Modern Aboriginal Issues

3503 Words8 Pages

Modern Aboriginal Issues

The first Europeans to settle Australia treated the Aboriginals in a brutal, unfair manor. They downgraded Aboriginals to a lower status as human beings. They tried to force the Aboriginals to conform to the western way of life for more than 200 years. It is only fairly recently that the Aboriginals have finally been able to gain back some of their indigenous rights and traditions.

Yet they are still deficient in many areas. The land that their ancestors held has not all been returned to them, they struggle to meet the requirements of western education systems, and they have a very limited access to health care. In spite of these problems, many aboriginals are working to better themselves and their community. It will just take time for the western and Aboriginal cultures to merge into the one final Australian society

Introduction

The Aboriginal people have undergone much change and turmoil in the 220 years since the British first started a colony. They have seen their land and their freedom stripped away. The Aboriginal people are slowly regaining ground after two centuries of unfair political and social treatment. How far have Aboriginal people come, and how far do they have to go, before they will truly be equal citizens?

To answer this question, one must first look at how they were forced to the bottom of the ladder. Next, some of the recent changes that have occurred in government policy and social acceptance will be looked at. Finally, education and health care as faced by the Aboriginals in their lives daily will be discussed.

History

The problems facing Aboriginals today are many an...

... middle of paper ...

...lian Nursing Journal. 11(9):37.

Fasoli, Lyn, Margot Ford. 2001. "Indigenous early childhood educators' narratives: Relationships, not activities." Australian Journal of Early Childhood. 26(3):18-22.

Griffiths, Max. 1995. Aboriginal Affairs, A Short History. Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd, Kenthurst NSW.

Howitt, Richard. 1998. “Recognition, respect and reconciliation: steps towards decolonization?” Australian Aboriginal Studies. 1998(1):28-34.

Mail, Koori. 2001. "Course provides local EN opportunities". Australian Nursing Journal 9(5):33.

Mary Greely Medical Center. Website. www.mgmc.org/about/stats.htm. Accessed April 20, 2005.

Windisch, Lydia E., Vickii B. Jenvey; Marlene Drysdale. 2003. "Indigenous parents' ratings of the importance of play, indigenous games and language, and early childhood education." Australian Journal of Early Childhood. 28(3):50-56.

Show More
Related

  • Nova Peris Case Study

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    The contributions and achievements of Indigenous role models continue to make substantial impacts upon our history in areas such as the arts, sport, education, science and more increasingly; the world of Politics. Modern Australia is recognising and celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal people more than ever before, where the social landscape is changing (albeit slowly) as a result. The gradual change of peoples ingrained preconceptions, unfounded ideas and prejudiced notions are being challenged and ultimately transformed.

    Read More

  • The Sopphires Analysis

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2016). As a Pre-Service Teacher specialising in Early Childhood Education, it is imperative to understand how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were treated in the past and the impact that this may have on Indigenous families in the

    Read More

  • Edgar Allen Poe's The Cask of Amontillado

    614 Words  | 2 Pages

    Poe's, The Cask of Amontillado is a story about fear and revenge. The story begins with Montressor's vow of revenge, foreshadowing future actions. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult vowed revenge..." Montressor had to be sure not to raise suspicion of what he was going to do Fortunato. Montressor knew that Fortunato had a weakness that he could use towards his advantage.

    Read More

  • The Segregation and Assimilation Policies in Relation to the Impact They Had on the Aboriginal Family Lfe

    2039 Words  | 5 Pages

    As European domination began, the way in which the European’s chose to deal with the Aborigines was through the policy of segregation. This policy included the establishment of a reserve system. The government reserves were set up to take aboriginals out of their known habitat and culture, while in turn, encouraging them to adapt the European way of life. The Aboriginal Protection Act of 1909 established strict controls for aborigines living on the reserves . In exchange for food, shelter and a little education, aborigines were subjected to the discipline of police and reserve managers. They had to follow the rules of the reserve and tolerate searchers of their homes and themselves. Their children could be taken away at any time and ‘apprenticed” out as cheap labour for Europeans. “The old ways of the Aborigines were attacked by regimented efforts to make them European” . Their identities were threatened by giving them European names and clothes, and by removing them from their tra...

