William Brian Butler
Brian was born in Darwin in the Northern Territory, following his Mother’s (Emily Ann Gordon) forced removal from his Grandmother (Nana Eliza Gordon) where together they had lived in the detention centre known as ‘The Bungalow’ in Alice Springs. Emily was taken to the ‘Bagot Reserve’ detention centre in Darwin and it was here that Brian was born on 13 September 1938. Brian stayed in ‘Bagot Reserve’ with his beloved Mother and Godmothers Auntie Dolly Jamieson and Auntie Daisy Ruddick right up until the bombs started falling on Darwin at the beginning of World War II, forcing them to evacuate back to Alice Springs and into the comfort of reunification with family.
Brian’s Mother and Grandmother are of the Aranda Tribe and Toby (Brian’s Grandfather) is of the Luritja Tribe from the Uluru and Areonga areas of central Australia. Brian’s tribal name is Jangala.
Advocacy life began for Brian at the age of fourteen. The Elders of Alice Springs were demanding the return of their children, children who were literally torn from the arms of their Mothers and taken to all parts of Australia and overseas to foreign countries far and wide. The Elders instructed him to leave his community in central Australia and go to find the children who had been taken from them. Brian traveled from Alice Springs to Adelaide where he was sent to the St Francis Boys Home in Port Adelaide run by the Church of England. This was followed by his falsifying his age by two years so that he could enlist with the Merchant Navy as this field of work would provide him with direct access to all the major cities, and the ability to sight all the schools, churches and anywhere that one was likely to spot children of Aboriginal and Islander descent.
Years later as Brian was connecting with other Aboriginal and Islander people a force was being generated and during this time, Brian was privileged to be mentored by Auntie Mollie Dyer with the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and a whole group of other committed people there and it was here that the need to start up Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agencies around Australia was born and would come to fruition. As a founding member of the Secretariat National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Inc. (SNAICC) which was formed in 1978, the very first action was to commence the push for the Federal Government to hold an inquiry into the forced removal of Aboriginal and Islander Children. Brian became the National Chairman of SNAICC and remained in the position for a further fifteen years.
With over 60 years tirelessly working on reunification of Stolen Children with their parents, families and language groups nationwide, including our surrounding Islands, Brian continues to advocate for Truth Healing and Justice through his founding position on the Stolen Generations Alliance. Playing an instrumental role on the Indigenous Advisory Council for the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families which produced the ‘Bringing Them Home Report’, Brian is also an active member of the Elders Council of South Australia.
Brian is committed to addressing the hard hitting issues of Lateral Violence by increasing knowledge and understanding of the impacts of Colonization, highlighting poor government policies and practices that still, to this day, continue to oppress, undermine and eliminate us as a people. He is adamant that Cultural Safety through education and accountability must form the foundations for all people working with and for Aboriginal and Islander peoples and their communities, obtaining and demonstrating competencies to create a truly culturally safe environment for all. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people need to understand Lateral Violence so that we can focus on practicing the opposite which is Lateral Love through unity based on the principals of Caring, Sharing and Respect for all humankind.
Brian’s sole purpose is to support Aboriginal and Islander individuals, Brian is the prime mover to ‘Zero Tolerance towards Lateral Violence and Racism’ and a Co-Founder and Director along with his niece Nicola Butler, of Lateral Love Australia incorporating ‘The Decade of Lateral Love Around the World 2012 – 2022’ campaign and the ‘Lateral Love & Spirit of Care for all Humankind’ campaign which has currently reach over 35,000 viewers in 124 countries world wide without funding or support of any kind.
Brian offers support to individuals and communities in an ongoing capacity. Advocating for all of humanity from our sacred infants right through to our elders, constantly pushing for justice and encouraging our people to stand on their own feet and take charge of their own lives.
Nicola Butler
Nicola Butler Biography
Nicola Butler was born in Rose Park South Australia. Nicola’s family descends from the Eastern Aranda and Luritja peoples of the central desert regions on her Father’s side and Scottish, English, German and Swedish on her Mother’s side. Nicola’s partner Andrew descends from the Ngarrindjeri peoples from the Coorong and the Barngala peoples from the Port Augusta/Whyalla region. Together they have a delightful son Tyler aged 3 and are jointly committed to working towards a Lateral Violence free society, determined that he will not endure the self-perpetuating intergenerational and trans-generational trauma experienced by so many of our past and present generations.
Having experienced insidious forms of racism throughout her life, Nicola believes that as individuals we are never dealt any situation with which we cannot cope or find within ourselves the resources and resilience to survive. What we need is to see our current and emerging leaders skilling our children and grandchildren with a new way of living, breathing and experiencing culture – nurturing back to health the old ways of caring and sharing.
