Church urges treaty to help deal with Aboriginal unrest

The Uniting Church is urging that the South Australian Government sign a treaty recognising Aboriginal land rights in SA.

The Reverend Ken Sumner says the treaty would mirror the intentions of the South Australian Letters Patent of 1836, recognising Aboriginal rights to lands they occupied or enjoyed.

He says the lack of an official treaty is leading to anti-social behaviour among Aborigines which is being passed on to the next generation.

"South Australia is probably in its worst time ever in terms of young Aboriginal people involved in criminal activity," he said.

"I think we’ve got a long way to go to resolve some of those issues and part of that [resolution] is the past.

"Aboriginal people don’t want to pass these issues on to the next generation and nor do non-Aboriginal people. It is not fair and I think we should deal with these issues now."

Rev Sumner says the Uniting Church is developing a treaty working party.

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