50 ideas for helping Aboriginals

[Joe D]

Good in whiteman's logic but poor in real practice.

Everyone thinks the solution is to turn IA (indigineous aboriginals) into thinking like white australians.

This will never work until/unless there is true integration and realistically how can this happen when the average IA is living in substandard conditions comparared to the average Australian. For that matter, does the average IA want the change (which is so different from their basic roots)?

In another 100 years it may be a different story because the black skin may have lightened somewhat (or the blood diluted), however, it will never be helped with our current handout mentality.

PS 1: If IA's start to talk about compensation for the SG then god help australia in ever levelling the playing field !

PS 2: I am a realist not a racist, but I would like to see major improvement in both how we treat IAs and how they view themselves.

 

[Dazz]

Sigh!

....wow....that was exactly what our CEO said as well. Do you know him ??

 

[BayView]

This is far more than an idea.....this is a concrete plan that was discussed, agreed between all parties, fully funded and supported.

Ideas are great only up to a point.....to follow through to the execution phase takes far more initiative and drive. That's the point we got to.....and beyond.



The company I work for is building a gas plant and gas pipeline, along with a jetty to bring energy ashore for use in the community and in Darwin.

As part of the deal the elders of the community insisted that the youth were employed and trained and educated. A school was built. Training facilities were built. Mentors and coaches were hired to assist. Everything that we obligated to do upfront was done.

The vast majority of the young adults in the local community were employed, numbering in the hundreds. There obligation was to learn and work.

Two conditions were imposed by my company.

1. Must be punctual and turn up for work every weekday.
2. Must pass an onsite drug and alcohol field test every morning prior to work.

All workers, including skilled expats from Bulgaria, Italy, UK, US, South Africa, China and Malaysia, along with a bunch of workers and labourers from Perth and Brissy must also comply with the above two conditions. No-one is special. Can't afford to be with safety at stake.

After six months, and numerous warnings about failing the above two criteria, less than 5 locals out of the hundreds employed remain on the job. They've mostly been sacked because they have not been able to turn up to work, or consistently fail the tests.

All of the expats, and the vast majority of the labourers from Perth and interstate are still with us.

Our company tried. Unfortunately, the massive effort (both time and cost and energy wise) put in was not reciprocated and / or appreciated.

I guess you can lead horses to the water...

Sorry Dazz; you're not allowed to give real life examples of behavior that might show certain people in a less than attractive light.

You do realise that your post, indeed the whole thread will probably be deleted on the strength of it.

 

[Pablo]

Carol,

I believe allot of the problems occur because we give them to much already and they take it for granted and can live comfortably on the money/services they receive. So my idea is to treat Aboriginals like the other citizens of Australia and take away the extra benefits they have and only give them what everyone else is entitled to. This includes making them work for the dole and if they don't rock up then they lose the dole.

This will make them take more control of their lives and (I think) will be more beneficial than handing them everything on a platter.

Just my opinion
Pablo.

 

[BayView]

PS 2: I am a realist not a racist, but I would like to see major improvement in both how we treat IAs and how they view themselves.

I think they are treated very well. I think that the majority of Australians are willing and do try to help in various ways.

In this day and age of political correctness, no Pollie; least of all one trying to become Head Honcho, is going to miss an opportunity to capitalise on that mindset and go to lengths to make sure the minority groups get the best treatment. It's good for votes.

It's all in place and has been for years; free schooling, medical, welfare in many cases and so on.

I think where their "supposed" bad treatment occurs is when there is no self-help from within, and then everyone trying to be fair and helpful gets fed up and gives up on helping. They don't necessarily get bad treatment these days; just indifference. Everyone sort of thinks; "whatever; do what you want". We've had a gutful.

Not everyone feels like this for sure, but a good number do, and an even bigger number would never admit it.

 

[kathryn d]

Carol,

I believe allot of the problems occur because we give them to much already and they take it for granted and can live comfortably on the money/services they receive. So my idea is to treat Aboriginals like the other citizens of Australia and take away the extra benefits they have and only give them what everyone else is entitled to. This includes making them work for the dole and if they don't rock up then they lose the dole.

This will make them take more control of their lives and (I think) will be more beneficial than handing them everything on a platter.

Just my opinion
Pablo.

Coulnd't agree more Pablo.
We have the same problem here with Indians. Now they like to be referred to as First Nations. Even though they have a sign themselves on a tourist shop called "Indian Handicarafts".Who knows what they will want to be referred to next year.
Until they work and pay for the benefits all of us provide, they will be considered and treated as second class citizens.

My grandmother immigrated to Canada from Australia, and I had 3 generations live and die there....in case you think I don't have a right to an opinion.
Rob and I will be returning in about 2 1/2 years and I will be obtaining my citizenship in due time.

 

[oasis1frog]

Our country has around 500,000 Aboriginals - not a huge number, when you think about it.
Carol

That's a huge number if majority of these people living off my hard earned tax $$. Mind you there are a huge number of non-aborigine people living off my hard earned tax $$ as well. You can't help someone who don't want to help themselves.

 

[Strannik]

Here is an idea.

