[continued]

period. 'Leaders appointing dedicated staff' ….. ah, there's the rub: they would appoint their mates, their relations maybe, but not dedicated staff. So yet another potentially valuable position converted into a no-work salary-burner.

But as you suggest, Indigenous graduates are not going away, for the convenience of their 'leaders'.

Re your latest post:

Part of the problem may be that nobody, NOBODY, ever talks about Indigenous success at universities - and I would suggest that if the equivalent of a fifth of an age-group is graduating from university, that's success. And where else is there any comparable Indigenous success ?

Perhaps that's the racism of low expectations raising its vile head yet again, as well as the pig-ignorant notion that all real Blackfellas live in the safely remote areas, nowhere near Balmain or Carlton. So, for the chattering classes, it's just inconceivable that Indigenous people might be going to uni, let alone graduating. But they are, doing both. And there's no mileage for Indigenous 'leaders' to point out the success of forty thousand, even if they knew of it, or of what it signified.

Indigenous 'leaders' are just as much at fault: if they know anything at all about the fields they have been parachuted into to do limitless damage, surely it is that - apart from themselves - many Indigenous people, fully qualified, are having trouble finding employment. Of course, it's not their concern, since they've found positions, if not actual work, so why should they care ?

But clearly somebody should. Otherwise it's a stain on our conscience.

Still, live in hope: from little things, big things grow. I don't mean the fart-around symbolic issues which mean nothing to most Indigenous people, but which may boost careers of some 'leaders' still further, but real, substantial issues that cry out for resolution.

Cheers,

Joe

Speaking of suitable employment for our indigenous people, from my untrained eye, they are quite competent with many of the trade disciplines. Though completely unskilled, many of the 'structures' I've seen them erect, are pretty good though crudely executed.

We had this young black fella, sentenced to 14 days cellular confinement, by the visiting magistrate and within 36 hours he was beside himself with both boredom and depression, even though he wasn't locked up, only at night?

Faced with the dilemma of what to do with this young bloke, transfer him to Broken Hill gaol, or what? Anyway to his absolute delight, we chose to put him to work under the direction of the (acting) police matron, and he was as happy as a lark, doing all these little odd jobs 'round the Station, the official residence, and yards. Officially, he should not have been asked to work, he was detained for 14 days nothing more. Ostensibly to give him a chance to completely 'dry out' and to curb his volatility when inebriated.

In his case, if he could land a job as an apprentice in any of the manual trades, he'd probably do very well indeed - NOT a University education, it wouldn't suit him, nor his way of life. He'd much prefer to see the results and benefits arising from all his hard work, which would go a long way of inculcating a true sense of purpose and satisfaction. And more importantly, establishing that all important 'RESPECT' ! And that's a commodity money can't buy for our Aussie blacks!

O sung wu, this is what I thought many of the outback communities in particular were about, the establishment of locations where traditional people inscribed with traditional ways adjusted to the basics of western living as a sort of archway. Places where people could enjoy being aboriginal yet begin to acquire cultural and basic vocational skills that would enable them to move more easily in and out of white society rather than remain a prey to it.

I loathed Tony Abbott consequently for that myopic and ignorant, horribly harsh, gross comment about aborigines and "lifestyle" and the sense that this sort of person feels that fellow humans are just obstacles to be bulldozed aside, for white folk, sole receptacles of virtue and entitlement in a hard world.

'afternoon to you PAUL...

I couldn't agree with you more. To re-locate many of these people to cities, in order they may attend some academic facility, unless it's to pursue an occupation, or career that they themselves would really wish to pursue, is of little value to them, either individually or collectively.

To embrace any practical and experiential course of training that prepares them for suitable employment in a trade or discipline, where they themselves are most comfortable, and where possible, among their own friends and relatives, is positively ideal and will probably create a climate calculated for success!

Apropos Tony ABBOTT, I couldn't disagree with you more PAUL! As PM he spent a week a year visiting a remote tribe and getting to know of their fears, feelings and concerns. Whether this strategy worked or it was merely a 'stunt', I wouldn't know? But I'd respectfully suggest, neither would anyone else?

'I loathed Tony Abbott consequently for that myopic and ignorant, horribly harsh, gross comment about aborigines and "lifestyle" and the sense that this sort of person feels that fellow humans are just obstacles to be bulldozed aside, for white folk, sole receptacles of virtue and entitlement in a hard world.'

Paul

can u name another pollie who used their own leave to work in Indigeneous communities. I loathed pollies like Rudd who would grandstand by making 'apologies' to the applause of those in the aboriginal industry with the net affect of helping those in communities being zero.

Hi O Sung Wu,

Around three-quarters of the Indigenous population live in urban areas. Perhaps another 15 % live in rural towns, and the other 10 % in remote areas. There's quite a bit of movement from one to the other.

Of course, since most universities are in urban areas, the people living there are more able to access university education. In major rural towns, many TAFE or VET courses are available, including apprenticeships and trade-training. In remote areas, there's usually 200 % of bugger-all. With difficulty, people are able to move from remote areas to rural towns and to urban areas and take up the opportunities there. They have been doing that for nearly forty years now.

The general community, and certainly the Indigenous community, need people with all manner of skills. Instead of bemoaning the lack of resources available in rural and remote areas, 'leaders' and staff at TAFE colleges and universities could, and should, be trying to devise pathways for Indigenous people, no matter where they are, to access TAFE colleges and/or university.

Christ, we were trying to do that thirty five years ago - what the hell has happened to Indigenous support programs ? Hasn't anybody in student support got any initiative at all these days ? Is it all just a job now ? 9 to 5, and bugger off ? The odd BS conference ?

Joe