Hi GZ, Back 25 years ago we were encouraging indigenious "kids" to join the forces, we probably still are. The one thing that would stand in their way, would be education, the education levels required are greater now than they were back then, the "kids" that really need reaching, would not come close to these levels, the only thing I thought about was if the defence/environment department set up special units similar to the army reserve, where these kids could do some basic training in thier local areas and tounges, and learn and work in environment/landcare/rangers, this would give the kids a purpose, which is sadly lacking. The question is would the "kids" want to be part of it.
As i said in the earlier post
I suppose there is not just one answer, some communities probably cant move forward, and cant go back either. We will more than likely be having the same conversation in a couple of decades, but I really hope not.
The answers must come from within the individual troubled communities, It must be their call, If they can see a way forward, or a way back, let them give it a go, things cant be any worse than they are now. But if they cant see a way forward or back, then they must be told that the status quo will no longer be an option, they must take responsibility for their own situations.
I have read that in some settlements, the elders are simply leaving the settlement and taking family back to their ancestoral grounds, this is because the whole society has broken down, the "metalheads" have taken over, the old tribal law is no longer law, there is no respect. If the tribal law is no longer in force, then these troublemakers have to be dealt with the white way, after all we took the power of punishment out of the hands of the elders years ago. (I suppose It is not dissimilar to what is happening in white communities, we stopped smacking our kids, the kids now are taught their "rights" but not taught their "resposibilities". As kids when we stepped out of line, we were reminded where that line was, not brutally, but reminded non the less. If we did that today to our kids, and the school was informed, I am sure child welfare would be knocking on our doors).
I know that there are many Aboriginal and Island communities that are working well, these in general seem to be in areas where the nomadic nature is not strong, where the food usually came to them, ie costal communities up north with fishing and well vegitated river country, where wildlife flourished, all the well vegitated country down south was lost to farming and townships years ago. The majority of troubled communities are located in areas where either the land is barren and aboriginals used to be very nomadic, and had to travel great distances of find enough food to live, these nomads are now gathered together (in squaller) and given handouts, this is nearly inhuman, is there any point in allowing this to continue, I personally dont think so, these communities can not move forward, moving back to a nomadic life (if possible) may be the only way, but I cant see that working now. The other troubled communities are where these settlements are located close to towns, In this circumstance you ask the community, do you want to move forward or back, assimilation and integration through a work scheme, education and the like, or back to a life without grog and drugs, back to tribal law and ceremony.