    Read More

  • Reconciliation Action Plan

    1257 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...rial covered in the unit Aboriginal People that I have been studying at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle, Aboriginal people have had a long history of being subjected to dispossession and discriminatory acts that has been keep quite for too long. By standing together we are far more likely to achieve long lasting positive outcomes and a better future for all Australians.

    Read More

  • Aboriginal Education

    1348 Words  | 3 Pages

    This essay will discuss the Aboriginal Education policies in Victoria and Federally and how these policies impacted upon the children of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This essay will further analyse the impact these past policies had on the Aboriginal and Torres strait Islanders’ families and children’s education and how current policies were put in place to assist indigenous students’ access to education. Further to this an analysis of how teachers can implement these changes in the curriculum and classroom.

    Read More

  • Essay On Aboriginal Health

    2026 Words  | 5 Pages

    Walter, M. (2007). Aboriginality, poverty and health-exploring the connections. Beyond bandaids: exploring the underlying social determinants of aboriginal health. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.lowitja.org.au/sites/default/files/docs/Beyond-Bandaids-CH5.pdf/ [Accessed 10 Apr 2014]

    Read More

  • Inequality In Education Essay

    3194 Words  | 7 Pages

    The inequality in Australian education can be attributed to a history of low expectations and discrimination placed on Indigenous people by the government and society. Aboriginal children were denied the right to education until the 1970s due to the discrimitory views of the government and society. The Indigenous population were the sub-standard race of humanity with little to no chance of succeeding in life and these attitudes affected the educational choices offered to them (Ray & Poonwassie, 1992). As the superior race, the Anglo-Celtic Australians, considered themselves both intellectually and socio-culturally more advanced than their inferior Aboriginal neighbours (Foley, 2013). As a consequence of these racially and culturally motivated preconceptions, children of Aboriginal descent were considered unskilled outside of their own and were deemed incapable of excelling in ‘civilised’ white society (Foley, 2013). As a result, the Australian Government, in an effort to civilise and nurture politeness within the Aboriginal people, constructed “structured” (p 139) education training institutions in 1814. However, these problems only provided sufficient schooling for menial work: Aboriginal male children were prepared for agricultural employment, while girls were trained for domesticated services (Foley, 2013). Thus, as a direct consequence of low expectation for life success, Aboriginal children were offered minimal schooling ‘consistent with the perception about the limitations inherent in their race and their expected station in life at the lowest rung of white society’ (Beresford & Partington, 2003, p43). According to Foley (2013) this combination of low expectations and poor academic grounding meant that Indigenous children we...

    Read More

  • Aboriginal Education Essay

    1462 Words  | 3 Pages

    The education of Aboriginal people is a challenge that has been a concern for many years and is still an issue. However, it remains the best way young people can climb out of poverty. With the colonialization and the oppression of Aboriginals, there have been many lasting side effects that continue to be affecting the Aboriginal youth today. “While retention and graduation rates have improved among urban Aboriginal population, an educational gap still remains between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in urban settings” (Donovan, 127). Many suffer from a diminished self-worth, as they do not feel valued and feel inferior to their classmates. In this essay I am going to outline the reasons Aboriginals are struggling, discuss what is being done

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Black Cat And The Cask Of Amontillado

    1229 Words  | 3 Pages

    Edgar Allan Poe has a style that is dark and morbid. His tone is very gloomy and obscure. The tone of “The Cask of Amontillado” is almost tame compared to the tone of “The Black Cat”, his other work we covered. The tone of that work is almost maddening. “The Cask of Amontillado” tone is very sinister and methodic. Whereas “The Black Cat”, has a pulse to a cadence and rhythm though no clear pattern is established. Poe’s style of writing seems so personal, as a reader I had to remind myself this was fiction. His first-person style of writing is so detailed and intricate it is very easy to become invested in the world he creates. “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Black Cat” both have themes of revenge where the supposed victim is untimely

