Redfern leaders are calling on the two bodies in discussion over the future of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence to come and meet with the community.
The Indigenous Land and Sea Council (ILSC) and the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) held talks today to "reiterate" that the fitness and aquatics services at the centre will continue to be operated by the former until a "sustainable business model is achieved."
The meeting comes 8 days after the ILSC announced the iconic centre, which provides a range of programs aimed at improving the wellbeing of FIrst Nations people, would close down and leave almost 50 staff out of jobs and providers uncertain about the future.
Community members have shown up at the centre daily to protest the decision, and have conducted a sit-in since Monday.
While the ILSC announced that the services would continue on Sunday, the NSWALC said it was "misleading" as there was no agreement signed off.
NSWALC Chairperson Danny Chapman said the organisation was now happy to move forward.
"NSWALC needed to ensure we had the best interest of all Aboriginal people at every decision, but Council and I are now comfortable that this will be achieved by the ILSC," he said.
"NSWALC remains committed to facilitating the delivery of community benefits and outcomes from the property, including by ensuring there is community access."
Both parties came to an agreement that a "resetting of the relationship" between them and the Redfern community is needed, saying they're committed to "continuing to engage and consult on the future use of the site with the Redfern and broader community".
Redfern Youth Connect's Margaret Haumono is calling on the ILSC and NSWALC to speak with community. Source: NITV: Emma Kellaway
'Get out into community'
Redfern Youth Connect's Margaret Haumono told NITV News that no Redfern community representative was offered a seat at the table for today's discussion.
“No one was invited, and then they contradict themselves by saying that," she said.
“We'll say, again, they're making decisions for us. That's been our number one. From the start. They’ve left us out of the conversation. We've never been a part of the conversation.
“Why push out joint media statements through the mainstream media rather than culturally coming and sitting with us and giving us a message?"
Ms Haumono, who is a spokesperson for the newly developed Redfern Alliance, received the joint statement from the ILSC. She said it hasn't provided any clarity.
“It’s all wishy-washy, we don't even know what they think, or what they've agreed to, and they’ve kept us out of the conversation," she said.
Despite the announcement, Ms Haumono said that the current sit-in at the NCIE will continue, and urges community members and those in support to keep showing up.
“This fire is lit and it’s not going to be put out until they have the respect to get out into community and talk to community, instead of sending out media releases," she said.
“Are we gonna do this the whitefulla way, or are we going to do this the Blackfulla way? We’re trying, we want to sit here and talk together, go through that cultural protocol."
