Q & A on the ABC on 17 October 2011 with Rosalie Kunoth-Monks

Oh boy what a show.  Rosalie was superb as she called for the Prime Minister to enter into dialogue with the First Australians.  Rosalie wants a process of self determination, a welling up from the ground to bring about real change.

I am sure she shocked a lot of viewers about how nothing has changed for her people and how they remain in a downtrodden state, still subject to racism.

Q & A showed the power of TV to get to a viewing audience and have a dynamic effect.  One could tell from the Twitters that were shown during the program.

The Way Foward for Australia's First Peoples

Shane Wright reported in The West Australian, Monday 8 August, 2011, p 13 "Indigenous money waste huge: report".  He was reporting on a report commissioned by Kevin Rudd and compiled by Finance Department officials early in 2010. The report was "scathing of the 232 programs aimed specifically at indigenous people or which have had a focus on Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders since 2000. "...much of the  $3.5 billion a year in special programs delivered 'appalling' results".  "Past approaches to remedying indigenous disadvantage have clearly failed and new approaches are needed".

Wright indicated:  "The reports authors struggled to find all the programs aimed at indigenous Australians, saying more money was not necessarily the answer".

Against the background of this article by Wright one sees sick Aboriginal persons camped in appalling conditions adjacent to the Port Hedland Hospital.  They must be there as many of them have for example regular dialysis treatment. Admittedly a new hostel is being built nearby but it is far from completion and some of those it is meant to house fear that it will mean a sort of institutionalisation.

The plight of the Oombulgurri people has been highlighted in a previous post on this blog.

Also in The West Australian, Monday 8 August 2011, p11, Nathan Dyer reports on a serious suicide problems for young indigenous persons at the Balgo community.

To balance these examples of sadness above the writer of this blog gets a lot of good news stories in emails from Generation One which is all about education and jobs for indigenous persons.  There are also lots of good news stories of remote indigenous communities that have conquered the scourge of alcohol and other drugs. What about the indigenous Clontarf Football Academy in WA?


Put these good news/bad news scenarios in a context of the promised 2013 referendum on recognising the First Australians in the Australian constitution. 2013 is not far off and I am tipping that there will be a resounding yes for such recognition because Australians have an active sense of a fair go.  If a "fair go" is the main basis of a strong yes vote then it will only have meaning if it is based on each voter having demonstrated that they have a deep respect for the First Peoples that is manifest in all sorts of positive relationship actions.

How will this respect be nurtured in those who have little or nothing to do with indigenous Australians?  Following are some suggested actions:

• Federal and State governments need to cooperate in a massive bipartisan TV advertising campaign that highlights the good news stories and shows that urgent actions are taking place to alleviate situations like the Pilbara sick persons camped near the hospital or the Balgo youth in crisis.  This campaign needs to be developed by advertising professionals not well meaning boffins . The TV campaign would get to most Australians whereas Twitter and blogs would have a more restricted audience.
• Federal and State governments need to identify influential indigenous leaders, listen to them, and support them in their planning and actions to lead their people to a life that is rooted in the Aboriginal culture while embracing  such things as the benefits of modern medicine and rejecting the temporal pain relief that alcohol and other drugs might give for cultural loss.  No more NT interventions. These leaders already abound some recognised like the Dodsons, Noel Pearson, Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, Mandawuy Yunupingu and Tania Major and others waiting to be identified.  Australia at large will easily understand the work of non-government movements like Generation One (see above) but will have to be tolerant and non-judgemental if say elders in remote communities are supported by their leaders in living out their lives based largely on the old ways.  These elders have suffered enough as they lived through the destruction of their cultures. If these indigenous leaders want to take their people down the path of negotiating with mining companies over their land then so be it.  For communities that don't have mineral wealth then State and Federal Governments must support the leaders' plans as the way forward.
• These great indigenous leaders need the wisdom of Philosopher Kings to bring indigenous and non-indigenous Australians together in a true reconciliation where forgiveness for wrongs of the past is strong and stubborn prejudices are banished.  Maybe treaties are needed.  The ultimate goals are:

1. .....a nation that manifests respect, non-indigenous for indigenous and vice versa as the norm, such that the world at large easily recognises that this is how it is in Australia and;
2. .....indigenous Australians able to easily satisfy primary needs and enjoy some of those extras that modern life offers in ways that do not rely on government handouts with their choices being rooted in self determination.

