Sacred fire to be extinguished

The Advertiser: Sacred fire to be extinguished :

"The protest group is expected to release a statement outlining its intentions later tonight.

Meanwhile the large protest group tending the sacred blaze has dwindled as protesters take it in turns to keep the fire burning.

A 'keeper of the fire' at the domain today refused to talk to AAP, claiming a media conspiracy was seeking to undermine the protest."

The fire is currently protected by a court order and that in itself is a big step for the non aboriginal community - to at least acknowledge through our systems that their sacred things are important. I don't think the media are the ones to be negotiating and I am sorry to hear the negotiations with the council have fallen through. I think it needs to go from the elders of our people to the elders of their people so we can reach some common ground. They do more of trying to fit in with us than we do of trying to learn their ways. I think this can be negotiated and that a step forward in communicating can be made. It's about being aware of their culture instead of regarding it as an inconvenience to our way of life. Talking. Respect.