Do I hear correctly that the Federal Labor Government is resiling from holding a referendum in 2013 to recognise indigenous Australians in the constitution? The referendum would have provided the Federal Government with a wonderful opportunity to educate all non-indigenous Australians about their indigenous brothers and sisters. Through a carefully crafted TV campaign leading up to the referendum the profile of the needs of indigenous Australians could have been lifted.
The Labor Government better come up with something as life is not so flash for a lot of indigenous Australians, especially in the remote communities of the desert and the north.
The Australian population at large must show the pollies that enough is enough. Speak up indigenous leaders, insisting on a better deal based on self determination and the right to be connected to country while having plenty of resources to meet the primary needs for food, shelter, clothing, health and security.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Appalling statistics
In an article titled "Fear and guilt drive child policy" (The West Australian, Thursday, September 6, 2012, p21) Amanda Banks the legal affairs editor of the West Australian newspaper cites incarceration figures for indigenous Australians in WA as follows:
"As at last Thursday, 65 per cent of the juveniles in custody in WA were Aboriginal. Department of Corrective Services figures also reveal that nearly 40 per cent of adults in our jails were Aboriginal. Yet indigenous people make up just 3.8 per cent of the population."
Banks goes on to state that "Logically, the social disadvantage faced by many in the indigenous community is the main driver of this over-representation in the criminal justice system." She claimed that: "Making this connection is nothing revolutionary."
Banks then cites material from the Curtin University annual ethics lecture from last week as delivered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Wayne Martin. The Chief Justice identifies appalling conditions in which some indigenous children live and harks back to the long lasting negative consequences of the Stolen Generation. He wants these conditions changed for the better so that these indigneous children "...are no longer left in situations that condemn them to a life of desperation."
How long is this situation going to be tolerated by the indigenous First Australians and non-indigenous Australians?
In previous posts for this blog it has been suggested by a senior indigenous leader that part of the cause for these high levels of incarceration is also a pay back action against the whites for wrongs of the past : a sort of underground fighting back.
The hearts of all Australians must bleed when they contemplate these disproportionate levels of imprisonment. The minds of those who care to and strive to change this must be working overtime.
All hail movements like Generation One which aim to see indigenous persons in meaningful employment that will enable them to easily meet their primary needs for food, shelter and clothing and also to be proud of what they are achieving. All this within a context of retaining connection to country as enabled by successful land rights decisions.
From recent protest action it is evident that there are those in the indigenous communities who would have sovereignty over their lands under legislation that goes back to the days of Queen Victoria. These persons are clearly aggrieved at what they probably see as a cop out by those indigenous persons who take on what might be termed employment as typified by non-indigenous Australians.
It is so complex. One cries out for the big indigenous leaders like the Dodsons, Noel Pearson and others to lead indigenous and non-indigenous Australians to get it right so that there is a true and lasting reconciliation.
"As at last Thursday, 65 per cent of the juveniles in custody in WA were Aboriginal. Department of Corrective Services figures also reveal that nearly 40 per cent of adults in our jails were Aboriginal. Yet indigenous people make up just 3.8 per cent of the population."
Banks goes on to state that "Logically, the social disadvantage faced by many in the indigenous community is the main driver of this over-representation in the criminal justice system." She claimed that: "Making this connection is nothing revolutionary."
Banks then cites material from the Curtin University annual ethics lecture from last week as delivered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Wayne Martin. The Chief Justice identifies appalling conditions in which some indigenous children live and harks back to the long lasting negative consequences of the Stolen Generation. He wants these conditions changed for the better so that these indigneous children "...are no longer left in situations that condemn them to a life of desperation."
How long is this situation going to be tolerated by the indigenous First Australians and non-indigenous Australians?
In previous posts for this blog it has been suggested by a senior indigenous leader that part of the cause for these high levels of incarceration is also a pay back action against the whites for wrongs of the past : a sort of underground fighting back.
The hearts of all Australians must bleed when they contemplate these disproportionate levels of imprisonment. The minds of those who care to and strive to change this must be working overtime.
All hail movements like Generation One which aim to see indigenous persons in meaningful employment that will enable them to easily meet their primary needs for food, shelter and clothing and also to be proud of what they are achieving. All this within a context of retaining connection to country as enabled by successful land rights decisions.
From recent protest action it is evident that there are those in the indigenous communities who would have sovereignty over their lands under legislation that goes back to the days of Queen Victoria. These persons are clearly aggrieved at what they probably see as a cop out by those indigenous persons who take on what might be termed employment as typified by non-indigenous Australians.
It is so complex. One cries out for the big indigenous leaders like the Dodsons, Noel Pearson and others to lead indigenous and non-indigenous Australians to get it right so that there is a true and lasting reconciliation.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Referendum on Australia's First Peoples
The West Australian newspaper reported in the week commencing 9 April 2012 that the Federal Government is to spend $10 million on advertising in preparing the Australian population for the referendum scheduled for 2013. This is good news provided that they allow professional advertisers to assist in designing the messages to be delivered. It is vital to educate all Australians about indigenous Australians as so few Australians have the comprehensive experience that enables a positive understanding of the nuances of indigenous culture(s). There is a real striving by indigenous Australians to move forward ranging from the recent angry protests at Herrison Island in Perth WA to the wonderful work of the Generation One movement to create employment opportunities and the awesome work of great indigenous leaders like Patrick Dodson who is a national treasure and an inspiring leader of his Broome people.
In the same West Australian newspaper article cited above it was reported that Patrick is worried that the referendum will be delayed beyond 2013 and that the result will be a negative about recognising Australia's indigenous people in the Australian Constitution as the First People and the true owners of the land.