Oombulgurri Western Australia - Aboriginal Issues

I heard on SBS1 last night that the Oombulgurri mob are basically homeless in Wyndham having relocated because of declining services in the remote Kimberley settlement of Oombulgurri, like the closure of the school.  Over the last two years the WA government has spent some $4 million on work around the community.  The TV footage showed fairly solid houses at Oombulgurri.  The TV presenter mentioned that the Oombulgurri people had been promised housing in Wyndham but the reality is that they are living in small tents without water or sewage facilities. The TV presenter also reported that there had been serious alcohol issues at Oombulgurri.  I think a lot of us might turn to drink if our culture had been left in tatters by white settlement.

Surely a leader from the Oombulgurri people can be found and mentored to lead these people to a grog free and better existence where their pride is restored as they once again have cultural roots to hold on to.  That leader could rebuild the cultural roots so that the population of Australia at large offers and regularly shows its respect for the culture.

Come on WA government, find an indigenous leader or leaders and mentor them so that they can lead with confidence and promote their people so that they are respected across Australia.

One woman from Oombulgurri, now in Wyndham, said that she felt lost and is it any wonder.

In the eyes of the United Nations we are not doing too well, however one can cite all the clauses and declarations one likes and beat our country over the head in terms of these matters but we know well enough that we are not doing the right thing.  Find the indigenous leaders and support them to turn these situations around and do it now.  We must feel for the elders who I guess cannot see light at the end of the tunnel but they cannot be ignored by having a sole focus on the young.  You can't write some off in the hope that it will all come right if the young are educated and get jobs.  Of course education and jobs will be essential but the elders are also here now and are hurting.

Those great indigenous leaders are out there like Patrick Dodson and Noel Pearson and many others.  Can Oombulgurri throw up a respected leader who can carry the day?  There are many functional indigenous communities that can be used as models of what can be achieved by indigenous leaders (men and women).

I hope the Oombulgurri mob can hold their heads high well before we have to vote in the 2013  referendum on recognising Australia's First People in the Australian Constitution.

The WA Government may just have to bear some costs to revive and keep communities like Oombulgarri going until the young have reached an age and have the knowledge and skills to decide where they want to live.  It is the least that can be done as a true reparation for the effects of white settlement. Also the WA and the Federal governments could run regular TV adds to showcase great indigenous communities in order to educate the Australian people in the lead up to the 2013 referendum.  In this way Australians would have the opportunity to learn to respect what their indigenous brothers and sisters are and can achieve.

A national discussion - Aboriginal Issues

I set out on this blog to stimulate a "conversation".  Bit disappointed with myself as I fear I have slipped into the contemporary jargon.

I really want to stimulate a "discussion" as I believe this implies more strongly that we are seeking to arrive at agreements and in some cases maybe disagreements.

Being a West Aussie I am becoming more and more disturbed by the bad news about what is not being done to resolve issues for the First Australians. 

Watch this space!

High levels of incarceration of young indigenous Australians - a difficult issue

Robert Isaacs, a Nyoongar elder, a member of the Stolen Generation and a JP for more than 30 years told the annual Indigenous Justice Forum that "Young Aboriginal offenders have an increasing tendency to claim they are seeking revenge for the mistreatment of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles when they lash out at society...".  Mr Isaacs is further reported as saying that "..the disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people - including poverty, ill-health, continuing discrimination, cultural differences and stressful home lives which were influenced by conflict and drug and alcohol use - should be recognised, but not used as an excuse for young people to continue to behave outside society's laws". (See the article:  Banks, Amanda, "Don't play the race card: Isaacs", The West Australian, Thursday 19 May 2011, p9)

I recall many years ago that incarceration was reported from Queensland jails as being seen as a badge of honour by many Aboriginal offenders. Was this somewhat the same as Mr Isaacs perceives where indigenous persons feel a need to right historical wrongs perpetrated on their ancestors and on their contemporary indigenous society by committing offences against the descendants of the wrongdoers?

The high levels of incarceration of Aboriginal youth and adults is frequently reported and there are cries to fix the problem.  A lot is being done and Mr Isaacs is reported as saying that "...education, mentors and respect were the keys to overcoming the cycle of offending".  I hear people saying when a spate of robberies is reported:  : "I bet they were Aborigines!"  Often they weren't, but this is what I hear people say. We have to worry when this perception rears its head over and over.  It could be one of a number of serious obstacles to the removal of prejudice between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.  With the 2013 referendum looming all Australians, indigenous and non-indigenous, must be engaged together in talking these things through resulting in an outcome of solution and understanding.  The discussions must not be judgemental.


