Indiv, they will not be "totally independent". That will only occur when they have their own nation. That's the only "real" solution, and that simply can't and wont happen for several hundred more years yet. They'll then set their own rules in their own nation - - - just like we set our own rules regarding "our" nation. The aboriginal people deserve no less.

"Imposing" manufactured solutions on them has never worked and will never work.

We stole and pillaged their land so that "we" could prosper. We can't forever stop their nationhood. It's "WE"" who must change. It will still take several hundred more years for us to fully realise and understand that we invaded and took their land. With the passing of time the old hurts will die away and all will be able to move on without the current "us versus them" mentality. The aboriginal people will eventually take back what is their land. And guess what? Australians won't be offended by that notion, as they are now. We would have evolved by then, and we won't begrudge the aboriginal people owning and governing what was theirs' in the first place. They deserve no less.

Snore, having actually been to a protest by Aboriginal people, and read the banners and listened to the speech-writers, it is quite obvious that "What to do" is what they WANT us to do and give more sovereignty and independence on native title land. Oh, and some kind of security measure to NOT send in soldiers when a sexual harassment case comes up would be a thoughtful proposition too.

Nothing else for me to say- these threads turn into idiotic cesspits of people who will only believe what they want instead of ask someone who knows.

CUSTARD...

goto Doomadgee mission.

"the absolute disbelief in the Rule of Law"

Calling that a problem (or the symptom of a problem)? Good on them - it's one healthy virtue that aborinigals managed to preserve. Why should anyone, of any colour, believe that others have a right to rule and impose their laws upon us?

"feel horrified at the absolute lack of progress"

I understand that it bothers you, Custard, but why should it bother them? is it because they were infected by that progress-virus from the white-man? why should offering them progress be treated differently than offering them alcohol?

Suzeonline suggested: "if we start ensuring Aboriginal kids of today are sent to boarding schools away from their communities during school terms, then maybe the next generation may have a chance of doing something productive with their lives"

- so that's the bottom line: these machines must be working for us, their feelings don't matter and if they fail to be productive, we ought to fix them. "This current generation is lost, I fear" - thank you for your honesty.

Individual's idea is quite-good, yet one-sided:

"I suggest a large piece of good land be set aside purely for those indigenous who believe their ancient ways served them better. They can live there totally independent... Those who do not wish to return to stone age can make a living like every other..."

If some indigenous people prefer to take up the modern/western life-style and to be assisted in that pursuit, then why not the other way round? non-indigenous people who wish to return to the stone age should also be able to live in that land and enjoy freedom from the "rule of law".

HAZZA... there is a dimension to the land rights issue which I'd be interested in your view on....

-'incitement/agitation' from communists.

Do you feel it's possible that such groups are seeking to exploit and amplify those feelings?

This is from the Socialist Alternative web site..

//Only a revolution by the mass of workers which mobilises their collective power can sweep aside the machinery of capitalism, and only the process of revolution has the potential to equip workers – by providing them with the experience, lessons and unity – to build socialism, a society for the liberation of all.//

From the bigger context of the article.. they are not talking about 'ideological' revolution but real. (mass takeover)
http://www.sa.org.au/abc-of-socialism/2747-why-we-need-a-revolution-to-get-socialism

They would use any means at their disposal.

SOLUTIONS... most of you thus far are looking at a spiritual problem in materialistic ways. I say 'spiritual' because if you dig deep enough, you will find it's not about 'land/welfare/benefits/sovereignty'. They know as well as we do it isn't going to happen other than the political face saving and buying off of leaders.

Unfortunately, any suggestion made which deviates from the status quo will be dismissed as racism.
My opinion, is that education is the answer. Unfortunately, "education" can mean pretty well anything as can "capacity building". Teaching people to weave grass mats or to speak a language that only a handful of others speak, are simply feelgood exercises.
There is apparently a housing shortage in aboriginal communities, wouldnt that be a great opportunity to send a qualified builder and a swag of building materials... and actually teach them to build houses.
I think if the folks built a house they would have more pride in it than just being given it.
Historically, policy was to plonk these folks out in the boonies. Currently, any policy of plonking anybody (aboriginal) anywhere wont get much traction.
Unfortunately, there is no future at any of the communities and no genuine opportunities to progress. All the communities should have been shut down in the early eighties, as the bleeding heart brigade will keep them in squalid poverty through their well-meaning and misguided actions.
Education and SOME of Noel Pearsons' ideas are the go.