Co-Founder and Director of Lateral Love Australia, a joint endeavour with the head of her family, William Brian Butler, holding steadfast to the sentiments of Martin Luther King Jr. “The time is always right to do what is right”, the movement is successfully harnessing the power of Love to guide intentions and activate that strength of human spirit to challenge long held stereotypes, changing attitudes and perspectives from the inside out, tackling the once taboo subject of Lateral Violence within Aboriginal and Islander (including the Torres Strait) families and communities across the country.
Nicola’s vision holds the promise of a healed society that has embraced the principles of self-determination, one that has been ‘Aboriginalised’ (the opposite of mainstreaming) and can now see through an Aboriginal Term of Reference (ATR) lens, a society that can be proud of ensuring a future where all children innately expect to reach their full potential just like every non-Aboriginal child across this country by upholding Cultural Safety, providing a culturally safe and secure environment whereby people feel safe and draw strength in their identity, culture and community.
Lateral Love Australia talks about the importance of understanding of our own personal culture, and how our own personal cultural values impact upon others, in our perceptions, interactions, interpretations, beliefs and subconscious reckoning as we make our way about in the world, ultimately encouraging respect for all humankind regardless of age, race, creed, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability.
“Cultural safety cannot exist without Lateral Love” ~ Brian Butler 2013
Simone Kenmore
Simone Kenmore was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and is a proud Yankunytjatjara woman. Simone’s Father, George Kenmore, is from the Stolen Generation and was taken to St. Mary’s Hostel in Alice Springs where he spent most of his youth. Simone’s Mother, Denise Kenmore, was raised in Sydney, New South Wales, and comes from Irish and Austrian heritage. George and Denise settled together in Adelaide and raised three daughters.
At the age of 38 George was fortunate enough to reunite with his mother, Mabel Pearson, and began the emotional process of reconnecting with his family. From a young age Simone identified strongly with her Aboriginality and accompanied George on annual trips to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the north west of South Australia. These trips to the APY Lands allowed Simone to connect with her culture and family and would have a profound impact on her perspective of the world and ultimately drive her to work with Aboriginal Communities.
Simone completed her work experience on the APY Lands at Yunyarinyi Community Office and Ernabella Aboriginal School. At the age of 16 Simone made a promise to herself that she would return to the APY Lands to contribute to Community. After school Simone studied a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and began working within the public sector. Simone has worked in the fields of finance and health and is currently fulfilling her childhood ambition of working on the APY Lands in a senior position.
Within her various roles Simone has worked at developing cultural change and continuous improvement within organisations and strives for a high standard of ethics. Simone is passionate and compelled to fight for the rights of Aboriginal people and will continue to talk and learn from others to assist in establishing better outcomes for Aboriginal people.
David Egege
David Egege has worked for many years promoting Cultural Competence as a strategy to reduce cultural barriers and enhance services for diverse communities. He is currently working as a consultant in First Street Consultancy, a company he set up to address systemic cultural change within Government and Non government agencies. He has been responsible for the development of CALD and Aboriginal strategic organisational policy and plans, as well as the development and implementation of Cultural Competence strategic directions. David has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and politics and a post graduate degree in Social Administration and Policy. He is a qualified social worker.
David has held several senior positions within the public service sector, specifically within health services departments and Indigenous organisations such as Department of State Aboriginal Affairs, Aboriginal Health Services and Aboriginal Aged care. He was the inaugural senior policy advisor for Indigenous Mental Health in South Australia and worked closely with Baxter Detention Centre, He also held the position of Executive Director of the Aboriginal Home and Community Care Services Incorporated in South Australia. He has developed extensive experience and skill in working with both Aboriginal and multicultural clients and their communities.
Gillian Brannigan
Gillian is a community activist who has worked with others for social justice for most of her adult life. She is committed to walking with, working with and learning from Stolen Generations survivors and counts many as her friends. She has been inspired by their strength, humour, generosity and deeply touched by their stories. She has worked with Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation and the Northern Territory Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation. She was also employed by the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) in Canberra in the Social Health Section which oversees the Bringing Them Home and Link Up programs. She was elected as the non-Indigenous Delegate for the Queensland Sorry Day Committee and then as the non-Indigenous Co-Chair of the National Sorry Day Committee. She is a founding member of the Stolen Generations Alliance and honours all those who guide her, both past and present.
Thank you for the follow, all the best!
Thanks for following my blog, wishing you the best!
Thanks for following Four Seasons Bridal… best regards
Thank you so much for the follow, I am honored. it is a pleasure to visit your site and see the difference you are making. I am a member of “Blogger for Peace 2013″ and I have an idea that I would like to share with you and hopefully you could be part of. It wouldn’t need much commitment from you just one small article really. Could you e mail me at athenabrady1@gmail.com
I have just discovered your site due to your visit to mine and I must say, I am honored by your interest. Your message, mission, and stories leave me speechless, as does the thoroughness of your labor of love. If I can contribute in any way, in the way of discussion of schizophrenia, please let me know. Childhood stressors, trauma, negative environment, as well as other factors appear to play a role in the illness, so I imagine you have seen its symptoms in people you serve.
