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[Paul]

Hi. You guys can help me.

I am angry about what the Australian government is doing to the aboriginals.

Please refer to a discussion that has been occurring in the HOW TO, titled HELP - Visa's Forward... and also to www.theworldnews.com.au

The Australian government really annoys me. Currently to the stage where I am having trouble concentrating on anything else or doing my work. I feel the need to vent.

So hence this.

Hmmm, please feel free to join in with my venting, or attempt to justify the racism if you feel it is a good idea. But mainly I just want other people to know what is going on, and to be unhappy with it.

That is it. I will try to leave it alone now.

[Paul]

http://www.theworldnews.com.au/region.php?...90&region=7

http://www.theworldnews.com.au/yoursay.php

[aopaq]

It is sad to see that Australia has taken such a backward step. It still amazes me that the focus is always on the symptoms and less on trying to deal with the actual problems. Why is that the big money is not spent on tackling the actual issues that are driving people to resort to alcohol and drugs? Certainly placing a ban on "grog" will not prevent people from brewing their own or, even sadder, resort to sniffing gas.

I have been working for over 10 years with the Inuit peoples in the Arctic of Canada who also suffered through the effects of a stolen generation and loss of culture. Fortunately, they were permitted to form a self-government to take greater control of their own lives and try to deal with the problems themselves. This does not mean that solutions have come easy or are even yet apparent as alcoholism and teen suicide are still rampant.

But my personal feeling is that the effects of what happened with the Inuit will take several generations to see significant positive changes. This is not to say that positives are also not occurring now but they still do get lost under the currently dominant negative news.

Unfortunately, politically-motivated timelines never take a longer term perspective and so policies such as the Australian example are what result. In the meantime, the people and children that are supposedly being helped, continue to suffer.

[opalchelle]

Well I am an Aussie and I have to agree that the Indigenoous situation in Australia is in a shocking state. I have worked with educating children in areas where indigenous children make up the largest percentage of students and know many indigenous adults.

In my classroom I do not teach british colonisation, I teach Invasion.

There seems to be two mindsets in the general population about the indigenous communnity, I saw general meaning people who have no contact with indigenous australians.

First there are people who are apalled that John Howard would not take steps towards reconciliation and say sorry on behalf of the government to indigenous people. He constantly attempts to have the indigenouos tent embassy moved on from canberra.

Secondly there is also a mindset that the indigenous community bring it apon themselves, and they should get their act together and stay off the alcohol.

This lack of education and fractured thinking makes it difficult for the Indigenous Australians to get a fair go.

I am not going to climb up on my soapbox today but I voted that John Howard should get shot - I certainly didnt' vote for him. I do not think that the athletes should be punished by not being able to participate in sport but serious measures which impact on australian culture may bring about enough public discussion to generate a change for indigenous communities.

As a side note, Howards government holds power in both our lower and upper house of parliament currently which means he has pretty much free run of passing legislation through our parliamentry system

[Paul]

Hi Opalchelle,

Thanks for your comments on this forum and on the other one where I was also having a dummy spit.

Nice to get some news from someone in Australia who knows about the situation.


Hi Aopaq, thanks also for some info on the Inuit. Thanks for the work you are doing to help. It is sad to hear that a similar experience seems to be occurring there. Do you work by yourself or a you a part of an organisation? If the second what is the name?

Is it also the Inuit in Northern Norway? I know the native people up there also suffer similar problems.

Just out of interest for tourists to Canada - is there any way they can help or go and visit the Inuit (in a positive way - not as in a zoo exhibit way) and learn about their culture and situation?

Same question for Australia and for that matter to any country where native people aren't having a good time.

[opalchelle]

One tiny suggestion would be to buy aboriginal art from community projects within indigenous communities. People who aren't willing to travel to buy - then why would you buy when the art reflects a story from the people of that area. Galleries but more so shops sell artwork, charge a fortune and little goes back to benefit the community

[aopaq]

Hi Opalchelle,

Thanks for your comments on this forum and on the other one where I was also having a dummy spit.

Nice to get some news from someone in Australia who knows about the situation.


Hi Aopaq, thanks also for some info on the Inuit. Thanks for the work you are doing to help. It is sad to hear that a similar experience seems to be occurring there. Do you work by yourself or a you a part of an organisation? If the second what is the name?