A discussion of this matter will not be easy because it centres around ideas like the necessity of contemporary non - indigenous guilt, like revenge and/or like some indigenous Australians maybe secretly or not so secretly wanting non-indigenous Australians to go back to the lands of their forebears.  Let's get it all out and maybe it will be seen as an issue that will be resolved as more indigenous persons achieve higher levels of education and employment yet maintain a strong indigenous cultural platform that is respected as a norm in Australian society. 

If the latter is the way then come on to this blog and say so in very strong terms so that all Australia knows.  Just imagine if this were a widespread view across the country how the validity of the vote in the 2013 referendum would be enhanced.  Maybe you have a contrary view or some constructive comment on this view.  If so make a comment on this blog and let Australia know.

I can think of other issues like the one above that need urgent conversational clarification amongst all Australians.  I have been thinking long and hard before composing this post.  For better or worse, you be the judge?

Land Rights

What do Land Rights for indigenous Australians mean to you in a remote community, in a rural farming town and in the major Australian cities?

Indigenous - maybe not a title that pleases many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Noted from some writings on Aboriginal Affairs that there are those 'first Australians' who do not like the title 'indigenous' as there is a sense in which every Aussie has indigenous roots.  True enough I guess.  'First Australians' appeals, but maybe the name Australian will be offensive in view of the 1788 invasion and the eventual naming of Australia by the colonisers.

Want to get it right!  Want to find out what right is in the minds of indigenous Aussies, what will make every aspect of life work for them in this their land in the 21st century.  Want to know what indigenous Australia thinks and wants from Cape York to Sydney, to Warburton Ranges to Perth - all over this hard, beautiful land mass.  Want to know what non-indigenous Australia thinks as we approach the 2013 vital referendum.

Let it all hang out so that it can be sorted out in terms of the UN Charter of Human Rights.

A worrying story - Australian Aboriginal Affairs

I heard recently that indigenous Aussies may be very reluctant to share the details of their cultures with non-indigenous Aussies.  If this is true I can understand it at the level of:   Why should we when we have suffered so much prejudice and persecution since 1788?  I can also understand that some of the indigenous cultural behaviours are secret business.

At another level if it is true then I believe we have a big problem!  Such reluctance could be a major barrier to true reconciliation.  Is there a degree of sharing that is ok for indigenous Aussies?

My goal through this blog conversation is that there will be a serious contribution to there being major respect shown to indigenous Aussies such that this is the norm and is how the rest of the world sees us behaving. A respect that is based on indigenous Aussies being revered as the spiritual heart of this complex, beautiful yet harsh land of Australia is achievable.

Patrick Dodson - Philosopher King - Can Australia afford not to be reconciled?

Just read an article "Can Australia afford not to be reconciled?" by Patrick Dodson dated 3 December 2010 and some criticisms that he is too idealistic.  For mine he is right on the money.

Guys go to http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article= and have a read.  I choose to focus for the moment on this quote from Patrick:

"Perhaps instead of our colonisers focusing on the concept of terra nullius (no one's land), they should have focused on the notion aut disce aut discede - either learn or leave."

Preceding this quote Patrick argues that 22 decades of European intervention have managed to stuff up forests, rivers and landscapes while the Aboriginal peoples managed for thousands of years to sustain societies, feed their people, and manage the lands and oceans without destroying another species of bird, fish or animal. He goes on to say that it is not too late to incorporate into our pastoral, farming, land and sea management practices indigenous knowledge systems to help restore the balance of nature.

Many might attack Patrick for the sentiments of the preceding paragraph. They would probably want to say that what exists in Australia now is an advance on the hunter/gatherer society. To protect him in a way (...as if he needs it?) I guess he would be pleased at the bio-farming movement.  I guess he would also agree that indigenous Aussies were burners of the land to flush out game and to cause the regeneration of vegetable matter. This burning is documented in some locations to have turned heavily vegetated land into grasslands, however very slowly. I think he might also admit that there is some evidence that his forebears hunted some species to extinction.  However in general I agree in principle with his thinking about indigenous stewardship, reiterating that I think through bio-farming and the preservation of forests we are getting the message. Patrick's message is deeper as he really wants a genuine recognition that in a harsh land his forebears managed pretty well and that there be respect for their deep spiritual connection to the lands and waters.

