THE POVERTY POLE

The Poverty Pole Charter is a personal way to support the Make Indigenous Poverty History campaign - don't just sign a petition - sign a Poverty Pole.

What is a Poverty Pole?

A Poverty Pole is a visible sign of personal commitment to a more just Australia.
Create your own, or come with friends, relatives, classmates, or a group, and create one.

A Poverty Pole can be large or small, colourful, painted, with decorations, or just plain.

photo: - the first Poverty Pole,
signed at the National Make Indigenous Poverty History launch.

Sign it, write comments on it, use your imagination and create a Poverty Pole that represents your understanding of Indigenous poverty and hope.

You can display your Poverty Pole to show that you have made a commitment to stand up and Make Indigenous Poverty History.

Send us your photos and stories about how you created your Poverty Pole and how it has helped educate and raise awareness where you live, and we will put it on this web site to encourage others.

Please don't forget - if you are using a tree branch or log, please make sure you harvest it carefully and sustainably, and remember to let it dry out before you try to paint it.

Photo: WA Synod Poverty Pole 2006

What is the Poverty Pole Charter?

The poverty pole charter has three parts; remember the past, recognise the present and rectify the future. By signing the Poverty Pole Charter you are making the following commitment:

I commit to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals specifically address the disadvantage suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

I commit to identifying achievable poverty reduction strategies, with measurable and time bound outcomes to be achieved by 2015.

I commit to holding all elected representatives, and other leaders, accountable to achieving these goals. 

I take personal responsibility to understand the causes and effects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' disadvantage and also to inform people when I encounter ignorance or lack of compassion.

I commit to justice for all and to Make Indigenous Poverty History.

Click here to read the full Poverty Pole Charter

Click here for a pdf version of the Poverty Pole Charter