Is it also the Inuit in Northern Norway? I know the native people up there also suffer similar problems.

Just out of interest for tourists to Canada - is there any way they can help or go and visit the Inuit (in a positive way - not as in a zoo exhibit way) and learn about their culture and situation?

Same question for Australia and for that matter to any country where native people aren't having a good time.

Hi Paul,

I am actually working for the Inuit (Nunavut) government in the Department of Education where I am involved in writing K-12 curriculum that are more culturally and language appropriate for Inuit students. I work with Elders and Inuit educators who are all trying to make a difference in our small (population-wise), large (area-wise) territory.

The biggest challenge facing this new government is trying to create a system that doesn't just mirror those in the south and is therefore more attuned to the needs of the Inuit. This is a major undertaking because right now I think the leaders (who are mostly Inuit) are trying to do too much. This is my personal feeling but I think trying to create a government the same as any southern one but for a population of only 30,000 people is not practical. I would rather see priorities set so that major issues can be dealt with more effectively and efficiently. But who am I to say ….I guess that is why I am not a politician!

However, this is part of the teething pains we are going through. As I said earlier, I truly believe we have to consider a long-term time frame rather than expect things will change for the better over night. However, the biggest concern right now is finding a way to ensure that the Inuit language and culture is not lost. This is a tough battle when up against satellite TV and the internet.

With this all said, the most positive thing about the Canadian situation is that unlike the Australian Aboriginals, the Inuit have been given the autonomy to make the changes they want.

As for the Norwegian situation, it is probably the Sami people and although I am not familiar with their challenges I would not be surprised if it is similar to the Inuit. Chatting with a Russian friend, she informed me that the people in the north of her country are also struggling with alcohol abuse as a result of people being relocated to communities.

It is definitely possible to visit Inuit hamlets in Canada's Arctic but for most people, the cost of travel is just too extreme. I can travel from Vancouver to Hong Kong for about the same cost as it takes to go by turboprop from my community to the nearest southern city (a 3 hour flight). However, I agree with Opachelle, for those that are able to venture to the north, buying art (prints, carvings, wall hangings or jewelry) will definitely help the local economy.


BTW, Great job with the Thailand updates Paul!

[introducinlyric]

Hi , this thread caught my attention as i am Australian and i have Aboriginal friends and the situation with Native Australians and how theyre bein treated is disgusting. I dont agree with the Australian Government and this "stunt" that John Howard is pulling. sad thing is alot of uninformed australians agree with what John howard and the government are "trying" to do.
i hope that with this thread and many others discussing the topic that it will simply spread the message that everyone should be aware of the stigmas and stereotypes that stem from lack of knowledge and understanding and not to comment or pass judgement on situations that people know little or nothing at all about. The australian media has an ugly and racist way of painting Aboriginals and i hope people can see that , although alot of people are too ignorant , naive or simply dont care, its a shame really

although i must say punishing australian sportin teams as a result of our racist Australian government is harsh (why would u punish people who have nothing to do with what the government and PM do) i dont agree with the poll at all, its absurd!!!

[Paul]

Aopaq - your work sounds very interesting. Well done for what you are doing.

I certainly hope that the Inuit govt isn't one full of idiotic men in suits prancing about trying to get power. That system has been tried in most other parts of the world and doesn't seem too effective. Some normal people who can talk to normal people and are interested in helping them sounds like a damn good idea to me.

The battle to not loose the culture is one being fought all over the world at the moment and it is a difficult one and one I fear is mainly being lost. I work in the same area trying to help minority people keep their culture and identity but whilst adapting and being part of the modern world - very interesting and complex issues arise as I am sure you know. But yep, having some autonomy and their own government is a great start.

You are right it is the Sami people in Norway.

I will have to have a look at your travelpods, as you could write some fascinating stories about your work and the communities you deal with.

No worries about Thailand updates - keeps me off the streets at night.


Introdcinlyric - don't worry - no one will ban Australian sporting teams - although I can't think of a better way to force the Australian people to take notice.


Anyway, that is enough. It is bed time now. Hope you are all well and enjoying your travels if you are having some.