How about aborigines learning English so that they can get jobs instead of stitting around in remote camps.

Get real.
How about learning more relevant languages such as Mandarin,Hindi or even English!
socratease

Stephen
I can appreciate your embarrassment being present in a ceremony where you could not understand the language being spoken.

I have been in the same position and wrote a piece for this forum detailing the occasion and proposing that Australian schools teach an indigenous language as an option to Mandarin,Bahasa, Greek, French and German as are presently offered.<http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=7327>

The piece received much the same response from the Philistines in our midst as your first two comments.
I remember another occasion where an Aboriginal delegate on a cultural visit to China became incensed when he had to speak to Chinese Officials through an interpreter despite the Chinese Officials being fluent in 'Engrish'.

Of course the Chinese have every right to conduct important affairs in their own language.

I believe your suggestion has considerable merit since we do not have a unique "Australian Language" other than Indigenous languages, a number of which are already developed in a curricular form ready to be included into language faculty.

I also contend that recognition of Aboriginal language would go a long way towards real reconciliation; So don't be deterred, continue with the thought and get the Reconciliation Commissioners on side too to do something practical other than talk.

After looking into the LOTE issues and possible solutions I am coming to believe that the use of Esperanto in the National Curriculum from year 1 would be the best way of encouraging the continuation of secondary languages. Reports, both in favour and against the use of this language as an International language, from around the world do have a trend to advocate the use of Esperanto as a prepartory language, making the learning of a tertiary language easier.

This tertiary language could be taught from year 5 and it is at this stage the I would like to see indiginous languages be offered along with other languages from around the world. Whilst I can see some of the benefits of choosing one of the many in existence and use in Australia; I believe that each Country should be teaching its own language to those that live in it. This way the cultural restoration of many Countries can be achieved. Parts of Australia already have policies that encourage the teaching of local indiginous languages as an aide to cultural restoration. Why not all?

maracas wrote: "The piece received much the same response from the Philistines in our midst as your first two comments."

By 'Philistines' I assume you mean all those who see absolutely no reason to waste taxpayers dollars teaching archaic languages spoken by only a minute fraction of the total population.

Maori pride causes them to maintain cultural practice including the continuance of language.
Such pride is not immediately evident in indigenous Autralian society.
It would appear that the Maori language is free from the great number of dialects that afflict Autralian aboriginal language, itself a sign of disunity, past and present, amongst Australian aborigines.

It's the old leading a horse to water argument. If the aborigines haven't been willing to find it within themselves to sit together and develop a common language for mutual benefit, then they never will.
Nor will they (quietly) work for common cultural good. They are prepared to let events overtake and overturn them. Yes, they are apathetic. The Maori are not, obviously.

I would be interested to hear if anyone knows the degree to which each of the two afore-mentioned groups fund their activities.