Indigenous Senator Confronts King Charles, Demands Justice for First Nations

Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe | Screen grab from AFP

VOCABULARY LIST

• Wrap up (phrasal verb) /ræp ʌp/: To finish or conclude something.

  • Example: King Charles had just wrapped up his speech at Parliament House.

  1. Call out (phrasal verb) /kɔl aʊt/: To publicly demand or criticise something.

     • Example: Senator Thorpe called out to the royal couple during the event.

  2. First Nations (noun) /fɜst ˈneɪʃənz/: The original inhabitants of Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

     • Example: Charles acknowledged Australia’s First Nations people in his speech.

  3. Take place (phrasal verb) /teɪk pleɪs/: To happen or occur.

     • Example: The confrontation took place as King Charles visited Canberra.

  4. Give up (phrasal verb) /ɡɪv ʌp/: To surrender or stop claiming something.

     • Example: Indigenous Australians have never given up their rights to the land.

  5. Sovereignty (noun) /ˈsɒvrənti/: The authority to govern a nation or people.

     • Example: Indigenous Australians have never ceded sovereignty over their land.

  6. Commonwealth (noun) /ˈkɒmənwɛlθ/: A group of countries, including Australia, that were once part of the British Empire.

     • Example: Australia is still a Commonwealth country with King Charles as head of state.

  7. Advocate (verb) /ˈædvəkeɪt/: To publicly support a cause or policy.

     • Example: Thorpe has been a strong advocate for a treaty between Indigenous Australians and the government.

  8. Turn one’s back (phrase) /tɜn wʌnz bæk/: To deliberately show disapproval by facing away from someone.

     • Example: Thorpe turned her back during the singing of “God Save the King.”

  9. Ongoing (adjective) /ˈɒngoʊɪŋ/: Continuing or still in progress.

  • Example: The Greens party said the visit was a reminder of ongoing colonial trauma.

ARTICLE

Britain’s King Charles III had just wrapped up his speech at Australia’s Parliament House on Monday when an Indigenous senator interrupted the event by shouting, “You are not our king.”

The confrontation took place as King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Canberra to meet with Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese where Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, from the back of the room, called out to the royal couple, “Give us our land back, give us what you stole,” before security officers moved to remove her from parliament.

In his speech, King Charles acknowledged the deep connection Australia’s First Nations people have with their land, having lived there for tens of thousands of years before British settlers arrived over 230 years ago. "Australia’s First Nations people have been incredibly generous in sharing their stories and culture with me throughout my life," Charles said. "Their traditional wisdom has deeply influenced my understanding."

Earlier in the day, a traditional Aboriginal welcoming ceremony was held for the royals outside Parliament House. However, many Indigenous Australians feel the royals are not welcome in their country. The arrival of British settlers in Australia led to massacres of Indigenous people at numerous locations, with violence continuing until as recently as the 1930s. To this day, many Indigenous communities continue to face racism and systemic inequality.

Thorpe, who is of Djab Wurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara heritage, has been a strong advocate for a treaty between Indigenous Australians and the government and has consistently spoken out against the British monarchy.

Indigenous Australians have never given up their rights to the land, and there has never been a formal treaty with the British Crown. Still, Australia is a Commonwealth country, with King Charles as the head of state.

This isn’t the first time Thorpe has spoken out against the monarchy. During her swearing-in ceremony in 2022, she called Queen Elizabeth II "the colonising Queen" and was asked to repeat the oath. She did so but raised her fist in protest.

Before confronting King Charles, Thorpe turned her back during the singing of "God Save the King," according to Australian media. Photos showed her wearing a possum-fur cloak and facing away from the other attendees.

The Greens party, which Thorpe used to belong to, issued a statement saying that while the king’s visit was important to some, it reminded many First Nations people of "ongoing colonial trauma." Greens Senator Dorinda Cox, a Yamatji Noongar woman, urged King Charles to support "truth-telling, justice, and healing for First Nations."

“He needs to be on the right side of history,” Cox said.

On the other hand, the Australian Monarchist League criticised Thorpe’s actions, calling them a “childish display” and asking her to resign.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have not commented on the incident. When asked, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Charles, saying, "He’s doing a fantastic job" in his duties.

SOURCE:

This article is based on: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/21/australia/lidia-thorpe-confrontation-king-charles-australia-intl-hnk/index.html

Comprehension activity - multiple choice

1. What did Lidia Thorpe shout at King Charles during his speech?

a) "Long live the King!"
b) "You are not our king!"
c) "We support the monarchy!"
d) "Give us more support!"

2. What was the main reason behind Lidia Thorpe’s protest?

a) She wanted a better relationship with the British monarchy.
b) She was advocating for a treaty between Indigenous Australians and the government.
c) She was unhappy with the Australian government.
d) She wanted the king to increase taxes.

3. How did Thorpe express her protest during her swearing-in ceremony in 2022?

a) She refused to take the oath.
b) She called Queen Elizabeth II "the colonising Queen" and raised her fist.
c) She sang "God Save the King."
d) She walked out of the ceremony.

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