Award. And to those who organized and supported the Friends of the Earth fund raiser for my recovery from my health problems.
It has been a hard struggle. We are not going to get it easier but we must keep on going to have a peaceful world free from uranium issues. As we all know, the Roxby expansion is supposed to happen soon so everyone should be working together to ban the open cut mine. Leave uranium in the ground. The old country is too precious to be mucked around. Let's look after that old country, and be happy on the country. Let's make the country happy instead of making the country sick. Thanks and stay strong,
Uncle Kev

Keep up the fight Uncle Kev.

We're with you in the deserts, in the forests and in the cities. Power to you.

Always was
Always will be
Aboriginal Land

Stay strong Uncle Kevin, much love & Respect.

Walking the Land - for Our Ancient Right For Peace and Healing

2 October 2000

Statement to Australia and the world given by Kevin Buzzacott on Friday September 29, near Kirribilli House, Sydney. A copy was handed to a representative of John Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia.

WALKING THE LAND - FOR OUR ANCIENT RIGHT, PEACE AND HEALING

From the ancient authority, ancient voices and ancient spirit, this is a message to the world from the place we call Australia, from the ancient government of this land.

We, the black people, the original people of this country, do not recognize John Howard and his government since arriving here 212 years ago from a foreign country named England. You, John Howard, and your government have failed to recognize our human rights issues.

You yourself Mr Prime Minister, you can't even say sorry for the crimes your ancestors have done. You couldn't even begin that peace talk that we've invited you to, to come to our peace fire to begin a peace talk. You and your government in 212 years have simply failed.

The Government talks about a treaty. Before it even can talk about a treaty, there needs to be a cease fire. That means lay down your guns and your ammunition and your corrupt legislations.

Before the games finish and other countries participating in the games are going back to their countries, John Howard should lead his people back to their country as well, and leave us in peace. John Howard has failed our invitation to come and make peace.

We are calling on the world to support our statements. We're also calling on international bodies and the United Nations to support us.

On Wednesday 20th September, 2000 we have planted the flag on top of Cook's planting of his flag, and it symbolises we are taking our land back.

I am calling on all black people, leaders and elders to support this ancient request for all peace. The good white people have shown their respect and support to us and made peace. They are free to stay with us and to negotiate or to talk, to begin peace talks and to begin talks of the government, the real government of this country.

The Queen, Elizabeth II, should use all her powers to remove her government, the Crown, from this country immediately, and take them all back to her country.
I call on all my brother and sister countries in the world to support me.

I, Kevin Buzzacott, Arabunna elder, leader and peacemaker, call on John Howard to resign immediately as Prime Minister of Australia. To dismantle his government immediately.

Kevin Buzzacott

Whoever gets elected at local Council, State Government or Commonwealth Federal level they follow the profit hungry Corporations like in theis case the world's largest mining/earth rape racketeers. Like the Barrick Gold protests if you want to fight and even land a few blows on these parasites then you have to globalise/internationalise extend whatever you want to call the campaign beyond Oz to bring in other indiegnous people and their supporters...

http://www.sea-us.org.au/corpfilez/riverofblood.html

Indigenous People everywhere are demanding that Barrick Gold and other businesses in the resource extraction industry be held accountable for their actions, and consult with the people effected by the mines - but not just so Barrick, for example, can say "thanks for the input! will take it into consideration" - and then change nothing. But in the sense that Barrick works with the People - fundamentally respecting the needs and requirements outlined by them - and then responsibly taking action that does not violate them, or urrertly disregard the People themselves.

It's strange, but this seems to be unthinkable. It's as if mining companies like Barrick are allowed to do whatever they want, regardless of the consequences. But so long as they can get a nod from the local government who's likely getting some tasty treats from the Company - or in some cases, from the government of the company's originating country -well, then that's just ok. Who really cares if 40,000 people lose their homes, who really cares if some people are killed for standing up for what they know and love... who really cares? Just as long as some good money is made.

Ahh, Business ethics!

And so, with little resources of our own, we put together events like yesterday's international action, and firmly put our feet in the ground, setting up blockades and engaging in other non-violent acts - always making the line abundantly clear to those who would cross it.

* Read the alternative annual report by Corpwatch, Barrick's Dirty secrets http://www.corpwatch.org/downloads/Barrick_final_sml.pd
* Or vist protestbarrick.net for more info about the international action, and background news in the above-mentioned regions.

On January 2002, while the Aboriginial Tent Embassy celebrated its 30th anniverary, Aboriginal Elders led an action to reclaim the sacred totems of the Kangaroo and Emu from the Australian Coat of Arms. Ceremonies were then held to celebrate its return to Aboriginal peoples, and the coat of arms placed on public display in front of the ceremonial fire.

Elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott was then accused of dishonestly appropriating a bronze coat of arms with the intention of permanently depriving the Commonwealth of its property.

This video documents the events

Great to see Uncle Kev recognised for his life's work. May the recognition, support and positive results roll on...
Viva Uncle Kevin!

Wonderful to see you still strong and fighting to maintain aboriginal sovereignty, Uncle Kev. Standing up and speaking out for the land.
The timing was right for this award: June 8th was the 20th anniversary of Aotearoa's nuclear free legislation. We've been nuclear free for 23 years, 1984 was the last time a nuclear powered warship entered our ports.
Clearly a sign that, through the work of Uncle Kev and the rest of you amazing anti-nuclear activists across the sea, the nuclear freeing of Australia is on the way too!
Peace be,
Anna Hunter