An 81-year-old elder in Lutruwita (Tasmania) has refused to go to court in Hobart for trespassing.
Jim Everett or puralia meenamatta his traditional name, refused to go to court on the grounds that Aboriginal people never agreed to be citizens of Australia and therefore shouldn’t be tried under Australia’s legal system.
NIRS understands a warrant for his arrest has been issued, but Mr Everett says colonisation has gone on for too long.
“I’m sick of being colonised,” he said.
“I’m an old man, I don’t want my grandkids to have to live under colonialism much longer.
“So I’m challenging the government. You tell the truth, you’ve never made the citizens. There’s your reason for a treaty.
“And we’ve got strong enough Aboriginal leadership around this country, sit down and write the treaty and present it to the government.”
He says Tasmania is one of the most colonised parts of the country.
“This is the most colonised colony of the bloody lot,” he said.
“And like the rest of the country, they will not let go.”
You can listen to the full interview with Jim Everett puralia meenamatta here:
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(AAP Image/Supplied by Bob Brown Foundation)
