The problem as I see it is that there is no formal repository or forum for all the idea’s put forward and more significantly, no representative body to whom idea’s can be put. If it is true that there are some 250 aboriginal tribes and cultures in Australia which are further fragmented because they live in remote, rural and urban environments, how can we possibly understand the problem let alone come up with an answer?

On the one side we have a community of non-aboriginals making suggestions as to how we might resolve the problems, on the other hand we have 250 cultures/tribes with no collective representation, therefore no collective view. How can anyone possibly achieve consensus on possible solutions?

Would it be too simplistic to suggest that aboriginals are invited to form their own forums at a local/tribal level?

Independent facilitators to be provided, funded preferably through tribal royalty incomes where applicable, State or Federal funding otherwise. The facilitators must be drawn from the industry/business community and positively not from either side of the aboriginal industry.

All issues, concerns, problems to be tabled and documented by each community then debated, agreed and prioritised.

An appointed representative from each local level takes “their” priorities to the next level, perhaps an area/regional forum where the same process is applied. An appointee from that forum now takes the common priorities to say a State level and then a National level. By which time a National Body with National Representation will (hopefully) have been formed.

Rule one of cultural change: “sustainable change occurs from the bottom up, not top down”

Now we would have the genuine voice of aboriginals, from them, for them and by their consensus. We would also have gained “appointed representatives” from local through to national level with whom we could plan the resolution of common and agreed issues. This also facilitates resolution of not only national issues but local or urgent issues that they have agreed.

It would then be up to Local, State and National governments or their agencies to deliver against agreed outcomes and time frames.

Dear spin doctor,
The wite wash brush has been tried and it doesn't work. The asimilition road has been tried and it doesn't work hence the stolen generation. We have tried to breed the aboriginality out and it doesn't work.Education has been tried. How about the truth for the truth you know in your heart sets you free regardless of race colour or cread for we all brothers in Christ , My son went to a supposed racest school where he was very popular even though he is coloured . He graduated with honours Engineering, Represented his country at football and is a well adjusted man today . All thanks go to Jesus of Nazareth .Change can only begin in the heart of a man and comes from the inside out . When you are forgiven a load or yoke is lifted and Jesus says take my yoke for it is light for he who the son sets free is free indeed.
1st a change of heart then recieve knowledge and wisdom . Without a
New heart you will never see for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble and lowly of heart for if you read this and say what B S you know where your heart is so please DONT tell me about your problem for I am interested in the answer not your unbelief and remember it is your choice not mine so don't blame me.

If the comments expressed on this Blog are representative of the wider population then reconciliation has a long way way to go...from both sides.
Blair Bartholomew

How profound blairbar...that would have to be the understatement of the century.
Richie10 sums up the solution in a nutshell. The solution is in each person...black and white and the real answer is in the beliefs we hold true.
Either we want to be better and do better or we don't. We need more like "grannie" who reached the age of 89 and told her large family that she didn't get there by being promiscuous, binge drinking, gambling, drugged out or petrol sniffing and she made no secret about her attitude to it.
She attended her church until she was hospitalised and died and most of her family have little to be proud of in their treatment of her in her last months when she became very frail. She was however, inspirational throughout her life and she reared her own children and many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The time has long passed for action or there will be few of the next generation of aboriginal to survive with a life of any sort of dignity. Most of the violence against aboriginals is by aboriginals and often within their own families...whether we accept that truth or not, reality isn't pretty. Face it and act or the consequences will be visited on yet another generation of innocent children who will grow up knowing little else.
There are inspirational blacks as there are inspirational whites...and there are examples of blacks and whites who behave abominably too...but for sheer numbers, the aboriginals who are destroying themselves are reaching proportions that demand a change of government and community policy and an expectation of personal responsibility.

Jesus, I've only read up to where rainier is being chided by Meg1 and another.
what I can see in the comments is 1 ignorance' and 2 typycal low intelligence racism' be it unbenown to the racist.. as if you were educated in Oz then your it... So the person that wrote this article is in a little academic dream world by the looks but her intentions seem honorable.
A couple of things... about apology.. Live up to it and pay the damn rent!.. no need to hear from indigenous oz, just like your landlord mate.. pay or piss off..back to whitey anglo christio invaderland.. uk of course..
Second.. why you haven't got any koori 'friends' " Don't trust whitey" is a law not a line out of a steve martin movie..
anyone who trusts whitey will be damnwell sorry. So go get yourself a few books and read about the ever disgusting manner in which britain ' white' has been the scourge of every indigenous person they have come in contact with, the disgusting christian ethic has been the mainstay of the rape of indigenous round the globe. so how about go bang your heads on the toilet wall and go talk to Mick Mansell or someone who can give you a slight indication of what sort of low life whitey really is. As is evident that we are a filthy rich first world continent with one of the poorest = sickest ( trachoma etc) indigenous population.
Cheers have a good day and go clean up australia sunday... because it may help you to feel good.

Goodness me Nelium.

Your post is thick with prejudice, ignorance and racism; all of which can be cancerous.