Jayb, now you are confusing traditional life with a modern existence in a predominately western society. To retain a link to ones culture through language, having the necessary respect, having an understanding of traditions and protocols etc. Whilst at the same time living in, and being part of a modern western society, can't be done?
I have a living example of someone who has achieved that very existence not sitting 3 meters away. My partner "T" is a Maori who speaks the native language fluently, understands most aspects of her indigenous culture, the protocols, the traditions, the genealogy, right down to the basics of what was once everyday traditional life. Yet at the same time she can hold down a full time job, mix with people of learning, and can count two former New Zealand PM's as personal friends. Not bad for a woman, who as a little girl got flogged on the legs at school, a school of 95% Maori kids, for speaking her language, not English, and not using her school teacher given pakeha name.

Paul1405: I have a living example of someone who has achieved that very existence not sitting 3 meters away. My partner "T" is a Maori who speaks the native language fluently, understands most aspects of her indigenous culture, the protocols, the traditions, the genealogy, right down to the basics of what was once everyday traditional life.

Well one set of my Grandparents were Scot. They Spoke Gaelic fluently when they would fight. They spoke two dialects of Aboriginal when they really fought. All of us kids were enrolled in the Caledonian Society & heard all the great stories of the Brave Scot. I'll slip something in later. Come New Years Day the Highland Gamed were held at the Showgrounds & a great time was had by all. For the rest of the year except for certain days Like Bobby Burns Day etc, they were all just ordinary Aussies. Then the Italians arrived & added more ceremony's. Catholic not Press the buttons. They had their Saints Days but during the week they were Australians. Most of the Dark people in Ayr were either Kannaka of some Indiginious. they were hard workers in the fields & were paid the same rate as White people. In fact the Coles owned a Cane farm. They were just Aussies & treated as such.

When I was about 10 I went to see the Movie “Rob Roy” The old black & White one. I went to Grandma’s because she was Scot & I’d sit at her knee & she’d tell me the stories of old Scotland. I told her all about the Movie. She grabbed the broom & beat the livin’ daylights out of me. I was never to mention that name in her hoose ever again.
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I took off like a scalded cat & went to see Uncle Andy Grandma’s brother, a recluse, but he too would tell me some of the more gruesome stories. He too bashed me & off I went to Auntie Aggie, Grandma’s Sister. Black & Blue , crying & wondering what itr was all about. Antie washed me up & just said. Laddie, in this family there a best some things are not spoken of. & that was the end of it. I never did find out what it was all about.

Some famous names I might drop, Hannays, Lennoys, the Tallises, The Lampton's & a few others. I went to school with their fathers. They were my mates. We were all just ordinary Australians together.

Then came the Educated ones to stir up the trouble, combine that with the opening up of the Camps & moving all the Bush Indigenous into towns. That was really bad news. They didn't know anything about living in a town. they had never seen electricity. The Dunny was still out the back in those days but that didn't matter they just went anywhere they wanted to. Adults, Children. They were given houses, All weatherboard in those days. Within months there were no floors left & they started pulling the timber off the walls for their cooking fires. We lived next door to one family. They didn’t speak English or just some very basic. There were Tribal Wars on Street Corners every night. Some were very serious. Spears & Nulla Nullas & blood everywhere.

That is when all this Crap started. The Educated ones were in charge of the Agencies & milked them for all they were worth, & still are, whilst exploiting the new arrivals.

Yes, you can have your indigenous culture, be it, Aboriginal, Islander, Scot, English, Italian or Greek but during the week just be ordinary Australians.

To JayB
Don't mix Kanakas with aboriginals.
They are totally different peoples and are smart and have a soft nature.
I have spent a lot of time in the MOST remote kanak areas in New now Vanuatu.
They are hard workers , inovative , and have a NOn agressive even when fueled with local strong grog.
Nice people.
I have also worked with Fijians , Maoris , Tongans , Papuans all in their countries. Plus many other Pacific Island nations.

I have also worked with Aboriginals in their communities.
Different
John Big Mac

BJM: Don't mix Kanakas with aboriginals. They are totally different peoples and are smart and have a soft nature.

You don't have to tell me matey. I grew up with them. I fact the house I brought in Ayr, (Sutcliffe's Estate or Struggle town) Was part of the original old Kalamia Estate's Kanaka Barracks. It still had the holes in the walls where bar was passed through & they were chained up at night.

All those people I mentioned previously are Kanaka decedents. Except for the Lamptons They were 3 part Aboriginal 1 part Indian. They were never put on a Reservation because they were hard workers. & Old man Lampton & my dad went to Kalamia School together. George would walk down to the Barrs & Dad & he would double bank to the Kalamia School.
George was the best Winger for Brothers for about 20 years. Once he was given the Ball, that was a goal. Other Aboriginal indigenous were the Daisy Brothers. Vern was such a good player that there was a Grand Final between Mt.Isa & Townsville once, & they let Vern out of jail for the day to Play. Mt Isa won. We went to school together although they were a few years behind me.

Other players from Ayr originally are the Sailors. (one of my diggers in the Army Reserve.) Sam Backo also a Kanaka descendent but from Ingham.

Also we had a number of Kanaka Princes & Princesses in Ayr & one Kanaka Princess from Proserpine married to a Relative. They often went back to their Islands for special Ceremonies.

They were upset when the Indigenous Aboriginals were forced into towns because it gave them (Kanakas) a bad name.

Hey, & I hate Football.

Famous Rugby Relations of mine, Gary Wellington (4th. Cousin). (Married his teacher in Grade 12, pregnant). Kelvin O'Shea. (Great Uncle.) But they were white.

Anyway read my earlier Post again you may have misinterpreted it.

Jayb well said,
That sums up what the solution to the problem is.

"Yes, you can have your indigenous culture, be it, Aboriginal, Islander, Scot,
English, Italian or Greek but during the week just be ordinary Australians."