People involved		National Symposium on Voice Over Land A high point on our itineray was the symposium held at the Victorian State Film Theatre jointly convened by Mirimbiak Aboriginal Nations Corporation, Pilotlight and the Lance Reichstein Foundation. The purpose of the symposium was to provide a forum for those involved in indigenous land affairs to exchange experiences and insights into the legal and cultural reasoning that forms the basis of their arguments at law over land related issues.   The meeting was chaired by Federal Senator, Lyn Allison, who invited Traditional Owner, Joy Murphy, who is a Board member of Mirimbiak Nations Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal Policy Officer at the Shire of Yarra Ranges, to welcome the delegation on to Wurundjeri land. This she did with a ceremony in which delegate, Matei Olle Timan MP, shared Yarra water with her.   Seven topics were presented from different perspectives so as to provide the opportunity for people to hear from both indigenous and African viewpoints. A legal perspective was added where relevant. Audio Link   Proceedings commenced with an indigenous perspective on "Voice over Cultural Landscape" by Mirimbiak's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Richard Frankland, who set the scene by asking for 30 seconds silence to ponder the dispossession of indigenous people from their lands. Barrister, Kate Auty, provided an observer's perspective that was followed by an African perspective from delegate, Dr Naomi Kipuri.   The issue of protecting intellectual property was relatively new to the African delegation. We appreciated the presentation of legal perspectives by Colin Golvan QC who has represented many indigenous artists in copyright infringement cases, and Mark Harris. The indigenous perspective was presented by Teri Janke, a solicitor from Michael Frankel and Company in Sydney, who is working on the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Project that is working towards the recognition and protection of indigenous and intellectual property. Delegate, Dr Ringo Tenga, provided the African perspective and made the point that much still needs to be done to provide protection of intellectual property in Africa.   Native Title and the process by which it is attained was addressed by lawyers, Brian Keon-Cohen QC and Angus Frith (Paper: The effect of the 1998 Amendments on the Native Title Act 1993 by Angus Frith) who is the Principle Legal Officer at Mirimbiak. Maureen Tehan, lecturer in law at the University of Melbourne, provided an academic perspective before Mirimbiak staff members, Lyn McInnes, who is on the Board of Mirimibiak, and Director of the Wathaurong Aboriginal Corporation in Geelong, and Ron Davis, provided indigenous perspectives. The Africa perspective was provided by Justice Moijo Ole Kiewua.   We were fortunate to receive a briefing from Monica Morgan who is one of the applicants in the Yorta Yorta claim of country in northern Victoria and southern New South Wales as a prelude to our visit to this area. The "Claimants View" from Africa was presented by three delegates; Daniel Murumbi on the Barabaig NAFCO case, Saning'o Ole Sanago on the Mkomazi Game Reserve case and Joseph ole Simel on the Iloodoariak case. This enabled participants to hear in detail about land rights in Africa which in many ways mirrors the situation in Australia. However, it was also made clear that indigenous Africans have to endure the added problems of having to come to terms with sometimes inefficient and corrupt government officials, lack of a free press, and a judiciary that is not entirely separated from the executive.   The two additional topics of "Regional Agreements" and "Reconciliation" were introduced by Jason Eades, Executive Manager at Mirimbiak, who has been party to many agreements made in Victoria, and Greg Thompson from Australians for Reconciliation, respectively. Indigenous and African perspectives were provided by Joy Murphy who is a Board member of Mirimbiak and delegate Matei Olle Timan MP.   Sid Spindler commenced with a "Summation" that was very critical of the current Federal government for polarising the debate on Native Title. This was complimented by Joy Murphy and Ben James from Mirimbiak. Delegate, Ben Lobulu, responded by maintaining that the conflict of interests over Native Title meant that Australia was not at peace and he exhorted all fair minded Australians to deal with the issue in a manner that will ensure that consideration for equity and justice for indigenous people is uppermost in its resolution.