Thank you for choosing to follow my site. Thank you for your work on behalf of the broken-hearted.
Dear William Brian Butler, how EXTRAORDINARE is your life’s work with children. We are inviting globally all kids to be a part of our traveling tv talk show: “SASA KIDS 8 To 108.” The content is educational & entertaining while learning a process where people are in control of their ‘habits’ which are lifestyles. Each person MUST become a ‘SASA KID’ by getting their certificate “SASA FLASH” off the website: http://www.motionOsis.com
Since this show is in the USA on the West Coast, all people can communicate their input for the show thru email: info@motionosis.com
As a planet, we all must help one another to make a better world and what better way then through ‘kids, parents & families.’
Thank you for your incredible life story, for people of your ancestry. Please communicate. Sincerely Gene & Lane
Thanks for following. Reading the stories on here has been quite informational. I was not aware that children were taken from their mothers. I will continue to read more to better understand what Lateral Love Australia is all about. Thank you.
Thank you for following. Very interesting blog.
Thank you for reading my blog. I feel it will take me a while to read yours!
We are not Australians, but my son had a teacher from Papua New Guinea. She told her class that in her country there were white people. The few black people there only drank and fought, never wanting to work. My son felt offended, he is part African. What a tragedy to have people with stupid idea educate our kids!
Thanks for following The Ethiopia Observatory. All the best in all your initiatives and undertakings.
Keffy
WOW ! ! This is such a blessing, and an eye-opening experience to read about the folks on this blog, and the stories that are powerful, not finished, still being written, bringing hope to this rattled & embattled world … Thank you for following my blog, and I will be following yours, as well. Peace, and thanks – - – for the work you all are doing. T
Hi,
First, thanks for following my blog. So-o-o-o, I stopped by to visit yours. Just got back from a trip tonight and leaving tomorrow on another so only glanced at what this blog is about. BUT what I did read exxcites me as I’ve been to Australia and actually know a little about what you’re doing from a couple of different sources. Will be coming back in a few days to read it all. Looking forward to it.
Rebecca
I have nominated and awarded you the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award.” No pressure to follow the rules, to respond or just accept. Just thought you might like to know you came to my mind. Here’s the link:
http://chasingrabbitholes.com/2013/04/24/golden-letter-a/
Best ~ HuntMode
Excellent movement.
Danni
Merci pour le fait d’ajouter!!! d-0.o–b
Continued success in your efforts.
You have found my daily observance site where I pen small verse.
I will book mark your site – in an attempt to follow your progress.
Thanks for visiting and now following my blog!
Really appreciate the follow on my blog, means a lot! I will take some time to look though yours too.
Take care
Thank you for following my blog,best in 2013 and beyond.
Thank you for the follow.
I am somewhat educated regarding the Aboriginal plight in Australia. Are there quite a few comparisons to the history of the American Indian?
Thanks for following my blog. I’m not familiar with the Aboriginal plight in Australia. I’ll be checking out your website and hopefully I can learn more about your country as you have mine.
Thank you very much.
Delmira Herself
Thank you for following…
Just browsed through your website. I am not familiar with aboriginal plight in Australia. But now I will continue to read all about your cause & efforts. May the force be with you in this great cause!
Thank you very much.
Thanks for following my blog!
Thank you for the follow. Your work is fascinating and important. Thank you for raising my awareness.
good to see the Focus on Morality http://shundrallah.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/semper-fi-truth-always-faithful-always.html it would be nice if more people were morally active
Thank you for following my blog.
As a way to say thank you, and to get to know you.
I would LOVE IT if you accepted this award
The ABC Award
http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/the-abc-award-2/
Thanks
Shaun
I am enjoying your blog so much. The history of aboriginal Australians is so similar to the history of my Cherokee(Native American) ancestors and the strife they endured when their land was “settled” by Europeans. I have added you to my Must Read Blogs page in the hopes that those who need to can find your site and learn more too. Thank you for bringing forth the voices of others.
Thank you for the follow! In real life I do intercultural competency work and would love to connect–what an interesting idea to foster a global effort in this area. I’m in!
I too say thank you for the follow. Australia is my very most favorite places to visit. I have travelled all up and down the east coast several times, inland to Katharine, up to Darwin – loved it, Alice Springs, down to Adelaide, and back around. I loved the outback and had many trips out to Uluru. Also, other outback adventures and it was there I first learned about a now favorite artist, Albert Namatjira and saw his work. I have one of his paintings thanks to friends in Aus. I now have another favorite artist, this time a musician…..Gurrumul Yunnipingu! I’ve read many books on the very tragic events that took place in Australia over the decades with the indigenous people at the hands of the European races. It is through education and people such as yourselves that the world will begin to heal and come together.
Thank you for the follow. Thank you also for introducing (actually, reintroducing) me to your history.