Still waiting

We go to our Australian Christmas still unsure whether the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will be recognised in the Australian Constitution.

We know that the Uluru recommendation for a top Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander body to advise the federal parliament is not accepted at this stage.  The federal government is making a grave error in not accepting this recommendation.  Such a body could comprise leaders from the various indigenous nations within Australia and feed grassroots concerns direct to the federal government.  Thus we would have the potential for informed change from the ground up, not the top down with politicians far removed from the real local issues calling the shots.  Will we ever learn?

In outlining his broad goals for 2018 I didn't hear any mention by Prime Minister Turnbull about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  Shame!

May the Force be with us as we try to right the wrongs of 1788!


GD

How long do we have to wait

With the Australian Federal government in disarray and having just rejected a major Uluru announcement, indigenous Australians must be tearing their hair out.  Our government says it wants to listen and take advice from indigenous communities, but when that advice is super serious yet doesn't suit, it is rejected.

I am not indigenous but very sympathetic to the cause of indigenous Australians and I am appalled at what the Federal Government isn't doing for the First Australians.

May the Force be with our country as it tries to get it right!


GD

Shame on the Australian Federal Government

We are in the hands of a Federal Government that can't seem to get things right.  With almost every bit of legislation that they hail as a wonderful way forward there is almost inevitably a glitch.

Now they have rejected outright one of the best ideas for advancing the way for indigenous Australians.  From the recent Uluru gathering came the recommendation that as part of constitutional recognition of indigenous Aussies the practical way forward was to create an indigenous advisory body that the federal parliament calls upon when making legislation about indigenous affairs.  They would be like honorary members of the parliament with a very special role.  Some might even be members of parliament.

I am not one for self praise but I was thrilled when this recommendation was made as about two years ago I wrote a long letter to the relevant politicians suggesting that representatives from the various Aboriginal nations be elected to create such a body.  The indigenous communities across Australia are not one body but a set of tribes or nations each needing its own voice close to the legislating politicians.  This way the politicians hear the message from the grass roots and create ways forward that are not 'one size fits all'.  There are some wonderful Aboriginal leaders out there some of whom work in their local communities, some of whom work in wider society as doctors, lawyers and elected politicians.  I regard some of these great leaders as akin to the Philosopher Kings that Plato espoused.

Shame on the Federal Government for rejecting this recommendation.  They know full well that such a body would recommend things that would make the MPs uncomfortable.  Time for some, dare I say, political guts and bullet biting.

I had temporarily deleted this blog but resurrected it because of this latest shameful act.  I just had to get it all out there and would love to be part of one great voice that pressures the government to get its act together. One voice, add another voice, add another voice and so on and the message becomes loud and clear.


May the Force be with you!

GD

Rewriting some of Australia's history

A rather heated conversation pervades the Australian scene on whether we need to recast our history to recognise that 26 January 1788 was to many of our indigenous Aboriginal peoples an invasion by Britain.

The eastern coast of what is now Australia was discovered by Captain Cooke circa 1770 but the truth was that the land he discovered had already been inhabited by the Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years.  On this basis many now want the statue of Cooke to reflect this so that we will no longer think of him as the discoverer of the east coast.

Cooke's information was followed up to bring about the settlement on 26 January 1788 by British convicts and British soldiers under Governor Arthur Phillip.  From this day forward the Aboriginal peoples were gradually dispossessed of their tribal lands.  Their culture(s) were desecrated and the attempt was made to convert them to Christianity.

2017 still finds severe disadvantage amongst many Aboriginal people.  This week the arguments for some rewriting of the history to bring out the real truth of what occurred so long ago was eloquently propounded by the respected Aboriginal journalist Stan Grant.  Well done Stan you are very much on the mark and should not be put off by those who oppose what you have suggested.

I always thought that history was a dynamic text that needed updating in terms of new evidence or recognition of extant evidence that now needed to be taken into consideration.

We will be a more mature nation if we can follow Stan's lead.

