Sadly our history has some very dark parts

No one of this age should feel guilty about sins of our fathers. However, we should not ignore our past. I have a book, " Up rode the Troopers ", about the QLD Native Police. Two quotes from this book, from people of that time, reveal with great clarity , the attitude of the time. one;

" There was but one law for them that they will ever respect- the bullet; the sole logic, the cock of the rifles.

I would as soon shoot a blackfellow as a dog."

In May 1861 , a Select Committee on the Native Police Force was appointed to enquire into the Force and the conditions of Aborigines generally. Evidence given by Captain John Coley during the enquiry gives us an insight into the treatment of Aborigines. Coley is being questioned by the Chairman.
q. how long has the settlement been open for settlement?
a. About 12months.

q. You have seen a good deal of the Aborigines since your arrival?
a. Yes.

q. You tell the committee of your own knowledge of what the number was on your arrival, that they have diminished since the settlement of the district?
a.Quite so. they are all gone, altogether extinct.

q. In what way?.
a.By shooting and poisoning them.

What with?
a. With strychnine and arsenic, in flour.

The Native Police were led by Europeans, and recruited from tribal areas remote from where they operated. The majority of Qld Native Police came from the Kooris of NSW, with no tribal allegiance to the people they were policing. And no pity for them.

Some of my ancestors were involved in acts of Aboriginal genocide as police in the early 1800's. This doesn't make me feel guilty. It makes me sad and determined to demonstrate that equality through true collaboration with Aboriginal people in the present is valuable and rewarding in many ways. This has been a high priority for me for all of my adult life.

The 'past' is always present, it's how we behave today with that knowledge that counts.

Bit further back than that. I think from recent DNA studies, the Ainus were in Japan prior to 15,000 years ago. The America’s got established especially hammered, mostly from disease. Face it, as humans going back through to pre-history, we haven’t on the whole been very nice to each other, intentionally or not.
The Origins of the Japanese people - Japanese History - Wa-pedia

A little tangent, there was a brilliant discussion on The Drum a week ago on what needs doing to address the serious health issues, domestic violence and incarceration rates of indigenous Australians.

Work needs to be done on both sides.

Throwing money at an issue without real processes in place never works, and as Jacinta Price, an Alice Springs councillor said, customs and rites need to bend to fit into the modern world so the next generation have half a chance.
She has sons and she wants them educated so they can deal with the modern world, then do the initiation's and rites of manhood if they wish to once they're 18.

This seems an appropriate place for this story on Aboriginal stockmen. Why women? most of the men had been killed in the frontier wars.

Forgotten legacy of Aboriginal stockwomen becomes subject of PhD research - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

History is a funny thing it all depends on how you view it I think ours is no more or less violent then any other I believe we should acknowledge our past but not feel guilty for it as we had no part to play in it. I have been told by some that we stole this land my view is no as with all of history if you can't defend it someone will take it of you this still goes on today for example south china sea, Isis,the Crimea,and so on how history judges these events many years from now will be interesting.

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Originally Posted by laney

History is a funny thing it all depends on how you view it I think ours is no more or less violent then any other I believe we should acknowledge our past but not feel guilty for it as we had no part to play in it. I have been told by some that we stole this land my view is no as with all of history if you can't defend it someone will take it of you this still goes on today for example south china sea, Isis,the Crimea,and so on how history judges these events many years from now will be interesting.

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Or who wrote it.

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Originally Posted by V8Ian

Or who wrote it.

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Yes - usually the most important part..

Photos show Aboriginals shackled in chains | Daily Mail Online

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Originally Posted by V8Ian

Or who wrote it.

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Indeed. Written history is usually just that - His Story.

Thanks for the link to those photo's DiscoMick - that history doesn't lie. Shows clearly how images are usually more powerful and truthful than written histories. The clear strength of those people despite being in chains is humbling to say the least. The perpetrators look weak in comparison.