Indigenous Elected Body and congratulates the seven successful candidates, CMCF Chair Sam Wong said today.
“CMCF recognises the need for a democratically elected body representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Canberra,” he said.
“The multicultural community as long understood the importance of groups lobbying on its behalf – that is a significant part of what CMCF itself does,” he said.
“It has been an anomaly that Australia’s oldest culture does not have such an organisation representing it and we are delighted that in the ACT at least, there has been recognition that this needs to be corrected.
“I am happy to say that the bonds between Canberrans who came here comparatively recently and those who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years have never been stronger, and this has been born out by the recent reconciliation celebration we held in conjunction with the University of Canberra’s Ngunnawal Indigenous Higher Education Centre, supported by the Federal Government.”
Mr Wong said it is also appropriate that this body is in place in time for National NAIDOC Week which is being celebrated in Canberra.
“I would encourage all members of the Canberra multicultural community, indeed all Canberrans whatever their background, to take part in this packed week of festivities,” he said.