May the Force for tolerance and recognition be with us!


GD

The disaster that is Roebourne

The town of Roebourne in Western Australia is under the spotlight with recent stark revelations of child abuse amongst its largely indigenous population.  The implementation of the welfare card system is very much seen as a circuit breaker to allow more lasting reform to take over.

Maybe this circuit breaker is needed but unless the indigenous peoples themselves work hard for the longer term solutions then only more suffering is likely to occur.  The great indigenous leaders, and there are many, both men and women, could step up and get the job done.  I visualise a great leader like Patrick Dodson (and others) walking through the Roebourne community like a colossus, like a Philosopher King at whose feet the residents will sit and listen.

No child, indigenous or non indigenous, should have to daily live in fear of abuse from adults in the grip of substances that take away all powers of human concern and reasoning.  They should be free of this fear tonight, tomorrow and every day for the rest of their lives.  Action must occur tonight, tomorrow and the next day until this flawed culture of abuse is replaced by a humane way of acting that shows concern for the inalienable rights of each human being on this earth.


May the Force be with us!



GD

Alice Springs Australia - March Against Domestic Violence

Large numbers have marched against domestic violence in the central Australian town Alice springs. Most of the marchers were indigenous Australians with women in the majority.

All hail these peaceful protestors.  I hope there was a lot of listening to this cry for safety and security  in the lives of all Australians, especially in their own homes.

I need my fellow males to stand up and be counted in this matter.

I offer this quote from a member of a family which suffered an extreme consequence of family violence:

"Hold your family close.  Never for a second take them for granted as that will be the second you lose them."


May the Force be with the marchers!


GD

A people divided about the Northern Territory intervention in Australia

Last night I viewed on TV the Q & A program with a panel largely comprised of indigenous Australians.  It became apparent that there is division amongst indigenous persons about whether the federal government intervention 10 years ago was effective, or resulted in a weakening of indigenous self determination efforts about where they want to be in this second decade of the 21st century.

I pray that my indigenous brothers and sisters can be self determining again and that they move quickly across their communities to ensure that domestic violence and high rates of youth incarceration are reigned in.  One very poor outcome of the intervention was the denigrating of indigenous men as the perpetrators of domestic violence and child abuse.  The evidence across Australia is that indigenous and non-indigenous males are more likely to carry out domestic violence so the finger cannot just be pointed at indigenous males.  I have met many fine indigenous men and we have plenty of examples of high profile law abiding and socially responsible indigenous men across the Australian population.

Let us all step up together, indigenous and non indigenous persons, to stamp out domestic violence and child abuse.  Let us stand united in shaping Australian society under the umbrella of the UN Charter of Human Rights.  A first step might be to have an Australian version of this Charter.

May the Force be with us!



GD

Suicide in the Kimberleys of Western Australia

Another report of 13 suicides of indigenous youth in the Kimberley region.  One who took their  life was age 10.  This still occurring after many inquests and reports over the years into this very problem.

Come on indigenous leaders I believe you can reduce this scourge on your people.  This is a crucial issue for self determination to come strongly into play.

Youth suicide happens in the non indigenous population so don't feel that the focus is especially on the indigenous communities.  It is an issue for you, so whatever has happened to indigenous people since 1788, while exceptionally relevant, the reality today is desperate youth taking their own lives : your youth.

(See Clarke Tim, "Answers sought over suicides",  The West Australian, 27 June 2017, p16)

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

May the Force be with you!


GD

The Northern territory intervention has its 10th anniversary

Ten years ago the Federal conservative Australian government took over 73 aboriginal communities suspending land rights legislation in order to do so.  Their reason was the evidence of appalling abuse of children in this communities.  It was about saving children, about giving then security and not having to live in fear of abuse.  The Labor Federal government that followed agreed with the intervention and continued it.