He goes on to develop this further argument about recognition by non-indigenous Aussies of the deep spiritual bond of Aussie Aboriginal peoples with the land and the waters.  He rightly argues that non-indigenous Aussies need to be open to reconciling with their indigenous brothers and sisters based on an openness to learn from the wisdom and riches of Australia's First Peoples. He so wisely observed:  "On the occasion of the National Apology, we gave the world and ourselves a brief glimpse of who we, as a nation, might yet become."  Imagine a time when the world is in no doubt that the norm in Australia is a deep respect for Aboriginal spirituality.  Imagine the time when indigenous leaders of the status of philosopher kings and queens of their peoples at the grass roots level are regular members of diplomatic missions to the UN and other countries.

I hear Patrick, a great indigenous leader, saying to me a non-indigenous Aussie that he expects my mob to stay here in this wonderful land and open our minds and learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters.  He expects us to get together and do it, especially with the referendum looming.

This bennethon blog is all about having the conversation that enables the learning to occur.  The conversation can proceed against a backdrop of movements like GenOne opening up jobs for indigenous Aussies and medical people (.....many of whom are now indigenous doctors and nurses) bringing a humane action to assist with Aboriginal health and longevity.

What we don't need is federal govt interventions like the NT and Patrick has plenty to say about this.  He cries out:  "Right now - today- some of our greatest living artists, philosophers, spiritual leaders and their families remain subject to the racially inspired Northern Territory Emergency Response - the intervention.  Against that backdrop, any notion of true reconciliation is farcical."

Yes Patrick the indigenous philosopher kings and queens of Australia are not being recognised and allowed to lead their communities to create a humane society that nurtures and shows the best of the indigenous cultures and encourages and mentors the taking on of useful aspects of the 21st century such as the medical healing that is available.  This is not quite true because you and people like Noel Pearson, Mandawuy Yunupingu and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks (of the remote Utopia community) are philosopher kings and queens battling for self determination for your peoples and for the preservation of their cultural heritage.  In  all of this I agree with Patrick that the symbols of a culture are so important like the symbolic initiations from childhood to adulthood that now only reside in non-indigenous Australia in communities such as the Jewish communities of our land.

As we work our way through the maze I hope that a high level of respect for indigenous Australians is reached such that it is recognisable as part of being Australian.  Such that it is the norm. Indigenous Aussies should be left in no doubt that this respect is daily there and manifest in so many ways.  By achieving this 'respect' goal maybe indigenous Aussies who still feel like victims will be able to move beyond this into positive territory whereby they can, dare I say, forgive my forebears for taking their lands and waters by force, without recompense and without respect and can confidently seek recompense if they so want, knowing that this move will be respected by all Australia. The forgiveness thing is a big ask!  I think Bob Hawke's idea of a Treaty is far from dead.

Governments can mentor change but unless there is the deep learning and respect between indigenous and non-indigenous Aussies at the grass roots will there be true reconciliation?  I think not!  Thank you Patrick for guiding us!

Tell a story Australian - Australian Aboriginal Affairs

Maybe this blog is too altruistic.  Just tell a story, your story so that all Aussies understand about indigenous culture(s) warts and all.

Tell a story about indigenous life in urban Australia, in rural (farming) Australia and in remote Australia.

One regular story is the negative comments from all in sundry when young indigenous persons commit crime and tangle with the full force of western law.  I read a blog the other day by an indigenous person in which he berated the federal government for not being proactive on this and other matters.

I worked with indigenous persons who told the story of some indigenous persons who are called "coconuts":  brown on the outside, white on the inside.  Followers will know that this is indigenous persons criticising their own for adopting too much of the "so called" white lifestyle but I still ask: What's that all about?

I met a Principal of a Christian school who told me that indigenous Aussies worshipped the created and not the creator.  A sad story as this so-called misguided christian revealed his misguided inner thinking.

Maaaate there are dozens of stories to be told.  Facing the realities of how Aussies think will clear the air and hopefully lead to greater understanding and tolerance. We need to get on our bikes as the 2013 referendum is not far off.

Sounds of Silence - Australian Aboriginal Affairs

No comments as yet to enrich this blog.  That's ok.

On the spiritual theme I had the good fortune in the 1980s to visit what was then called the Olgas, now called Kata Tjuta.  It was like standing in a giant cathedral and circling overhead was a large eagle, almost as if it was the spirit guardian of that sacred place.  I'll never forget that moment as the land whispered to me.

