It's on again! The Pollies are out and about and currently the polls have it neck a neck.
As part of this hive of activity the referendum to recognise Australia's first peoples in the Australian Constitution is under detailed discussion by a select group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal persons.
I hope it gets done. I recently heard some of the select group discuss the progress of the referendum and was heartened.
I am confident that the recognition will occur but not so confident that things will change on the ground for those indigenous Australians still experiencing very adverse living conditions which in some cases are third world and a blight on our society.
GD
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Senator Pat Dodson
Senator Dodson. It has a nice ring to it to know that this great Aboriginal leader is in the WA senate. Can't wait to see his influence have a telling effect where it counts for his people and in other general matters of governance.
Pat Dodson is a Philosopher King of his people and Australia must listen to him and others of the same order of wisdom.
The bad news is that the suicide and incarceration rate amongst Aboriginal youth is high. There must be an answer!
I feel so powerless as a non-indigenous Australian to assist the Aboriginal cause. I did what I could in my career as an educator but now in retirement just sit and rejoice in the good news stories and cry over the bad news stories that predominate the evolution of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I know that the solutions lie with the Aboriginal people but I long to help and don't know how to do this. "Moan, moan", I hear you say. "Get of your backside and find out what you can do!"
It doesn't seem to be that easy given the suspicion with which Aboriginal people understandably regard we non-indigenes. I still remember walking through classrooms of Aboriginal children and hearing the whispers of Watjala (white man).
Go for it my indigenous brothers and sisters. Find the solutions and if nobodies like me can help by just teaching someone the skills of learning seek us out. I would help with no sense of wanting one ounce of gratitude or kudos. I owe it to you my indigenous brothers and sisters because my forebears took your lands away from you and mangled your many cultures.
GD (Stands for Grandad as I am well and truly an elder of my tribe)
Pat Dodson is a Philosopher King of his people and Australia must listen to him and others of the same order of wisdom.
The bad news is that the suicide and incarceration rate amongst Aboriginal youth is high. There must be an answer!
I feel so powerless as a non-indigenous Australian to assist the Aboriginal cause. I did what I could in my career as an educator but now in retirement just sit and rejoice in the good news stories and cry over the bad news stories that predominate the evolution of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I know that the solutions lie with the Aboriginal people but I long to help and don't know how to do this. "Moan, moan", I hear you say. "Get of your backside and find out what you can do!"
It doesn't seem to be that easy given the suspicion with which Aboriginal people understandably regard we non-indigenes. I still remember walking through classrooms of Aboriginal children and hearing the whispers of Watjala (white man).
Go for it my indigenous brothers and sisters. Find the solutions and if nobodies like me can help by just teaching someone the skills of learning seek us out. I would help with no sense of wanting one ounce of gratitude or kudos. I owe it to you my indigenous brothers and sisters because my forebears took your lands away from you and mangled your many cultures.
GD (Stands for Grandad as I am well and truly an elder of my tribe)
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