Foxy,

Self-determination, self-government, self-management. were all in the pipeline well before Whitlam, at least here in SA, being as usual the most progressive state: Don Dunstan as Minister for Aboriginal Welfare in the mid-sixties, pushed this policy through. As Premier (1966-1968, 1970-1879) he was always promoting Aboriginal rights. Lovely bloke, I first met him in 1965 at a dance on a mission/settlement, then again in 1973, and again in 1988 and 1998 before he died. I've seen many of his memos and letters about self-management from 1965 onwards, in the State Archives.

He had some strange ideas though, for example: about closing up the Pt McLeay School and opening up the village. Because that meant that the kids from that schol would have to go to the 'whitefellas' ' school a mile away, the whitefellas there circulated a petition about 'letting' Aboriginal kids into 'their' school. Naturally, the people at the community circulated another petition to condemn the whole idea; which died in the arse.

Actually, all sorts of ideas about self-government were in the pipeline - and being enacted - well before 1972, even in Queensland where - of all people - Bjelke-Petersen was Minister for Native Welfare (or whatever it was called). In WA, Labour's Bill Grayden had put forward initiatives in the sixties too. With many states and territories, all with their unique issues, there were really many, many notions about Indigenous rights put forward after 1950 or so.

Joe

William Gladstone once said that "men are apt to mistake the strength of their feeling for the strength of their argument". It applies to women as well - they were just wise enough to know when to keep quiet in his day.

Recognising aboriginal cultural norms like; We belong to the tribe, the Earth is our mother, all that is on mother earth we share.

There is no private property in aboriginal tribal culture, unlike Australian laws that identify and is mostly about boundaries and ownership. Administration of the Police of the Law is about theft, imbeselment, fraud etc. Aboriginals are now constantly being told we are on their land, and the police who administer Australian law are fighting against them, by arresting them for driving stolen cars or stealing property found on their land.

Josephus,

What are you talking about?

Joe,

Self determination "being in the pipeline"- is well
and good, but its totally different to actually being
achieved, implemented, and established.

There was no agreement as to HOW this should be
achieved NOR was there a framework within which this
could occur. This has never been established as David
Roberts pointed out in his book, "Self-Determination
and The Struggle for Equality", (1998 - Univ. of
Queensland).

Foxy,

Australian Aboriginals already have equality as citizens and before the Law; that is Australian Law, they have no equality under their own tribal laws; hence the plight of young women and girls in their communities.