I have travelled all over the Kimberley, the Pilbara, the Goldfields and the South West of WA.  There are so many wonderful spiritual places like the desert, especially at night with the pitch black contrasted against which are the stars of the rich southern hemisphere skies.  It's shivering cold, even in summer, but the blazing sun of the day makes another contrast.  It would be great to see comments on this blog site giving more detail about the significance to indigenous Aussies of various places across Australia.

KISS - Australian Aboriginal Affairs

Maybe I am being too flash when a conversation can be down to earth and really informative.  Maybe I better stick to one of the key principles by which I operate that is the KISS principle in order that I do not get too carried away.

My first KISS statement is to get back to my firm belief that not too many non-indigenous Aussies have any depth of understanding about the culture(s) of indigenous Aussies. What proportion of non-indigenous Aussies have any serious contact with indigenous Aussies?  Pretty small I think.  Get into me if I am wrong!

I would like this conversation to contribute to correcting that imbalance and that negativities from non-indigenous Aussies towards indigenous Aussies would decrease markedly well before the referendum in 2013.  The vote would then be meaningful.  I am a rebel who also wants to see indigenous Aussies openly discussing whether they can forgive non-indigenous Aussies for mucking up their culture(s).  This does not mean that I want to water down reparation concessions being argued for.  I am unsure whether indigenous Aussies deep down want non-indigenous Aussies to leave and go back to the lands of their forebears.  It's tricky and I guess I have opened the proverbial can of worms.

From my experience working in remote indigenous communities in WA, in medium to large rural townships and with indigenous communities in metro Perth, WA, there are differences between the culture of the remote communities and those in the medium to large rural towns and metro area cities.  It is like two cultures but with a lot of common ground.

Given that I am using "culture" to mean the set of behaviours that define a people, think of all the areas one could chat about.

For example the way a people see the world in a religious or spiritual sense.  I have long been fascinated by the connection that indigenous Aussies have to the land and the plants and  animals they found and now find on that land.  They had some pretty good explanations (stories) of how it all came about.  I think of the Waggyl, the river serpent. of WA that winds its way through what is now metropolitan Perth but still Noongar country (....this will stir up some as there are various spellings for this people's title).  I recoil when I remember the scathing remarks by non-indigenous Aussies against indigenous leaders when they want the spirit of the Waggyl recognised when development occurs in the Swan River valley.

Come on indigenous Australia tell your stories on this blog about the deep spirituality of your peoples and how you carry it proudly into the 21st century.  Educate non-indigenous Australia.  In the coming days I will raise some other cultural areas as part of the conversation but will be thrilled if I am beaten to the punch.

In case you hadn't guessed I am a non-indigenous Aussie bumbling around in the delicate area of indigenous culture.  Please be patient with me!

Let's go - It's a conversation leading up to the 2013 referendum about indigenous Aussies

No one wants to talk as yet and fair enough. It won't be news to followers of this blog that in 2013 there is a referendum in which Aussies will be asked whether indigenous Aussies are to be recognised in the Aussie constitution.  My best guess is that it will be a resounding yes but conversations leading up to this event can ensure that all non-indigenous Aussies truly understand indigenous culture(s) such that any negativity towards indigenous Aussies has gone.  I am passionate that the yes vote be based on a positive brotherly and sisterly relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Aussies. Come on you indigenous Aussies be bold in describing your culture as it is something to be proud of and to be acclaimed.  Educate non-indigenous Australia.  Mick Gooda, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner indicated recently that his people need to be heard in the decision making about their future.  He further indicated that the lead up to the 2013 referendum was a vital period to be used to develop a positive attitude in non-indigenous Aussies towards indigenous Aussies.


I have heard other key persons fighting for the indigenous cause also argue for a major attitudinal shift by non-indigenous Aussies if true reconciliation is to be achieved between indigenous and non-indigenous Aussies. So many (not all) non-indigenous Aussies have given little consideration  to the terrible impact on indigenous culture(s) of the 1788 landings and subsequent events,  Much healing is yet to be done.

A conversation involving indigenous and non-indigenous Aussies

I want to start a gentle, informed conversation through which non-indigenous Aussies can gain a better understanding of indigenous Aussie culture. My hope is that this conversation will contribute to a positive growth towards indigenous Aussies and non-indigenous Aussies becoming true brothers and sisters.  I guess this will be one of many conversations already going on, but the more the better, Hey! [...as they are alleged to say in Qld]. The conversation idea sounds a bit pollie-like but there is nothing better than a warm chat.