Maybe instead of teaching the making of possum skin cloaks, it would be beneficial to teach the girls simple dressmaking and the boys could learn basic woodworking , useful things that were once taught in primary schools.
I read that the people of Wadeye stated there were not enough places for the children of that community even though few attended school regularly.
What is wrong with transmitting "School of the Air" to those remote places,with computers now in general use,it could be done with a bit of resolve and a lot of will power instead of the lethargic,'won't power' that seems to impede every positive suggestion.
It is only a hundred years or so since education became the norm, let the Aboriginal children have a chance at life now.

Hey now, fair crack of the whip, Mickijo! Never mind the simple dressmaking, as I'm sure possum cloaks would make a fair trendier fashion accessory than the hair shirts the “compassionate lefties” now wear with their designer gear.

And maybe it’s the economic answer to the remote Aboriginal communities where according to ASH, the inhabitants have nothing better to do than to take drugs, drink grog (and rape babies, I might add!). All of which he directly blames on European "settlement". Surely you mean “invasion”, ASH?

The men could hunt for the possums and the women could make the skins into lovely cloaks , for sale under a “Koori Kool Kloaks” label. I’m quite sure the fashionistas would kill for the privilege of owning something so traditionally Aboriginal to wear as they whiz around suburbia in their 4WDs. Hell, it all sounds so good, I almost wish I had a piece of the action!

Johnj and Rainier,

Just a question since both of you know more precisely than others relevant studies and their results.

Fifty percent of Indigenous people live in places relatively close to city services. Twenty five percent live in remote communities. Are you aware of any studies or figures kept or that are available on health and mortality statistics of those Indigenous in remote communities as opposed to those who live within relative close proximity to city services?

Donna

Your article and the 'debate' following has given me some pretty powerful links containing very relevant information (Thanks Johnj). That Donna is a huge positive in my eyes.

Thanks.

Leigh

Are you disappointed Indigenous culture and Indigenous people have actually survived into the 21st Century? A reading of your posts so far seem to suggest this is your position.

Keith

Keith, I can't find anything much on remote vs non-remote health. There's a bit in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, Health and Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2005 http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/ihw/hwaatsip05/hwaatsip05-c08.pdf My reading of this report suggests that there's some difference in chronic conditions like diabetes, but not huge. The whole report is at http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10172 and is quite accessible for a non-medico such as myself. There's quite a good health site, based in the Northern Rivers (NSW) area with some indigeous material at http://www.medicineau.net.au/clinical/abhealth/home.html

We've come a long way from the 19th century "pillow for the head of the dying race" policies. These ideas morphed into Social Darwinism; "It seems a law of nature where two races whose stages of progression differ greatly are brought into contact, the inferior race is doomed to wither and disappear" (The Age, 1888) When Aborigines inconveniently refused to die out, they tried "assimilation", which was chucked in favour of "self determination". We then got "reconcilliation" and then "practical reconcilliation" which is now "mutual obligation". Funnily enough, I think that mutual obligation (given enough political will, time, money and consultation) might actually do some good, but notice the spin-cycle is getting faster and faster. I can't wait for the next policy shift, got any suggestions?

As to the "debate", it seems that some posters yearn for simpler times when you could call a "dying race" a "stone-age culture" and everyone would congratulate you on your perspicacity.

Dear Johnj

You note at the end of your last post the following:
"As to the "debate", it seems that some posters yearn for simpler times when you could call a "dying race" a "stone-age culture" and everyone would congratulate you on your perspicacity."

Sorry to disappoint you but I am not yearning for a simpler time or expect contemporary Anangu to disappear. However the Anangu belief system cannot be expected to be sustained much further into the 21st century. It is this belief system (Tjukurpa) that has become archaic.

The major trouble for contemporary Anangu is that some of their leaders along with their backers in Parks Australia continue to delude themselves into thinking that an archaic belief system can provide answers for people living in the 21st century.

This set of delusions is perpetuated in the opening section of the current Plan of Management for the national park. Perhaps the saddest aspect of this delusional behaviour is set out in paragraph three of the Board of Management's "vision" (Page 14 at http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/publications/pubs/uluru_plan_2000.pdf).

Here it states that "(Uluru's) importance as a sacred place, and a national symbol, will be reflected in a high standard of management". It is a great pity for all Anangu that this "high standard of management" has never been extended to the Mutitjulu community in which they live.

Instead far, far too much time has been spent worrying about what film-makers and photographers might image - sacred places/blokey places that shouldn't be seen by women, shock, horror! - and in trying to dissuade (shame) tourists from climbing the Rock.

REDNECK
nice to see some evidence of research there mate.... aboriginal culture of course is diverse, and some of the things you pointed out, while undoubtedly true, would not be universal I'd say.

I hope no one thinks Rednecks account of tribal culture is some myth of his own imagination, or something he dug up from a 'White Supremacist' web site. In Borneo the Kelabits used to fill the mouths of twin babies with salt and store them in jars under the long house to let them die a horrible death, just because twins were a 'bad omen'. I know one of such twins who was rescued, and she is rather appreciative having a life.

If anyone thinks there is high intrinsic cultural value in the slitting of ones penis as described, why not try doing it urself some time ?

Many indigenous cultures are in fact the end result of what I usually describe as "Make_it_up_as_you_go" morality and culture and spirituality.

I find it fascinating that some secularists condemn missionaries for bringing Christ to indigenous peoples and releasing them of the fear of the spirits which drives them to DO many of these things. Again, if u want to know what liberation and freedom is, grab a razor, take it close to your Penis, then think "Unless I do this, the spirits will punish me, my family and the whole tribe".. ponder that for a bit... take it REALLY seriously, perhaps even make a small incision...THEN...
imagine someone tells you "You are FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE from that fear, because Jesus Christ is sovereign over those spirits and they can't lay a glove on you !" aaaah.. u can put away the razor... the warmth begins flooding back into your clammy face and hands.... LIFE begins in freedom. Halelujah !

At the same time, any tribe or indigenous group which has led a sustainable subsistence life, has much to teach us. Capitalism is as flawed as Communism, and as Jesus said "I am.....the Way"

He opposed greed as much as slackness. A redeemed culture is a wonderful culture.