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Wondering Pilgrim

~ the ramblings of a perambulent and often distracted sojourner

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Tag Archives: Indigenous Australians

An Open Letter to the People of Australia

13 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in reconciliation

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Australia, Indigenous Australians, Reconciliation Australia, Stolen Generations

Sometimes, when one is greeted by a plethora of email messages in the morning, a particular message stands out and one feels that a kairos moment has just brushed by. This morning was such an occasion and I share it with you:

Good morning,

Please find attached a joint statement to the people of Australia on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Australian Reconciliation Network.

An Open Letter to the People of Australia

On the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, the Australian Reconciliation Network encourages all Australians to consider carefully the recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

We believe that recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution is another positive step forward for our nation. The Panel has produced an excellent report that shows viable options exist to achieve this goal.

Many Australians would be surprised to learn that our Constitution currently allows Governments to discriminate against any group on the basis of race. We believe this is out of touch with modern Australia and does not reflect who we are as a nation today.

Historically it has been the Australian people who have lead the way towards reconciliation— overwhelmingly voting YES in the 1967 Referendum to count Aboriginal people in the census, walking across bridges in crowds of hundreds of thousands in a show of reconciliation, and turning out in droves to watch as Kevin Rudd made the formal Apology— unifying moments in our history that should not be forgotten.

Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution continues the unfinished business of the recommendations made by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 2000.

Extensive community consultations and polling that informed the Panel’s report suggest that changes are worthy and capable of support for a referendum.

We have before us a tremendous opportunity to define our nation’s story and take another step towards a reconciled nation. We share a vision for an Australia which recognises and is proud of our unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and celebrates the diversity which makes our nation great.

We therefore encourage all Australians to consider carefully the Panel’s proposals to amend the Constitution.

Signed:

Dr Tom Calma and Ms Melinda Cilento, Reconciliation Australia Co-Chairs
Kristy Masella and Kerrie Murphy, NSW Reconciliation Council Co-Chairs
Aunty Heather Castledine and Peter Jackson, Reconciliation Queensland Inc Co-Chairs
Renai Dean and Keith Gove, Reconciliation Victoria Co-Chairs
Jim Morrison and Keith Bodman, Reconciliation WA Co-Chairs
Prof Peter Buckskin PSM FACE and Hon. Robyn Layton QC, Reconciliation South Australia Co-Chairs

 

Thank you.

Shannan Dodson
Communications Officer
Reconciliation Australia

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The Lobby & The Tent Embassy

27 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in Personal, reconciliation

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Indigenous Australians, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott

Aboriginal Embassy and Mount Ainslie 29-10-06

Image via Wikipedia

I visited the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1982 – its presence was about ten years old then, and it was generating considerable angst in the orderly scene that is public service Canberra. My errand was to return an address/appointment book I had picked up in the street. It  belonged to one of the key embassy activists. I considered, given the sensitive nature of the contents, that I would deliver it to its owner myself rather than turn it in to “the authorities.”  The public was not on side at this time; the tent was an embarrassment and should go. Thirty years later, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy pitched on the lawns of Old Parliament House has hit international headlines again.

It’s not my desire to add commentary to this particular event, apart to point out that the incident illustrates the distance we still have to travel  before this country can speak of being unified.

Yet there remains enough positive energy from all parties to give it a go. Current anger and polarisation gives the appearance of sudden crisis. In reality, the crisis has existed for some time. Genuine and intelligent efforts continue to strive against all sorts of odds to address it. These efforts will not be diverted by the street theatre of yesterday, no matter who instigated it. The party of 22 diverse community leaders who have submitted the unanimous parliamentary report on changes to the Australian Constitution to acknowledge indigenous concerns remains promising. Today’s analysis: Long road to the Indigenous referendum – Eureka Street is both realistic and hopeful.

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Fireworks, eskies and reconciliation…

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in local politics, reconciliation

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Australia Day, Indigenous Australians, National Day

A didgeridoo player in Arnhem Land, 1981.

Image via Wikipedia

Our national day celebrations often generate discussion within our small congregation. Yesterday’s take on Jonah the Bogan was one attempt to address the tensions between celebrating national pride and accountability to something wider, bigger and deeper. One of our Elders, Steve Mellor, has granted permission to reprint his article from this week’s church newsletter:

On 26th January Australians will gather in capital cities and other regional centres around the country to celebrate Australia Day.  The day will be marked with official ceremonies, parties and elaborate fireworks displays.  The day will be a special occasion for many new Australians who will truly call Australia home by accepting the responsibilities that come with Australian Citizenship.  So let’s reflect on what this day actually means.

To call January 26th Australia Day is somewhat of a misnomer.  Ray Durbridge reminded us a few weeks ago that our real national day passes by largely unnoticed.  1st January 1901 is really when Australia came into being.  Whilst many Australians party and celebrate the establishment of a British penal colony on the shores of Sydney Harbour on 26th  January 1788, a substantial number of Australians remember the day with some sadness and find it offensive that such celebrations take place.  It was on that day that the great southern land was taken away from a people who had lived here continuously for around 100,000 years.  For them, the 26th January 1788 marks the day of invasion.

There is a real sense in which we, as Australians, should be proud of our heritage and of the nation we have become – a nation which acknowledges the rights and privileges of all its citizens and one which, I feel , leads the world in expressing and respecting the rights and dignity of all people.  We are a nation which honours and respects both the importance of the individual and the value of community, though I have been somewhat dismayed at recent debate concerning the coming of persecuted people to our shores, particularly those of non-Christian background.  Many risk their lives to come here and that says a great deal about who we are as a nation.  Our reputation is largely built on the perceived good life available to most.  Sadly though, the original indigenous inhabitants of this land have not enjoyed the same fruits of prosperity.

