MEDIA RELEASE Keepers of Lake Eyre
Wednesday 15th November 2000 C/O 120 Wakefield St, Adelaide, 5000
ph: (08) 8340 4401 fax: (08) 8232 2490

email: lakeeyre@microsuxx.com
LIVING CULTURAL SITE DESTROYED BY WMC …AGAIN!
On the 11/11/2000 the Arabunna going home camp, situated on the shores of Lake Eyre South, was destroyed by Western Mining Corporation... again. This is the second time since the camp was set up, in March 1998, that WMC have removed the camp and stolen the personal possessions of the residents.
Despite the Supreme Court of SA stating that there should be no more harassment from WMC towards the residents of the camp at lake Eyre. The keepers of the camp where continually harassed, on a daily basis by WMC security.
Whilst the residents of the camp where visiting friends down the road, WMC took the opportunity to destroy the camp, without written authorisation of the SA courts. WMC also failed to notify the Arabunna nation or the Keepers of Lake Eyre of their intentions. Legal advice is being sought and appropriate legal action will be taken.
The Arabunna Going Home Camp was set up by Kevin Buzzacott (Arabunna Elder/ Peace Maker) as a living cultural site and a place of peace and active reconciliation. The sacred peace fire was ignited at the camp on the 10 of June 2000 and was carried 3060km by Kevin Buzzacott on his historic journey to Sydney -Walking the Land For Our Ancient Rights, Peace and Healing. The walk, which lasted over three months, was a journey for peace and reconciliation which many hundreds of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from all over the world took part in.
Kevin Buzzacott states:
"It is an internationally recognised peace camp and a living cultural site of the Arabunna nation. Who has given the permission for our home to be destroyed?

WMC are criminals and the inheritors of the genocidal practices of their forebearers. When will we (the Arabunna people) be allowed to live in our own country, without being hassled, assaulted and moved on, yet again."
"We are the rightful owners of this whole country. The residents of the camp are people from all over the world who have the full permission of the Arabunna nation to live in our country, unlike WMC who are the masters of oppression, the corporation of theft and the kings of genocide.

Is there any justice out there. When do we (the Arabunna Nation) have access to basic human rights and the right to peacefully live in our own land. When can we go home?"
For more details contact: Kevin Buzzacott Ph: 0417 838 906

THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Keepers of Lake Eyre, in South Australia:
The correct URL for this web site is
http://www.lakeeyre.green.net.au
Keepers of Lake Eyre can be contacted at :
Piddla Budni (Home Camp) can be contacted at
  • PO Box 28
  • Marree, SA 5733
  • Fax (08) 8675 8396 Attn: Home Camp
  • Fax (08) 8232 2490
For information on how to call the camp directly via HF radio, contact Keepers of Lake Eyre (above).
Modified: 20th of November 2000