Foxy,

I'm glad that you acknowledge that cultures evolve over time. This demolishes your earlier claim that aboriginal culture has persisted unchanged for over 60 000 years.

Secondly, while language is useful in maintaining cultural roots it is not essential and preserving culture while it is evolving is an oxymoron.

Finally, the number of people that take a serious interest in the anthropology of the many different tribes is really a handful of people. Take you for example, how many of the 500 aboriginal languages have you ever attempted to learn?

If the aboriginal languages are to continue to exist it needs to be driven by the aboriginals themselves.

Good to see Bunnings ads in Maori language with English subs on the general TV in Auckland. Maori TV channel very popular here, good programs.

Didn't realise how cold NZ is until arriving yesterday 17 tops and windy. 4hr drive today up north, lots of Maori speakers up there.

Paul,

Did you pop in to see your mate, Brendon Tarrant?

shadowminister,

The following link may clarify things for you:

http://amnesty.org.au/eight-facts-about-indigenous-people-in-australia/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the proud
keepers of arguably the oldest continuous culture on the
planet. This heritage spans many different communities, each
with its own unique mixture of cultures, customs and languages.

Before the European invasion in 1788 there were more that 250
Indigenous nations, each with several clans. Things changed
drastically for our Indigenous peoples with the invasion
of the Europeans. The link gives a brief summary. And as I keep
stating - a visit to libraries and or museums will educate
you further on this subject.

Foxy,

What invasion? No one stormed the beaches and shot at anyone.

I thought you knew English?

shadowminister,

You seem to have a lot of questions about the history
of this country. Hence my suggestion that you actually
do a bit of research to become better informed.

You were probably taught that the Empire was marvellous.
And of course you don't like facing the truth of our
colonial past and that's part of the problem. You don't want to
be re-educated about the British long history of exploitation and cruelty.

You've probably always thought of England as the best country
in the world. Well it wasn't/isn't. It was cruel and greedu
and unjust. Much like the rest of the world and the aftermath
of Empire has given rise to the hateful legacy of racism.

I'll be happy to discuss things further with you when and if, you
get better informed. Until any further discussion is pointless.

Just like writing with a broken pen is pointless (smile).