ABSTRACT
The presence of hundreds of First Nations at the time of Cook's landing is evidence of Aboriginal laws embracing diversity and difference. The crime of genocide is recognised by customary international law as a violation of the law of nations; it is a universal crime of universal jurisdiction. The Australian government ratified the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on 8 July 1949, through the Genocide Convention Act 1949. The processes of colonialism have tried to subjugate, condition and silence our responses. Throughout our colonial history the state has deliberately implemented polices to suppress the speaking of First Nations languages. In October 1989 the state government of South Australia approved the building of a bridge from mainland Goolwa to Kumarangk; it was opposed by a group of Ngarrindjeri miminis because the bridge would damage the culture and spirituality of women's business in the region.
