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The Forum > Article Comments > Indigenous Australians in the year of living dangerously > Comments

Indigenous Australians in the year of living dangerously : Comments

By Graham Ring, published 15/2/2006

Cultural museums; shared responsibility agreements; communal ownership of land - there’s a tricky twelve months ahead for Indigenous Australia.

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Dear Graham,
I am all argued out. For the last two years I have been in the press, briefed state and federal politicians - on both sides, organised rallies and even tried to understand mutual obligation, all to no avail. The politicians are on a ideological ride to nowhwere and will listen to very few people. I for one have no choice but watch this disaster happen and be a part of cleaning it up when they realise ow wrong they have been. Personally I would like to walk away but this is impossible because it is about people and not just an intellectual argument.
Posted by Antigone, Wednesday, 15 February 2006 6:21:19 PM
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personally, i find the process far too ad-hoc and greatly lacking in certainty.

i am currently involved in negotiating an sra (shared responsibility agreement) and rpa (regional partnership agreement) in my community but i am not a willing participant, i have been coerced by force to that table. what other choice do we have if we want to do constructive things in our community.

the lack of legislation to cover these types of agreements makes the process wishy-washy and ad-hoc. the goal posts can move at any given time ultimately affecting the original outcomes. there is no certainty for aboriginal and islander communities that the goverment will deliver its part of the bargain. there are no binding rules to fall back upon to compel action or delivery. litigation would prove expensive and timely and in the mean time the problems keep coming.

the process is verging on unconscionable, the bargaining powers of the agreement parties are unbalanced in the favour of one side.

prima facae it looks all gold, its been dressed up and presented very nicely to communities by howards icc/opic crew, but scratch the surface a little and you'll find that all that glitters is not gold.

however, the ultimate test is time, so for now we wait and see.
Posted by kalalli, Thursday, 16 February 2006 6:31:14 AM
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As I read this article I was struck at the similarities between the Australian Aborigine and the Native American Indian. Both cultures helped the interlopers gain a foothold in their country and paid a high price for their hospitality. Now as two hundred years ago these cultures are told they should want more and better for their children. This is the Christian government voice speaking. A voice that wants to convert and subvert all cultures for their own.

Here's an odd thought, there is nothing wrong with an indigenous cultures belief system. In fact, it is more ethical and spiritual than Christianity. It is a shame that Christian beliefs were ever introduced to these people because they never would have been subjected to the destructive influences otherwise.

Do them a favor and leave them alone as much as possible. Just give them the support they need to continue as before the White man ever showed up.
Posted by Patty Jr. Satanic Feminist, Thursday, 16 February 2006 7:30:30 PM
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Welcome to LOL Patty

I have checked out your blog and enjoy your posts.

Your observations about the similarities between our indigenous cultures are spot on.

I would be interested to know how American indigenous people are coping and what strategies they have to survive with their dignity intact - all I know about are the casinos on reservations.

Respect and dignity are values demanded by the dominant culture (anglo/christian) and yet not extended to others. I'm sure you've noticed the vitriolic nature of many (not all) christian posters - they are currently in the ascendency here and any who hold a different perspective are treated with fear and loathing (apologies Hunter S.).
Posted by Scout, Saturday, 18 February 2006 9:13:07 AM
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With regard to how American Indians are coping in the new America. They experience a higher rate of alcoholism, diabetes, and obesity. They are still being conned by the government. Referring to the most recent lobbyist scandal. Of course the casinos are their greatest revenge. We go there often to assuage our white guilt.

I was a caregiver for an American Indian family when I lived in Missoula, Montana. They are a people who care deeply about their heritage. They struggle with the same issues as any other family paying bills, medical care, staying healthy, and keeping the family together. Trying to steer their young people in a positive direction. There is still a lot of prejudice against the Indian here even after all these years. That same feeling is present among the American Indian population as well. You only notice these things when you live near a reservation and live in a neighboring town. But you know the saying, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Posted by Patty Jr. Satanic Feminist, Monday, 20 February 2006 2:12:18 AM
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Hi all
Iv'e just joined up and put a rave on the terra nullius thread. I wont repeat it but I would like to draw your attention to http://www.kalkadoon.org
This site is owned by "Aboriginal Women Reclaiming Culture and land (AWRCAL)

Shared responsibility agreements, indigenous business development, C.D.E.P. (Aboriginal work for the dole) and most training options are flawed for the basic reason is they are based on white ways of doing things. AWRCAL is looking at developing black ways of training and doing business. To explain I will ask the question - what has more cultural integrity? training traditional dancers to be casual employees of a white entrepreneur to perform on stage, or training a family to run a manufacturing business where elders are in control and distribute profit amongst the family the same way meat is distributed after a hunt.

present training and development paradigms are designed to fail. e.g. small business development is often seen as the step out of the welfare cycle. However this must be understood in the context of 2/3 of small Australian businesses fail, many resulting in bancruptcy. Is this strategy realy a light on the horizon?

King Canute
Posted by King Canute, Monday, 20 February 2006 5:35:24 AM
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