Yes, a beautiful work of art.

I wonder what Kath Walker would think of the situation today ? I'm sure she would recognise the lives and conditions and behaviour of many people, but that she would be surprised at how well-off many people have become, secure, confident, involved in the open, civil society. She might need to revise some of her fears about integration, however - for example:

'Throw a stick into the river, and what have you got ?
A stick in a river.'

Thanks, Lexi.

Now - how to close the remaining 'Gaps'.......

Joe

Dear Joe,

Throw a stick into a river and what have you got? got me thinking.
It may be as you suggest - just a stick in a river. However, what if its a boomberang? Or if it floats away? Or if your dog ... there's many options - it all depends, doesn't it? Depending on the type of wood the stick is made of, you could put sails on it and change it
completely.

I remember reading the autobiography of Margaret Tucker, "If Everyone
Cared," a few years ago. These words have stayed with me:

"You can play a tune of sorts on the white keys of a piano: you can play some sort of tune on the black keys: but for perfect harmony, you must use both."

cont'd ...

I just had another thought about that river stick of yours.

You could also whittle it into a spear and catch fish with it - providing your eyesight and aim is good.

So you see - it doesn't have to stay just a stick. A bit of imagination and creativity - is all you need to make changes.

Lexi,

Thank you, dear.

Kath Walker's original was about 'pouring a bottle of wine in the river - what have you got ? Only the river.'

My point is that people's sense of identity is far stronger than that, more like a stick thrown into the river than a bottle of wine poured into it: in my experience, Aboriginal people remained, as it were, 100 % Aboriginal, no matter what they did or where they went or whatever: whatever they did WAS Aboriginal, part of the Aboriginal way, because they did it.

I haven't really come across too many Aboriginal people who thought or acted otherwise, they didn't spend sleepless nights worrying over whether or not they were transgressing the boundaries of their identity by doing something new or different: whatever they did, thereby became part of their identity, pure and simple.

In other words, like anybody else's, Aboriginal identity is an extremely broad church.

I can see you two are enjoying yourselves:) I think the Neanderthals came across similar circumstances, but of course....human-nature has always been about survival of the fittest. Old religion...New religion....sooner or later it ends up in dispute, as man try's to figure-out the meanings to life.

OccidentalChristian said

"Without doubt, European leaders have bothered the Aboriginal people to get a chance. But now, they have got back lands and the discriminatory laws are abandonned. Therefore, good education is the key for the future to do better and keep their distinct identity."

And Iam sure someone else tried the same thing with the Neanderthals.............However now, there extinct:0 Maybe some things should be just left alone.

However, the hand-outs the Indigenous US Indians receive are having the same effects, and JOE, thats a touching story, and Iam sure those one,s that make it, hopefully are going to make proud additionals to a once great Nation.

You can lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink:) Joe,Lexi.....go bite your bums:)

LEAP

Darwinistic doctrine has served as justification for crimes and injustice. But in the end, darwinistic and egocentric thinking destroys the earth. Therefore we need to consider the needs of the weaker in society. It is an even greater shame that some Europeans have even justified the injustice against indigenous peoples by referring to the Christian belief! Indeed, Jesus wants that we tell about God´s offer of salvation to others. But he surely did not want assimilation and mission by force!

But without doubt, it is necessary to adjust to changing surrondings in order to survive. Some European peoples had had to do so in order to let their identity survive and have success later, too, about
1.500 - 2.000 years ago. They integrated Roman skills and legal thinkings into society by their own will because they clearly saw that this will strengthen themselves. The Basks are a good example that a people´s identity can survive inmidst a foreign (Roman) sea.

The example of Paraguay and early Brazil shows another way what could happen if newcomers arrive: The mixing into the indigenous people whereas much of the indigenous culture is taken over by the rising nation. Up to 90% of Paraguays population speaks Guarani which has become part of national identity.

Perhaps settlers can learn from indigenous people, too, and make some cultural elements of those part of national or regional identity. Especially in Outback areas, Aboriginal languages ought to be supported across the wider community.

Unfortunately, most Aboriginal people living in urban settings have lost much of their own identity, especially their own languages. Education is again one key to claim back what has been lost in urban settings. Urban Aboriginal people could benefit from florishing homeland communities where the indigenous culture can develope in majorial settings. This is the coming challenge. And again, good education and the will to determine the own fate are major keys for this challenge