www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Mirrabooka Sovereign Sisters maintain the rage
by Karen Cummins Coghill 7 December 2013
W
hen we stepped out to declare our Sovereign rights over Musgrave Park the original plan was to use re-recognise Gathering and Significant areas not only throughout Brisbane but other areas also including Minjeeriba, where I organised my first Sovereign Gathering in 2011. We also travelled a number of times to Moree throughout 2012 camping and attending Myall Creek Memorial and supporting and attending Toomelah’s Sovereign Gathering and other campaign ventures involving the Sovereignty movement also. After the eviction over Musgrave
Mirrabooka Sovereign Sisters at Scrubby Creek include Marlene Wharton, Debbie Sandy, Pippa, Jarjums and Karen Cummins Coghill. Image supplied
Park, I was physically attacked by a relative and other family members at the Brisbane Sovereign Embassy’s organised event. Actual violence and threats of violence hasn’t deterred me or my sovereign sisters from keeping our mob informed. Over the past year Mirrabooka Sovereign Sisters continued to have gatherings at Scrubby Creek, Cabolture, Musgrave and continued to support people with other matters including schools, court and police matters, rallys and supporting families caught up with issues relating to Polynesians and First Nations re: Douglas Street matter with Polynesians and Police. Recently we have been
supporting a family where their daughter had been attacked by Polynesians and defending herself caused serious injury to one out of 5 male attackers at Inala. Another incident occurred where our MSS Patricia Conlon’s family had a house fire bombed and we raised concern with police, media and politicians which is ongoing. We are reviving the plans we originally had of organising meetings, gathering and workshops in one another’s communities. Our Sisters around Queensland are requesting Sovereign Gatherings in Townsville, Cairns, Tweed Heads and Palm Island. We hope to travel and raise Sovereign Rights awareness wherever Page 1
www.firstnationstelegraph.com
possible. We are under-resourced and are students, or single mums on centrelink payments ... what keeps us going is that we remember Our Old People and the Spirit of Resilience we inherited. We plan to continue to campaign for Our People as the Original Sovereigns of these Lands and challenge authorities with the overrepresentation of our children in care, in prison, under the mental health act, lack of education and as 2.8% of the population to Australia’s shame we have the highest suicide rate in the world. We aren’t seeking anything less than campaigning for the original plan of Land Rights; we don’t just want our lands we need our lands to survive. We will continue to challenge systemic oppression as First Nations Original Sovereigns who never ceded Our Ancestral Homelands of many thousands of generations. The Mirrabooka Sovereign
Aunty Alice Saunders & granny, Aunty Lena Coolwell, Karen Coghill, Nhariah at Kev Hooper Memorial Park Inala finalising plans for Saturday’s Sovereign Gathering.
Sisters are planning Original Sovereign Gatherings within the areas of Brisbane, Yuggera/Toorbul country at the Inala Kev Hooper Park, Woodridge Scrubby Creek, Musgrave Park, Caboolture over the next month. Mirrabooka Sovereign Sisters are hosting a Gathering at Inala this weekend at Kev Hooper Memorial Park, were we are planning a day of Activities, including boomerang throwing, face painting, coobooree, youth discussions, women’s and men’s biz and closing with historical and tribal reconnection acknowledgements and celebration. I would like to thank all those who have emailed, phoned and text their commitment and support to Our First Nations Community Driven Event. The response has been great. If would like to join in this event please feel free to come along. Those who would like to support
in other ways please let us know as we are still in need of some more arts and crafts materials, boomerangs and traditional tucka etc. May Our Creator God look down and richly bless those who stand with the Joondals and Jarjums of Our Sovereign Lands. This is a substance free event but please bring your laughter, caring and sharing hearts for our yarning circles and for all to enjoy. We acknowledge the Spirits of Ancestors ever with us and still roaming our lands... Yaaway. Our Theme ~ Empowering Our Own Our Way! This is 100% First Nations Goori incentive. If you wish to attend or offer support of any kind please contact me: Karen Cummins Coghill Yuggera Gorenpul... Yaawa email: karengoori@gmail.com Call or text: 0402 669 713 Page 2