ANTaR – Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

ANTaR’s most recent newsletter mentions that “The federal Government has agreed to hold a national referendum on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by the time of the next election, due in 2013.” ANTar supports the idea of holding a referendum and is doing their bit to do help gain a positive outcome. To find out more check the ANTaR website.

One of your local cafe’s probably has the free ‘Avantcard’ cards that promote their campaign. Do your bit by filling one in and mailing it.

Human Rights 2011 – Sydney event with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navi Pillay

UN Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navi Pillay will be making her first visit to Australia in May 2011. She will be speaking at ‘Human Rights 2011′, a free event that is open to the public. Other speakers are Prof. Patrick Dodson and Paris Aristotle. The Bengarra Dance Theatre will be performing as part of the program.

The event and will be held at the Sydney Town Hall, on May 23rd, 2011 from 5pm-7pm. Registration is required and can be completed online. More online information @ Australian Human Rights Commission.

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

Renate Nguyen’s Official Newsletter – April 2011

April is here and I’m getting ready to send out my monthly newsletter, which has a brand new look. It contains all my musical updates – gigs, interviews, songwriting, awards… you can sign-up via the link below if you’d like to stay updated. (and if you haven’t heard my music yet, check out my website or download my music from iTunes).

Subscribe to Renate’s newsletter

Maori Radio in Sydney

Listen Online: Radio Poihakena

A Song of Loss

If you read my blog, you know that I am a songwriter. Out of my passion for language preservation came the idea to put all the names of Australia’s lost indigenous languages into a song. This would be a way of remembering, valuing the linguistic heritage of Australia and bringing awareness to what is happening right under out nose, the languages that are dying ‘on our watch’ so to speak.

Then I came across this song (spoken text to music) by Bruce Watson and was surprised to find it does exactly that: listing the languages that collectively we have lost. For me it is a call to treasure what we do have and strengthen the languages that remain.

On my YouTube profile I have created a playlist with interesting videos on Indigenous Language Preservation from around the world. They are interesting videos, because the stories from around the world tell us that we are not alone on our journey of restoration.

Bob Randall “Brown Skin Baby (They Took Me Away)”

World Music: Global Sounds in Australia

This is not so much a review as it is a note to self: Seth Jordan’s book on World Music in Australia is one I want to get a hold of. With various contributing authors, the book was launched by Sydney Morning Herald journalist Bruce Elder at Gleebooks last October. This is a book I need to get my hands on…

Melbourne Events 2011: Multicultural Film Festivals

Melbourne China Film Festival 5-14 Feb 2011

French Film Festival 9-27 March 2011

Audi Festival of German Films 2011 dates not available                                       – previously held in April/May 2010

Spanish Film Festival 2011 dates not available                                                             – previously held in May 2010

Human Rights Arts & Film Festival 2011 dates not available                             – previously held in May 2010

Melbourne Arab Film Festival 2011 dates not available - previously held in July 2010

Russian Resurrection Film Festival 2011 dates not available                            - previously held in August/September 2010

Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2011 dates not available                                             – previously held in September/October 2010

Hola Mexico Film Festival 2011 dates not available                                                   – previously held in October 2010

Serbian Film Festival 2011 dates not available                                                              - previously held in October/November 2010

Palestinian Film Festival 2011 dates not available                                                       – previously held in November 2010

Garrangali win 2010 Indigenous Music Awards

garrangali-cover

Northern Territories ‘Reggae & Roots’ band Garrangali has won best Album of the Year and best Song of the Year in the 2010 Indigenous Music Awards with their album ‘Garrangali (Crocodile Nest) and its winning song ‘Searights’ – beating singer Jessica Mauboy who was also a contender for the awards.

‘Searights’ celebrates the recognition of native title to the tidal zone & sea around Blue Mud Bay as established in the Supreme Court by ‘The Blue Mud Bay Decision’.

The band members mostly live in Yilpara (Blue Mud Bay) in Arnhem Land and sing in their indigenous Yolngu language. The album, which was launched in March this year, features the Yidaki (didgeridoo).

How much do you know about famous Indigenous Australians?

How much do you know about famous Indigenous Australians? Find out by completing this multiple choice quiz: http://alturl.com/bxtpc