Indigenous Australians
Indigenous people – that new race (perhaps category) of people, created, funded and structured by Australian governments and stakeholders, as prior to 1788 we had Boonwurrung, Yorta Yorta, Arente, Yolgnu, Ginibi etc etc. All the nations, so why don’t so many people understand the differences after all - Australia as a land mass equates to the size of Europe, if not larger. What is the direct cost of Australians for this – I would suggest at least 7 billion dollars each and every year. For all the success we have in Indigenous affairs today.
The Australian Governments’ new preferred term for Aboriginal Australians. How we have been described in legistlation over the years – savages – natives – aborigines – Aborigines – aboriginals – Aboriginals – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders which was shortened to ATSI. Now in Australian legistlation – and Australian Governments’ policies and strategies they use the term Indigenous. Many people say why is it important – I agree with them, but just try and get any Australian Government department to stop using a generic name for us and to use a specific name, and they show you how important it is in their steadfast refusal to use anything other than their political terminology of the day.
I love tribal Australian Aboriginal people for thier unique perspective, their wisdom, and their knowledge of and connection with country. Their spiritual connection with their country, their holistic view of their world including their economic system and their community minded social systems which care for aged care, child care, policing and legal systems that include the use of payback to/ for the victim. All systems developed and constructed without the use of dollars. I was born on, I live on and I work on country. For me to leave is such an alien concept that I would not do so, it is such a settler concept and that I understand as I am surrounded by so many settlers both indigenous and non indigenous.
The perpetuation of ‘Terra Nullius’ – The current Australian Governments’ legislation that defines us as Indigenous c0ntinues to perpetuate the denied of identity of the various tribes and nations that make up what is now Australia. With events like World Indigenous Peoples Day, and the various International Indigenous Conferences held around the world, highlights the one country that consistently and perpetually denies identity to it’s original inhabitants. Every other country uses an indigenous word to describe their aboriginal population – e.g Maori - Inuit – Sascatchuan - Cheyenne - Sioux - Gaul – Every country except Australia.
