None so blind as those who WILL NOT see.
What Culture Suzeonline?
Yes they had a culture but do you understand it was not what we today call culture/
Why can we both ignore the very real damage Christians did both all over the Pacific and here[understand you do not ignore it]
And talk about white mans so called invasion without understanding every country has been invaded many times.
Evidence say these folk like every human group came from another place.
Blindness is letting Christians, todays Christians,write in threads like this about things they tried to take away from our first people.
Tell me it was not Christians who first insisted both culture and language be forgotten.
Look honestly at the lack of will to go to school by todays Aboriginal kids understand that is the first need education and understanding .
Care for heritage will follow.

Suzeonline,

“The Aboriginal nation existed for some 40,000 years before the European settlers arrived, so they managed just fine with their own culture and beliefs.”

What a nice, comforting little Rousseauian wet dream

Just a few corrections:
Firstly, there was no concept of an “Aboriginal nation” until our leftist pollies and pseudo–academics decided to concoct the slogan.
Secondly, the Aboriginal tribes -- as with other human grouping elsewhere --fought amongst themselves, sometimes with great ferocity, and
Thirdly, disease and natural disaster were here long before Europeans arrived --- as was environmental degradation.

Sorry to disillusion you.

Susie,
I am not religous but do not think you can blame the missionaries for the spread of disease that the aboriginals were vulnerable to. The explorers and squatters were first in the areas.

Here is an article in the Aus this morning.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/nothing-constructive-in-housing-disaster/story-e6frg6zo-1225877647700

I find it ironic that there is discussion about the teaching of second language when the above is the situation in many communities.

First we have to ensure the safety of the kids and teach them the langauge skills to enable them to get on in the modern world with computers and stuff.

Once we have achieved that then we can look at extra cultural matters.

The government should be well and truely ashamed about the housing debarcle.

Suzie thinks the missionaries are to blame for the pink bats debacle, the schools scandal and the climate change fiasco. Maybe if she looked in her own heart she might discover a few home truths.

This story is without doubt a shame. I do not consider such matters as not relevant.
But a distinct identity as well as managing the own community independently from constant charity belongs in my eyes to the dignity of peoples, too.

Alex

Alex with respect you are quite right, you do not understand.
But some born here third or Fourth generation do not either.
Some who post here are actually supporters of the first Australians, I think I am.
But todays culture is a mixture of many cultures including white mans.
Yesterdays events can not be blamed for todays mess.
The NT housing scandal highlights failure from my government, and puts the spotlight on a minister in the party I vote for who is useless.
You talk of a Way of living most do not want, unless it is free and comes without effort.
Striding down the footpath I watched 6 young Aboriginals dressed in suits come toward me, found it good to see.
until they passed one said these words hey bloke you cannt go wrong here salvos on one corner St Vinny's on the other and Smith family just down the road, all Charity's Alex.