Pearson resigns over `wild rivers' decision
08.04.2009
ABORIGINAL leader Noel Pearson has resigned as a director of the think tank he founded to lead the indigenous responsibilities agenda and declared he would return to his activist roots to campaign for land rights.
Mr Pearson's departure as director of the influential Cape York Institute is in response to the Queensland Government's decision to lock up Cape York's ``wild rivers''.
Mr Pearson says the Government's move will undermine efforts to promote sustainable economic development in indigenous communities on the Cape.
Mr Pearson established the institute in 2004 to promote the need for welfare reform, economic self-sufficiency and improved literacy and numeracy among the indigenous people of Cape York.
Premier Anna Bligh's ``wild rivers'' declaration was made against the wishes of the vast majority of local indigenous people and cattle producers.
Neville Pootchemunka, traditional owner and Mayor of Aurukun -- home of the famous Wik people -- yesterday joined with other Cape York indigenous leaders in condemning the declaration. ``The whole thing is a farce and we will not stand for it,'' he said.