Let us hope that the Federal government can assist all Australians to understand with sympathy even the anger of the protestors and the desire of indigenous Australians to be respected as the true spirit people of this wonderful land of Australia. A valid yes vote can only occur if there is tolerance for cultural practices that do not fit the white European mould and a desire to contribute to Australia's First Peoples to be able to have self determination, inclusive of those aspects of 21st century living like health, shelter, sufficient sustenance to sustain long life and above all respect every day of their lives.
In the same West Australian newspaper article cited above it was reported that Patrick is worried that the referendum will be delayed beyond 2013 and that the result will be a negative about recognising Australia's indigenous people in the Australian Constitution as the First People and the true owners of the land.
Let us hope that the Federal government can assist all Australians to understand with sympathy even the anger of the protestors and the desire of indigenous Australians to be respected as the true spirit people of this wonderful land of Australia. A valid yes vote can only occur if there is tolerance for cultural practices that do not fit the white European mould and a desire to contribute to Australia's First Peoples to be able to have self determination, inclusive of those aspects of 21st century living like health, shelter, sufficient sustenance to sustain long life and above all respect every day of their lives.
Friday, February 10, 2012
W A Government Land and Cash Offer to the Noongar Peoples - Way Forward or Sell Out
Yesterday Premier Colin Barnett and some of his colleagues met with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALASC) representing the Noongar People in order to consider the offer and develop a response.
There was a tent embassy type beating on the glass protest as the protesters vented their view that the offer was a sell out and that the SWALASC does not represent all Noongar people.
There is a long way to go in working through this offer and in the end it may not be accepted. A major positive is that it presents the Noongar Peoples with an opportunity to talk comprehensively and exhaustively to map out where they want to go. Such talk will no doubt be at times hostile and angry and at other times full of vision and hope. If it results in a Noongar consensus for a way forward, even if it is not the WA Government offer, surely that would be something to celebrate.
It would also give the Australian population at large an insight into Aboriginal issues and the determination of this significant group of First Australians to resolve matters. What could be better on the eve of the Constitutional referendum on recognising the First Peoples.
There was a tent embassy type beating on the glass protest as the protesters vented their view that the offer was a sell out and that the SWALASC does not represent all Noongar people.
There is a long way to go in working through this offer and in the end it may not be accepted. A major positive is that it presents the Noongar Peoples with an opportunity to talk comprehensively and exhaustively to map out where they want to go. Such talk will no doubt be at times hostile and angry and at other times full of vision and hope. If it results in a Noongar consensus for a way forward, even if it is not the WA Government offer, surely that would be something to celebrate.
It would also give the Australian population at large an insight into Aboriginal issues and the determination of this significant group of First Australians to resolve matters. What could be better on the eve of the Constitutional referendum on recognising the First Peoples.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Canberra protest
It all happened this week. Sad in many ways and yet it at least brings Aboriginal issues to the fore in the lead up to the referendum on the constitutional recognition of Australia's First Peoples.
Much as I am a passionate supporter of the resolution of Aboriginal issues in our great land I cannot condone any action that puts others in a situation of physical fear, namely our PM. Tony Abbot's comments were ill timed and ill considered.
I was intrigued by the tent embassy representative arguments on sovereignty for the First Australians dating back to legislation from Queen Victoria's reign. These reps were asked whether they wanted self rule in their native lands. They seemed confused about this and I am also very confused. It may be opportune to revisit the recent Sander's report from WA in which self determination, and if I recall correctly, some self government models for Aboriginal persons were recommended.
Coming out of the protest was the view by some protesters that the whites should "...take their roses and go back to England". Very tricky and it will be intriguing to see how this view plays out in the coming months. It needs to be recognised that the Australian population is made up of many different cultures from all over the world. Many of these new arrivals will have no understanding of the events from 1788 onwards in respect of Aboriginal peoples.
At the risk of being accused of the cracked record syndrome I again urge the powers that be, namely a bipartisan set of Federal and State pollies and key leaders of the various Aboriginal communities to support a massive TV campaign to open up the issues and the successes with the aim of educating the Australian population about Australia's First Peoples. This must be done before any referendum if there is to be an informed vote that if successful in recognising the Aborigines as the First Peoples, will be part of a massive change for the better for these First Peoples. Such a campaign needs to be designed by advertising professionals in conjunction with recognised leaders of various Aboriginal communities. A hollow meaningless yes vote would be very disappointing.
Let's keep moving forward.
Much as I am a passionate supporter of the resolution of Aboriginal issues in our great land I cannot condone any action that puts others in a situation of physical fear, namely our PM. Tony Abbot's comments were ill timed and ill considered.
I was intrigued by the tent embassy representative arguments on sovereignty for the First Australians dating back to legislation from Queen Victoria's reign. These reps were asked whether they wanted self rule in their native lands. They seemed confused about this and I am also very confused. It may be opportune to revisit the recent Sander's report from WA in which self determination, and if I recall correctly, some self government models for Aboriginal persons were recommended.
Coming out of the protest was the view by some protesters that the whites should "...take their roses and go back to England". Very tricky and it will be intriguing to see how this view plays out in the coming months. It needs to be recognised that the Australian population is made up of many different cultures from all over the world. Many of these new arrivals will have no understanding of the events from 1788 onwards in respect of Aboriginal peoples.
At the risk of being accused of the cracked record syndrome I again urge the powers that be, namely a bipartisan set of Federal and State pollies and key leaders of the various Aboriginal communities to support a massive TV campaign to open up the issues and the successes with the aim of educating the Australian population about Australia's First Peoples. This must be done before any referendum if there is to be an informed vote that if successful in recognising the Aborigines as the First Peoples, will be part of a massive change for the better for these First Peoples. Such a campaign needs to be designed by advertising professionals in conjunction with recognised leaders of various Aboriginal communities. A hollow meaningless yes vote would be very disappointing.
Let's keep moving forward.
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