There are numerous stories and examples of the positive impact the National Apology has had on both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population. It is amazing how many of my white brothers and sisters have told me that they now consider themselves proud Australians and that we all, as a nation, can move forward. This makes me very proud.
However, there remain other injustices that occurred since Captain Cook discovered Australia. I feel we must address some of these before we can move forward. An apology by Prime Minister Rudd is one thing, and very welcomed by all Australians, but this is just the start of the healing and of a new beginning.
Let’s, firstly, look at Aboriginal Australia when Cook arrived. It is estimated that some 250 different tribal groups existed when Cook arrived comprising some 750 different dialects. As John Mulvaney, world-renowned Archeologist who contributed to the television documentary ‘Unfinished Business’, says Aboriginal Australia’s 50,000 year history consists of 2,000 generations, ‘Yet it is only 7 or 8 would take you back to 1788.’
It was estimated that when the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay there were at least 300,000 Aboriginal people living in Australia. Some experts have estimated that the figure was closer to one million. By 1901 the State censuses carried out in that year concluded that there were about 40,000 Aboriginal people and by the time of the Commonwealth census in 1911 the figure had dropped to 20,000. In the country areas around Perth, the Noongar people and Noongar country were greatly affected by Colonisation. In his book ‘Blood on the Wattle’, Bruce Elder talks of 4,500 Noongar people of an estimated 6,000 dying of the imported disease influenza between 1829 and 1901 (there was an equally devastating impact through a range of other European introduced diseases). The Noongar were close to extinction. As a Noongar man I found this to be very disturbing and confronting, as this was a period when my Grandparents survived and hence my being.
The fact that some of the diverse languages and cultures of these many tribal groups survived post colonization is amazing given the enormous loss of life and the near extinction of many tribes. This language and culture were further threatened by the impact of Government policies that lead to substantial discrimination against Aboriginal people in this country and the removal of Aboriginal children from their families. But that will be the subject of the next in this series of articles.
To me these are examples of what all Australians need to understand when grappling with the healing of our nation. All Australians need to better understand the history and the impact of history on Australia’s Aboriginal people before we can, as a nation, heal, and ‘Reconciliation’ can be achieved.
The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness ‘Queers for Reconciliation’ (Q4R) workshops that are facilitated for the queer community are an obvious way that the gay and lesbian community can become more aware and involved. These workshops look at some of the historical issues impacting on Aboriginal people today and allow for meaningful and problem solving discussion. These workshops allow people to commence their own ‘Journey of Reconciliation’ with further activities and reading recommended. These workshops will recommence shortly and the first is scheduled for Thursday, 24th April at 5.30pm in the Conference Room at Lotterywest House, 2 Delhi Street in West Perth (adjacent to City West rail station). If you would like to attend, ring Alan Carter on 0428 250 155 or e-mail: alan.carter@conservationwa.asn.au. Bookings are essential
