"If new ones form after you get here, then so be it, but come as a blank slate."

Heh, so home grown racism is fine, just not the imported kind. Interesting.

CJ Morgan. Bullying, harrassment and discrimination is not illegal if the victim is seen as superior.

I know because I made formal allegations of victimisation, bullying and discrimination aimed at my children who are of Lebanese background and highly intellectually gifted. Their marks were tampered with and maniuplated on a systematic basis to keep them out of Selective Schools and I was told that because I couldn't prove that it was because of their race and because discrimination against gifted children is not against the law they wouldn't investigate it. As a result my children have remained targeted.

The fact that the documents clearly show that what I say is the truth is irrelevant to them they dont have to investigate it as those that are seen as superior/gifted are not protected under the Anti Discrimination Act. Only criminals get protection.

Amel you dont seem to understand what I say! There is nothing wrong with being racist in the sense of beliving that your type/culture is superior and nothing wrong with having a preference for your own. Your thoughts should be your own. If we are not permitted to favour own own then we do not have freedom of choice.

The problem arises when you treat others like dirt and don't show respect.

I dont have to like you, but I should have to treat you with the same respect that I would expect you to treat me. That is something that is not taught and that is the problem.

Response to Jolanda: "There is nothing wrong with being racist in the sense of beliving [sic] that your type/culture is superior and nothing wrong with having a preference for your own."

If Jolanda was correct, then you could say "there is nothing wrong with being a terrorist in the sense of believing that innocent people should be slaughtered and kidnapped." Of course that would be silly.

The law on racism is called the Racial Discrimination Act (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/rda1975202/) It does not make any belief illegal, but it certainly shows that it is wrong, and it would be illegal to act upon the belief.

CJ Morgan,

"Put more simply, 'clans' are an anthropological concept used to describe kin-based social organisation," -CJM
-1a- YES. My point. That is why introduced the socio-bological term, "Kin Alruism". A kernel characteristc of a clan.

- "A 'clan' is an artifical kin group and consists of a deliberate amalgamation into one loose federation of a number related lineages". ... "The clan has gentry members". "Membership of 'natural" members is based on lineage". Lineage is used to "buy entry". Individual members have links with ancestors. [some clans are based on surname.]. Clan determines with whom has trust." --[Baker, H.D.R. 1979] Nations are more heterogeneous and membership more fluid. Nations are fraternal with the power to motivate "large numbers of people [Fulcher & Scott, 1999], "imagined [fraternal] communities". Idealistically, bloodlinks (clans) versus brotherhood (nations).

"...while 'tribes' are an anthropological concept that refers to politically oriented social organisation."

-1b- SORT OF YES. More than you specify. Also, lineage based.

-1c- Larger than "clans", but, smaller than nations are "dialect groups", neighbouring clans [or vilages in provinces, for settled peoples.]

"The notion of Indigenous nations is one that has been taken up by Aboriginal people themselves in order to more accurately assert their own perception of their political organisation, particularly in relation to territorial claims." - CJM

-2- YES, AS STATEMENT. Productive, if, the "spin" brings results. Maybe, the end will justify the means? But, people self-designating themselves members of a "nation", in a literal sense, doesn't make it so.

"For more detail on this, perhaps you could enrol in an Anthro 101 course :)" -CJM

/cont...

Jolanda,

Independent schools, like other non-state schools were established to by religious and other groups to provide education for their children.

Why should Indigenous people who have the same ambition be any different?

A school of this kind does exist in Brisbane and it celebrated its 20th year in 2006.

Like any other school it must comply to legislation and school registration tests and formula's and teach appropriate curricula.

And a little known fact is that (besides being culturally appropriate) it enjoys the highest literacy and numeracy outcomes for Indigenous children nationally.

Your questions about curriculum assume cultural matters are incompatible with an academic curriculum. They are not.

In fact I suspect that the cultural elements of there curriculum enhance confidence in academic learning.

Your questions are typical of questions I am aware this school is asked all the time.

When Aboriginal people take charge of their own affairs its called separatism and when we can't participate in mainstream schooling system we get blamed.

I beleive the current mainstream schooling system (the only one available by choice to the majoirty of Aboriginal people) is isolating Aboriginal students anyway.

Look at the educationstatistics and could you honestly tell me the State schooling system is working for us.

Surely the first nations of this country should have the choice on how and who should educate their children?

And by the way I beleive many non-Indigenous children attend this school.

See this story:
http://www.faira.org.au/lrq/archives/199807/stories/09education.html