BD, Well, much to the mortification of the majority of 'Strayans', my mob are continuing to struggle not to blown down. But it seems when the shoes are on their feet they can't relate to the the sense of purpose in our political claims at all. Don't you find it interesting at many of negative comments about this article come from people who have never been to Africa. Very small town thinking indeed.

Ranier.. well.. each to his own on the postings.. I guess various individuals have a limited 'white' perspective on some of this, not a criticism, more of an observation.

Your 'mob' don't need to be blown over by us, and I hope you never will be. In truth, all I want is for the indigenous side of Australia to come to grips with the unchangable historic reality of 'now' and be the best people they can be. You seem to be doing ok.

As you well know, my view on this is that people will be transformed when they are 'in Christ', and I don't see any other way. There are other apparent ways of course, but they end up being circular arguments about historic injustice, rights etc etc. I'm sure there are structural injustices present, just like for the Irish during post Cromwell, absentee (Anglican) landlords owning most of Catholic Ireland... and where such structural injustices can be addressed and fixed, I'm all for it.

My biggest concern is that indigenous people might be attracted to a radical Islam, via intermarraige and prison conversions, where Islamic theology would place them on the side of "Allah and his apostle" who own the world, and 'Fight them wherever u find them' (i.e. those attacking Islam) as opposed to the 'Honor the Emperor'idea of Christianity, couple this with some strategic Arab funding for up and coming 'freedom fighters' along with fundamental discontent and we have a very ugly situation brewing.

In fact, its almost like this was plucked out of a Marxist revolutionary handbook, except that Arab money is available and they believe in Allah.

The pseudo Christian Bogomils of Bosnia joined the Ottoman Turks for similar reasons. (and became Muslims)

Not exactly on topic, but meant to be helpful as something to reflect about.

DB, just a little nudge, mate. Indigenous begins with an upper case 'I'. Many Aboriginal people do not recognise white sovereignty and as such prefer any reference to Aboriginal Australia to have a capital signifier. At the risk of being labelled a 'leftie', it is a courtesy that is not without its merits.

Before I commence I would like to say that I am a white male, of Irish heritage.

Africa was always destined to destroy itself but white people certainly helped! I was talking to a very well-traveled man once who told me that the worst places on earth are those that England has been the longest.

How true. My father has sponsored children in Tanzania and South America, two places that Europeans have s_it on. And now I sponsor a young boy in India, a country rooted by poms.

As for Australia, I support Aboriginal Australians (real Australians), I do not celebrate Australia day (invasion day) and am personally ashamed of my white ancestors for their brutal mistreatment of native Australians. I grew up around Aboriginal people who were my neighbours and we have a respect that will never be lost.

As a teacher I have a strong commitment to teaching Aboriginal children while allowing them to speak and write in their own dialect. I feel obligated to give these children the best opportunity possible to embrace and uphold their remarkable culture while gaining the skills necessary to function in a country dominated by white poms.

Yes you are right, white people have a lot to answer for.

Some small minded people making comments about Africa,people who may have never ever, left their backyards . Visit a foreign country first,try and find-out where your computer was made, or why nice clothes never cost Australians hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
Or why foreign tourist are so important to Australia's economy.Then you can talk about who you don't care about.Noone is an island.

Tubley. I agree with you that Europeans have alot to answer for but 'the very well travelled man' you referred to must either have been french or only ever have travelled to ex-British colonies...

Ivory Coast was a French colony and now has the highest rate of maimed people in the world. Mozambique was Portugese and has the capital (Maputo) with the highest rate of disease. Vietnam (French) struggled for a very long time to overcome a complete lack of infrastructure designed for Vietnamese, as did Algeria. The most terrible places in the world though would have to go to the central African nations including Burundi, the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda-none of which were British colonies.

India and Australia are both examples of colonies where British common law, education and health have prevailed, and while it must be recognised that the indigenous in Australia have been treated poorly, it must be acknowledged that if they had been under Portugese, French or Spanish rule it is doubtful any would be left.