    Read More

  • The Assimilation Policy and Its Impact on the Indigenous Australian Society

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    The assimilation policy was a policy that existed between the 1940’s and the 1970’s, and replaced that of protectionism. Its purpose was to have all persons of aboriginal blood and mixed blood living like ‘white’ Australians, this established practice of removing Aboriginal children (generally half-bloods) from their homes was to bring them up without their culture, and they were encouraged to forget their aboriginal heritage. Children were placed in institutions where they could be 'trained' to take their place in white society. During the time of assimilation Aboriginal people were to be educated for full citizenship, and have access to public education, housing and services. However, most commonly aboriginal people did not receive equal rights and opportunities, for example, their wages were usually less than that paid to the white workers and they often did not receive recognition for the roles they played in the defence of Australia and their contribution to the cattle industry. It wasn’t until the early 1960’s that expendi...

    Read More

  • Essay On Aboriginal Rights In Australia

    641 Words  | 2 Pages

    Indigenous Australians have had a controversial place throughout Australian history, with World War 1 being one of the main events in this topic. Although there were no aboriginals that went to fight in World War I, it was not that they didn't want to because of their violent history with the British, it was because the British didn't allow them to enlist for World War 1.

    Read More

  • My Nursing Experience Essay

    929 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Countries where people feel more threatened with uncertainty are more likely to be afraid of change and countries where people are less threatened with uncertainty are more accepting of a departure from the norm.” (Adler, Rosenfeld, Proctor, &Winder, 2012, p.100). I grew up in Korea until grade 11 and came to Canada. Even though I spent seven years in Canada, I am still strongly influenced by norms in Korean society. I realized that I came from one of the countries that feel more threatened with uncertainty and not comfortable with not fitting the norms in the society. In Korean society, females who are 24 years old usually finish their four-years of degree and look for the job. Moreover, majority people expect to finish degree in four years. When my parents kept reminding me the norm in Korean society, I felt discouraged because I did not want to be behind the rest of same age people in Korea. I realized that I felt helpless not because my parents were not supportive with my decision, but because of the uncomfortable feeling that comes from not fitting the norm. I should have understood my perception that closely related to Korean society and the difference of culture between Korea and

    Read More

  • Social Work In Australia

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been the first nations, which represented the whole Australian population, for centuries. However, the continuous European colonization has severely affected these peoples and, over the decades, their unique values and cultures, which enriched the life of Australian nation and communities, were not respected and discriminated by numerous restrictive policies. As a result, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have turned into the voiceless minority of the Australian population. Fortunately, in recent years, these issues became the concern of the Australian government, promoting a slight improvement in the well being of native Australians. Nowadays, there are numerous social work

    Read More

  • Achievements Of The Cask Of Amontillado

    2221 Words  | 5 Pages

    James Gargano, a famous critic, said The Cask of Amontillado was a masterpiece; a powerful tale of revenge; one of Edgar Allan Poe 's richest aesthetic achievements; deserves more analysis than it has received; and that critics have rightfully expressed admiration for the tale (Gargano). Like Gargano, many critics give Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado great acclamation. Though few critics are displeased with the narrator, The Cask of Amontillado is widely praised by most critics. "The Cask of Amontillado" is a work of art, and not just an ingenious Gothic exercise” (Milne). Other critics such as Bettina Knapp and Charles Dana, did not like The Cask of Amontillado or that Montresor felt no guilt. Poe 's characters murder and commit heinous crimes and feel no remorse towards their victims. "Bettina Knapp places ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ among Poe 's ‘shadow tales,’ which do not offer values. No judgmental forces are at work. Crime is neither a negative nor a positive act. Poe 's psychopaths do not distinguish between good and evil, nor do they usually feel remorse or guilt”

    Read More

More about Modern Aboriginal Issues

Open Document