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Left:
Robby
Romero with Hadassah Schembri from Gallang Place, Brisbane
ROBBY ROMERO from Taos, New Mexico is a representative for
Native Children's Survival. He spoke in Sydney of the
uphill battle being faced by his people to convince
Government of the basic rights of Indigenous Peoples in
their own lands.
"It is
just recently that a lot of our ceremonial and religious
doings have been actually tolerated by the United States
Government, because for so long, our ceremonies have been
outlawed. The Govenment has felt very threatened by the
grass-roots movements in Indian country to bring back our
ceremonial, religious and cultural rights. It's about
sovereignty and integrity."
Mr. Romero said
that despite lack of support from the Government, the
teaching programs continue to expand and native languages
grow in strength.
"We're now
starting to see the benefits of the movement. There has in
the last few years been a definite turn for the
better."
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