History

Professor Heidi Norman writes for IndigenousX about the importance of discovery Australia’s true history in order to remedy the present in all its complexities.

Colonisers of Australia were often out of their depth. Sometimes they needed rescuing from themselves, or during natural disasters. And First Peoples were often their rescuers. These heroic stories rarely feature in the dominant narratives, but they should.

I mean no disrespect to anyone who supports reconciliation week, but I no longer participate. It’s hard to maintain hope when there’s scant signs of achieving justice.

Despite the corporate sloganeering of recent years, the AFL has a chequered history when it comes to the treatment of racism in sport.

It isn't enough to learn about Aboriginal history to create true understanding. We also need to examine the lens through which history is viewed... White supremacy (and Social Darwinism) still shapes much of the way White Australia sees Aboriginal peoples, cultures and history.

For most of the twentieth century, Aboriginal children were removed for a number of reasons. ‘For their own good’ was not one of them.

Because of her, I can’t.  Because of her, I can’t succumb to colonisation, assimilation, and genocide. Because of her, I can’t submit to the perpetual colonial and patriarchal forces that want me to forget.

Two of the most popular phrases in Australia, that could not be further apart. One that implores us to honour our history and those who were a part of it, while the other not only ignores a comparable history but aggressively dismisses it and admonishes those who would honour it.

On the anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report – we say no more to paternalistic policies that undermine our families and communities.

This year, on the 6th Birthday of IndigenousX we were keen to acknowledge some of the figures, organisations and publications on whose shoulders we stand. There are many, and to be frank, without them we wouldn’t be doing what we do today.

I remember on the day of the national apology to the stolen generations thinking, “This is amazing”. I couldn’t register that the prime minister had said sorry. It was a pivotal moment in my experience of Indigenous affairs and it made me feel positive about the possibility for change and a better Australia for our peoples.

Ten years ago, the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, rose in the Parliament and apologised on behalf of the nation to the Stolen Generations. He apologised for the impact of laws and policies that removed our children from their families and communities, acknowledging these past wrongs and their ongoing impact today.

IndigenousX speaks with Uncle Jack Charles about #Apology10

#Apology10 - IndigenousX speaks Roxanne Moore

IndigenousX examines #Apology10

What we choose to pursue at this time will either make things harder or easier for future generations.  Our decision now will either protect the existence of an ancient culture and knowledges or contribute to its complete decimation.

Opponents to Australia Day are invariably criticised in two ways. The first is a favoured manoeuvre for establishment media pundits: claim the focus on 26 January is trivial while more pressing Indigenous issues are neglected.

On 26 January, 1788 the British Crown contravened its own law – and prevailing international law–  by laying claim to 7.692 million km² of land that was already inhabited and cared for by over 200 First Nations, each with a sophisticated and ecologically-focussed system of governance. And the trespass continues.