Sadly our history has some very dark parts

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Originally Posted by Ean Austral

Sorry Mick , maybe 30 yrs ago that may have worked if it was tried. My belief is most of the younger generation of indigenous people couldn't give a stuff about the elders and the traditions.

I base this on the 2 or so yrs I was involved in a program called "Sentenced to a Job" and it was designed to get non violent criminal to start to get ready for the outside world by being allowed out on day release to get used to the idea of working. You could get 3 different types of people under the scheme - Salt water people ( mostly aboriginals from the island areas ) - Desert people ( mostly aboriginals from the interior) and the white fellas. They wouldn't mix them as they would argue.

I always got the aboringinals , and every time I would sit down with them at lunch and chat , I would ask if they were looking forward to going back on country - the younger ones ( Under 25ish ) weren't interested in going back , they liked the idea of the city life and everything that went with it. Nothing to do on country, too boring etc etc . I employed them over about 2 yrs and sadly it didn't seem to be much different no matter who I spoke to or where they were from. The program fell apart due to admin issues so I no longer use them. Google the program if you want to find out more.

I am all for people living where they want , and if that's On Country in whatever part of this great land, so be it. But its 1 country and 1 law , and that applies if your white , black , yellow , pink or whatever your religion may be.

That's how I see it from what I have seen and done in my life , and if I am wrong then I would like to see the Elders start to get out there and start doing some of what you speak. Most of the outspoken so called leaders I have come across in my time speak out about all and sundry then get a job in Canberra and do absolutely stuff all except enjoy the gravy train like all the others do.

Cheers Ean

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That's very interesting experience and thanks for sharing it, but it's a white fellas scheme and it certainly illustrates the breakdown of the tribal system.

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Originally Posted by trout1105

You still don't "get it", In Australia we ALL belong to the same Tribe.

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I don't belong to your tribe man. Sounds Land Rovers are all we have in common.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

That's very interesting experience and thanks for sharing it, but it's a white fellas scheme and it certainly illustrates the breakdown of the tribal system.

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That's proberly the most racist comment in this thread . I actually thought it was a scheme designed to help people of all walks of life to break the cycle and give them a chance to improve their circumstances if that is the path they wanted to follow.
No one was forced to work - they weren't dragged out in chains , but they were paid the award wage for the job they were doing and it got them out of the prison system which a lot of people seem to think is what is dragging people down.

From where I sit , the only people who are breaking down the so called tribal system are the younger members of the tribe. That's just my view of course and I have no issue's with people not agreeing with it.

Cheers Ean

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Originally Posted by trout1105

I have done maintenance work on remote settlements in the NT and have also worked on Melville Island with a group of Aboriginals on the Work for the Dole programme.
Ean is spot on the money with his post and as he has had first hand experience with this (Unlike the vast majority here) He actually Knows what he is talking about So people please get your Facts right before hitting the keyboard people.
Well said Ean [thumbsupbig]

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Presuming a lack of knowledge or experience is never a good idea. ...Almost 25 years of intercultural project development experience across the continent here.

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Originally Posted by Pickles2

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No, the problem is "they" can't do it,.....and this is the problem which has been proven time & time again, "they" can't do it, and there are many of "them" that admit to this,....but some, with more "influence", overwhelm these well meaning people, with the result that the situation is not improved at all, but is getting worse, despite ever increasing dollars thrown at it.
A recent survey about the amount of dollars (most in Aussie) thrown at Northern Australian communities, revealed absolutely the worst results per dollar in Aussie,....dollars is not the answer,... ,I know what is,....I would like to hear the views of others before I reveal.
Finally, just have to say, there are views from absolutely opposite "sides" here,....I know mine are different from many, so I'd just like to commend all members from getting "personal" against each other. I disagree vigorously with some comments on this thread,.....I hope respectably.
Pickles.

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It is good to be able to discuss this so responsibly. It's the way it should be around a campfire. We don't have to agree, but we should respect each others' right to disagree.

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Originally Posted by Zeros

I don't belong to your tribe man. Sounds Land Rovers are all we have in common.

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So you are Not an Australian then? and you don't think that ALL Australians are citizens of this country or members of that tribe "Australians" we belong to and we proudly call ourselves "Australians" by being a part of that "Tribe".
All this labelling of different the peoples in this country and wanting different laws for certain groups is only causing division and even hatred.
YES nasty stuff happened in the early days of Australia and for that matter in many other parts of the World at that time But that is in the past and most of us acknowledge that this has happened But dragging it up all the time and trying to hold the rest of the country to ransom over it is Not the way forward.
There are a Great many Australians (and their ancestors) that are living here now that had absolutely Nothing to do with the events of the past So why should these people be held accountable for past events and have to pay and be made feel Guilty for them?
Like I have said on many occasions we are ALL Australians and we all have to abide by the laws of this country End of Story.

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Originally Posted by Ean Austral

That's proberly the most racist comment in this thread . I actually thought it was a scheme designed to help people of all walks of life to break the cycle and give them a chance to improve their circumstances if that is the path they wanted to follow.
No one was forced to work - they weren't dragged out in chains , but they were paid the award wage for the job they were doing and it got them out of the prison system which a lot of people seem to think is what is dragging people down.

From where I sit , the only people who are breaking down the so called tribal system are the younger members of the tribe. That's just my view of course and I have no issue's with people not agreeing with it.

Cheers Ean

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Yes, it's certainly true many young people don't want the country life any more and are moving to the cities. That's happening all over Australia of course, not just in indigenous communities.
Of course, there are plenty of success stories among those who have gone off country too, but it doesn't necessarily mean they have cut their ties with country, just like many country kids who move to the city retain links to their place of origin.
But it doesn't change the fact that tribal leaders who are good role models should be supported if the tribe is to maintain its identity. That is happening in some places. We only hear about the problem areas, not the successes.

I read this tonight and thought it interesting.

Meet Alice in Wonderland, an Indigenous AFL-playing tomboy
Meet Alice in Wonderland, an Indigenous AFL-playing tomboy - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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Originally Posted by trout1105

So you are Not an Australian then? and you don't think that ALL Australians are citizens of this country or members of that tribe "Australians" we belong to and we proudly call ourselves "Australians" by being a part of that "Tribe".
All this labelling of different the peoples in this country and wanting different laws for certain groups is only causing division and even hatred.
YES nasty stuff happened in the early days of Australia and for that matter in many other parts of the World at that time But that is in the past and most of us acknowledge that this has happened But dragging it up all the time and trying to hold the rest of the country to ransom over it is Not the way forward.
There are a Great many Australians (and their ancestors) that are living here now that had absolutely Nothing to do with the events of the past So why should these people be held accountable for past events and have to pay and be made feel Guilty for them?
Like I have said on many occasions we are ALL Australians and we all have to abide by the laws of this country End of Story.

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Nope. Your interpretations of 'Australia', 'Tribe' and 'All', are entirely different from mine. I'll never be in your tribe.

Vive le difference.

It's never helpful to generalise. I find it symptomatic of narcissism. The presumption that everyone else should think, act, see, the world like oneself does, is worth growing out of.

IMHO until we all become focussed on whats good for the nation as a whole then nothing will completely reconcile the varied peoples that now call the place home.

sure, the aboriginals were here for a very long time before the europeans etc, but they didn't pop up out of nowhere, they migrated to this land as well and there is some evidence that there was a population here before them i believe....

does 40000+ years make that somehow different ?

my take is there should be one rule for all, thats a pipe dream as we are all aware, because human nature doesnt work that way and there is no way that will ever change.