How about we accept that they have totally different culture, and stop trying to integrate them into our culture?

Let them live in their reservations, if they wanna get drunk - fine, they wanna beat up and rape each other - fine.

If any of them will want to come out and study and live a decent life, and integrate into our society - that's also fine.

 

[BayView]

Here is an idea.

How about we accept that they have totally different culture, and stop trying to integrate them into our culture?

Let them live in their reservations, if they wanna get drunk - fine, they wanna beat up and rape each other - fine.

If any of them will want to come out and study and live a decent life, and integrate into our society - that's also fine.

No argument from me; I'd love 'em to; just make a decision. Ours or yours.

But they keep complaining about us pinching the country from them. Get over it.

 

[DavidMc]

Here is an idea.

How about we accept that they have totally different culture, and stop trying to integrate them into our culture?

Let them live in their reservations, if they wanna get drunk - fine, they wanna beat up and rape each other - fine.

If any of them will want to come out and study and live a decent life, and integrate into our society - that's also fine.

That's what I reckon. In addition, they have access to our technological achievements (for example, they don't have to invent the combustion engine from scratch, if they ever wanted such a thing).

I think a large part of the problem is living half way between two different cultures. It's not like their lifestyle will impact ours, as ours does theirs.

The downside will be any potential human rights abuse they might happen in their culture. Still, us 'force helping' them (or imposing our way of life) doesn't seem to be doing the job, so maybe it's time to look at other things.

I heard Arnhem land is successful. Is this the case?

 

[pendo]

That's what I reckon. In addition, they have access to our technological achievements (for example, they don't have to invent the combustion engine from scratch, if they ever wanted such a thing).

I think a large part of the problem is living half way between two different cultures. It's not like their lifestyle will impact ours, as ours does theirs.

The downside will be any potential human rights abuse they might happen in their culture. Still, us 'force helping' them (or imposing our way of life) doesn't seem to be doing the job, so maybe it's time to look at other things.

I heard Arnhem land is successful. Is this the case?

Spot on David, and therein lies one major problem. A large section of IA refuses to move into the future. Not all of course, but a large enough section to get the backs of the majority up. I think Dazz's story is echoed in every town across Australia. Most of us who have traversed this great land, have seen and heard similar stories firsthand.

The reality is that we are damned if we do, and we are damned if we don't. One could be cynical of Rudd, and his party, for creating a warm inner glow, but unless the media, and indeed the electorate, apply a blow torch to Rudd, and follow him up with what results have been achieved, then the problems will remain intractable.

I think most reasonable people like to see the next person given a fair go. The trouble is, how many fair goes can you give, before we all lose interest and let this fester into an even larger more catastrophic disgrace.

 

[Nards]

I heard Arnhem land is successful. Is this the case?

As a person (non- IA) who resides in Arnhem land, I would say currently it is unfortunately not successful....the rate of ill-health and child sexual abuse is astronomical compared to the rest of Australia. The government has recently bought in many changes here in an attempt to protect children, which is across the board - it affects all who live here. This includes no consumption of alcohol outside of your own or legal premises (ie pub etc); no consumption of alcohol outside the town lease (ie when camping etc); need to provide ID to bottleshop and declare where you are consuming alcohol if you purchase over $100 worth. Pornography is also banned outside the town leases (ie on Aboriginal land).
At the end of this month a permit system is to be introduced - you must have a permit to consume/buy alcohol -I'm not exacatly sure how this is to work yet - I believe problem drinkers will be denied a permit, but I dont know who will police this - we are still awaiting publication of the new rules...

I'm not sure what effect these changes have had on the more remote communities in term of child sex abuse (there were something like 80 reported children under 10 with STDs in the last year), however from purely my observation, there seems to be little change in drunken people on the streets, and apparently "grog running" is rife.

These new rules have had significant impact on everyday, clean living citizens - especially when going camping etc and not being to enjoy (legally!) a quiet drink around the campfire, and many people arn't happy with it. I am quite happy to live with the changes if it may mean one small child is spared sexual abuse...I dont know if it is an answer to such a massive and seemingly commonplace place problem, but it is a start...

I could go on and on about the sad and, in my view, destructive patterns that seem to have become a cultural norm. I personally think the only answer is for the Aboriginal Elders to come forward and lead the way, helping the communities solve this problem from within.

Nadia

 

[WinstonWolfe]

Thanks Nards for speaking up.

I deal with doctors, health educators, teachers, and police regularly who have returned from reservations (some of them physically abused and on workers compensation)

and it knocks the inner urban idealism out of them.

I think it is time to ask what is IA culture? is it what happens on reservations today, or is it something extinct and in the Dreamtime????

And how wise is it to get all hung up and sentimental about IA culture ever coming back? Isn't it a bit patronizing of white folk to believe it ever will?

I believe the best future for IAs is to live in the present and keep their eyes on the future. Most have happily adopted use of cars and houses and a regular supply of food without hunting and gardening.

This whole holding onto previous identity and culture thing is just a cop out.
Sure, be proud of your race and your ancestry, but accept that everyone over the world is right now proud of their ancestry but still able to live in the industrialized world.

Trying to do both at the same time is no man's land.