‘Aboriginal flag hijab’ & unity in minority groups
Maleny (Qld) stands up to Woolies!
December 5, 2006‘Local’ disposable or reusable nappies trial
December 7, 2006The Long Walk is about bringing people together & positive change
Cathy Freeman says the Walk is a peaceful but political demonstration aimed at tapping into people’s hearts and minds. “We’re very passionate about what we’re here for today — re-establishing on everybody’s agenda indigenous issues.
“Speaking about bringing people together Michael Long said “Cathy Freeman’s one of the greatest examples. Every Australian at the 2000 Olympics — didn’t it bring people together? What a great moment.”
Two years after Michael Long’s impetuous and historic to Canberra, the former Essendon footballer’s hopes for a new era in race relations between John Howard and Australia’s indigenous leaders have not been realised.
The Australian newspaper reports that a letter Michael Long wrote to John Howard at the time of the original walk was made public prior to this years event at Albert Park Lake, Melbourne.
“We wish you to see the appalling conditions of Aboriginal people improve and we want to play our role in achieving outcomes through self-determination,” the letter says. Indigenous Australians want the same chances as other citizens.
The Long Walk 2006
This year around 10,000 Victorians walked around Albert Park Lake to support reconciliation. The Age reports that although Aboriginal leader Pat Dodson – known as the ‘father of reconciliation’ was heartened by the show of support he accused the Federal Government of continuing the goals of the White Australia Policy.
Another Aboriginal leader, Paul Briggs, who joined Long on the first walk to Canberra, also criticised the Government for failing to provide leadership.
“The relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia is still strained and is still polarised, and we’re not doing anything on the political level to actually bring a relationship,” he said.
Mr Howard’s spokesman would not respond to the criticism but said Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough had sent a message of support to Long, saying symbolism was important but Indigenous people needed to take action to improve their lives.
Michael Long said the walk was not about one leader, but about making many indigenous leaders through raising funds for the Sir Douglas Nicholls
Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership.
Support from a Muslim teacher leading her students
One of those walking yesterday was Muslim teacher Manar Chelebi, who was wearing a hijab made from an Aboriginal flag. Ms Chelebi, a teacher at the Australian International Academy and executive officer of the Australian Council for Islamic Education in Schools, was leading about 45 students.
“We have lots in common, being minority groups,” she said. “We’re Australian Muslims and they’re indigenous Australians, and they’re our fellow brothers and sisters.”
If the grassroots can keep walking, talking and writing, as Cathy Freeman says, keeping the poor communication issue ‘on the agenda’ MAYBE our politicians can be led to genuine discussions on self-determination. I know there are plenty out there who will say I’m dreaming….am I?
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Aboriginals as a Disadvantage Social Group in Australia.
European Colonisation and domination had disturbing impacts on the lives of Aboriginal people in Australia. In other words Australian Aboriginals have been subject to many injustices in the past which included harsh policies of child removal to Isolation in remote regions. In result, several years of isolation and restriction from economic and social benefits had created a negative impact on Aboriginals as a disadvantage group .Thus in this discussion, we are going to outline what are the major reasons for Aboriginal disadvantage .Secondly, In describing the aspect of disadvantage we would also put light on contributory factors which have impacted on Economic status of Aboriginals in the present era. In the end this discussion will present a clear argument in regards to the causes and factors from a contemporary viewpoint which will critically evaluate the question and will present a strong overview in regards to the conditions of Aboriginals as a disadvantage group in Australia.
Aboriginals and Torres Islander people make a small proportion of Australian’s population. However being original inhabitants and carriers of world’s oldest culture the aboriginals holds a distinguish status in the Australian society which had never worked in a positive as well as progressive way for them .Many reasons could be stated for Aboriginals backwardness ranging from their own responsibility to lack of government support to the community .
Stating argument of Moral Responsibility is a big question among Aboriginal community which still holds a question mark in regards to whether or not Aboriginal people are responsible for their own social economic conditions. According to the Sutton’s viewpoint the failure of Indigenous Affairs Policy is the major drawback in regards to the aboriginal development in various aspects. Firstly Sutton blames racial attitude of liberal’s right from 1970’s which has acted as a dysfunction for the aboriginal communities in many remote and backward regions in Australia. Dysfunction as a label to aboriginal community means the problem faced by community such as improper education, low life expectancy, and high rate of domestic Violence .Thus Sutton in his discussion clearly outlines that these problems are prevailing from a long time in the aboriginal community and appeals to eradicate the problem.
According to Blakely et al socio economic conditions of an individual is the main cause of increase risk factors of health disadvantage. To explain this, it would be better to put some light on the key factors which leads to social economic disadvantage among Aborigines. First of all lack of educational qualification is the prime factor which prevents many young aborigines to find employment opportunities and to develop an understanding about the community concerns. In the view of Sutton many young aborigines still hold an old perception of dominance and deny debate over cultural change. Thus, in relation to Sutton’s point of view a great need of cultural redevelopment and proper education is necessary for constructing a better path for social economic development of Aborigines.
According to the Census report of 2006 we can clearly demonstrate that there is relative disadvantage to the aboriginal population in New South Wales. In relation to the report, the unemployment rate of aboriginal community is three times more than the non aboriginal population that is 19.3% compare to 5.7% to non aboriginal .Secondly 72 .5 % of aboriginal population had no post school qualification compare to 51.3 % of the non aboriginal population which adds another drawback for aboriginal people to gain any employment.
Consumption of Illicit drugs and Alcohol is a big problem among Aboriginal community in Australia. According to Marcia Langton Author of “Trapped in Aboriginal reality show” the problem of Alcohol and drugs consumption arised due to severe negligence by Government and law enforcement Authorities. In the view of Langton the problem of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse mainly takes place due to male consumption of Alcohol. To explain this problem in a better way Langton has used a well researched example of Northern territory where many individual females are victim of child abuse and family Violence .Thus it is the growing leniency of government which is creating Aboriginal as an external part of society in other words freedom of movement to convicted Aboriginals clearly highlights that the government is least concern about the community and its people.
For Example: According to the reports of Northern Territory, Clare Martin as the Chief Minister is a perfect example of how government official’s neglect their responsibilities towards the disadvantage group .Thus it was seen that Martin as a minister was not able to distribute the commonwealth fund in a proper way which led to deficit in the Aboriginal Education sector .In the end, in relation to the reports ,it was estimated that martin spent 47 cents on an Aboriginal child which was far less to the figure of 1 dollar spent on non Aboriginal child.
The problem of Racism and dependency on government grants holds a strong influence in the minds of Aboriginal People. According to the View of Noel Pearson, Aboriginals themselves could be held responsible for their Fourth world Conditions in Australia. In regards to this we can see that aboriginals from the time of European Colonisation have always been dependant on the food supplies as well economical benefits from the government .Thus dependency on economical benefits and trauma of lost generation is still continuing issue with the young generations which totally limits any opportunity for Social or Economical integration. In the end the theory of Cycle of poverty best suits the situation which explains that poverty remains with the person due to lack of institutional steps and continuing perception of discrimination among the Aborigines in Australia.
With the Era of Globalisation and development of Australian economy the condition of Aboriginals in the remote parts of Australia still remains to be backward which adds a great distress to the community both in Social and Economic aspects. Thus Aboriginality in modern days still holds psychological effects on minds of young aboriginals who still complain to face the trauma of Discrimination and Racism amongst the various levels in the society. In the End, many contemporary debates are presented by the researchers to uncover the problem faced by Aborigines in Australia but as Marcia Langton mentioned earlier only few steps are adopted by the government authorities to eradicate it.