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