Treaty.

[Magda Hassan]

It's NAIDOC week here (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) at the moment and the government is celebrating by arresting aborigines and other protesters in WA.

Australia never made a treaty with the Aboriginal indigenous. And still have not. Legally the land was 'Terra Nullis' an uninhabited land which gave the legal fiction so the land could be taken with out any compensation. It was only in the 1990's that a Prime Minister openly acknowledged to the Aboriginal community the injustice of this legal fiction. And also in the 1990's that the High Court acknowledged prior occupation in the landmark Mabo court case.


Well I heard it on the radio
And I saw it on the television
Back in 1988
All those talking politicians
Words are easy, words are cheap
Much cheaper than our priceless land
But promises can disappear
Just like writing in the sand

Treaty Yeah Treaty Now
Treaty Yeah Treaty Now

Nhima Djatpangarri nhima walangwalang -
Nhe Djatpayatpa nhima gaya nhe-
Matjini.... Yakarray - nhe Djat'pa nhe walang - Gumurrtijararrk Gutjuk -

This land was never given up
This land was never bought and sold
The planting of the Union Jack
Never changed our law at all

Now two rivers run their course
Separated for so long
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
When the waters will be one

Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Treaty Yeah Treaty Now
Treaty Yeah Treaty Now Treaty Yeah Traty Now

Nhima djatpa nhe walang
gumurrtjararrk yawirriny Nhe gaya nhe matjini
Gaya nhe matjini Gaya gaya nhe gaya nhe
Matjini walangwalang Nhema djatpa nhe walang - Nhe gumurrtjarrk nhe ya-

Promises - Disappear - Priceless land - Destiny -

Well I heard it on the Radio - And I saw it on the Television
Just like writing in the sand

Treaty Yeah
Treaty Now ...