Historically, whilst the states came together in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation to form the nation of Australia, prior to Federation systematic occupation of an already occupied land saw much loss of indigenous life, culture and heritage, as well as the expanding colonies’ environmental impact.  Events subsequent to Federation saw attempts to completely eradicate the ‘blacks’ through removal of children from their parents and the further taking of previously occupied land.  The original inhabitants were considered to be non-people, only being given the rights of citizenship in 1967.  44 years later indigenous people still struggle for recognition, respect and opportunity to truly enjoy life as part of ‘one Australia’.  So, for me, this is not a cause for celebration, but rather it should be the catalyst for further listening and reflection.  Pride in the steps we have taken in recent times, particularly in the area of reconciliation, should be tempered with a liberal dose of humility, acknowledging the mistakes that have been made and recognising the difficulty of the road ahead but also recognising that the diverse indigenous culture is as rich a part of the common wealth of this nation as any resource.  If we choose to listen, there is much we can learn.

Respect for the indigenous people of this country has led me to not celebrate Australia Day and I would be happy to see it removed from the nation’s calendar.  However, I am proud to be a member of a church having an on-going commitment to reconciliation and am encouraged by our desire to show respect for the First Australians through the implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan.  Approaching another Australia Day, let’s reflect on the great cost of our nationhood to our indigenous brothers and sisters.  While honouring and celebrating our Australianness, let’s also acknowledge and reflect on the history that accompanies that and how we might participate in positive acts of reconciliation.

Steve

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Indigenous Australians taking the next step – Eureka Street

06 Wednesday Jul 2011

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in Personal, reconciliation

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Tags

Indigenous Australians, NAIDOC, postaday2011, reconciliation

Indigenous Australians taking the next step – Eureka Street.

Continuing reflections on NAIDOC week, this article describes a personal odyssey that reminds me very much of the ‘listening journey’ myself and some others undertook in the same region three years ago. Resilience and optimism against the background of the challenges of cultural deprivation and restoration had a strong impact on us. The NAIDOC poster for this year is powerful. We have several festooning the church hall right now.

-31.911079 115.772731

When saying and hearing “sorry” is hard work…

26 Thursday May 2011

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in Personal, reconciliation

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Tags

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Indigenous Australians, National Sorry Day, postaday2011

2:3 Vexillological symbol The Australian Abori...

Image via Wikipedia

‘We need to forgive and be forgiven, every day, every hour — unceasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.’ Henri Nouwen

Today is Sorry Day, which now commemorates and builds on the 2008 parliamentary apology to Australia’s indigenous people for past policies that resulted in dispossession and fragmentation of a people. It marked a fresh new beginning – possibilities and potential for collaborative problem solving. It was quickly apparent that saying “sorry” wasn’t enough. We still carry the legacy of our shared history and it is a complex matter to deal with. Apology places a necessary burden on both the giver and the receiver. Both have an opportunity to stand back and look at the mess and say “What now?” Old mistakes are prone to be repeated, such as the paternalism of the NT “intervention” or the easy fall-back – fostered reliance on welfare. New initiatives are also born from within indigenous communities and there are many great stories of health and education programs and business enterprises. Giving and receiving apology is hard work – and it is good to have days of focus that invite reflection on how far we’ve come and how far we have yet to travel.

Eureka Street has some relevant articles today: The quote at the head of this post is referred to in The moral challenge of accepting an apology.

Mark Green in, When ‘sorry’ is not enough, leads our reflection further.

Lives of urban Aboriginal women is the title of a film review of Here I am, “a hopeful story in which forgiveness and redemption are attainable goals.”

-31.911079 115.772731

Street party or PeaceChurch – why not both?

27 Sunday Mar 2011

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in Personal

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Tags

Indigenous Australians, postaday2011, reconciliation

Both happen once in a blue moon. Must be a blue moon tonight ‘cos they clash. Our street Christmas party is late because this is the first Sunday we’re all here at the same time – yep, since Christmas 2010! PeaceChurch happens when we have something significant to process and that was scheduled for tonight as well. We want to to take the Reconciliation Action Plan a little further now that the Notice of Intention has been lodged with Reconciliation Australia. Sounds like a lot of rigmarole, but it means our efforts to engage in the indigenous reconciliation process are gaining some traction – even if it only means integrating celebration of significant events into the church program and advancing local education and communication opportunities. The two clashing events may, in the end, have a lot to do with each other (and we can attend both events tonight as the times are staggered).

-31.911079 115.772731

It’s now three years since saying sorry…

16 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by wonderingpilgrim in Personal, reconciliation

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Indigenous Australians, postaday2011, Reconciliation Australia, Stolen Generations

What has it meant?

If it has been a grudging acknowledgement in order to relieve the pressure of a collective nagging and vague sense of guilt, not much at all.
If it has been an empty vocalisation in order to finally silence, irritating and scolding voices we’d rather not hear – then zilch.

If it has been a genuine and mutual reaching out to one another in order to reconcile and entertain the possibility of real partnership, then something!

Reconciliation Australia’s “barometer” released  early this week reveals that mutual trust is the big challenge, with low percentages on both sides of the divide. Yet there is optimism about progress. See CASE STUDY 3: TRUST BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS IS LOW

Kevin Rudd, the author and deliverer of the prime minister’s apology in February, 2008, reflects on what was involved in coming to the occasion. See Apology To The Aboriginal Stolen Generations. His reflection reveals what is needed on a large scale if  meaningful progress is to occur – and the foundation is relational before it can be political. This is what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been telling us for decades. Let’s hope more of us are starting to  listen.


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