Today on TV there is a call by aboriginal communities for an apology from the current Federal government for this intervention.  The cry is that the intervention had over ridden self determination for the Aboriginal peoples of Australia.  I am a great believer in the self determination argument and am mortified to hear 10 years down the track that reported child abuse has doubled despite the intervention.  A note of caution is that the intervention may have triggered more reporting of abuse but the lack of overall success of the intervention stands.

The intervention also saw less houses available as more old ones were pulled down than new ones built.

Another aspect of the intervention was the taking over of the government social security payments such that they were not to be in cash but quarantined in a welfare card to stop spending on alcohol and drugs instead of the essentials for living.  The jury is out on the success of the welfare card but it is now applied to non aboriginal as well as aboriginal communities and many swear by its positive effects.  However the welfare card system caused some aborigines to lose their work for the dole jobs.

Standing back 10 years down the track any thinking human has to support activity that stops children being abused aboriginal or non aboriginal.  Maybe a brief and temporary intervention would have been better to allow a stronger self determination to take its place.  Very complicated.

Even with my support for self determination by the aboriginal people I don't think anything is to be achieved by the I told you so approach of a government apology.  This is especially the case as we wait for the aboriginal referendum decision that if not watered down constitutionally supports self determination.  We should be impatient for this and at the same time aboriginal communities should be doing everything they can to nurture their children in a safe and happy environment as should also non aboriginal persons.

May the Force be with us for understanding and tolerance!

GD


25 June 2017

Today nn TV I heard a young female aboriginal community worker from Alice Springs in central Australia speak positively about the effects of the intervention particularly from the point of view of women, children and those men who resist violent behaviour in their communities.  She felt it raised awareness and resulted in aboriginal communities working to eliminate violence in aboriginal communities.


May the Force be with all aboriginal Australians!


GD

Makarata - a Treaty or Treaties

On the Q&A program last night we heard from a distinguished panel of indigenous persons about the outcomes of the Uluru discussions.

The key first step is to put to the Referendum Committee the proposal for a voice in the federal parliament with the body carrying that voice to be enshrined in the Constitution.  This body is to be consulted by the government of the day on any legislative matters pertaining to indigenous Australians.  The Referendum Committee will make the detailed recommendation to the government about the structure and functions of the Voice body.

The next step is to look at the idea of a Treaty or Treaties.  It seems that the latter is the likely recommendation such that a Treaty will be negotiated with each of the indigenous nations within Australia.  We were reminded of the major land rights decision for the Noongar peoples of the South West of WA as negotiated with the Western Australian government as a sort of model for this Treaty process.  The difficulty it was felt would be to identify the various indigenous nations especially those which disappeared as such over the years.

As the Q&A TV show progressed I was surprisingly taken aback by the complications of the whole situation.  I hope it is not so complicated that the Australian people as a whole will shrug and give up on what is a momentous occasion in our history.

May the Force be with us!


GD

Finding a way forward

It is hoped that the various groups representing indigenous Australians can find agreement on what they advise the Federal Government to do as a result of the Uluru gathering.

It is also hoped that the Federal government puts in place a mechanism whereby a body that truly represents the various groups of indigenous persons across our wonderful nation becomes a powerful voice in advising the government of the day on indigenous affairs.

Across Australia there are so many great indigenous leaders who can represent the various indigenous groups.  I regard these indigenous leaders as the Philosopher Queens and Kings of their peoples.  I dream of a body that comes together as honorary members of the Federal House of Representatives to advise the government of the day on indigenous self-determined directions when indigenous affairs are on the table. Some of these leaders may already be parliamentarians and this is even better.

Any decisions by the parliament must be bipartisan as this area of concern is no place for party politics.

Over the next 5 years if we don't see marked change to 'reduce the gap' then we have failed once again as a nation.


May the Force be with us in moving forward!


GD

Recommendations from ULURU

It appears that those present at Uluru found that practical matters needing to be dealt with are more important than constitutional recognition of Australia's indigenous peoples.

