There can be no adequate perpetual lease payment to the descendents of the first nations here without proudly acknowleding that their history is foundational to Australia's settled history of some sixty thousand years and PAYING respect to it as such.
The theft of their land pulled out the rug from under the possibility of Aborigines continuing with their traditional way of life en masse. Together with the rest of systematic atrocities and thefts, such as for long forbidding their use of native languages (many of which, because of this, by now have become irretreavably lost), the systemic stealing of a generation, the undermining of the traditional authority and leadership of Aborigine elders, etc, all these inflicted such colossal demage on first nations that the result was an almost total wipe out and demoralisation of these nations. The survivors suffered such multigenerational disintegration and trauma that it requires a concerted and compassionate effort by a combination of Aborigine leadership and national solidarity to achieve gradual healing.

"jo reggelt kivanok," Andris,

It is essential for Australians, especially young
students, to have genuine opportunities to
learn about this nation's past and share
in our complete and balanced national story.

History is what it is. We should know the truth
about it.

I've only recently learned about my ancestors
country's history - not all of it was positive.
But at least now I am beginning to learn the truth.

Andris,
Do you live on stolen land ? If so why ?
I bought land on which the wasn't even the slightest sign of any previous occupation par the regular Wallabies.
I pay taxes of which some goes to indigenous causes. I have indigenous neighbours who are divided by one family who wants to sell a mining lease to a Chinese company but most don't want that to happen. They're already receiving very handsome dividends from another mine on their land.
Why on earth are you living on stolen land ? Don't you feel guilty doing so ?

Laba diena or Good afternoon Foxy.
Foxy as Churchill said 'Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.'
Fortunately, Aussie schools start to tell some of the truth about the Invasion and colonialisation.
I wrote about migrant integration and refugees here:
https://startsat60.com/author/andris-heks
where nearly 80 of my articles are posted. Please see my you tube play about the re-emergence of Stalinist/Maoist totalitarianism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pib8v6PBSQ
The Barty article is now republished here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pib8v6PBSQ
Strolling down, it is currantly the ninth article on the right.
The comments there are from Aussie, NZ and US viewers.
Of the thirty comments so far, this is a typical one:
'I agree with all those comments and I too, was so taken with her calm determination, her strength, both physically and emotionally. What we witnessed when she finally came together with her partner and team in the hallway was, as stated in the blog, a truly a private moment but one we were privileged to witness. We could see her shoulders drop with relief. No doubt her joy and pride in the win would follow later when privately celebrating with her team. A truly wonderful Ambassador for all Australians.'
All the commentators applaud Barty.
My reply to 'Individual's comment above:
Yes, I do live on stolen land, together with all the migrants who came to this country since the Invasion. But our native brothers and sisters are gracious enough not to tell us to get out and give back all their stolen land.
Rather, what they ask for is, as I said above, 1 The acknowlegement of this theft, 2 The recognition of indigenous history and culture as a foundational basis of Australian history 3 Adequate granting of land rights 4 Constitutional recognition and official Aborigines sent representation in Federal Parliament. 5 A treaty 6 Genuine sorrow on the part of the people of this land about the shocking injustices done to the indigenous population of this country through the invasion and through many years of colonialisation.
Please see my poem:
https://startsat60.com/opinion/blogs/australias-poet-lorikeet-denis-kevans-megalong-gundangurra-werriberri

Thank You Andris for sharing your work with me.
I'm very moved. Your write beautifully.
I Loved your poem. I compiled an anthology of
anti-war poetry of Australian authors and discovered
quite a few Aboriginal writers in the process.
Kevin Gilbert was a surprise.

I write short stories for children and young adults. Stories
about puffless dragons, big-footed pixies, bully cats,
prankster spirits, glass slippers, and cursed storms.
To name just a few.

Thank You again for sharing.

Andris,
I see where you're coming from & it is noble thinking. I've had the same sentiments in the early days when I first started working/living in remote communities. It took about six weeks some 42 years ago to dampen my idealism.
The older indigenous people were absolutely fine folk. The younger ones had already been indoctrinated by Leftist ideology & this they brought back to the communities which then became divided.
Cannabis & alcohol did the rest to ruin whatever harmony had been. I recall talking with the Deputy Premier of Qld (Labor) & he said that it was hoped that Cape York could become the indigenous State of Australia. It was his Govt that then flooded the communities with Public Servants & took away any chance the Indigenous had to self determination. They took away a system in which a Chairman/woman was the authority in the community & who was respected by the people. Progress was gradual but progress it was. When this system was dismantled, incompetent bureaucrats did what incompetent bureaucrats do & the rest is unrecorded history !