30th October 2002

Young Australians take the reigns on Reconciliation

"Young Australians - black and white together - are not waiting for the rest of Australia to move forward on Reconciliation." Trustee of the National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia and Executive Officer of the Lingiari Foundation, Mark Yettica-Paulson, said today.

At the 5th anniversary of the Sea of Hands today, two young leaders will issue a call to young people across Australia - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - to join them in a program of action towards rights-based Reconciliation.

"With over 60% of the Indigenous population under the age of 25, the importance of young voices and youth action could not be more urgent".

"The Sea of Hands is a permanent symbol of ordinary Australians' determination to create a better future, for young and old. Young Indigenous people need these symbols to know that change is possible - that we do not walk alone - that we can have an equal future" Mark said.

Sylvie Ellsmore, from ReconciliACTION Network (Youth Reconciliation Network) called on ordinary Australians to show their support for Reconciliation and rights by attending the planting of hands in Sydney's Redfern Park this Saturday, November 2:

"Young people are getting on with the job of achieving Reconciliation and rights. We can't wait for government. This is a people's movement and it is now up to us as young people to reignite the debate."

Former Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Patrick Dodson, said:

"This Saturday's anniversary occurs against a backdrop of the Federal Government's absolute failure to deliver an equal future to Indigenous youth (and to all Indigenous people) in this country. The Government can try to bury Reconciliation as a national priority, but it can't bury the moral leadership which is coming from ordinary Australians."

The Sea of Hands was installed in October 1997 in front of Parliament House, Canberra during the native title debates: 120,000 coloured plastic hands, each carrying at least one name in support of native title and coexistence. Since then, 2,500,000 hands have been planted across Australia and around the world.

Speeches will take place at 12 noon to 2.30pm, November 2 and include: ·

• Her Excellency, Prof Marie Bashir AC, Governor of NSW; ·
• Pat Dodson, the 'Father of Reconciliation'; · Tony Pooley, Mayor of South Sydney City Council; and ·
• Sylvie Ellsmore, ReconciliACTION - a Youth Reconciliation Network; ·
• Gregory Phillips,Trustee of National Indigenous Youth Movement.

For interviews contact: Dameeli Coates (02) 9555 6138 or 0439 766 091 www.antar.org.au