Australia Archive

  • "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...

    When Indigenous Advocacy Does Damage

    Posted on November 23, 2009 | No Comments
    "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...

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  • The Elder speaking was quite irate about decisions that had been made by Goverment and organisations that had not been discussed with local leaders.

    An example of disempowerment- Why dont you talk to us first?

    Posted on December 21, 2008 | 1 Comment
    The 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." ...

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  • In Yirrkala on the 23rd July 2008, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his cabinet were presented with a petition by a dozen key Yolŋu Indigenous leaders. The petition requested that the Federal Government begin the process of negotiation with Aboriginal people in order to recognise and protect Aboriginal rights in the constitution. How did Mr Rudd respond?...

    Closing the Gap Part 2 – A Yolŋu petition and an Ivory tower.

    Posted on August 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
    In Yirrkala on the 23rd July 2008, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his cabinet were presented with a petition by a dozen key Yolŋu Indigenous leaders. The petition requested that the Federal Government begin the process of negotiation with Aboriginal people in order to recognise and protect Aboriginal rights in the constitution. How did Mr Rudd respond?...

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  • Australia values indigenous languages as shown in our public art, but in practice it is easy to have excuses. There are a number of concerns about learning Aboriginal languages, and using local languages in education, that become blockages that prevent personnel individually or corporately from putting time into learning to use Aboriginal languages. I will briefly respond to these common concerns.

    Local Languages and Effective education

    Posted on April 29, 2008 | 1 Comment
    Australia values indigenous languages as shown in our public art, but in practice it is easy to have excuses. There are a number of concerns about learning Aboriginal languages, and using local languages in education, that become blockages that prevent personnel individually or corporately from putting time into learning to use Aboriginal languages. I will briefly respond to these common concerns.

    Continue Reading...