Coming Events
Next Article
“The poverty experienced by many Aboriginal people is as morally reprehensible as torture and must be eradicated”, Amnesty International secretary-general Irene Khan says.
Strong words, but is such ‘advocacy’ helpful. I argue that moralistic bites such as this are in fact dangerous. While advocates feel that such statements point out government failures, they can actually be harmful to the people they are meant to protect. I consider why this is…
Latest Headlines
-
Recruiting, Training and Supporting Dominant Culture Personnel for Indigenous Communities
Posted on September 5, 2009 | 6 CommentsThe following is a Presentation I made to a ‘Roundtable’ discussion with TEAR Australia, in August 2009, discussing the needs and possibilities for supporting government and non-government personnel working in Aboriginal communities across Australia to improve community development outcomes for Indigenous people. What I am... -
Learning the Indigenous Languages of NE Arnhem Land, The Northern Territory
Posted on July 4, 2009 | 2 CommentsWe sometimes get the question from people interested in working with people from North East Arnhem Land; 'Do you know of any good external language courses that are available?' There are a couple of options to begin learning Yolŋu Matha, the language of north east Arnhem Land. -
The Blame Game.
Posted on June 16, 2009 | No CommentsIt is the easiest thing to lay blame. It is also very easy to assume that you are being blamed by someone else. Recently, I have become more aware of the way groups all working to help Indigenous people fight against each other, laying blame or putting up walls. The clash of cultures that occurs within and among organisations working with Indigenous can result in what I call the 'blame game'. A dynamic that people brings added stress and disfunction to the whole system. The blame game is notable both between dominant culture workers and Indigneous people, as well as between different Indigneous groups. -
Another Indigenous voice from Arnhem Land
Posted on February 26, 2009 | 7 CommentsHere is another statement from a Yolngu person from North East Arnhem Land. He speaks against the intervention,l but he is also referring to many other recent sudden changes in NT government policy such as the ceasing of funding to Home Land centres (or out-stations) and the closing of Home Land schools. Again the underlining concern is about the approach that came with the intervention that has lead to such broad brush decisions being made without prior consultation. If you are working with Indigenous people do not let ideologies control your decision making, find a way to understand the local people's real experience, knowledge, and situation. Yingiya is a excellent teacher and I think there is plenty to be learnt from his words about the experience and perspectives of the Yolngu people. -
A project in responsive development
Posted on February 23, 2009 | No CommentsWe are initiating a new project in developing human enterprise in NE Arnhem Land. This unique project has an entirely holistic approach, focusng on the facilitation of, well, everything - everything the people have a passion to achieve. By providing the resources to remove obstacles and enabling real, effective and people driven change, and by supporting the people in developing their own ideas and fulfilling their desires we will provide opportunity for change in remote Indigenous communities. -
An Indigenous voice on current Government policy
Posted on January 14, 2009 | 2 CommentsThis is the second of a series of videos produced by a knowledgeable Aboriginal Lady from North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. I post this here so people can see that Indigenous people from the remote areas really are angry about disempowering approaches. -
An Indigenous voice – How is Yolngu law separate from the Governments Law
Posted on January 12, 2009 | No CommentsHere is a YouTube video that is worth watching because it contains the genuine voice of an Indigenous a significant person from one the remote communities most effected by recent Government polices. She speaks of why she sees her people's Law and the Mainstream Law of Australia of the 'Balanda' (the Europeans/non-indigenous) as separate from each other. -
An example of disempowerment- Why dont you talk to us first?
Posted on December 21, 2008 | 1 CommentThe Elder speaking was quite irate about decisions that had been made by Goverment and organisations that had not been discussed with local leaders. "Why don't you Balanda explain to us what are your plans?... You don't talk to us... You just change things." ... -
How do Indigenous Languages help Learning outcomes?
Posted on December 8, 2008 | No CommentsTo some we may be beginning to sound like a broken record, always talking about the importance of using Indigneous languages. But the reason I continue to talk about this is because many Australia personnel and agencies have so much trouble really absorbing the importance of starting with local languages. So lets say it as simply as possible. If a hearer does not understand well the language being used then ZERO meaning or information may be being conveyed. How can this be? Let's break it down... -
Four hours in English – An Indigenous bilingual teacher’s experience.
Posted on November 28, 2008 | No CommentsA growing group called ‘Friends of Bilingual Learning’ (FOBL) sprang up a few months ago and its members are actively involved in the debate over Marion Scrymgour’s decision to relegate the use of local Indigenous languages to only 1hour a day at all bilingual schools. ...