Let's not overlook the fact of innocent joggers and passers by in this public area being menaced by the aborigines who lit this fire, and the police officers, being told by an aborigine, dressed like a clown, that they had no authority in the area. Or, the white person having a metre long tree branch waived in his face.

Then, of course, there were the council rangers sent to extinguish the fire who had to beat a hasty retreat from these thugs, knowing that they would receive no support from the council if they were assaulted for the job they were sent to do by weak white men.

These stupid, nasty acts by some indigenous Australians certainly "draw attention", as the author says. They draw it away from the majority of decent aborigines who want no part in such tom foolery. The likes of Robert Corawa and his deadbeat mates serve only to harden attitudes towards all indigenous Australians.

When every Australian can set up tents in public parks AND light fires then we will know that in Australia we really are all equal.
I wonder if I would be allowed to push MY book on public forums!

Ive responded to a few posts like leighs on other lines of this forum, dealing with different cultural perspectives, so I won't repeat them here. I would like however to ask the question of leigh and others what motivates you to write such posts. It is true that there are serious cultural clashes in this country, that manifest in different ways such as young people off their faces snatching bags through to elders and leaders defending cultural places, not necessarily politely to those who approach without politenes.

White Australia needs to get over it's disapproval of what Aboriginality is. While people are busy fuss-potting and bad mouthing anything Aboriginal, they are incapable of hearing anything. What is needed now is listening. Aboriginal people have been listening to white people for a long time now. It is our turn to listen, with open minds and hearts. There are a lot of Aboriginal people who speak good English now so we can understand.

Mr. Hagans article points to two different ways that Aboriginal Australia says things, there are many more including Mr. Hagan's writings here and elsewhere. Kneejerk reactions, while giving white people some access point into the conversation, only state the obvious - that there is a deep conflict.

If we European folks learnt to be a bit more tolerent of different perspectives - especially where anger comes from - in Aboriginal people and in ourselves, and then considered the situation and brought open minded positive constructive things to the discussion - from any culture or opinion, we might be able to see a revitalisation of the dormant reconcilliation movement.

If our access point into the conversation was motivated by positive change for us all we could avoid the inevitable escalating crises. Camp sovereignty is tame. Redfern rioted and Palm Island burnt down the police station. This conflict is not going to go away without positive solutions involving change for everyone, Aboriginal and migrant.

My children and I were regular visitors to Camp Sovereignty - because of the wonderful, welcoming and spiritual feel of the place. There was no violence - if joggers felt intimidated then the problem was with them and their inability to respect and embrace diversity.
I acknowledge the unique status of Indigenous Australians as the original custodians of lands and waters - both those who choose to succeed as white fellas and those who find strength from the healing powers of the fire and the sacredness of the mother earth. All have important messages to share with us - if we will only listen.

Fairlie Arthur

I sometimes wish NIHEN'was

game-enough to do a campsite.

But times have changed it seems.(or so I'm told)