A guide to activism
NATSIEW is primarily concerned with learning about and the learning of Australia’s first peoples. A critical part of engaging in this process is to understand what we can do as individuals, armed with this learning, to play a role in influencing the future for Australia’s Aboriginal peoples and Islander peoples.
If you are interested in becoming actively involved, to help work towards a better future for Aboriginal peoples and Islander peoples, there are many ways you can help. Whether you are an individual in a remote area of Australia, or you are already part of an organisation or group working on indigenous issues, you can make a difference. Check out the ideas below for tips on how to campaign, plan and run an event, lobby, volunteer and several other ways you can bring about change.
Write a letter
Writing letters is one of the oldest methods of campaigning, but remains one of the most effective ways for individuals to voice their concerns about current issues of concern for Aboriginal peoples and Islander peoples. Writing to your local federal member is an excellent way of voicing your concerns and letting the Australian Government know that Indigenous Affairs are an important priority.
What do I write?
Writing a letter to your member may be as simple as briefly stating that you are interested in Indigenous affairs and you believe it is a subject the Australian Government should give more attention.
Alternately you may wish to address a specific issue you believe is of particular concern, such as the current Indigenous health crisis (www.antar.org.au/__disadvantage_index.html) or the need for a treaty or formal agreement between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians (http://www.antar.org.au/__treaty_index.html). Check out the Issues (http://www.antar.org.au/_issues.html) section of the AnTAR site for some ideas.
The following websites have tips and advice on letter writing or lobbying politicians:
Amnesty International - letter writing guide including information about Amnesty Inernational’s use of letter writing as a campaign tool and why it is important. The site also contains tips and advice on how to increase the chances of getting your letter read, understood and listened to. It includes suggestions on how to address officials, how to sign-off your letter, and shows some sample letters. (http://www.amnesty.org/campaign/letter-guide.html)
Wilderness Society - tips for how to write a good letter to the editor (http://www.wilderness.org.au/resources/letter/)
Greenpeace – suggestions on how to lobby politicians (http://www.greenpeace.org.au/getactive/happen/polit.html)
Greenpeace - how to make things happen via letter writing, writing submissions and working with the media (http://www.greenpeace.org.au/getactive/happen/index.html)
Youth Participation handbook (SA) - This handbook contains short guides on how to write a letter, get involved in local government and how to form an action or lobby group (PDF file). (http://www.maze.sa.gov.au/Library/Web%20versiontb2.pdf)
Become part of an organisation
Throughout Australia there are many groups and organizations dedicated to addressing issues relevant to the rights and concerns of Aboriginal peoples and Islander peoples. These organisations rely on the dedication of people from all walks of life who may only spend a few hours a month helping out, but are crucial to the fight for indigenous rights and the journey towards a better Australia.
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation - an excellent starting point, where you can sign a petition, add your name to the Sea of Hands, sign up for “Action Alerts”, or join your local group. (http://www.antar.org.au/_action.html)
Activist Handbook - contains links to articles about why do something and how to get involved (http://www.protest.net/activists_handbook/)
Creating change in your community - a handbook for helping young people create change. The handbook contains tips on working as a team, recruiting people, building networks, tapping into existing programs and running meetings (PDF file) (http://www.yacvic.org.au/includes/pdfs_wordfiles/TYPSbook3.pdf)
Greenpeace – a great site dealing with how to organise a community group, including starting out, volunteering, fundraising, meetings and more (http://www.greenpeace.org.au/getactive/guide/index.html)
NetAction - practical information about how to use email and the internet to organise events (http://netaction.org/training/reader-html/)
Greens – comprehensive advice on how to run meetings, reach consensus, make decisions and take minutes. (http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/about/meetings.php)
Greens - some basic ideas for fundraising events. (http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/about/fundraising.php)
Greens - tips of how to write a media release. (http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/about/media.php)
Not-for-profit information
idealist.org – an informative website containing tools for non-profit organisations, including how to start out, management, recruiting volunteers, fundraising and more. While the site has a focus on US organisations, it still contains useful general information. (http://www.idealist.org/tools/index.html)
Australian Tax Office advice for Non-profits - Information about tax issues, including concessions and fundraising. (http://www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit/)
Greens – contains advice for Treasurers of non-profit organisations (PDF file) (http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/about/treasurers_guidelines.pdf)