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.