Good on them!  This is a self-determined position and self determination is the ideal way to go. We wait now to see what the Federal Government will do in respect of the recommendations.

A watershed time for all Australians.


May the Force be with Australians all!



GD

Uluru and the Australian Constitution

The big Uluru meeting of a wide representation of indigenous Australians about recognition of Australia's First Peoples is almost upon us.  Today I saw Andrew Forrest and Jack Thompson, two champions of the cause of the rights of indigenous Australians, beseech the participants to speak as one during this momentous meeting so that the referendum on recognition can happen with a positive outcome.  They were confident the referendum will be carried in the affirmative for recognition and so am I.  There would be only a small minority of Australians who would vote against this outcome and hopefully this small minority represent those who have not taken the time to follow the progress towards this referendum.

May the Force be with all Australians on this watershed historical occasion.


GD

Northern Territory petrol sniffing crisis

It was reported on the TV news today that there is a serious aviation fuel sniffing problem with some 70 indigenous youth in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (NT).  The local adults are on to it and measures have been taken to stop access to the fuel.  I am sure the responsible adults will now look to the underlying cause(s) for such behaviour and take remedial steps.  Sadly the sniffing has led to high levels of lead in the bodies of the perpetrators as aviation fuel contains lead.

Unfortunately the TV footage shows young indigenous persons in the dark of night milking the aviation fuel from charter aircraft parked at the local airport run by the Aboriginal community.  The NT government has now provided security personnel and a guard dog and it is reported that this has stopped the nightly incursions.  The cost of this is some $70,000 per quarter.  A small price to pay to bring this situation under control.

It is all a very bad look for those northern communities and the critics of the behaviour of Aboriginal Australians will have a field day.  What they need to remember is that in communities all across Australia, indigenous and non indigenous, dozens of ice and meth users are using with drastic consequences for their physical and mental health.

I am very sad that the focus has once again been on indigenous communities, especially the remote ones whose continuing existence is often threatened for a set of complex reasons like governments refusing to continue to support essential infrastructure.

I urge my fellow Australians to keep a balanced view and not let such isolated incidents however serious get in the way of building a healthy respect for our indigenous brothers and sisters.


May the Force be with you!


GD

Anticipation

In Australia we are on the brink of a referendum to recognise indigenous Australians, our First People, in the federal constitution.  There is even talk of a Treaty.  Wise people are in committee setting up this much anticipated occasion.

We want it to be a resounding 'yes' vote for constitutional recognition and I have always been sure it would be.  A Treaty is a deeper matter and the ramifications of this are yet to be revealed to we the great unwashed.  I don't fear it.  I would welcome it.

What I fear most is that nothing may change in practical terms for those indigenous persons who still have a lesser life expectancy, suffer kidney and diabetic illness, live in poverty, live in remote communities whose very existence is threatened and who suffer ridiculously high rates of incarceration. The elders who can remember vividly the details of the destruction of their culture(s) deserve to be placed in a situation whereby they can live out their lives with some pride in who and what they are.  The young adults and children deserve every opportunity to be what they want to be and to take advantage of those parts of 21st century living that they aspire to.

We are one people and the non indigenous must, yes I say must, learn to respect their indigenous brothers and sisters.  I have seen some behaviour from indigenous persons in metropolitan Perth that is a major concern but the same applies to many non indigenous persons.  This errant behaviour from a few is no reason to disrespect a wider population trying to do the right thing.

Are we on the brink of a breakthrough for indigenous Australians all?  I have faith and hope that this is the case.  I've tried my hardest as an educator to help, but being non indigenous such help is not always welcomed and understandably can be viewed as interference in the self determination that is undoubtedly the way forward for indigenous Australians. I guess it is me thinking have I done enough in my career that is now over.  I'm not wimping or moaning I am just concerned to see it all go well before I leave this mortal coil.


May the Force be with us all!


