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The Aboriginal Community in Australia At the time of European settlement in Australia the indigenous population was estimated to be around 300,000. It's thought that as many as between 250 and 300 languages were in use at the time. Now, only half that number of languages are spoken. Language maintenance is encouraged as a symbol of identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Some of the more important Aboriginal languages are Aranda, or Arunta, which is spoken in Central Australia and Murngin, used in Arnhem land in the northern part of the country. Aboriginal habitation of Australia has been dated to approximately 38,000 years ago. One of the oldest sites is the Swan River region of Western Australia, however, scientists are making new discoveries about this ancient era all the time. As explained in The Australian People, edited by James Jupp, traditional tribal homelands were spread throughout the continent and in the Torres Strait Islands off Australia's north east coast, but generally groups remained close to the sea and waterways. The Aboriginal population was free of diseases which afflicted populations in other parts of the world and thousands of Australia's indigenous people succumbed to the typhus, dysentery and cholera that came with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Conflict with European settlers often was fierce and claimed many lives. Historian, Henry Reynolds, estimates at least 20,000 Aborigines were killed defending their land compared with up to 2,500 Europeans. Once European settlement was established the Aboriginal way of life and use of the land was changed forever. By the 1920s the Aboriginal population was estimated at around 70,000, less than one quarter of its size in 1788. In Tasmania's prime agricultural areas, Aboriginal people were rounded-up and removed elswhere in the hope they could be quickly eliminated and the land freed for exploitation. Remaining mixed race Aboriginals were relocated from Tasmania to Cape Barren Island. Writing in The Australian People, Charles Perkins described these practises as official genocide by the authorities, a conscious decision to render the Aboriginal race extinct. But by the 1930s it was acknowledged the Aboriginal race would survive and policies of protection, assimilation and integration came into being. Under these policies many Aboriginal children were taken from their natural parents. Government authorities of the time said the policy was enforced to protect Aboriginal children. This now discredited practice gave rise to what has become known as the 'Stolen Generation', thousands of indigenous children who grew up in institutions, often subjected to physical and sexual abuse without any contact with their natural parents and other relatives. In May 1997, the 'Bringing them Home' highlighted the extent and the impact of the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. This report was the result of an inquiry held by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Migration of indigenous people from rural areas to Australia's cities also caused further dislocation among Aboriginal families. According to writers in The Australian People, migration by Australia's indigenous people from rural areas to the cities was mainly for employment opportunities and occurred mostly from 1939 -1945. Aboriginal political activism began in the 1930s and flowered in the 1960s and 1970s. The 1965 Freedom Ride through rural New South Wales was inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States and began a new era of political awareness among whites and blacks. On 27 May 1967, Australians voted to change the Constitution to give the Commonwealth government power to pass laws on behalf of Aboriginal people. This limited the power of the State governments to deal with Aboriginal people as they saw fit. It also enabled Aboriginal people to be counted for the purpose of establishing federal electorates. Traditionally, in Australia, referenda are unsuccessful. However, the 1967 vote was the only referendum won unanimously in all States. A move towards national land rights legislation gained momentum in the early 1980s. By 1986 most Australian States had made some progress towards establishing secure title to land for Aboriginal people. Then in 1992 the High Court of Australia handed down its historic Mabo decision which rejected the doctrine that Australia was terra nullius, or unsettled, at the time of European settlement. The decision determined there was a concept of Native Title and that the source of that title was the traditional connection to or occupation of the land. Aboriginal people continue to experience great difficulties, particularly those living in isolated rural areas. Delivery of health and education services has not matched the large amounts of government funds to those sectors and funding for Aboriginal language tuition is beginning to decline. Aboriginal children suffer high death rates and indigenous adolescents and adults, particularly males, account for disproportionate numbers in Australia's jails. Aboriginal people continue to be under-represented in government. Recently, Australians elected only the second Aboriginal person to the Federal Parliament. However, appreciation of Aboriginal culture is increasing, not only among people living in Australia but also among international tourists to the country. Australia is finally acknowledging its ancient indigenous culture and many Australians are declaring their Aboriginality. On 13 February 2008, the newly elected Rudd Labor Government made a formal apology to the Stolen Generation on the opening of its first parliamentary sitting. Since then, there has been much debate amongst Aboriginal people and the broader community over the impact of the Apology and subsequent government policies and practices on the conditions and realities of Aboriginal communities around the country. A National Sorry Day continues to be commemorated on 26 May each year to give members of the public the opportunity to make a personal gesture of apology. Sorry Day takes place around the same time as the famous Mabo High Court decision. Also in May, National Reconciliation Week takes place on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum. These two events are designed to assist reconciliation between white and black Australians. Australia Day, held on 26 January, is Australia's national day. It is marked by Aboriginal people as Invasion Day or Survival Day. Community Contacts Organisations that represent Indigenous Australians: National Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies Acton House Marcus Clarke St Acton ACT 2601 Phone 02 6246 1111 Fax 02 6249 7310 Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation 3 - 5 National Court Barton ACT 2600 Phone 02 6271 5120 Victoria Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited 171 Smith St Fitzroy VIC 3065 Phone 03 9416 4266 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria 1 Spring St Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone 03 9208 3333 Victorian Aboriginal Health Service 186 Nicholson St Nth Fitzroy VIC 3065 Phone 03 9419 3000 New South Wales New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council 33 Argyle St Parramatta NSW 2150 Phone: 02 9689 4444 Western Australia National Native Title Tribunal Level 4 Commonwealth Law Courts 1 Victoria Ave GPO Box 9973 Perth WA 6001 Phone 1 800 640 501 Fax 08 9325 9031 Special Events Calendar SBS Radio's Aboriginal Program presents special coverage of these and other community events throughout the year. Jan Survival Day May National Reconciliation Week National Sorry Day July National Aboriginal and Islander Week Recommended Websites www.vicnet.net.au/aboriginal vicnet website This site contains many links to Aboriginal websites www.nntt.gov.au The homepage for the National Native Title Tribunal |
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