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02 May 2018 02:19 PM
02 May 2018 02:19 PM
Hi @utopia
You are not alone - I feel as you do - I really care about out Indigneous peoples and why should they assimilate into the white culture? Would we want to assimilate into theirs?
Our people took their land, their culture and their children - their religion - forced them from the rich coastal land into the deserts and they did not ask for this - really - I feel so angry about the Lost Generations - what is so great about being white that they would want to be like us?
You are right - people are just not interested - I wonder if I would have been if my son had not been aboriginal - he was fair as a baby but his skin, hair and eyes became darker and his features changed. My mother's family has origins from the Black Irish so my family decided the swarthy good looks came from there - but to me as he grew older he looked aboriginal -
And my family didn't want to know
So you are not crazy or alone - I feel the same way - I feel they first peoples had wonderful religious ideas and I also believe no one should try to change someone else's religion -
I know you are sad and discouraged - I wonder sometimes if people become apathetic because so many people don't care - just go with the flow sorta thing - don't be different. Don't stand out
I have been different all my life - if I feel uncomfortable when I speak out I know I would feel worse if I didn't - my father stood out and thundered is name into the phone sometimes when he was displeased - but racist - yes - he was - and my mother did not want to stand out in anyway - I think she was afraid to be seen as different - in reality though
We are all unique - what a pity people don't rejoice in being unique
I get it Utupia
Dec
02 May 2018 02:23 PM
02 May 2018 02:23 PM
Hi @Teej
It's good to see you around again - I have to catch up with what you have been doing and
How are things for you now - I hope things are as good as they possibly can be for you
I haven't heard this album but I like the idea of cheering when it's appropriate and booing too - though the noise of booing scares me a little
Great to see you
Dec
02 May 2018 10:37 PM
02 May 2018 10:37 PM
I would like to see an element of stronger “assimilation” of Australian Aboriginal culture into our society .....
I would like to see Australian Aboriginal cookbooks on the shelves of our bookstores .....
I would like to see Australian Aboriginal designed and created woven products available in market stalls and sold through high-end home decor stores .....
I would like to see a range of make-up designed by Australian Aboriginal women for Aboriginal women, and for anyone else who would like to learn from them, including (if they permit) traditional application of make-up far more ancient that anything our current society has designed .....
I would like to see Australian Aboriginal inspired clothing and footwear designs by Australian Aboriginal artisans .....
And influences in the construction of homes and community facilities that reflect traditional Australian Aboriginal communal living by Australian Aboriginal community leaders working with architects, incorporating the solar-passive traditional lifestyle that comes with an ancient knowledge of this country and it’s natural resources .....
I would like to see Aboriginal language classes on offer within the wider Australian community, and for it to be common knowledge to be able to say hello, goodbye, how are you, etc in the local tribal dialects ....
I would like to see Australian Aboriginal music and dance classes on offer ....
I would like to see nature walks and bush-tucker classes offered by Australian Aboriginal guides .....
We have so much to learn. In our multi-cultural society our First People ought to be strongly represented, and familiar to us all.
02 May 2018 11:14 PM
02 May 2018 11:14 PM
03 May 2018 09:18 AM
03 May 2018 09:18 AM
03 May 2018 10:04 AM
03 May 2018 10:04 AM
03 May 2018 11:13 AM
03 May 2018 11:27 AM
04 May 2018 09:57 AM
04 May 2018 09:57 AM
Content warning : assault
My father worked in aboriginal education from early in my childhood and I travelled to many communities with him in oz and PNG. As a result of amazing experiences (including ceremonial) too many to detail, I became an adult who felt compelled to help indigenous people however possible. In my late 20s I 'answered the call' and relocated my (and my child's) life in order to support an elder who was trying to get a share of a land title claim. Fast forward a few years and to cut a long story short I was punished severely by her opponents for getting involved in their business (I am caucasian). Taken to the bush and assaulted in a life threatening way. (Post edited as per mod request). So I learned the very hard way that there is a limit to how involved we (non-aboriginal people) should be and in what manner. I spent 2001 to 2017 in the NT where the first nation people are way more visible than here on the east coast. And they have many enterprises developing and businesses and lands that they manage briliantly. Plus festivals in many communities where they invite outsiders to come in and share their culture. It is only appropriate to get more involved by invitation in my opinion. There are food and bush medicine and cultural tours available, again run by A&TI people themselves. And many art co-operatives which guarantee the proceeds from sales go back to the artists. A good way to start being involved is going to these festivals - they are usually culture, sport and music and people come from communities far and wide. It is the finance raised at these times that helps get many ventures off the ground. The biggest one is the Garma, held near Nhulunbuoy which includes educational forums, another I'd recommend is Barunga, outside Katherine and also the cultural tour led by Miriam-Rose Ungenmarr at Daily River is very special. There are many others.
I would add there are all sorts of counselling and mentoring organizations now that are also run by A&TI people for A&TI people. There are many issues facing them still - children still being removed, alcohol and drug problems, domestic violence and finding their country and family as adults who were removed as children. There is also the push for a treaty and recognition of sovereignty over this land that was not 'terra nulius' when colonized. And for true history and language to be taught in school. And for more tertiary education graduates (of whom there are many). There's much that is not seen at all by people who live in predominately non-aboriginal places.
I've probably raved enough - I just recommend building bridges with first nation people personally as a place to start. I hope this post doesn't offend anyone.
04 May 2018 09:58 AM
04 May 2018 09:58 AM
@utopia et al I had trouble posting the above as mods requested it be altered twice. Hoping it comes through this time.
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