We have come to test the reconciliation process. We are here with the oldest ceremony in the world and we are trying to re-link it back through the country and heal our country and the people. There has already been a court hearing concerning the occupation of Cockatoo Island. On December 29th, Justice Lewry of the Supreme Court of NSW rejected the Commonwealth's argument for the eviction of the members from the Island. Another court hearing will occur on February 12th, when occupiers plan to ask the Commonwealth for proof of ownership of the land.
Sovereignty is at the heart of the case for Cockatoo Island.
Just because they planted a flag in part of Australia doesn't mean they own it. But she doesn't have confidence that the Australian courts will deliver justice. She has already experienced the High Court failed to acknowledge that genocide had been committed against the Aboriginal peoples. By establishing a permanent Tent Embassy at Cockatoo Island, like the one in Canberra, Isabell Coe hopes to bring further attention to the fact that Aboriginal people are effectively being killed off by government policy. But they are killing us.