THE POVERTY POLE CHARTER

 REMEMBER
 

This country that we now call Australia always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land.

I remember that this country, home to many diverse Indigenous Nations since the beginning of time, was colonized in 1788 and I remember all those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who have lost their lives since.

I remember all those that have gone before, defending Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands, waterways and cultures.

I remember all those who were taken away from their families and from their ancestral homelands.

I remember, with sorrow, the lost languages, the lost tribal laws and the desecrated sacred sites.

Aden Ridgeway

Launching and signing the Poverty Pole

Bishop Saibo Mabo

Deputy Chair of NATSIEC

RECOGNIZE

I recognize that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia continue to suffer injustices.

I recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are living in poverty.

I recognize that poverty is more than financial disadvantage; it is also social and spiritual.

I recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples continue to suffer from colonization, exclusion and disempowerment.

I recognize that it takes effort and will from everybody - from governments to individuals, from Indigenous and non – Indigenous alike, to change the situation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

I recognize that unless we unite, with a common will, a poverty of spirit will afflict the entire nation.

RECTIFY

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 commit to taking 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.

Rev. John Henderson

General Secretary National Council of Churches in Australia

Find out more about the Make Indigenous Poverty History Goals click here

Want to know what else you can do? To find out more ideas for action click here

To download a pdf copy of the Poverty Pole Charter click here click here

Want to know how to make a Poverty Pole ? - click here.