All-Indigenous Q&A from Arnhem Land – Twitter review

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/05/all-indigenous-qa-from-arnhem-land-twitter-review

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On Monday night the ABC’s Q&A program broadcast from the Garma festival in Arnhem Land with an all-Indigenous panel.

It wasn’t the only unusual aspect of the most expensive broadcast in the show’s history. The program, focused solely on Indigenous issues, was widely praised on Twitter for featuring real discussions without petty and partisan squabbling among politicians – a common gripe among viewers each week.

The panel, helmed by the regular host, Tony Jones, comprised: Senator Nova Peris; the federal MP Ken Wyatt; the chairman of the Cape York Partnership, Noel Pearson; a senior member of the Gumatj community, Djawa Yunupingu; the chief executive of the Northern Land Council, Joe Morrison; and a Gälpu elder, Dhäŋggal Gurruwiwi.

The five guests discussed constitutional recognition, radical recommendations to address Indigenous issues made by the mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, education and Indigenous languages, racism, land rights, the defunding of the Deadly awards, and navigating two different cultures.

Man, this all-Indigenous #qanda was a long time coming. Stoked it's finally happening.

It's painfully obvious how much more respectful & less interrupting this #qanda panel is compared to old white big party male pollies.

OFFS is there no one on the panel not affiliated with recognise? Let's talk REPATRIATION #qanda

Nova Peris is impressive. Her achievements as a politician may well be more significant than those as an athlete. #qanda

We seem to have decided people need a card so we can manage their purchases so we can avoid discussing that they can't afford to live #QandA

Tonight's panel is proving we'd be better governed if we had more Indigenous people around the cabinet table #qanda

Need to reexamine the false belief that it's impossible to provide access to basic rights, services & infrastructure in remote areas. #qanda

Hard to combat racism when our government believes bigots deserve greater rights than those from ethnic and Indigenous backgrounds. #qanda

No petty sniping, party political slogans, self-indulgent questions. Can every #qanda please be like this.

Dear Non Indigenous Australians, if you take anything from #qanda tonight let it be that we have our own educated Aboriginal leaders thanks

Tonight's #QandA is a helpful reminder that there is no single aboriginal point of view on any given issue.

Ken Wyatt saying things that would make the rest of his party flip the fuck out. #qanda

Our National Day, flag, anthem, const. monarchy - so much of our nation's foundation does zero to engage with aboriginal culture #qanda

The Deadlys were a force of positive reinforcement unmatched by any other national ceremony. #qanda

Ken Wyatt seems seriously conflicted by his Government’s position on a number of issues #qanda

Let's talk about what is absolutely crippling our people - incarceration. #qanda

hi #qanda just a suggestion, instead of ‘women week’ or ‘indigenous week’ for e.g, why not feature them more each week? Okay thanks g’night

Nova is bang on - Axing of the Deadly Awards was just plain mean #qanda

Noel Pearson is incredible, but there are those Indigenous leaders who viciously disagree with him. Just important to keep in mind #qanda

Walking in both worlds is a way of life for Aboriginal people. As for the other way around...#qanda