THIS GROUND WE STAND UPON

The ongoing struggle of Aboriginal Peoples for recognition of their rights as the First Peoples of this Country.
Truth Telling for social justice which includes examining our past history, the colonial violence and its intergenerational impacts. The ongoing legacy of colonisation which is compounded by historical inaccuracies which makes projects like this so necessary.
The over-representation of First Peoples in the prison system and in juvenile detention, the continuing removal of children.
Compromised health outcomes and other issues associated with impoverishment and the lack of appropriate employment opportunities.

Australia has a recent history of stumbling from one minor attempt towards public recognition of its colonial history to another – the Redfern speech, the Sorry declaration, the Yes referendum. But overwhelmingly the theme of denial – “running from the truth and responsibility” – of our own colonial history, recently amplified by the YES referendum result. With new federal laws curtailing free speech around words like genocide, films, in this case which record a little known specific case of regional activism, representation and leadership by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are important. The impact vision for the film, bringing this specific story to a wider audience, is to stimulate understanding of this country’s broader history and how that that affects lives of First Nations peoples in the present. We are developing impact strategies like yarning circles and accompanying kits enabling audiences to take an active role beyond attending a screening and going home.

This documentary is designed to raise awareness of the history of this Country from the perspective of First Peoples. It honours the contribution those who engaged in ongoing struggles and battles against the atrocities of Invasion and the injustice and oppression that is an undeniable part of our shared Australian histories. It is our aim to contribute to more truthful and accurate accounts of what really happened in the midst of what has been called the Great Australian Silence. By arranging community screenings and conversations we trust that those who care about social justice will be encourage to become allies and collaborators in the ongoing struggle of First Peoples to be afforded their rightful place in this society.
We also seek to raise awareness of the courage and dogged determination of First Peoples in this ongoing struggle to encourage the First Peoples of today to continue this proud tradition

John Hartley and Terry O’Shane are Yalanji Elders and are part of the community. They guide the film, providing direction and cultural advice. They provide access to the community through their extended relationships and their personal connection to events through their family.
Other members of the Grounded Films Collective have ongoing relationships through their work with John Hartley and/or Terry O’Shane and are trusted within this circle.

Join a community conversation to better understand these issues. Become an ally/collaborator
The specific requests for action to be taken by audiences are being developed and initially would include organising screenings via their networks to heighten community discussion around our shared history and the ‘real’ history of colonial Australia. Further specific actions might include becoming an ally or supporter of various national bodies such as Reconciliation Australia, Voice from the Heart Alliance and to support such initiatives as the First Nations Action Network and others organising around specific campaigns; and letter writing campaigns and petitions to improve the over-representation of First Peoples in the prison system and the continuing removal of children in Queensland and or in other states.