GD

OPEC criticises successive Australian governments

OPEC rightly claims that these governments over the years have not done enough to support and assist indigenous Australians to overcome the lingering grief and hurt of the invasion of their lands by the British, and the resulting destruction wrought on their culture(s).

Today there is some concern about the quarantine of cash for use on welfare cards so that indigenous persons cannot waste money on alcohol and drugs. It is claimed to be working whatever that means.  It is not on the surface a self determined solution, but there are claims that the current Federal Government will not or cannot release the names of indigenous leaders who support this welfare card solution.  The government says many of these leaders do not want their names released.  I must say I can believe this as there are nuances in Aboriginal culture that might make this true and too many Australians make no attempt to understand these nuances or are ignorant of them.

Again over the last weekend during the football clash between Port Adelaide and Adelaide there were dreadful and callous racial slurs made by fans at the game towards two indigenous football stars. Racism is alive and well in my country and sits just under the surface breaking out every now and then.  Not good enough.

May the Force for racial tolerance be amongst us all!


GD

The latest on closing the gap for indigenous Aussies

The latest report turned up many of the old chestnuts of failure to see change for the better.  One ray of sunshine was an improvement in the numbers of indigenous Aussies participating in higher education.

Come on PM Turnbull get with opposition leader Bill Shorten and show some innovation and sustainable bi-partisan concern.

May the Force be with all Aussies.  We are one.


GD

Australia Day January 26th

On January 26th 1788 the NSW colony was founded and the land and its indigenous people were forced to accept the white intruders from England.  Most Aussies rejoice on 26 January that they love being in this blessed land, but many indigenous Aussies see it as the day of invasion and the beginning of the destruction of their many cultures.

It's a tough question with one senior Aboriginal elder recently coming out and beseeching his people to forgive and rejoice in being Australian on Australia Day.  I am sure his views will be fiercely rejected by many of his brothers and sisters.

I feel we can have an Australia Day for all once we become a Republic, being then divorced from the ties to England and all it stood for in 1788.  I mean no disrespect to England and the English.  My grandad came to Western Australia from England and bought land for farming.

There has been much pressure for and against in respect of changing the date from January 26.  An alternative is to time the institution of a Republic on January 26 and name it Republic Day with ceremonies of citizenship on that day. It will be a new beginning as we celebrate the birth of the Republic to which we belong as one.  January 26 will not officially celebrate the 1788 settlement but those who wish can celebrate in whatever way they want.  It would be a holiday anyhow as it has become Republic day.

We must become a Republic and asap.  We cannot wait for the Queen to die. The world must think we are still a bit juvenile hanging on to the ties to England.  Unless I am mistaken even Queen Elizabeth is a bit nonplussed that we have not already become a republic.

Join the republican movement ARM and help us to achieve this vital change.


May the Force be with you!



GD

Hermansberg in South Australia

A few days ago I viewed a TV program on this remote Aboriginal community.  I know these communities well having visited nearly every remote community in WA in a former career as an educator.  I've written about my views on how well we educators did in other posts in this blog.  I felt we did poorly in our work despite great efforts by conscientious teachers.  We did not sufficiently  embrace the local cultures in what we did.

Hermansberg was established as a Mission station by the Lutherans in the 19th century.  History shows that this was often a disaster and the beginning of the end of the local Aboriginal culture.  To the great delight of my wife and myself we discovered that the Lutheran brethren had from the beginning of their time recognised the local culture and set about translating Christian hymns into the local language.  In the TV program we saw and heard a choir singing these hymns and saw pages of the script in the local language.

A local man was loud in his praise of how the Lutherans retained much of the local culture particularly the language.

My observations here are not to say that Christian missionary zeal was the way to go for these remote places.  However in this case the harm to the local culture was minimised and well done Lutherans. Hermansberg is a dry community having suffered the ravages of alcohol at one stage in its life, presumably after the Lutherans had gone.

Well done Hermansberg you are a lighthouse community for the Aboriginal people.

Great to have good news.


May the Force be with you.

GD